As a practicing aesthetician, how do you determine the need for a light to mid-depth peel like trichloroacetic acid (TCA) or Jessner solutions? In some states, these peel treatments may not be permitted by stand-alone aestheticians – even then, it may not be the State, but an insurance carrier preventing the treatment in a facility. Once eligibility is determined, there is the wide-ranging availability of the peel in many solutions, protocols to be followed per the manufacturer, and training that may be required.

Microdermabrasion is an incredible invention! It has allowed us to give our clients spectacular results with little to no downtime. Are you using microdermabrasion in your own spa? If you aren't, you should be! It has gained in popularity over the past 20 years. However, do you know what it really does to your client's skin and why you are getting such great results? What about the newest form of microdermabrasion, the crystal free machine? Do you know the difference between crystal and crystal free and which is best for your clientele? Have no fears, I am here to tell you all the ins and outs of microdermabrasion, what it does to the skin, and educate you so that you can pick the best machine for your own practice.

What Exactly is Microdermabrasion?

Gemstones are so fascinating! The color properties, myths, and legends are diverse and intriguing. Folklore about stones has been revered and honored for centuries in all cultures. There has been so much buzz regarding gemstone facials, but is it hype or is there real benefit to the skin?
The radical change to our environment and lifestyle leaves skin deficient and degenerative. Skin conditions like inflammation, pigmentations, skin cancer, and blemishes are on the rise. These changes necessitate the need to seek innovative modalities and solutions. We have moved beyond skin type and skin condition. Most skin conditions we see today lack nutrients and are in dire need of supplementation and detoxification. As we learn more about the harsh side effects of synthetics and chemicals and the impersonal spirit of machinery, we turn back to nature for the answers.

A normal, and ideally optimal, daily level of hydration is fundamental for the health and wellness of every client and especially their skin. This article discusses a balanced hydration, which helps in developing a personalized hydration program for clients. The article presents principles of hydration, which will help therapists understand a client’s current daily patterns of hydration and practical recommendations for adjustments and improvements.Balanced hydration is a key component of hydrotherapy. It combines an understanding of the behavior of water in the human body and how the body naturally and automatically loses predictable amounts of water each day, with suggestions on how to replace the water that is lost by consuming drinking water, beverages, and food to maintain normal hydration and prevent dehydration.

When most people hear the term “spa,” the words that come to mind are more often than not, luxury and pampering. Little is known of the history of spa. And certainly, the spa and beauty industries have tended to cater to a more affluent clientele where luxury is expected and commonplace.
But in a climate where economic, political, and ecological realities are no longer seeming certainties, it would seem that spas are changing and the demographic of who they are trying to cater to more inclusive.

Did you know that Natural comes from Nature? Simple but true. In our constant quest to be bigger and better, we forget how easy it is to enhance our lives and business by using the beauty and bounty that surrounds us in nature. 
With the resurgence of all things Natural and the current trend to Go Green & Organic, using Mother Nature’s plants and flowers in an “Aroma Bar” is a natural addition to your business. Plus, it is affordable and simple to incorporate.

For many salons and professionals, the arrival of summer brings a marked increase in our waxing services. Certainly the traditional bikini wax becomes something that we see more in the summer, but how about the now-famous Brazilian Bikini Wax? What I have found interesting about this service is when it hit our industry about 10 years ago, it hit with a vengeance and is still one of the most attended classes and asked for service. It took about three years to move from exclusively female to now include the men.

Sun exposure is unavoidable, but proper protection is more available than ever. Guiding patients by customizing daily regimens that incorporate appropriate broad-spectrum sun protection is a critical component to achieve healthy skin. Additionally, helping them to identify ingredients and blends that work to preserve critical dermal components and promote the deposition of additional structural and elastic fibers will protect against matrix breakdown. Broad-spectrum UV protection takes more than sunscreen alone.

A quick glance through the latest fashion ‘IT’ magazines makes it clear having golden skin is “Beauty Hot” representing health, vigor, and youth. The desire for this tanned look also presents the flip side of the increasing awareness of accumulative hazards affiliated with prolonged UVR light exposure and a yearly-renewed interest in ‘artificial tanning’ products as summer approaches. Using the term ‘artificial tanning’ is by description only a ‘marketing idiom’ and not accurate in present day sound skin science. Although the potentially dangerous photon energy of the sun is not accountable for this ‘artificial’ pigment reaction, the skin none-the-less is chemically responding with darkening consequence.

I have always known that margaritas are not good for the waist line, but being dangerous for the skin I never even imagined. The story begins in the beautiful city of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. A trip with some friends started out innocently enough; the sun drenched beaches, the 90 degree ocean water, and the margaritas. Oh yes, those margaritas. Who can resist this classic Mexican cocktail in the most beautiful Mexican city?

Last Saturday evening, dressed up to the nines and head held high, I went out for dinner with my friends in a trendy part of Vancouver, and didn’t get noticed once. I was elated. Yes, I was happy not to be glanced at, stared at, or leered at, because that is my every day reality as a facial burn survivor, and for once, I got my anonymity back, and for once, I did not have to explain what had happened to me to anyone. I could just be me: Karen. 

