The irony is not wasted on me as I write the mature skin issue’s publisher’s note year after year. As children, getting older means a rite of passage. As adults, getting older means more preventative measures. No one is excited when they finally become a candidate for a face-lift. That being said, being a woman of a certain age does not have the same old negative connotations it once did. People can now find the prime of their lives when they are in their 40s, 50s, and beyond.
In contrast, this issue is about getting wiser, not necessarily older. Beauty is sustainable at any age and can differ from person to person – youth is but a concept. This is an idea I hope catches on as quickly as neon lights have for treatment rooms.
While perusing this issue, leave behind preexisting notions of what getting older means for professionals and clients alike. This certainly does not mean having no choice but to wait for mother nature’s forces to wreak havoc – quite the contrary actually. It means that we are not those who came before us. We have more choices, freedom, and, most importantly, sincerity. Let the days pass because it only means more to live for. Cheers!

Although a clerkly, inevitable, critical topic, nothing makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up more than the term age management, and that is clearly because I have now entered the management stage. 

Those who know me, know that I refuse to refer to skin over the age of forty as aging or mature. Several years ago, I coined the term “sophisticated” for all skin in need of assistance of turning back time.  

However, I am clearly aware of the inevitable process of aging, and the fundamental role it plays in our businesses. Fortunately, for all skin care professionals, the aesthetics industry has continued to excel in research and development of ingredients, products, treatments, and equipment specifically designed and formulated to not only turn back the hands of time, but in many cases, to slow the ticker all together.  

Using the professional’s  knowledge and expertise of skin, their analysis and consultation, combined with the phenomenal offerings available, they really have the ability address multiple factors of sophisticated skin concerns at multiple levels. Readers should take their time with this month’s issue. It is packed with information to sharpen skills and even change the way that each individual approaches their needs.  

From products and treatments to lasers, lights, current, and combined modality treatments, by the end of this issue, readers will be the master of sophistication. Do not forget to check out the website for even more tips, tricks, and insights! Happy spring! 

For decades now, there has been a clear focus for including vitamin C in a complete skin care regimen. However, the discussion of benefits always centers around what a great antioxidant it is instead of its role in making collagen and elastin. Additionally, there is a misunderstanding of the available literature that discusses which forms of vitamin C work best.

The same cutting-edge, sub-nano technology that powers antioxidant delivery in wellness products is now used in skin care to fight free radicals and signs of aging. A critical component in longevity and good health as one ages is the body’s naturally occurring master antioxidant, glutathione. This antioxidant also ensures that the immune system functions properly. It is essential for tissue building and repair as well as making necessary chemicals and proteins. Glutathione supports liver health and detoxification, improves athletic performance, speeds up recovery, boosts immune function, increases and improves sleep, and so much more.

Now that same tissue-rebuilding, detoxifying power is producing real results in the skin care world. Glutathione can defend skin from environmental stress, prevent signs of aging, and detoxify skin from existing damage.¹ This is all possible with the proper delivery system that infuses skin with this powerful antioxidant that can reach the inner layers of skin

INNER WORKINGS

Glutathione is a naturally occurring tripeptide amino acid produced in every cell of the body that recycles all other antioxidants to provide maximum detoxification and protection from free-radical damage. It can improve health in both the short and long term, from the inside out, and is a highly touted wellness supplement. Naturally, it has the same effects on skin.

Natural levels of glutathione in the body start to subside as early as the age of 12. Still, increasing glutathione in the body can be achieved with good lifestyle choices, like a glutathione-boosting diet, moderate exercise, and the right supplement regime. Additionally, direct delivery of glutathione to skin can help turn back time on signs of aging.

DELIVERY MATTERS

Glutathione is hard to deliver to skin effectively due to its huge molecule size and the required correct transdermal uptake.² A sub-nano system format allows for transdermal delivery, which means better absorption and efficacy. Unlike other methods of obtaining glutathione, like via ingestible products, a sub-nano system circumvents the potential for the protein to break down during delivery and lose potency. 

Glutathione for skin means that powerful detoxification not only defends skin from environmental stress and prevents signs of aging but also detoxifies skin from existing damage. This powerfully transformative antioxidant is now getting delivered to skin in a whole new way, making glutathione and other antioxidants more potent and available for skin to utilize in the inner layers to deliver age-defying results.¹

I have been studying the power of glutathione in the body for 20 years. Now, it’s a total breakthrough in skin care. The delivery means glutathione can get into the subcutaneous levels of skin so it can do its job. 

