The kids of Wildwood, NJ operated a beachfront lemonade stand on JuLy 2, 2011 to raise money for the children affected by the Tuscaloosa tornados. Little Green, the newly sprouted safe, gentle and pure hair and skin care collection for babies and kids, sponsored the lemonade stand – which was located at The Club at Diamond Beach.

Run by children ages 5-12, the lemonade stand was a successful daylong event that managed to raise $2,100 for their cause. All of the proceeds will be donated to benefit the Tuscaloosa Disaster Relief Fund.

“We are so proud that the kids wanted to give back to families in need and, thanks to their hard work, we had a great turnout and successful fundraiser,” said Carmen DePasquale, President and Creator of Little Green.

The Dermatology Nurses Association (DNA), joins nearly 100 state and national medical associations including the AmericanAcademy of Dermatology Association and the American Medical Association in signing a letter of opposition to Rep. Michael Grimm (R-C, NY), who co-sponsored legislation to repeal the 10 percent tax on indoor tanning services.
According to the AmericanAcademy of Dermatology Association, nearly 70 percent of tanning salon patrons are girls and women aged 16 – 29 years. However, skin cancer diagnoses have been steadily increasing among both men and women. American Cancer Society statistics show one in five Americans will develop the disease in his or her lifetime.

What is amazing to me is not that threading has recently become so popular, but that it has taken so long to catch the attention of men and women in the U.S. Threading has been around for centuries, mostly in the near and far east Asia. An acquired skill, it was passed on from one generation to the next in countries such as India, Turkey, Egypt, and China. The process itself is simple, yet like all skilled techniques, one has to pay attention to the details to become more proficient. The best part of threading from the side of the practitioner is that it requires no investment in equipment. The thread and the skill to perform are all that is needed.

My Experience with Threading
Repetition is the mother of perfection, and that is how I acquired the skill.
As a former spa owner, I had many clients come to us looking for an alternative method of facial hair removal (other than waxing or tweezing) due to chemical peels or other skin conditions. What is unique to threading is that it is a technique that requires an aesthetic ability on the side of the practitioner.

Like other organs in the human body, water is the primary component of the skin. Over time and with physiological changes and exposure to the environment, we often find the moisture content of the skin declines resulting in dry skin. Dry skin can be so mild we hardly notice it or so severe it leads to a breakdown in the skin structure and integrity. It may manifest itself in many forms, from a dull, gray-white skin discoloration to dry, rough, scaly patches with cracks or fissures that can cause burning and stinging. When left untreated, the condition invariably worsens.

August 4, 2011 is National Pampering Day - an entire 24 hours devoted to embracing and celebrating the most important person in the world - YOU! While the other 364 days of the year are spent working, running errands and caring for loved ones, National Pampering Day allows a mental timeout for some long-awaited emotional self-care.

Dal LaMagna, founder of TWEEZERMAN, has been RAISING EYEBROWS for over 30 years.

In his new book “RAISING EYEBROWS – A FAILED ENTREPRENEUR FINALLY GETS IT RIGHT” Dal tells the story of his rise in the beauty industry starting with one tweezers and building it into TWEEZERMAN, the beloved beauty tool line of beauty professionals world-wide.

Starting with his many failed ventures in business, Dal shows us how he used each lesson learned to build Tweezerman into a multi-million dollar socially responsible company.  Dal LaMagna’s story is full of honesty and humor; no sugar-coating from the “Tweezerman” as usual.

Fans of Tweezerman will enjoy reading how the inventor of their favorite SLANT tweezers started out, succeeded and continues to put his principles to work today.

Buy the book at www.reelubooks.com or visit www.dallamagna.com for more information.

New Treatment from Syneron Medical LTD. Offers a Hydroguinone Alternative.
With the advent of Botox and Dysport women have new peace of mind in the war against wrinkles.  Today, there’s a new enemy in town… hyperpigmentation. Known as age spots, sunspots and ugly discoloration; hyperpigmentation has become the new wrinkle for many.
Until recently, we fought hyperpigmentation with skin bleaching creams (often thinning the skin), chemical peels and laser procedures. Today, Syneron Medical Ltd has created a new topical solution delivering results, erasing signs of hyperpigmentation in 28 days. Enter elure (www.elureskin.com).

GlyMed Plus Advanced Aesthetics, leader in professional skin care, announced their 20th Anniversary celebration, commemorating two decades of delivering the results consumers want, need and expect.   

Founded by Christine Heathman, Master Aesthetician and CEO, GlyMed Plus emerged as a science-based professional skin care company in 1991 when alpha-hydroxy acids were beginning to surface in skin care products.  Always the innovator, Christine differentiated GlyMed Plus by blending glycolic acids with natural botanicals that would provide antioxidant protection and anti-inflammatory properties; thus the creation of the GlyMed Plus brand and name - Gly (glycolic), Med (medical-grade formulas) and Plus (the foreseen expansion of the line). 

Regent Bond Inc., distributor of Biodroga Institut in the Northeast, Midwest and Southeast has partnered with Catherine Hinds Essentials for distribution of Biodroga to the New England states.

Biodroga, a professional, global skin care brand, has been manufactured in Baden-Baden, Germany since 1959. Award winning quality assurance, research and development and state of the art manufacturing facilities guarantee consistency and exceptional quality products. Using a unique balance of highly effective biological ingredients and cutting-edge bioengineered ingredients forms the basis for the unmatched position Biodroga Institut holds on the European and Global skin care market.