Rosacea was originally described in exacting detail by one of the most prominent doctors of his time, the English dermatologist Robert William (1757 – 1812) who started one of the first institutions focused on skin diseases. Rosacea is a chronic ‘acne form’ disorder of the facial pilosebaceous units, coupled with an increased reactivity of capillaries to heat, leading to flushing, blushing, ultimately causing a vaso-dilation condition called telangiectasia. Rosacea is an extremely common disease that is underreported and often improperly treated. It progresses slowly in stages and in its early forms, is rarely recognized by skin practitioners and all too often missed by medical professionals.

Gaining a New Perspective
Both modern medicine and spa services have tended to be symptom-based in their approach to disease. Symptom-based approaches are short-term fixes that don’t affect the cause, or necessarily the recurrence, of the problem.
If instead you develop an understanding of the underlying mechanisms of disease, and tune your perspective to eliminating them or protecting the body from them, you have turned a corner and are taking your services to an entirely new level.

The human body is an incredibly complex organization of systems. In order for each organ to perform in a structured and synergetic matter, all the components of the body must be functioning properly and healthily. Most people may not know this, but the lymphatic system's irreplaceable function within the human body serves many natural purposes, some of them still being relatively unknown.
The lymphatic system consists of lymphatic channels and an intricate capillary network. The lymph contains a clear fluid known as extra cellular fluid. This liquid closely resembles the blood plasma; however, its consistency is more diluted and adaptable.

In our aesthetic culture today, the word ‘cellulite’ has come to represent a hideous fat condition of the human body where by we will do just about anything to rid it. The term was first used in the 1920s and began appearing in English language publications around the late 1960s. The earliest reference appeared in Vogue magazine, the prestigious fashion journal. Vogue introduced this new word for ‘fat’ into American society and from then on, controversy has surrounded cellulite for decades whereby medical doctors, scientists, and other professionals cannot agree if this foundation of fat really exists. Many doctors have flatly refused to acknowledge the existence of cellulite and still do despite the overwhelming scientific evidence.

When I go to the doctor’s office, it is important for me to see their credentials on the wall of their office or in the hallway. Credentials also set you apart from the rest; it inspires confidence in your clients and colleagues that you have taken that extra step in training.

• As a client, should I be concerned with your academic competency?
• Would I know if you chose the right training course for the procedure that I am requesting?
• What was the duration of the course that you took?
• Was it an academic State approved credentialed physician supervised hands-on training program?
• Was your course over a weekend in a hotel room?
• Were there pertinent laser safety issues that will affect you the user and me the patient taught in your curriculum?
• How often do you practice this procedure?

Most professionals would agree that whether you’re 12 years or 12 months into the skin care industry, one thing is certain – there is no such thing as a simple service. Having advancements in technology, treatments, and skin care products, skin care professionals need to analyze all aspects of their client’s service needs. This is especially true for clients who suffer from hyperpigmentation, sun damage, thinning skin, couperose, hormonal changes, and skin sensitivity. After all, there’s nothing more disappointing than performing an upper lip wax on a client and having an end result of burned skin or hyperpigmentation develop over the waxed areas.

As industry professionals we can see our treatments make a difference. However, there were so many times when I was performing treatments that I wished I could show the client solid facts that showed a difference.
With the fight against aging showing no signs of slowing down and increased interest in non-invasive aesthetic procedures, skin care professionals are looking for new technologies to satisfy their clients and stay competitive in the industry.

Our field is evolving beyond just beauty. Realizing that body, mind, and spirit work together; traditional beauty treatments are now being combined with health and wellness, alternative therapies, and cutting edge technologies for looking and feeling younger. Everyone is jumping on our bandwagon.
Combining the Green and Wellness trends in your practice allows you to stay ahead of the curve to provide clients with one-of-a-kind treatments and sustainability for your business. Green is the color at the middle of the rainbow and the center of the Chakra system – representing the Heart Chakra. Green promotes balance, healing, harmony, abundance, new growth, and coming from the heart.

You’ve just returned home from an aesthetic trade show and you cannot get that Turbo-Firmo-Sculptolator 500™ machine off your mind. The demonstration proved the skin lifting and tightening results promised by the device’s makers, at a mere $8,000 with easy lease-to-own payments… how could you go wrong with this purchase? Imagine your clients’ delight when they see your dazzling new equipment and quickly they’ll sign up for treatments just as soon as… hold it! Shake of the fog of self-delusion and take a cold, hard look at this pricey decision.

Spas are relaxing, pampering and non-invasive places of retreat from daily life, right? Although partly true, thinking this may limit the possibilities available. Of course we do not need to go to the other extreme, deliberately causing pain and trauma. Yet we can balance the treatment mix to include more treatment modalities in capturing a wider client and/or treatment base.
Spa service is well founded with a long tradition in many parts of the world – as people move around, they bring with them high expectations of service, and will demand the same high quality of spa service everywhere they seek treatment.

