by Leah R. Patterson Vibrational healing or medicine is a term used to describe the modalities that influence the energy fields and centers of a person in order to bring about healing. Combined with aesthetics, the practice of advanced skin care, powerfully effective treatments designed to promote inner and outer (and therefore longer lasting) healing are very possible. The modalities of vibrational healing use a number of vehicles, including the five senses, flower essences, and vibrational frequencies. Light therapy, homeopathy, and flower essence remedies are examples. The principle of activity in all of these is that everything, even down to cells has a vibrational pattern that equals healthiness. These various methods then are used to coax the subject back to its healthy vibration. Because it works on such a basic level, it is in essence the very root of what a cure is. Aesthetics relates to vibrational healing on a basic level. The practice of aesthetics is known to improve clients’ self esteem and sense of self-worth by visibly enhancing the appearance and health of the skin. This generation of positive thoughts, which has been scientifically proven to have a beneficial effect on healing, enhances the work done through vibrational Read More

by Jane Wurwand   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. This also used to be a pretty straightforward experience. Today, you need to know your boot-legs from your whisker-wash to your thong-rise-oh, forget it, the Denim Dilemma is too much. I usually end up deciding that the pair I've got are just fine after all. Read More

by Mary Van In the 60s, the British were setting the style trends and the world followed. Twiggy, miniskirts, go go boots, and the Beatles were all the rage and the Mod Look was born. Today, 40 years later, the Mod Look is back with a new modern twist! The look is bold, but don’t be afraid to introduce your clients to the hottest trend in make-up this season. Modern Mod is an inspired vision; it is softer than the look of the 60s and can be easily achieved. Any age can wear the look; simply MODify it for the age of your client. Always keep in mind the client and her expectations. The ultimate goal is for her to feel glamorous and groovy! Black is back! Dark, smoky eyes are in vogue once again. The look is thick black liner with a touch of white eyeliner or shadow around the eyes to really set them off. Pair this look with long lashes and heavy mascara and for extra oomph supplement false eyelashes. It’s MODness! If the “mod” look isn’t for you, there is always the classic look of fall. The classic look is understated eyes, slightly defined cheekbones, and Read More

by Jane Wurwand     Technique. This is a sacred word to skin therapists. To begin with, it's French-more on that in a moment. For generations, technique has been the skin care profession's raison d'etre-oops, I mean entire reason for being. Mastering the traditional posture, movements, and protocol defined the very essence of being a skin therapist, similar, let's say, to the discipline of a classical ballerina or a Cordon Bleu chef faceting perfect, six-sided baby carrot nuggets, But here's the big news: technique is not enough. Read More

By Jan Lovejoy, CCN, CCH Take a moment and think of someone you know who has a vibrant glow in their countenance and a life-giving gleam in their eye. Perhaps they’re not the fittest or even the hottest person you’ve ever met, but something about them sparkles with life. What sets them apart? Many people have a healthy glow at 30, but how do you stay shining at 50? You can pay big bucks for liposuction, butt lifts, face lifts, and any other lift that promises to defy gravity, but after a few years, your bank account will be sagging. Not everyone seeks to beautify themselves through surgeries or injections, but there is one thing every possessor of true beauty has in common, and that is HEALTH. I guarantee that any human being who can turn heads at 50 is healthy on the inside, not just toned, tucked, and tanned on the outside. Youth and genetics can cut you a lot of slack in your 20s and 30s, but over a lifetime, what you choose to ingest will slowly sculpt your entire being. For some of us, that’s bad news, but here’s the good news: the body has an incredible Read More

It's A Brave New Skin-Care World by Jane Wurwand What will skin care look like in the future? This is the question I'll be exploring in my new series of ongoing columns for DERMASCOPE. After 30 years in this remarkable business, I've formed some strong opinions. But you already know that - otherwise you'd stop reading! And, I welcome your input - please be sure to check out the contact at the end of each column. Of course, the future is now. Are you ready? Just like comic book space invaders, skin therapists indeed have laser-guns-and that's not an intrinsically bad thing. And, we have a growing-actually exploding-number of latex-gloved, white-gowned clinicians treating the skin as if it were a suit of clothes that's been dropped off by its owner for a quick spiffing-up. But this is not the destination I had in mind for the industry which I love so passionately. Let me say that I am not anti-M.D. Really. I entrust my own skin to a dermatologist, UCLA's Dr. Joshua Wieder, and he's fantastic, ethical, and wise. But part of my mission in writing this column is to help all of us forge a better understanding and a Read More