Allergan, Inc. (NYSE:AGN) announced Friday the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a fully in vitro, cell-based assay for use in the stability and potency testing of BOTOX® (onabotulinumtoxinA) and BOTOX® Cosmetic.  The newly approved assay will be implemented immediately for release of product for sale in the United States.  Allergan estimates that use of the new assay will reduce the use of animal-based assay testing for BOTOX® and BOTOX® Cosmetic by up to 95 percent or more over the next three years, as other regulatory agencies around the world approve this new assay.  The new assay is the first to be developed and approved for any botulinum neurotoxin currently available worldwide, and is specifically applicable to Allergan’s botulinum toxin type A product. 

With over 900 million adolescent girls and young women in the world, Clean Scene by Murad is looking for just one passionate and enthusiastic young woman to be the voice of her generation.

Clean Scene by Murad announced today the creation of the Amazing Skin - Amazing Life - Amazing Future! video contest running from June 21-July 18, 2011. Through the video contest, applicants will answer the question “If I Had One Minute with the President of the United States, I would…” where Clean Scene by Murad will choose one lucky winner to attend a special teen conference on August 11, 2011 in New York City. 

Anti-Aging Expert and Inventor of Gua Sha Facial, Dr. Ping Zhang Says Yes

Men and women searching for the proverbial fountain of youth may not have to go under the knife or endure painful, costly injections in their quest for younger looking skin. Dr. Ping Zhang, an expert in anti-aging Traditional Chinese Medicine, a renowned acupuncturist, a certified herbalist, and massage therapist with more than 20 years of clinical experience specializing in facial rejuvenation acupuncture, acupressure and Chinese Herbal Medicine, recommends Gua Sha - a traditional Chinese treatment that is used to reduce wrinkles, sagging, dark circles and more.

New Study Reveals Dangers of NSAIDS: When it comes to relieving the common headache or body aches, it seems as if the cure may be worse for you than the pain it’s supposed to relieve.
Consumption of NSAIDs – common pain relievers like ibuprophen (Advil, Motrin) and acetaminophen (Excedrin) – has grown to 70 million prescriptions and 30 billion over-the-counter sales annually. That statistic is disturbing to Michael Sheehan – founder of natural medications company BioResource Inc. (www.bioresourceinc.com) – because of a new study from the Archives of Internal Medicine (AIM) that reveals NSAIDS may play a part in the development of heart disease.

The Professional Beauty Association (PBA) and National Cosmetology Association (NCA) are pleased to announce steady membership retention and growth in 2010. Comparing 2009 to 2010 year-end results, PBA's Manufacturer and Distributor sections experienced exceptional results with double-digit growth at 19 percent and 20 percent respectively. PBA's Salon/Spa section reported a two percent increase, which is up from previous years. Members continue to report their overall satisfaction with PBA | NCA's efforts on behalf of the industry and view their membership as a key resource for education, career advancement, government advocacy, networking, and access to premiere industry events for the beauty professional.

EpiCareSRT™ has announced that it has entered into a strategic partnership with Sensus Healthcare™ to take new aim at skin cancer by providing the first mobile service to bring low-dose superficial radiation therapy directly to the point-of-care in dermatology offices.

Jane Wurwand, founder and owner of Dermalogica®, was selected to participate in the 50 Years of The Pill: Bayer's Celebration of Women's Empowerment campaign, where she was featured in a unique online photo book exposition. The series showcases stunning black and white portraits of Jane Wurwand, Gloria Steinem, and other iconic women by legendary photographer Annie Leibovitz. Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals partnered with national nonprofit Step Up Women's Network to create this powerful commentary on the social, cultural, political, and economic progress of women in the past half-century since the introduction of the birth-control pill. Jane Wurwand participates in SUWN as a mentor, and Dermalogica partners with the organization to create fundraising events and other joint efforts to benefit at-risk teen girls.

Bioelements is thrilled to announce it will now offer its complete line of professional skin care to the salon and spa community through an expanded partnership with SalonCentric – the country's largest distributor of salon and spa products. The ultra-popular line will now be featured in over 230 new distributor store locations, in neighborhoods throughout SalonCentric's territories.

Cosmetic Bootcamp, LLC. is pleased to announce the launch of its comprehensive aesthetic textbook, "The Cosmetic Bootcamp Primer (Informa)." This book contains chapters written by a variety of different specialties and in addition to the outstanding medical information also contains chapters on practice management as well as an instructional DVD. The Cosmetic Bootcamp Summer meeting, which features live demonstrations and lectures, will be in Aspen from July 14th through 17th, 2011.

DermTech International, Inc., a biotechnology company dedicated to bringing genomic medicine to dermatologists, announces that their discovery data on its new genomic assay for melanoma has been published in the British Journal of Dermatology. The test is based on the EGIR™ technology (Epidermal Genetic Information Retrieval) that non-invasively collects cells from the skin's surface using a custom adhesive. Details from the paper titled, "Non-invasive Genomic Detection of Melanoma" show that the test is 100 percent sensitive in identifying melanoma.

Brigitte Brown, CEO and founder of Brown Olive Natural Skin Care gives back to the community by donating skin care products to the residents of the Broward House. On December 23rd, 2010, residents received some holiday cheer at their annual Christmas party. Residents received body wash and lotions, olive butter body jelly, and olive butter lip balm nicely wrapped to take with them. The Broward House serves over 6,000 men, women, children, and families living with or who are at risk for the HIV/AIDS virus.