The understanding and use of holistic skin care principles and their wisdom can benefit every aesthetic practice. In this article I will share some of my favorite ingredients and procedures that come from both modern science and traditions from around the world. But first, let us consider the basics behind beautiful skin, starting from the inside out.

The skin is an amazing protective organ that we, as skin care professionals, have the exciting job of treating. Although every patient is different - from skin condition, oil production, and Fitzpatrick type - achieving healthy skin is always the desired result. With so many products and treatment options available, reaching this goal can at times be difficult. However, no matter what the patient’s skin concerns, improving the appearance and function of the skin ultimately comes down to a healthy barrier.

Do you believe the way a person thinks can affect their skin? My observations as a practitioner show that it can. When individuals de-stress their minds, they look younger and their wrinkles are reduced. De-stressing the mind and body de-stresses the skin.
I’ve noticed unresolved issues kept inside over extended periods of time will dry some individuals’ skin, while anxiety and a lack of self-confidence can also cause the skin to break out. Individuals without the guidance of a mentor, a parent, or a boss can find it more difficult to make important decisions. Frequently, they are emotionally sensitive, have volcanic type pimples, picked skin, and rapidly aging skin.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S. with more than one million new cases diagnosed last year. The National Cancer Institute estimates that in 2009, approximately 69,000 people were diagnosed, and 8,650 died of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. As skin cancer diagnoses rise, it becomes increasingly likely that one of your patients will become affected. Although aestheticians are not licensed to diagnose cancer, they can play an important role in recognizing suspicious lesions and referring patients to a dermatologist for assessment.

In this age of chemical exfoliants, aestheticians have many choices to make when deciding what to use when treating client's skin. In our struggling economy, we all work hard to make the best choices when choosing which products to use so as to maximize results while minimizing costs in the treatment room. We also have to carefully consider these factors when recommending to our clientele what they should use for their home care regimen to complement the treatments we provide.

The skin care industry has come a long way since the days of the mini facial and the basic bikini wax. Sure, in many salons and spas around the globe these simple procedures may still stand strong and actually be the "bread and butter" of the institution. However, it is unlikely that these treatments alone are what give your spa the edge it requires to be able to stay competitive with neighboring salon businesses and attract new clients to your facility.

Exfoliation is the name of the skin rejuvenation game. Whether treating acne or aging skin, professional exfoliation is of primary importance in determining any treatment’s direction. Indeed, chemical and physical professional exfoliation has a most illustrious history from wine and milk baths (tartaric and lactic acid) to pumice polishing (microdermabrasion) and the blunt knifelike instrument called a strigils, used by the ancient Egyptians for scraping the skin (the forerunner of dermaplaning).

Salons, spas, laser treatment centers, and medical spas all competitively and capably offer a wide variety of professional hair removal services today. These special services are very affordable for clients, highly desired, low cost, and highly profitable for you. However, hair removal services are rarely marketed effectively by most professional salons. When marketed properly, professional hair removal services will quickly make you known as ‘THE BEST’ hair removal specialist in your area. Hair removal really should be one of your most important specialty services promoted aggressively throughout the year for women, men, and teens.

A recent review of our liability claims for the cosmetic laser industry showed an interesting trend: Many of the claims for laser burns resulted from the operator using power settings higher than recommended by the laser manufacturer. When queried as to why this had happened, in more than one instance the operator confessed their client was eager for results and the laser professional wanted to accommodate them. Interesting…
For years, I have given speeches and written articles advising permanent cosmetic professionals to not let the client control them. Now it turns out the same situation is happening in the laser industry.

If you own a business, you may have noticed that the marketplace is starting to feel more than a little crowded. With an economy that is still less-than-stellar, it is more saturated than ever with businesses vying for the attention of customers and potential customers. In fact, your own mailbox and inbox are probably full of ads, coupons, and marketing messages trying to win your business. And if you are feeling inundated with offers and information; just imagine how your customers must feel. Therefore, if you are not doing something to set yourself above the competition and establish customer loyalty, your business is in big trouble. 

It is time to become market driven with a series of exciting new client retention marketing strategies. We all know that one of the two best ways to build your business is by bringing in and keeping new clients. The other basic strategy for skin care clinics, salons, day spas, laser treatment centers, and medical spas is to build new business through your regular clients by selling them more services and products as well as to get them to refer their friends, co-workers, and family to you. With that said, it is time to explore how to sharpen your pencil on both ends to facilitate a new marketing plan that will take advantage of all opportunities.

We really should be smart about the fruits we consume. After all, remember that fruits are very similar to breads, pastas, rice, and other high carbohydrate-rich foods in that fruits are high in carbohydrates. That is one reason why we should only consume a certain amount, and choose the fruits that are lower in sugar. If you pick the right fruits and eat the proper portions, then you will give your body what it needs and it will benefit greatly from your efforts.
With today’s epidemic of diseases at an all time high people are starting to question which fruits are going to give them the biggest bang for their calorie buck.

