Cheers to October! In my opinion, October is the true transient month from summer to fall. The leaves are changing. The air is cooler and has the best fresh, crisp smell to it – not to mention the cool sweaters and jeans I can pull out of the closet. 

This month’s issue hits home with a range of ages, skin types, and sexes. What was once categorized as the skin condition of teenagers now runs the gambit of including a whole host of individuals. This increasing skin concern provides each skin care professional with an increasing opportunity to grow their business, expand their knowledge, and help others. 

   Long gone are the days of acne being linked solely to teenage hormones, greasy food, and unclean skin. Yes, those are still existing factors, but today, we are seeing adults struggling just as much. Environmental changes, lack of sleep, medications, and out of control stress and anxiety levels are all key triggers of hormonal imbalances that directly influence acne breakouts, both acute and chronic. It is more important than ever for skin care professionals to know their facts and understand the dynamics of acne and the influencing factors that affect men and women at every age. 

Although skin is our scope of practice, it is the big picture that must be taken into account. Help clients understand how their lifestyle influences their skin. Guide them through the process of connecting the dots between sleep, healthy eating, breathing, exercise, meditation, lowering stress, smiling, laughing, and just plain slowing down to healthier, clearer skin. 

It is a lot simpler than it seems. We are all a ball of interconnected energy that can be controlled and manipulated when we take the time to be aware of it. 

Stop and smell the roses.