Obagi Medical Products, Inc. has been honored with two Beauty Choice Awards from NewBeauty Magazine, featured in the publication's Winter 2011 issue. The brand is named as the Best Overall Brand Sold at a Doctor's Office and the Obagi Nu-Derm® Clear™ is titled the Best Overall Dark Spot Eraser.

PCA SKIN® is honored to be recognized as a 'Best Place to Work' by the Phoenix Business Journal for the second consecutive year. Our skin health company would not be where it is today without the support of our passionate staff. We would also like to thank the extended team of PCA SKIN Certified Professionals for ensuring that we continue to deliver on our vision of improving lives.

Jane Wurwand, founder and owner of Dermalogica®, recently shared the floor with Los Angeles' top female business leaders. The "Women's Dialogue" held in the historic Los Angeles City Hall Council Chamber was led by City Controller Wendy Greuel. The panel explored the skills needed to keep business thriving in a recession economy and provided advice for women looking to develop their entrepreneurship.

Yon-Ka Paris has just conducted the "I Like Yon-Ka" sweepstakes on their website in which the winner would receive "one year of Yon-Ka products." The global competition ran from January 17 to February 28 and came to increase brand awareness among consumers, build a community on the Yon-Ka Facebook fan page, and reward existing customers. Participants voted for their favorite products and treatments. Each participating country drew prizes not only for a winning consumer, but for a winning spa professional, and a winning spa or salon as well. Winners will be announced on March 10, 2011. A second sweepstakes, which will take place this spring and will come to promote the launch of Vital Defense, a new anti-age prevention, anti-pollution, antioxidant moisturizer, and spa treatment. Participants in this second sweepstakes will enter to win free Yon-Ka facials throughout the country, and will be automatically entered to win a weekend for two in Paris, including flights, hotel accommodations, and complimentary spa treatments at the flagship spa
L'Espace Yon-Ka.

To support its growing base of skin care professionals, Rhonda Allison Cosmeceuticals has hired a corporate liaison based in Chicago, and five additional personnel to assist in client services, sales, and operations at its headquarters in Dallas, Texas as it continues its expansion in various markets throughout the U.S. As the company's corporate liaison, Alexis Ypsilantes will be based in Chicago and focus on developing the Rhonda Allison brand in the region as well as supporting existing accounts. The new hires include Amanda Edwards and Cliff Manning, who will help facilitate client services and operations, and Lynn Gregory, Kimi Hill, and Mitzi Wegand, who will serve on the sales team and oversee client support in specific geographical territories across the U.S. In their new roles, they will assist in developing new connections and building existing relationships, as well as support skin care professionals on product knowledge and education. This addition will allow Rhonda Allison Cosmeceuticals to expand its reach in new and existing markets, bolster the support it offers skin care professionals, and build upon its continued education offerings, which includes regional classes, on-site trainings, published materials, video and phone conferences, and the development of a podcast/radio show.

Professional liability (also known as “malpractice” or “errors & omissions”) insurance covers you and your business against lawsuits arising out of your professional services. While this coverage is readily available, not all policies are created equal. In order to provide adequate coverage, a policy must be designed to cover the unique operations of an aesthetic or spa business.
This special type of insurance coverage can protect against a wide range of allegations including allergic reactions to products used during treatments, all manners of skin irritations and inflammations, burns from hot wax and steam wands, sexual misconduct, etc.

If you want clients to follow you to the end of the earth and back, you better be the biggest expert on the block. Yes, great hands (touch therapy) do matter, as does your relationship and other such things, but the end all/be all deciding factor in them coming back for more will be the respect and awe you inspire with your results driven, customized system of skin care for each client. And by far the largest component of that is the clients at home skin care program. Don’t you agree?

Most practitioners of skin treatments, (and I include doctors as well as aestheticians), are lousy salespeople. The reason being: People, who truly want to change a skin, thus change a life, are passionate about their work and often do wonders in the privacy of the treatment room. This is an “art” and like most artists, these types of people fear rejection. Rejection can be in the form of a client saying “no,” after a treatment, when the client is asked to buy the home products recommended, to which they often respond, “No, I have just spent $300 dollars on products at the store and I want to use those first!”

It is time to refresh your retail environment and take sales to a whole new level. You can transform your retail department to look like the pros with strategic changes that ultimately impact how people browse, shop, and buy. For increased revenues and improved sales implement these interior design techniques for today’s skin care clinic or spa.
Communicate your brand. Upscale, urban, organic, value-priced… your retail interior should be a direct reflection of the image you want to communicate. High-end products should be merchandised minimally like fine jewelry in displays that complement the product. Organic products should be surrounded by metal and wood.

pH is an acronym for the “potential of Hydrogen”, or the acid to alkaline ratio existing in all matter, and our 7.365 body pH measurement is the benchmark for measuring our health. The pH scale or chart is typically color coded and ranges from 0 to 14. Anything below 7 is acidic and it compounds itself meaning 10x, 100x, 1000x as it gradually becomes more acidic, and alkaline compounds going up the scale.
For instance, battery acid is dangerous at a 1 pH and calcium is highly alkaline at a 12 pH. Our body should be neutral at 7 pH.