The aesthetics industry, for years, has predominantly marketed the concept of "anti-aging" in terms of service and retail dollars. Anti-aging has become a central component in skin care, as we continually attempt to deliver the most effective treatments to our clients. We attempt to erase their chosen past lifestyles from their skin with, sometimes, unrealistic expectations, and usually in direct competition with medical doctors. The future of aesthetics is in treating the skin holistically, as the holistic practitioners we truly are. "Holistic" is a multi-faceted concept where the skin is seen as a whole.

Have you ever felt like something was missing in your life, but you could not put a finger on it? Have you noticed that when one area of your life is out of balance, things in other areas feel unmanageable as well? Have you literally experienced the expression when it rains, it pours? These are all examples of how everything in our life is integrated and when one aspect falls out of balance we experience unmanageability in many other aspects simultaneously. This is the exact principle behind the 12 dimensions of wellness.

The holidays are once again upon us! With this time of year comes a lot of hustle and bustle, list making and gift buying – and a lot of sales opportunities for you and/or your staff. One of the most common of these, of course, is that of gift certificates. But even though the sales of these handy stocking stuffers are pretty much a given, there are a number of techniques for making your gift certificate sales better than ever. Here are a few ideas to improve your sales and results. 

The lightbulb. Bubble wrap. The Post-It. The iPod. The Snuggie. Facebook. Twitter. These inventions, products, and businesses all started with an idea. An idea that to anyone other than its creator(s) may have seemed like an insane thing to invest much time, money, or effort in bringing to fruition. But for the masterminds behind these great ideas, the risk paid off and so too can your next great idea.
Now, you might be thinking, I am not going to come up with today's equivalent of the lightbulb. That is fine. You do not have to.

Our human skin is a marvel of evolution. And remarkably, much of its physiology and function even today remains a mystery which continues to be revealed. Which is why we all love working in skin therapy, right? Just when you thought you knew it all, up pops some newly discovered cell-capability, or ingredient breakthrough.
For example, only recently have scientists uncovered the intimate connection between brain, nerve endings, and skin, in that neurogenic inflammation is caused by a flood of chemicals called neuropetides that flow into the skin at times of stress.

Does your spa pass the “white glove” test? With today’s emphasis on good hygiene and the battle against infection and diseases, society has become more conscious about cleanliness: We take a shower every day; we put on clean clothes; we clean our homes; we wash our cars, inside and out. So, why should spa-goers not expect to have a clean and sanitary environment in our spas, nail salons, hair salons, or facial studios? As the saying goes, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” As business owners of spas, salons, or studios we need to attract new clients and maintain the clients we have. We want our clients to feel safe, comfortable, nurtured, and clean.

There is such a major focus on antiaging and finding the fountain of youth…just remember not all your clients are searching for that elixir nor do they want to look 10 years younger, they are young. Here is how I show these young things how to look like themselves only better. 
After a skin care lesson and a delicious fresh, and friendly facial mask (Greek yogurt and a teaspoon of honey); which I leave on for 15 minutes her skin should feel amazing and makeup should go on like silk. Afterwards, my model was ready for a dash of color to her face.

One would think that Dr. Vodder’s Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) enjoyed a steep rise to success. After all, for whatever reasons, it did manage to survive the reefs of recession and the cost restraining law land is thus still covered by the national health insurance schemes in Germany, by which it was recognized only 25 years previously. Yet, it took half a century before it was firmly established as a technique in physical therapy.It was a long journey, beginning in 1932 when Vodder, a Danish scientist, not only discovered MLD intuitively, but also endeavored to elucidate the technique theoretically on the basis of the somewhat obscure literature on the lymph system,
which was still founded essentially on macroscopic studies.

The skin is the body’s largest organ, also known as cuticle or scarf. Skin covers our body from head to toe and is the first line of defense in protecting us from the environment. Therefore, it is important to ensure it receives extra care to restore its elasticity, healthy look, and charm.
Beginning with the Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks; all of these empires were well known for their healing methods. Cleopatra, queen of Egypt, was reported to use the milk bath as a body treatment to keep her skin clear of blemishes, smooth, and free of wrinkles.

Body treatments are on the rise with the evolution of new technologies and surgeries that we have to trim it, lift it, slim it, hydrate it, polish it... and the list goes on. Body treatments are not only for slimming or inch loss but also to help with firming after weight loss or after pregnancy. There are also body treatments that blend a variety of natural ingredients to help with joint and arthritic pain, and clearing conditions that pertain to the skin such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis.  And let us not forget the deep relaxation benefits that de-stress the mind and body.