References

1. Antioxidant revitalization serum: Auro Wellness Products. Auro Wellness. (2022, November 8). Retrieved February 23, 2023, from https://aurowellness.com/product/g-antioxidant-revitalization-serum/
2. Auro Wellness Shop: Supportive Nutritional Supplements. Auro Wellness. (2022, December 19). Retrieved February 24, 2023, from https://aurowellness.com/auro-shop/

The Skin Bar by Chic MD is a cozy medical spa in the heart of Greenville, South Carolina and owned by Helen Coquin. They boast a stellar client experience that begins as soon as a client walks through the door, complete with a fun atmosphere, great music, a large retail selection, and, best of all, great medical service. The Skin Bar believes reaching goals should be possible for everyone. In addition to their service offerings, The Skin Bar donates products to the local battered women’s shelter and hosts a monthly book club, education events, DIY body scrub classes, and many other events that focus on building a stronger community.

Contact Information:
@theskinbar.gvl
raisingtheskinbar.com
(864) 412-8200

Many aesthetics professionals understand how light therapy impacts skin health, but it can also positively impact their bottom line. Time and money are at a premium these days, so it is important to give clients the biggest bang for their buck while building a practice and increasing its income.      

SKIN, PAIN, & HAIR 

Any proper facial treatment should include a thorough consultation with a skin analysis and, as such, should have enough time set aside during the treatment for this crucial conversation. Why? The rewards are big. This essential step is an art, and if executed correctly and strategically, will not only organically generate retail sales but also cover 90% of the sales process, leaving the spa professional with time to recommend products after the treatment is over.
Not only will a thorough consultation confirm the concerns of a client and that the selected treatment will be helpful – possibly leading to an upsell or redirection to a different treatment if necessary, reinforcing professionalism – it will also create the opportune moment to evaluate and plant the seeds of the perfectly adapted recommended homecare post-service.
In addition to observing and touching skin, asking questions, having a consultative approach, and communicating the what, when, and how with a client will make this step the ultimate skin analysis.

A skin care professional’s main goal is to treat and study the science of skin, but their service does so much more than what meets the eye. It is important to understand and uphold the service aspect of the business as well as the way aesthetics services can affect the lives of clients. Clients must trust their service provider’s expertise but also sense that the professional cares about how they feel about the service – if it gives them more confidence in their appearance. Many studies have shown that having a structured self-care routine boosts a person’s mental wellness, and skin conditions have led many to depression and other mental health issues. Licensed skin care professionals re-enforce good mental health practices every day by teaching others how to care for their skin and practice self-care.

In 2023, many people are opting for cleaner and lighter makeup looks that give the illusion of perfect skin without being obviously enhanced. Here are some tips for creating the perfect no-makeup makeup look for clients by swapping out traditional products with lighter alternatives.

1. MAKE THE EYES STAND OUT WITHOUT MASCARA 

Everyone knows that eyes are the center point of any great makeup look, but what happens when clients want their eyes to pop without the use of mascara? One awesome trick is to use an eyelash growth serum. With consistent use, eyelashes grow long and beautiful without the use of a mascara, which could actually destroy the integrity of eyelash hair over time. To add more drama to naturally lighter hair, a tinting and lifting service may be in order to create the appearance of mascara. 

2. USE COLOR CORRECTING CREAM 

Proper pre- and post-operative skin care speeds up healing time, protects the cosmetic surgery investment, and ensures the best possible results. The goal is to prepare skin for each procedure and determine the best course of action to achieve a healthy and speedy recovery. “Professional skin care is essential for optimal results after any aesthetic procedure, especially in [patients] undergoing face- and neck-lifts,” says Dr. Jonathan Brower, board certified plastic surgeon. Some suggested cosmetic procedures for mature clients for the face and neck include a face-lift (rhytidectomy), neck-lift (lower rhytidectomy), upper and lower eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), eyebrow-lift (forehead lift), cheek augmentation, nose surgery (rhinoplasty), chin surgery (mentoplasty), and buccal fat removal (cheek reduction). 

When designing a skin care plan for face- and neck-lift surgery, it is important to consider that most clients will have a mature skin type. This skin type tends to be on the drier side and needs consistent exfoliation to increase cellular turnover and moisture. “I have a low threshold to refer clients to a qualified aesthetician if I think they need to improve their skin quality and elasticity prior to surgery, a process that may take up to one year if there is significant damage. To complement my aesthetician’s efforts during this time, I will get the client started on a neurotoxin and prescription tretinoin regimen to soften fine lines and lighten dark spots. My expectation is that clients will keep up with all these modalities for an optimal result,” says Dr. Brower.

OPTIMIZING SKIN

Erin K. Bradford, president and founder of Advanced Aesthetics Skin Care Studio, is a nationally recognized practicing skin care expert and paramedical micropigmentation specialist who has worked alongside plastic surgeons for over 20 years. She was a previous faculty member for The Aesthetic Society. She currently provides pre- and post-cosmetic surgery skin care and scar management at her skin clinic in Greenville, Rhode Island.