If eyes truly are the “windows of the soul” then I say – LASH OUT!
As a spa professional, you can not help but blink to notice how long, lush lashes are in your face! With icons like Shu Uemura, and his highly stylized Tokyo Lash Bar, lashes are coming of age in America with true lash extension manufacturers continually creating new products promising thicker, longer definition to the eyes.
The spa industry is all about beautifying, and a big part of what makes a woman feel more beautiful is longer, thicker, more voluminous lashes. The technique of eyelash extensions is a relatively recent addition to the makeup and salon repertoire in the U.S yet it has already become hugely popular and in demand, especially in urban areas.

If a waxing professional double dips, begins waxing sans gloves, or does not store non-disposables, like tweezers and scissors, in an antibacterial autoclave between clients… run for the door! Often times, these unsanitary practices are overlooked by clients who believe that hot wax kills all bacteria or do not take the time to think about what was just waxed minutes prior to a seemingly harmless routine eyebrow wax. As the CEO and founder of a skin care company with years of experience behind the table as an esthetician and years managing a staff as a spa owner, I stress sanitary practices to all aestheticians and salon owners that cross my path. It is something I am relentless about. Proper sanitation and sterilization. It does not matter how good your service is, clients see cleanliness. It must start with this! Clients make decisions within the first seven seconds of entering a salon or spa. What does your spa look like?

The human organism is constantly exposed to environmental assaults and the most important protective functions are provided by the skin. Chief among the diverse environmental agents, the skin must protect against is the ultraviolet radiation emitted from the sun. Photodamage, the general term referring to the toxicity associated with the cumulative effects of overexposure to UV radiation, is a broad and multifaceted issue. Beginning with biochemical changes and ultimately showing up as clinically visible manifestations from sunburn to photoaging to cancer, comprehension of the mechanisms and the associated preventive and protective measure that can be taken to mitigate photodamage must be an important part of a modern aesthetician’s overall understanding of skin health.

Strategic and creative promotions are a powerful way to stimulate business flow and revenues, as well as being an effective means of creating a loyal clientele. But think about this: What are your clients interested in? How can your promotions attract new clients? How often should you offer promotions? What types of promotions will set your business apart from the competition? You must create a strategic plan in order for you promotions to be successful and provide you with a return on investment (ROI).

What motivates you to get up and do your job every day? Is it the money you make, the prestige of owning, managing or working in a spa? Or is it something more like enjoying the type of work you do, knowing you make a difference in others’ lives, or feeling like you are a part of a business or industry that really matters?
Whatever your answer(s), the truth is that most people in the skin care or spa business are motivated by many things other than a large paycheck.

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Building a successful business is hard work, but finding the right products and equipment does not have to be. Whether you are self-employed or the owner of a business with multiple employees, you face challenges when it comes to finding and choosing the best products for your clients. The purpose of our SpaGuide is to help you answer questions, assess your needs, and provide you with the right tools to find the best solutions for your business.

What is the education guide?

Once you have earned your aesthetic license, the education days are still far from over. Many states mandate hours of continued education in order to maintain your license. Keeping up with the requirements and making sure you have completed them can be difficult. With the Education Guide, DERMASCOPE has made this process much easier. The Education Guide is your resource to finding all types of education. The following tools are available on our website to help with all your educational needs.

• State Board Requirements – DERMASCOPE maintains relationships with each state board to make sure the latest requirements are online and readily available to you.
• Search – Similar to the Products Guide, the Education Guide has two searches for your convenience. If you know the name of the school you are looking for and want to check their current class offerings and schedule, you will want to use our basic school search on the Education Guide home page. If you want to search for a class on a particular topic or in a specific area, you will have to use the advanced search tool.

Pivot Point International, Inc. announces the passing of Corrine Passage Bernin, on May 16th, 2012, the only daughter of Pivot Point founder Leo Passage, who passed away in 2011. Berin, who served Pivot Point as senior vice president of production and systems development until her death, spent her entire professional career with the company.

Malibu Wellness has moved to a remodeled home on the web. The brand new www.malibuc.com website provides videos showing the miracle of the Malibu makeover and the site's nationwide water analysis database, a resource that offers valuable insight into how your area's water is affecting your hair and skin. "I wanted to create a concept and design that is modern and stylish, yet serene and natural – very much like Malibu C products," attests creative director and site designer, Sean Sharifi.

Scandle, LLC announces their newly enhanced website at www.abodycandle.com for Scandle Body Candle consumers, distributors and wholesale retailers. "We believe that Scandle's new look compliments our eco-conscious beauty and spa product lines by providing an online environment that is customer-centric and easy to navigate," said Christine White, founder of Scandle, LLC.

Murad, Inc. announced today that after a competitive review process they have selected Air Paris, a leading brand development and advertising agency with an extensive track record in the beauty industry, as the brand development agency of record to lead the company's rebranding efforts. The hire of a creative agency of record is part of Murad's effort to evolve key messaging to further align with the Inclusive Health vision and philosophy of the founder, Howard Murad, M.D., F.A.A.D., Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCLA.

Universal Companies is pleased to announce its recent affiliation with Delta Career Education Corporation. Universal Companies' School Partnership Program is helping Delta schools like Miller-Motte College and Miami-Jacobs College grow with targeted, customized solutions, including best in class brand product knowledge and training for professional use and retailing. Two of the brands that Universal Companies has introduced to Delta schools are Control Corrective Skincare Systems® and Farmaesthetics® Fine Herbal Skincare. Universal Companies provides Delta schools with customized curriculums and consultative support for both of these brands.