Restoring health and balance to sensitized skin must begin with a basic clarification of terms. If your client complains of tight, red, stinging, itchy, reactive, flushing, blushing, or hot skin, she may describe her skin as "sensitive." In fact, an estimated 50 percent of our global industry's skin care clients describe their skin in this way.
The customer is always right, but in this case, most of them are wrong. Sensitive skin is inherited. Sensitized skin is acquired. The behaviors of the two conditions are often similar, and treatments may be similar as well. But here is the crucial difference: If you truly have genetically inherited sensitive skin, then the tendency is innate and cannot be fully erased but it can be treated. It is in your DNA!

It is a common notion in the spa and beauty industries that Ayurveda is secret, mysterious, and exotic. Because of this reputation, Ayurveda is both sought out by some, and feared or dismissed by others. And all too often, Ayurveda is defined as that "oil dripping technique on the forehead," relegating a 5000-year old healing system to one single, albeit, extremely beautiful and effective treatment.

If you are like most of the business owners I have talked to over the years, you might be thinking, “If they are complaining about my service or product, they must not like what we do. Why would they be my best customers?”
You are partially right. There will always be a small percentage of your customers who are simply complaining for less than altruistic intentions; they may want a discount or additional services at no cost. You can usually identify these clients pretty readily, and these are not the clients I am talking about. Use caution and your best judgment in dealing with these types of clients.

A thriving practice consists of a strong base of clients who receive your services regularly, as well as a steady stream of new clients. Unfortunately, many practitioners become so focused on efforts to attract new clients that they overlook simple ways to enhance client retention. It is easy to understand how this can happen—new clients are vital to growing a business. However, this is only half of the success formula; retaining existing clients is the other half.
The good news is that you can easily master the art of retaining valued clients with a minimal investment of time and effort.

Stop doing. Now. Yes, you heard me, stop doing whatever it is you are doing right now (except, of course, reading). Whatever you are doing, is completely, patently useless, unless you are wholly, completely present - in this moment - right now. I would like you to trust me and take a leap into the unknown for just a few minutes, with the possibility that your life, your business, might just never be the same again.

There are many luxury treatments that we can discuss, but I would like to address the issue of acne, and with it, your youngest clients. Why? It is vitally important that our children receive the help they need through diet, education, and emotional support in order to overcome difficulties associated with acne, and the confidence issues that it brings. By giving your best efforts and demonstrating your knowledge and a professional approach, you give your clients all the reason to trust you and to trust that their acne condition will improve. These are your future clients - once they believe in you, they will be your followers for life.

More than any other profession the field of aesthetics captures what it is to be beautiful.  Being an aesthetician is like living a fantasy in the adult work world. Above all other occupations, it stands alone because it is the only professional arena where if you have the right look, personality, talent and brains you can enter center stage and still be in true character. No illustrious degrees required. All you need is the right fit and the right pathway and you will succeed against all odds.

Skin health is a highly competitive industry. Long-term success, however, can come from low-cost investments in yourself that have high impact. Education is something that can never be taken from you and can make you more effective in your career. You can gain knowledge in formal channels offering degrees, certification, or recognition. Acquiring certification in various aspects of the industry will give your practice what it takes to stand out, increase income, and shore up client bases. There are a multitude of opportunities available to the aesthetician. It is important, though, that you find reputable yet economical choices for any means you choose for continuing your education. 

As the spa, beauty, and aesthetics business becomes more sophisticated – and advertises more services that purport to retard the aging process, overcome damage to the skin and promote greater health through the wonders of modern chemistry, natural products or spa-based treatments – it is useful to have a basic understanding of the potential legal ramifications of offering these services and products in a spa or beauty salon.
As a general principle, if nothing goes wrong or if things work as they are supposed to, there will rarely be any legal consequence, but if products or treatments do not work as advertised or actually cause harm, there can be significant legal issues to confront.

Have you ever asked your clients what it is that keeps them purchasing their favorite skin care product? Do so and you will hear everything from “It reduces the fine lines on my face” to “It feels great on my skin” and “I love the smell.” These answers, and others, speak to the art that is skin care product formulation. Through a delicate balance of ingredients, chemists create products that cleanse, moisturize, lighten, protect, or reduce the signs of aging, with features such as pleasing consistency and pleasant fragrance, characteristics that appeal to consumers’ senses.

How do retail stores entice you to enter their doors and linger over their shelves full of irresistible products? Visual merchandising is a skill that department stores, shopping malls, and chain retailers have spent many years perfecting. Retailing and merchandising is an important part of your overall business plan and it will dramatically increase business profitability at your skin care center, salon, day spa, or medical spa. Lauren Gartland is the president of Inspiring Champions, a business training and coaching company specializing in the beauty industry. Gartland, along with Salon Spa Cash Flow expert Gary Ahlquist, regularly advise business owners on how to instantly boost their profits with retail.

Raise your hand if you are familiar with social networking. Maybe you have a Facebook profile or Twitter account. If you are currently engaged in these activities, is it for business, pleasure, or both? If you answered both, are you maintaining separate accounts or just one?
In everyday life we have very well established protocols regarding the separation of these activities. For instance, you would never allow your children to accompany you in the treatment room with a client or discuss your personal matters with her other than superficial pleasantries.

