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Published on: 2/7/2006
Last Visited: 12/15/2007
Jean Pierre: A New Lease On Life
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If you saw Jean Pierre today, you'd never believe that she has recently endured a harrowing, life-threatening experience.
Pierre, the founder and owner of Jean Pierre Aesthetics and Spa Inc., in downtown Toronto, and the creator of the Obsidian Skin Care System, was poised to introduce a new service to her clients when illness, like a bolt of lightning, knocked her off her feet.
Since, Pierre has had a major operation and spent six months recuperating.
On her first day back at work, she looks fit and every bit the professional, in a navy blue pant suit and red sweater.Her skin is smooth and glowing, a testament to the Obsidian line of products she has designed for people of colour, and her hair cascades to her shoulders in a myriad of corkscrews.
We sit in her office where a display of certificates tell of her many accomplishments, and she tells me about the experience that has given her a greater appreciation for life.
One morning, after returning home from her usual vigorous workout at the gym, she had a slight pain in her side, but didn't think very much of it.She kept herself in good physical and mental shape by working out three to five times a week, and doing yoga three times a week.
She also drank a concoction of fruit and vegetable juices every morning, and had regular checkups at the doctor.
But the pain worsened, and about an hour and a half later, it was excruciating.When she called her husband in tears, because the pain was so bad - and she believes she has a high tolerance for pain - he told her to call 911 and get to the hospital, where he would meet her.The pain was so terrible that he kept her talking on the phone until the ambulance arrived.
By the time she got to the hospital, the pain had spread to her stomach, and was unbearable.After much probing, the doctors did an x-ray and came back with bad news.It seemed there was a large mass in her stomach, which they believed to be cancer.They would operate right away.
"The diagnosis was grave, but it didn't budge me," Pierre says."I wasn't afraid."
When she awoke from the anaesthetic, she received good news.
"The surgeon came to me and said, 'You're lucky it wasn't what we thought it was'," Pierre says
It wasn't cancer but an adhesion - a growth that was wrapping itself around some of her internal organs.She compares it to mistletoe growing around a tree.The growth has resulted from a stomach operation Pierre has more than fifteen years ago.The doctor removed all of the growth.
"That doctor was my guardian angel because he saved my life," Pierre says.
She believes that being in good shape both physically and mentally, and having a good mind-set, helped her through her ordeal.
"It just goes to show you that there are no guarantees in life.When this happened I was planning to launch my new Spa at Home service," she says
Now that she is well, Pierre is ready to continue where she left off.
Being laid up for six months showed her that the Spa at Home service would benefit people who need pampering but are unable to make it to the spa for one reason or another.
"When you are laid up at home for a long time, you get depressed, and a great massage or a pedicure or manicure would do the trick," she says.
Spa at Home will also offer facials, massages body facials, manicures and pedicures to clients in their own homes.Now, instead of clients leaving home to come to the spa, Pierre will bring the spa to the client.She will offer these services to individuals, but also to retirement homes, hospitals, new mothers who don't want to leave their babies, and home or bridal parties.
Pierre says the service is affordable and won't cost any more than what a trip to the salon now costs.
She will also be offering a new service to her clients: laser hair removal, a method of permanently removing unwanted hair.
"It's a procedure that has been around for some time, but was not available for Black skins," Pierre says.She believes that laser hair removal will help women who have unwanted facial hair - such as beards and moustaches - which some women experience because of excessive testosterone during menopause.
Men who get razor bumps from shaving will also benefit from the treatment.
Pierre, who has been in business for the past 22 years, is a former nurse and mid wife.She got interested in aesthetics because she had problem skin and couldn't find a product that helped.
She studied aesthetics at a Seneca College then continues her education in spas in France, Italy, Germany and Switzerland, in order to experience aesthetics on an international level.
She counts former Toronto Raptor Damon Stoudemire (now with the Portland Trail Blazers) among her new clients.
Now that she's back at work she says it's like starting all over again.
"I put 150 percent into whatever I do, and I don't give up easily," she says.
"I have always had a good outlook on life, but since my illness, my outlook is even better."
Jean Pierre Aesthetics & Spa is located at 530 Yonge ST.(at Wellesley), 2nd Floor and can be reached via (416) 964-2505 or www.jeanpierrespa.com.
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