Aloxxi is thrilled to announce a new partnership with The Kirschner Group to support distribution efforts. The Kirschner Group will work to expand the reach of Aloxxi with their customer service-focused, solution-based sales team. "We are thrilled to partner with The Kirschner Group in order to properly service the needs of our distributors and take Aloxxi to the next level," says Myriam Clifford, managing director. "We are confident that this partnership, coupled with our aggressive marketing, education and advertising efforts will ensure success in 2012 and beyond."

suki® clinically-proven natural solutions® skincare, has introduced an ambassador program, a direct selling "party plan" enhanced with training, tools, materials, in-depth support and aims to increase consumer awareness of the brand and its offerings, inspiring others to make healthy, safe and environmentally responsible choices without sacrificing quality and results. The program is a long time coming for founder and president, Suki Kramer; while the program represents a new, emerging sales model for suki®, the team is excited to see what it does specifically, and how it can inspire the suki® wellness culture to grow. Along with empowering women to start their own businesses, earning money for themselves, and generating sales for the company, the program tasks its ambassadors to educate their contacts on know your beauty™, the brand's signature philosophy. Know your beauty™ encourages defining beauty on your own terms, making informed choices when it comes to your health and well-being and accepting yourself as you are, as well as how to become an advocate of safe, natural alternatives in your community. This new program officially started June 2012 and more information about it can be found on the company website: www.sukiskincare.com.

For the third year in a row, PCA SKIN® has been named one of the 100 Best Companies in Arizona by a local organization, BestCompaniesAZ. PCA SKIN was nominated in "Best of Wings" category, which gives recognition to companies who thrive on innovation, empowerment and creativity.

In tribute to his lifelong dedication and contributions to people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, the National Psoriasis Foundation awarded Mark G. Lebwohl, M.D., professor and chair of dermatology at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, its first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award. "Dr. Lebwohl is highly regarded among dermatologists worldwide. Throughout his illustrious career, he has mentored countless young physicians, paved the way for current psoriasis patient care and advocated for improved access to care for millions with psoriasis," said National Psoriasis Foundation president and CEO Randy Beranek. "We are proud to honor his tireless commitment to the psoriasis community."

Emiliani Enterprises, a full service wholesale distributor of beauty and hair care products, celebrated their Union store's 50th anniversary this past May. Representatives from the Mayor's office and Chamber of Commerce presented the Emiliani family with a certificate of congratulations. Attendees celebrated with the three generations of the Emiliani family and enjoyed complimentary food and refreshments.

Jane Wurwand, founder and owner of Dermalogica®, as well as the philanthropic force behind the non-profit joinFITE, has recently been named Business Owner/CEO of the Year by The Los Angeles Business Journal, as part of its annual "Women Making a Difference" awards program.

The USA Field Hockey team announced a premier partnership with glōProfessional. The multi-year agreement will feature glō on the front of the Women's National Team jersey and represents the first ever corporate advertiser on the Women's National Team uniform.

Renew You Spa and Beauty Expo, has partnered with the non-profit organization, Dress for Success Washington, D.C., for their inaugural show. The show's mission is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Since opening its doors in 2002, Dress for Success Washington, D.C. has served over 10,000 women in the District of Columbia Metropolitan area.

SpaFinder Wellness has appointed Michelle Pae to the newly-created position of chief product officer. The rebranded company is in the process of significantly expanding in the health/wellness arena, with a new focus on fitness, yoga, pilates and other diverse wellness providers – and employee wellness – in addition to spa. Pae is charged with developing new products, online tools that will help people easily learn about, find and reserve wellness, fitness and spa experiences and services worldwide.

Makucell, Inc. announces the appointment of Kevin J. Scanlon, Ph.D., to its Board of Advisors. Scanlon's multifaceted career includes three start-up companies, pharmaceutical industry senior management and academic medicine. He is the founder and current CEO of International BioScience.

Laurent-Emmanuel Saffré has been promoted to president and chief executive officer of Pierre Fabre USA, the U.S. subsidiary of Laboratoires Pierre Fabre. In his new role, Saffré will oversee all pharmaceutical products and dermo-cosmetic brands, including René Furterer, Eau Thermale Avène, Glytone and Klorane, in the U.S. in support of sustaining and growing Pierre Fabre's worldwide renown in the realms of health and beauty.

KDL Pathology announces that doctors Bruce R. Smoller and Michael G. Hitchcock have joined the KDL team as consultative dermatopathologists. "Drs. Smoller and Hitchcock both bring a great depth of knowledge and expertise to our organization, and we are fortunate to have them join our team. This addition allows us to further serve our growing network of regional skin care providers and their patients." said Dr. Paul Googe, founder and pathologist at KDL.

Dave Waggoner has been named as the director of education and public relations at Skin Script Skin Care. Waggoner has a passion for all things educational and will develop advanced classes as well as publishing articles for the skin care industry. Waggoners's background includes a bachelor's degree in teaching, a master's degree in counseling, 15 years' experience as a massage therapist, and over 12 years as a licensed aesthetician with experience as both an educator and a practitioner.