Most of us know the advantages of selling retail products well, so for the sake of argument let us look at the dark side of not selling our clients their home care products. In other words, what are the consequences of our failure to play the role of expert in recommending products for the day-to-day maintenance of our clients skin?
First, clients will end up buying department store products, drugstore, or infomercial brands. Not only will these products typically under-perform, they will generally not be suited to our client's skin type or needs, and thus, will fail to provide proper results. Our client will become frustrated.

The true value of a product can only be determined by the consumer, however it takes a passionate advisor to present the benefits and features of a product that establishes the worth. Think about it.
The rule of sales states it is better to have 100 satisfied customers than 1000 prospects! More sales are made with friendship than with salesmanship. This and another old business adage says “All things being equal, people want to do business with their friends” and if you have fostered your skin care business to care and help people, garnered trust based on your skills, personality, and client follow through - 

Sinking down into the soft Frette sheets for my one hour signature facial, I relinquish all my worries to Anna, my aesthetician. After a thorough cleansing, she begins to analyze my skin and says, "Ms. Hanson, would you like me to clean your brows. It is only $10?" "Of course yes, thank you, I reply." And as her hands touch my skin, she recommends that I add on the collagen-fleece mask for an additional $25 to take care of my dehydration issue, and I say, "Great." Here is a classic example of an upgrade and an add-on, so well done that "it did not hurt a bit."

The more you know about patient care, business, the arts, or just life in general; the more you can offer to your patients, your community, and your career. Professional and personal development improves existing and adds new skills, builds on your existing knowledge base, and gives you fresh perspectives of the world around you. As you develop yourself professionally and personally and apply what you learn to your practice, you increase your credibility, improve patient results, add to the level of professionalism in the skin care industry, and build your bottom line.
Deciding on where to invest your time and money for your development can be tricky.

Tis’ the season to creatively promote skin care! Well into the early fall, most salons and retailers start to get ready for the holiday season. They ramp up inventory, consider hiring more staff and plan special deals and marketing for the biggest selling season of the year. Once it comes time to start making the important marketing decisions that attract shoppers and clientele, all too often the busy season can force marketing to the back burner. The ideas were there in the beginning; however, the hustle and bustle of clientele and holiday appointments can get you off track.

The course of rosacea is prolonged. Recurrences are common and difficult. Rosacea is a skin in trauma and out of balance. When tissue repairs itself, it requires more amino acids for cell proliferation. Peptides are organic chemical compounds composed of one or more basic amino acid groups and one or more acidic carboxyl groups. Select a peptide product that contains palmitoyl-pentapeptide-3 and other peptides with a low molecular weight in the amino acid chain. Peptides are non-irritating and more stable than vitamin C and Retinol. Not only do peptides have the capability to reduce the inflammation associated with rosacea; they reduce the aging factors that compound rosacea sufferers linked with photo-damaged skin. Peptides must be an integral step in treating rosacea skin.

There is truly nothing more important than education to the success of any business, especially in the skin care industry. Manufacturers may tend to forget this-they think that their potential success rests with their products. Actually, the key is in the education of the people who use their products. I have dedicated the past 30 years to the education of skin care professionals. But here's what I've discovered: our clients also need to be trained. In fact, they are badly in need of a sort of Client Boot Camp.
I agree with the great Dr. Samuel Johnson, who said that "A little learning is a dangerous thing."

These days, it's easy to get distracted. The real trouble is, the distractions take our attention from the issues which really count-client service being key among these.
We are such sensory beings, and barraged as we are with marketing messages, a simple trip to the store may turn into a phantasmagoric trip down the rabbit-hole. When I buy groceries, I will often see shoppers, apparently from other places, who cannot hide their amazement at the shampoo aisle of my local supermarket. Has washing your hair ever involved so many decisions? The same goes for purchasing a pair of blue jeans.

When Sarah Hughes skated off with the gold medal, she pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Olympic history. Her surprisingly simple secret? “I didn’t skate for a gold medal. I went out and had a great time.”
Athletes say it all the time: “I just went out there and had fun.” And, admittedly, they do look like they’re having a great time.
Fortunately, fun isn’t the sole province of superstar athletes. It can work for the rest of us in the skin care industry, too. The link between having fun and business success has been proven in countless studies.

Hopefully when you decided to become an aesthetician, your main deciding factor was your passion; Passion to help others look and feel better. It’s no secret that having passion for what you do is a major factor in an overall success formula. And, when you combine passion with skills, your chances for success are even greater, but your formula remains incomplete.
You need a solid investment program - an investment into the future of your career path, and what better than continuing education and advanced education. In the ever changing face of beauty products and beauty systems, it’s become even more crucial today for aestheticians to stay on top of their game.

