There is something very special about the month of September. I think of it as a transition month. It is that precarious shift between summer and fall, between vacation mode and school mode, and between a little bit of lazy life and structure. It is also a month that sparks a cool energy and newness. New beginnings and fresh starts are often talked about at…

I feel like I am constantly hearing about sensitivities lately. Unfortunately, when it comes to skin care, skin sensitivity has crept its way to the top of the skin concern list in recent years, and sadly, it does not seem like it is going anywhere anytime soon. There was a time when sensitive skin was a temporary, reactionary concern – the result of medication or…

I love the month of December. It is full of laughter, love, family, friends, and reflection. It is the finale of the year, and the opportunity to embrace the events of the last twelve months in order to boldly steer into a brand-new beginning. But the best part of December is the announcement of the amazing Cover Contest winner for 2021! We all strive for…

As an educator and practitioner, the moment I hear skin conditions, I immediately get goosebumps. Not only does it top the list of my favorite subjects, it is also one of the most open-ended, ever-changing topics in the skin care field, which is what makes it so darn exciting. I could take up this entire magazine writing on various skin conditions – what they are,…

I know you all know that skin is the largest organ of the human body. You have studied it for hundreds of hours, analyze it every day, and spend your career focusing on making it healthier and more youthful. What is interesting about this is the fact that for most of skin care professionals, and certainly for the majority of their clients, the focus of…

I can recall a time when the primary focus of my skin care clients was antiaging and skin renewal. Though both remain at the top of the list of skin care concerns, they have been surpassed by the skyrocketing concern of hyperpigmentation. I travel the world to educate on skin care, and in Asia, combating pigmentation ranks at the top of the list, with lightening…

As an aesthetics educator, I often get that child-like, cross-eyed look when I announce that the next subject to be covered is chemistry. “What? Chemistry? I hate chemistry – what does chemistry have to do with skin care?” Skin care professionals know full well what chemistry has to do with skin care. To truly appreciate the magnitude of a professional’s abilities, consider the physiology of…

The fusion of holistic and medical aesthetics is a very sticky topic. There are many different opinions, definitions, and interpretations of both from various skin care professionals. Skin care professionals who have an opinion on their preference, may not be willing to share. I have been involved in education long enough to know that my purpose is not to offer opinions but to give facts.…

I recall my early years as an aesthetician and educator discussing antiaging products and aging skin. It all seemed so distant. The topic has always been at the top of the skin care agenda, but the word aging seemed to carry such a negative connotation with it, as aging skin is deemed to not be desirable. From there, the preferred referential term became mature. Professionals…

Of all the topics that could be highlighted in the month of July, hydration screams to be at the top of the list. Even though hydration may seem to be a simple topic, it is often set to the wayside and overlooked as the essential foundational component of healthy skin that it is. It is a well-known fact that the human body can survive longer…

June marks the halfway point of the year. Sort of like calling Wednesday hump day, I liken the month of June to hump month. We have eased passed the chaos of a pandemic with vaccines, boosters, reduced quarantine and isolation, and all of the unknown. We have shaken hands, given hugs, seen long lost friends and family, and maybe even met amazing new assets to…