South Shore Skin Center and Spa has recently promoted Kristyn Anderton to the position of spa assistant operations manager. In her new role, Anderton will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Plymouth office spa, event planning and ensuring the smooth operation of the cosmetic side of the Cohasset practice.

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."

Every business owner that survives the critical early years in operation will arrive at a point where the physical expansion or remodeling of the original location seems like a reasonable idea. Client growth beyond your ability to serve as currently built, cramped working space for a larger spa team and the desire to add new treatment options, all may foster the desire to redesign your spa's layout and look. Besides, that once-vogue Tuscan theme with its faux finishes and terra cotta accents may now seem ancient indeed to your regular and newer customers.

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.

In 1983 I landed my first real job as a career aesthetician at a famous Union Square skin care salon in San Francisco, Calif. High on enthusiasm but lacking experience and clients I found myself positioned on the bottom rung of eight staff professionals that all received new customers ahead of me, leaving this new recruit with many an empty hour on his schedule. To help fill my time and, hopefully, earn a decent paycheck I proposed to the salon owner that we offer a complimentary make-up application to anyone following a facial treatment. I would do the work without compensation other than a commission on any product I sold.

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.

Thanks to the popular television series Queer Eye for the Straight Guy a sudden wave of men are having their eyebrows waxed and shaped to improve their appearance. Men have increasingly become enthusiastic customers of many traditional spa services, particularly therapeutic massage. But now we are seeing more opportunity for spas to work with male clients.
Men's health and fitness publications, travel magazines, and lifestyle television shows are routinely pitching the spa ritual to the male client, encouraging him to upgrade his level of personal care. Some spas dedicate specific time to men's treatments, and new spas are emerging that are designed to cater to men.

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.

One of the greatest perplexities to any spa owner is advertising. When to do it? Where? What makes sense? How much should I budget? We all understand the business of skin and body care, but getting our spa-oriented mind into marketing mode takes a real push. Marketing and advertising is a vast field of possibilities-both good and bad.
Every business needs to market itself, to get the word out about the availability, uniqueness, and quality of its goods and services. In the increasingly competitive day spa industry it's important to make potential customers aware of a company's distinctive qualities.

Close your eyes and imagine being enveloped by the soothing embraces of a beautiful day spa. Mmmmmmm... What special images and sensations are drifting into focus? Make a mental list of these details as you indulge in this fantasy. Now, imagine what things would disrupt your serene daydream, regardless of how large or small the flaw might be. What comes to mind? More importantly, as a customer have you personally experienced both satisfying and irritating details at a spa? Yes? Then consider what the delight or disappointment was, how it affected your overall satisfaction, and what you, the spa professional, could do to either highlight or eliminate similar occurrences where you work now.

"I've trained them and trained them but they just do what they want!" laments a frustrated spa owner with a staff of 17. As her business coach I sit and patiently listen to her story, observing the tense body language of a woman that feels powerless to change a stubborn and under-performing team. Turnover is approaching almost 100 percent for the second time in two years while customer complaints have risen sharply. Burned by a train them and lose them history my client has become embittered by the prospect of having to invest more time and money into employee development, and she doesn't want to do it again.

There's one thing every experienced aesthetician knows for sure - new clients don't come quickly or easily enough! What with all of the new day spas opening everywhere and beauty schools minting flocks of trained skin care professionals the wait for a large client following can be long and excruciating. Can't afford an expensive advertising campaign or the latest skin-firming device? Not a problem! You have a low-cost and time-proven opportunity available to you that can do much to shorten the client building process while increasing your career income in short order: Make-up services and product sales.

Whoever coined the phrase 'Never look back' was not blessed to live the life I have and have a career and colleagues they loved and enjoyed spending time with. With great thanks and even greater excitement, this is my last 'Questions and Answers' column of this type for DERMASCOPE Magazine. I am planning a brand new format to launch in the August issue with hopefully even brighter, more original and thought-provoking ideas for you to think about, talk about and DO something about!
I really love writing for you each month and I thank everyone at DERMASCOPE for the years of opportunity to do so and for being so supportive of my new ideas for a fresh format.

Considering the start-up of your very own day spa? A parade of beautiful, customer-filled spas and retreats has finally tempted you to bet with the players in this glamorous business. Let's assume that you've done your homework well. Feasibility study by an industry expert? Done. Stealth visits to your local competitors? Done. Trade show research on equipment, marketing, products, service menu, feng shui, and scented candles? Done. Bank loan? Done. Location and lease? Pending. You've planned, and planned and planned, and waited long enough. What more is there to do? Just one thing: read this article!

Our concepts of beauty are deeply shaped by history and culture. The ancient Greeks and Romans still affect our Western standard of beauty by their portrayals of gods, goddesses, emperors and nymphs, in eternally smooth, firm substances: marble and bronze. We aspire to this perfection today, and keeping facial and body hair to a minimum is in line with the aristocratic ideal of beauty passed down to us from classical times. Depilation technique and technology have never been more sophisticated, but obtaining optimum results still require some study.