Cultivating your entrepreneurial spirit is vital to your success as a spa owner. You can become a successful entrepreneur if you have motivation, willingness to learn, and a positive spirit. The motivation to starting your own spa requires an entrepreneurial spirit, a spirit that is within each of us. For some, it may be a dying ember that needs to be sparked, while in others it may be a passion that cannot be extinguished.
The desire for money alone is not a strong enough reason to start a business. Any business, large or small, needs to make money to survive and grow.

Dermatologists, aestheticians, and technicians have used microdermabrasion for over 20 years to combat the signs of photo-aging on the skin, provide treatment for acne and discoloration, and minimize the appearance of superficial wrinkles, scars, and stretch marks on the face and body. Experts in the industry continue to make advancements in technology, technique, and sanitation to provide optimal results and protect their clients and staff. As treatments become all too standard, we must ask how much care are we putting into skin care regimens and treatments. It is important to understand the needs, skin types, backgrounds, and daily regimens of clients, otherwise microdermabrasion can be damaging to their skin and diseases may be spread.

You’re finally enjoying a few days away, and you decide to take part in what your valued clients experience as they visit your spa on a regular basis. A phone call later and you’re heading to the best spa in town.
Lady luck prevails, because the facial treatment blows you away. Since you can’t take the service provider home with you, at least you can offer that particular service at your spa when you return.
Bring home as many details as possible, and go to work bringing this new service to life in your spa.

E-newsletters are one of the best ways to openly communicate with your clients and build repeat business. You can offer advice, highlight special offers, and reveal new services you bring to your spa. E-newsletters encourage vital marketing when they are forwarded by readers. They establish your credibility in the marketplace, and put you ahead of the competition. Most importantly, an informative, insightful newsletter will keep your spa at the top of your clients' minds and make them want to come back again and again. But there's more to it than sending out a monthly e-mail.

Bring the spa experience to your clients, via a mobile day spa. It is the popular craze of pampering guests at their doorstep these days. A mobile spa is comprised of a network of traveling spa professionals and offers the essentials in day spa treatments such as facials, massage, bridal hair and make-up, body treatments, manicures, and pedicures, all with an atmosphere of tranquility created just like in a regular spa. Mobile spa treatments can be offered in private homes, offices, or hotels.
Consumers are busier then ever. They are increasingly seeking opportunities to pamper themselves in their own surroundings and not have to go out to feel relaxed.

Communication is key in any relationship: our husband, wife, family, and friends. It is paramount in your business relationships as well.
When was the last time you sat down and actually sent a hand written thank you note to a new or regular salon/spa guest to thank them for their business? In these days of cell phones, World Wide Web, Blackberry (which I thought was only a delicious fruit), iPods, e-mail, and all the multi-tasking we do, handwritten communication like writing notes, letters, and cards is slowly becoming a lost art.

Bosses! Just saying the word can send chills up one’s spine. Our direct supervisor is the one person who can be the biggest ally in our career or make our lives miserable. When it comes to employment, there will always be someone there who is the boss!

The Cheerleader
Some bosses are always nice and happy with a peppy, cheerleader-type attitude. They don’t like confrontation. If someone takes a problem to them, they tend to listen, nod their heads and say “yeah, yeah”, but nothing gets done.

Imagine this scenario… you’ve had a long day behind the chair with facials and bikini waxes scheduled one right after another. Your feet are tired; your neck hurts… even your hair feels like complaining. You’re dying for some relaxation and pampering of your own and can’t wait for your next appointment with your favorite massage therapist. Now towards the end of your shift, you’re sitting in the break room waiting for your last client… finally. As you sit there, rubbing your temples trying to keep a headache from creeping on, you feel a set of hands on your shoulders unexpectedly.

Most aestheticians love their job; they live, breath, and constantly discuss their work. Their vacations are spent at skin care shows, and their gifts to friends and family are free treatments. But they usually have a favorite service they do, and most have at least favorite one that they dread when they see it on their book. During my research for this article, I asked aestheticians across the country about their favorite and least service services to perform.
Who knew that there would be an aesthetician out there whose favorite part of her services is to sell home care?

What’s new? What’s now? What’s hot? What’s not? Have you asked yourself these questions lately? If you’re looking to sustain, grow, or expand your business in 2008, these questions should be on your mind. I started thinking about this in June of this year!
As this year comes to an end and the new year approaches, it is an important time to evaluate where you are and where you want to go. Let’s take a closer look at this by answering this question: When reviewing your current treatment offering, what are your cash cows, stars, question marks, and dogs? Let me explain.

Does Your Spa Speak the Right Language?

Busy, but not too loud. Elegant, yet affordable. Relaxing but invigorating. It might be difficult, when thinking of your spa’s environment, to find a happy medium. Finding that perfect environment, one that speaks to all clientele – returning clients and newcomers to the spa experience, might be a daunting task.
It’s possible you’ve seen your ideal workplace…imagined the ambiance of the spa that you’ll call home, talked about it with fellow workmates.

