:: PRODUCT FAQ'S ::

Q:  What are Lava Shells?
A:  Lava Shells are the world’s first naturally self-heating massage tool, designed to allow a massage therapist, or anyone performing some type of bodywork, to add heat into their techniques.

Q: How do Lava Shells work?
A:  Our Lava Shells use the same heating technology used in our paraffin system combined with an all natural heat absorber called “Lava Gel”.  The hollow shell is filled with the Lava Gel material and then the Lava Activator saline solution is poured in, and the shell is capped so that the water can’t escape. The Activator reacts with the natural minerals in the Lava Gel sachet and causes an exothermic reaction, creating a powerful heat that is absorbed into the Lava Gel after roughly 60 seconds, to provide continuous heat for about an hour.

Q:  How does your company get the shells? 
Do you harvest the clams to get them?
A:  The Tiger Clam is native to the oceans surrounding the Philippines, and local villagers there have gathered the clams for use in their diet for hundreds of years.  Before PerfectSense came across them, the villagers, having no use for the shells, simply threw them away.  PerfectSense recycles those shells that are suitable for massage into Lava Shells.  PerfectSense employees do not ever harvest live animals to obtain shells and no animals are harmed in any way during the creation of a Lava Shell.

Q:  Are the Lava Gel or Lava Activators toxic?
A:  Absolutely not.  The Lava Gel is composed of food-grade minerals, and neither the gel nor the activator have any toxic substances in them, nor do they produce any harmful byproducts when they are combined.

Q:  How hot do the shells get?  Can I burn a client?
A:  The Lava Charges (Shell+Activator) are engineered to produce consistent heat reactions every time.  As with any heated product, all instructions must be followed carefully and should only be used by trained staff.  As long as instructions for proper use are followed, however, the shells are very safe.  The ideal massage temperature for the shells is between 120-125 degrees.  Over the course of the massage, the shell will fluctuate normally in temperature as it is used (it will lose heat when used and will be set aside for brief periods to recharge).  If the protocols included with the shells are followed correctly, the shells should never get hot enough to burn a client.  If for whatever reason the shell overheats (if it’s too hot for your hands it is too hot for the client) simply submerge the shell in the cooling dish or room temperature water for a few moments, until it is cool enough to handle comfortably. 

Q:  Are the Lava Shells real seashells?  What are they made out of?
A:  The Lava Shells are real, hand-selected Tiger Clam shells.  They’re made of calcium carbonate, as all sea shells are.

Q:  Are Lava Shells more expensive than Hot Stones?
A:  Not at all.  In fact, the typical initial cost for your equipment is less than $45, where most hot stone sets and roasters will cost several hundred dollars, if not more.  Plus, with the PerfectStart Opening Order, all of your initial equipment is free.  This means that you’ll begin earning net profit with your very first treatment, which is not true of Hot Stone Massage equipment.

:: SERVICE FAQ'S ::

Q:  How long do the shells take to prepare and clean up?
A:  Prep and cleanup are very simple.  Preparation only requires opening the Lava Gel and Activator packets and pouring them into the shell (Lava Gel first, then Activator) and placing the cap on.  It should typically take less than a minute.  Once the materials are combined, the shell takes five minutes to heat up to a ready temperature and for the Activator to absorb.  To clean up, simply pull out the Lava Gel sachet and rinse the inside of the shell, then clean the outside with soap and water; it will typically take less than a minute from start to finish, then the shell is ready to use again.  The sachet should be removed from the shell within a few minutes after the end of the treatment to avoid deterioration of the sachet material, so that cleanup is as easy as possible.

Q:  Can I use massage oil with Lava Shells?
A:  Yes.  Oil should be used to facilitate easy movement of the shell on the skin.  PerfectSense Massage carries a Botanical Massage Oil that is a great complement to a Lava Shell treatment, or you can use your own if you’d like.  Unlike Hot Stones, the shells are non-porous, meaning the massage oil comes off easily and no bacteria or oil residue becomes caught in the surface of the shell, creating a more sanitary, easier to clean tool.

Q:  How many shells do I need to do a massage?
A:  It depends.  The Synergy Massage protocol uses a single shell in combination with other massage therapies, usually lasting for 50 minutes total.  The Endless Heat protocol, which uses two shells, alternates between the two to constantly be using a shell, and can last up to 80 minutes; and the Perfect Heat (the most popular protocol) uses 4 shells, alternating so that there is always a warm shell in each hand.  Generally this means you should have four shells per treatment room or station, which is why the shells are sold in sets of four.

Q:  How do Lava Shells compare to traditional Hot Stone Massage?
A:  It is important to remember that Lava Shells are not a replacement for Hot Stones, but rather a unique massage tool that can be used to perform a similar treatment as Hot Stones can, as well as many other types of services that Hot Stone Massage cannot. 
However, Lava Shells also offer fundamental improvements over Hot Stone in many areas, especially for the therapists performing the treatment.  To begin with, the system is entirely self-contained.  Once the Lava Gel and Activator are added to the shell, it can be taken anywhere, so there’s no need for a nearby outlet. 
Second, there’s no supplemental equipment required.  Hot Stone uses large, energy-inefficient roasters to heat the stones, which not only require additional cleaning apart from the stones and can increase the risk of cross-contamination between patients, but can also make the treatment room uncomfortably hot. 
Third, and most important, there is no touch time lost with a Lava Shell massage.  During a Hot Stone treatment, because the stones only stay hot for a few minutes, the therapist must constantly be returning to the roaster to get new hot stones out of the water, and in doing so they must stop massaging briefly.  But with no more than four Lava Shells needed for an entire massage, and no heater, the therapist can stay with the client for the length of the treatment, providing all the benefits of both heat and continuous touch, which Hot Stone simply cannot do.

Q:  What kind of training is required to use Lava Shells? 
Do you offer any classes?
A:  Because we at PerfectSense are committed first and foremost to providing a safe product, when you order Lava Shells you will first be shipped a Protocol Training Guide.  This kit contains the shells from your PerfectStart order (or from one PerfectStart should you order more than one) and eight charges, as well as the Display Rack and a one ounce bottle of PerfectSense Massage Botanical Massage Oil.  It also includes the Protocol Training Kit Guide that contains comprehensive training materials, protocol information, marketing suggestions, detailed product information, and safety information.
            After receiving your PTK, you are required to undergo a phone training with your Account Manager to go over the safety information included in your guide.  Once you’ve finished this phone training, you can begin training your staff and developing your protocols using the training materials.  Only after you’ve used the charges in your PTK and finished a follow-up phone session with your Account Manager will your order be shipped.  This allows us to be certain that you’re ready to use the product safely and effectively.  Additionally, we’re looking into scheduling more classes and seminars for our customers to participate in, so be on the lookout for these types of opportunities on our website.

:: TECHNICAL FAQ'S ::

Q:  How strong are the shells?  Can I break them?
A:  The shells are composed of calcium carbonate, the same basic material that makes up our bones and teeth.  As such, it is very durable and can be used for deep pressure work without any worry over breaking.  It is possible for them to chip or break if dropped, but if handled with appropriate care they will last indefinitely.

Q:  LaStone Therapy uses cold stones as well as hot, are there any cold shells available?
A:  Research is currently being done on cold shell products, but we do not have any for sale at this time.

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