Dear Jane,
My background is in make-up. I was a professional make-up artist for many years, and recently earned my aesthetics license because I love skin care as well. The two girls who work my front desk and retail area are wonderful sales people, but not skin therapists. How can I help them totruly meet the needs of clients in terms of selling? We get walk-ins who do not necessarily want a treatment that day, but who do want to buy the "right" cleanser, mask, etc.
~ A. Pierce, Long Beach, CA

When I was starting out, many misconceptions surrounded acne. The fact is that anyone and everyone can experience acne in some form. And more of us do have at least one or two acneic episodes in our lives, and not necessarily during our teen years or even our early 20s. Adult acne is on the rise, and because most of our industry's skin care clientele is female, I can say that many women are experiencing acne when least expected it. This poses a challenge to today's skin therapist-one which really wasn't faced by past generations of skin care professionals.

Books have been written on skin permeability and obtuse descriptions of the mathematics of permeation and diffusion have been laid before their readers with great erudition. All of this is great if you can understand it, but for the aesthetician struggling with basic mathematics and a limited knowledge of physics, it becomes quite tough. Unfortunately, you cannot get by as an expert in skin care without a really good grasp of this subject, so give this section a good, honest try before you "throw up your hands and run out screaming."

Summertime can be a wonderful opportunity for spa therapists and technicians to become busy with summer-inspired upgrades to treatments. By combining your awareness of your client’s needs and preferences with knowledge of the products you offer, you can easily “up sell” a treatment. You help a client decide to purchase a little extra something or “upgrade” a level before starting the treatment. It does not have to be a major change, just an adjustment to the plan.
In some areas, summers tend to be a slower season, mostly due to the migration north of those spa clients who are snowbirds.

Traditional dictionary definitions of the word 'ethnic' refer to those who originate from non-western cultures. The word has also been used to describe people from cultures or nations different from where they reside. The U.S. is unique in that we are genuinely a melting pot. As a result, using the color or Fitzpatrick skin type of a patient to identify ethnicity may lead to incorrect treatment selection. Understanding the intricate variances that exist between the structure and function in the skin of people from differing geographic regions in the world is one important key to a successful treatment.

The cell is the basic unit of life. Healthy cells make up healthy tissue and healthy tissue contributes to healthy skin. At one time, it was believed that aging was an infallible process of life, but recent studies indicate that aging and cellular function are closely related.
Aging manifests on a myriad of levels from single cell to whole animal. Human cells are eukaryotic cells, which mean that they contain a nucleus and membrane bound organelles. The nucleus is the epicenter of the cell because it maintains the DNA, the genetic code for the organism.

How well do you really know your clients skin? Are you one of those aestheticians who view all skin equally for remedy options? How would you rate your professional savvy selecting the exact product formula or clinical treatment for your client's skin type?
In today's rapidly shifting skin care market, no room exists for lazy aestheticians arbitrarily advising inaccurate products based on marketing hype or uneducated judgment using treatments that can't deliver results because the skin type and problem(s) have not been properly identified. Before an aesthetician initiates the first treatment, a prudent skin health check-up should be a mandatory preliminary step to ensure home care products and the recommended clinical remedies compatible with the correct "skin type".

Nowadays we all want to look younger in relation to our individual lifestyles and careers. Younger looking skin is attainable with proper exfoliation, so the less painful, expensive, abrasive, and the more accessible the better. Exfoliation is the aesthetician and the consumer's ticket to an easy and non-surgical way to rejuvenate the skin. Whatever one's budget, time commitment, or pain level, exfoliation can be customized to one's choices and comes in multiple formats. Exfoliation should also be performed at home, on the face and on the body, and has been the secret to beauty around the world. From the days of Cleopatra, exfoliation has been the secret to younger looking skin.

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.

As a former spa owner, I know how nerve wracking it can be to add a new service to your menu. There is a variety of issues to consider – from staffing to cost to space requirements (if a machine is involved). The first step is to create a list of questions to ask yourself in order to make the best decision possible. Some of these questions include:

1. What are my clients asking for? What service would they most respond to?
2. What is the cost involved with incorporating this service into my salon?
3. Will I need to hire additional staff or pay to train my own?
4. Do my competitors offer this service? If so, how is the service performing?

As we are all aware, the skin care business is booming! The portion of the skin care market that is especially hot is skin repair and rejuvenation. The baby boomers are aging and shelling out billions of dollars a year for services and products that help them restore, repair, and rejuvenate themselves to a more youthful appearance. Skin care is the fastest growing segment within the category of cosmetics today. People aged 50+ represent over one third of our population, Healing Arts Guide – MJL Associates.

SKIN, the largest most complex immune organ of the body, is delicately assembled by millions of independent multifaceted spheres and existing inside these self-contained cells there lives settlements of compatible micro residents cohabiting together in water plasmic freedom. This complicated cellular quilt that protects every inch of the body, shielding against many types of bacterial and viral invaders, has also become the most sought after object of our affection for 21st Century beauty.

You shake it on the dance floor; you sit on it all day. If you pick up something too heavy it stain and cause major pain. The gluteus maximus is the most used part of the body and yet it is so neglected. The buttocks are formed by the masses of the gluteal muscles, or “glutes”, superimposed by a layer of fat. There is a treatment that can offer relaxation, hydration, lifting, and yes, even treat acne that is not on face. Clients are raving how their backside feels softer and firmer after receiving the Fanny Facial, which is an excellent opportunity to offer a treatment that will address every nook and cranny or your client’s concerns.

Skin analysis may seem pretty rudimentary at first glance. In fact, speaking as a skin care therapist myself, one of my concerns about our profession is that not everyone takes it seriously enough. Clients may think they "know" all about their own skin, and the skin therapist may lack the expertise to offer deeper insight.