A good training manual is worth its weight in gold, or at least good old U.S. currency, since solid education is key to solid profits. A great training manual must be pure “take-away” for the readers—it’s all immediately applicable information, which will make your cash register buzz faster than the speed of sales.
The purpose of a training manual is to first set the standard for service, based upon the company vision, then to lay out in actionable steps how that standard may be achieved and surpassed daily for optimum team achievement.

If you have tried repeatedly to get a focus on customers, customer loyalty, and customer profitability inside your organization with less than stellar results, you’re far from alone. Most companies jump in without evaluating how the organization works together, whether the CEO is truly committed, and if the patience exists for the long road ahead. These are the key issues that usually get in the way of making progress. See if you recognize any of them in your organization.

Every retailer dreams about inventory literally “flying off the shelves”, as the phrase goes. But unless the retailer doubles as a savvy air-traffic controller, carefully overseeing arrivals and departures of items each day, you may encounter turbulence over Milwaukee (or wherever your business is located)!
Effectively managing the flow of inventory from your manufacturer to your clients is one of the most essential aspects of ensuring the success of your business. Few things displease a loyal client more than learning that a favorite product is out of stock. Conversely, nothing deflates the buzz of shopping more than seeing dusty, shopworn merchandise on the shelf, which obviously isn’t moving—the result of over-ordering.

Building your successful spa and salon business all begins with one happy customer. And in order to build business through your satisfied client base, you must first focus on building loyalty. But how do you keep customers for life? And how do you go yet one step further and get your loyal customers working for you by referring new customers? Following are some practical tips to help you get you started:

Masks are an incredibly effective part of one’s skin care regimen. Perfect pre-date or post-party as emergency care and weekly as a treatment routine, masks rule the medicine cabinet. So why are they are collecting dust on your shelves? Moving your retail masks requires participation of the aesthetician, spa management, the brand, and believe it or not, the client. Reverse the cycle and increase sales by learning the 10 reasons why the product is not moving:

Pursuing the right marketing strategies is critical to the financial success of your spa or salon. Given below are some current marketing strategies that can help to increase income and clientele in the body and skin care industries.

Use Effective Online Marketing Strategies
Today’s online marketing environment is becoming increasingly more sophisticated. When someone wants to get a listing of spas in a specific location the Internet is the place to go. Create a domain name that will make your spa appear on the Internet whenever someone uses a search engine.

And last but not least is the important consideration of your clients current skin care program. Directing your questions with respect to all of the products they are currently using will assist the aesthetician in finding areas of their existing skin care that may need to be addressed. I always encouraged my new customers to “bring their face in a bag” so I could review the products along with the ingredients. This snooping also uncovers how they use their products, how much, are they dipping their fingers in the jar, have the products been exposed, etc. Finding out how they care for their products means this would be time to instruct them how to use skin care properly.

They say, “Diamonds are a girls best friend”. In my personal opinion I have to disagree. I truly think frequent PROMOTIONS, free samples, special events, and monthly specials really create excitement in our salons and spas!
When Filene’s Basement department store in Chicago has a sale…the shoppers are actually waiting and beating the doors down to be the first ones to get in. It’s a sight to see. Who doesn’t love a sale?
It doesn’t matter if you have a skin center, nail salon, or spa. You don’t even have to own the business to practice this phenomenal idea.

You have a vision of a magnificent new spa and you want to turn it into reality! Wonderful!! The decision to create a new spa starts a cascade of activities that can be both daunting and thrilling. It involves creating the physical space as well as designing how the spa will operate once it is open. You know that you cannot do it alone. You need a plan to ensure that the operations will flow smoothly in the space. An architect will help translate your vision for the physical property into the blueprints that will begin to turn the dream to reality.

How many times throughout the week do we use the expression “the girls at work”? Dozens and dozens, I’m sure. “The girls at work said this,” “I went to lunch with the girls from work,” “The girls at work want to have a bridal shower for me,” and so on. All of my family and non-work friends know that I work in an all-women environment. Most of us in the spa business do. It is simply the nature of the beast that a great number of aestheticians, hair removal specialists, massage therapists, make-up artists, and other beauty professionals are women.

We’re both professional skin therapists with an entrepreneurial spirit, and we both teach classes with a similar point of view. We draw upon our own experiences as therapists, and as business owners—we’ve seen it all, done it all, and can save all of you the frustration of many common mistakes!

1- BE READY. While everyone is entitled to a personal life, quality time with friends and family, “sacred space”, and all of that sort of thing, you can’t expect much of this when you are launching a new business.

To help you acquire the most out of this edutorial, analyze the following points of reference, which will be found through the length of the series, while reading along to assist you in answering the final questions.

Learning how to write winning grant proposals is an invaluable asset for massage therapists seeking funds to further education, research, and business opportunities. The world of grants opens unlimited opportunities for massage therapists, body workers, and skin care professionals. Billions of dollars worth of grants are given out each year. The federal government, state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, community foundations, corporations, private foundations, family trusts, and individual donors award them. Grants are awarded to organizations and individuals.
Grant seeking is not a special talent that one has to be born with. It is an art that can be cultivated over a period of time.