It's my passionate belief that the skin analysis is the most valuable service we offer as professionals. I believe not only that every professional skin care treatment must be preceded by appropriate questions and an expert visual and manual examination, but also that every purchase of skin care product as well deserves to be shaped by this same consultation.

For many years, acids were the profit-producing darlings of the skin care industry and skin care professionals believed they were the answer to younger-looking and acne-prone skin. But now, with new products and services developing, the days of ‘always make’em peel’ are moving into the past and professionals are coming to believe acids should not be the only tool for anti-aging, but a tool-among-many. More and more are utilizing them in specifically indicated cases only and are finding other alternatives available to them. 

Compared to a chemical peel, microdermabrasion offers the benefit of more precision and enhanced results, with no down time. Treatments are arranged as sessions generally as part of a four to eight visit strategy, with the goal of accelerating the regeneration of cells to the outer surface of the skin. This article will provide additional applications and describe alternative therapies, as well as delineate contraindications.

Ayurveda is the traditional holistic medical system that originated in India some 3000 to 5000 years ago. Derived from Sanskrit roots, ‘ayus’ (life) and ‘ved’ (knowledge) means “Knowledge of Life.” Ayurveda is based on the belief that the natural state of the body is one of balance between the mind, body, and soul. The fundamental belief of Ayurveda is that the power to heal lies within the individual. Based on the principle that disease is the natural end result of living out of harmony with our environment, Ayurveda views symptoms of disease as the body’s normal way of communicating disharmony.

From the beginning of my career 30 years ago, I have loved touching human skin. Like many of my fellow-professionals, I have worked in many full-service salon environments where skin care was, in fact, not the main event. Generally, these salons focused on hair care, as many do today. Nail care has more recently emerged as a huge and wildly creative industry, but skin has and will always be my passion.

It is often thought that a massage therapist’s hands are one thing that a machine will never replace. Yet, advances in new state-of-the-art technology have now provided the opportunity to relieve the stress and strain from a therapist’s job, while still providing countless treatment options that benefit their clients.

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.

We live in a society that obsesses over the concept of staying young. However, spa clientele actually seek to do something about it, while most of society is simply obsessing over the concept of youthfulness. This educated, informed segment of the population constantly searches for new ways to improve themselves and to remain youthful in health and appearance. As spa professionals, we must consistently strive to offer services that meet the demands of our clients. Ironically, incorporating into the spa environment a practice that is centuries old creates a pathway for our clients to follow towards the fountain of youth.

What is Indian Champissage or Head Massage?
Indian Champissage or head massage is a relaxing therapy involving the massage of the upper back, shoulders, neck, head, and face. It provides relief from aches, pains, and stress symptoms, promotes hair growth, and rejuvenates the skin. Above all, it provides a deep sense of calmness and tranquility. Indian Head Massage is a wonderfully relaxing therapy that is physically, mentally, and spiritually healing. The massage is safe and simple to learn and very effective to give.

For many of us the start of a new year can serve as a wake-up call to shape up. Stretching the day to fit a busy holiday schedule can interfere with good sleep habits and irritate nerves. It only takes a few weeks of binge eating and drinking to induce us to turn our attention to diet, exercise, and other self-improvement resolutions. So, at this time of year especially, people want to know about detoxifying treatments for the mind and body.
Ask 10 providers what detoxification is and you’ll probably receive 10 different answers.

There was a time when most of us thought of spa treatments as a luxury - something we may or may not allow ourselves to indulge in depending on how much we needed a pamper session. That form of mind conditioning is "nearly" a deliberation of the past. Rightfully so!
There's so much more to mud than facials and body wraps – although I'm the first to say I love the skin-nourishing effects of having both those treatments regularly. And sure, mud treatments are successfully used for relaxation, stimulation, and many other wellness purposes that "anticipated" spa mud treatments provide.

Equilibrium
We grapple daily to stay on top of elements that threaten our health and well-being. The need for equilibrium is dire. The concept of a medi-spa is not mysterious in the least. Neither is it new. Indeed, it’s such a natural union of spa and corrective, aesthetic medicine that one wonders why the idea hasn’t hit center stage earlier. In these times, it’s easy to forget that a holistic approach to medicine and well-being has been a long time coming. For quite a while, medical practice has been, for want of a better word, largely conservative, with “alternative” approaches sidelined to the secondary.

As electrologists, it is essential for us to understand sight and how vision problems may impact both us and the patients we serve. Basic knowledge about the effects of aging on our vision and the importance of proper lighting will help us provide quality treatment.

A Misconception
The practice of electrolysis will not harm our eyesight; however, vision does decline with age. This does not mean you cannot study to become an electrologist if you are over 40, nor does it mean you will have to give up your electrology practice at the age of 65.

Temporary hair removal was first noted historically in the Far East, where it has long been a part of traditional culture. Hair removal was performed on brides so that their skin would be pure, soft and smooth on their wedding night. Sugar was prepared according to the family tradition, with ingredients including sugar, honey, and lemon.

After many years of 'thin-is-in' for the eyebrow, models and movie stars are showing a thicker, stronger brow for 2006. This year's brow is both highly angled and highly groomed, but sometimes appears casual with less of a defined arch. Not everyone can wear the latest thicker brow style, especially if their own brows are thinned because of hair removal, hair loss as a result of aging, or too few hairs for other reasons.