The DERMASCOPE cover is an elusive goal for many skin care professionals. For decades, this notoriety was reserved for AIA Legends, but as the times change, so must the potential opportunities. The Cover Contest is a staff passion project that stemmed from the overwhelming need for conventional representation of the individuals who make up the beloved professional skin care industry. While there will always be the Danné Montague-Kings, Dr. Puglieses, and Dr. Mark Leeses of the world, the Cover Contest was created for aestheticians just like Sharon Subdhan.

Sharon Subdhan is the owner of Skin by Sharon located in Queens Village, New York. She has been a licensed aesthetician since 2018, graduating from the Christine Valmy School of Esthetics. She is also the reigning winner of 2021’s Cover Contest.

Sharon was first introduced to the magazine as February’s feature for The Monthly Follow. Having just started to take her Instagram web presence seriously, she phoned our editors as a ball of excitement. From there, the team of DERMASCOPE kept a watchful eye on her timeless New York style with a contemporary twist. When it came time to select the December cover after hours of deliberation, the team unanimously could not ignore our love for Sharon and her beautiful, authentic, and unique persona – and we know our readers will not be far behind.

Sharon Subdhan’s story may not be an identical match to the countless aesthetic practitioners within the industry, but she embodies a piece of the collective. This industry is made up of many colorful walks of life of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds, and DERMASCOPE is lucky enough to showcase Sharon’s budding career that is sure to make bigger waves as she grows into the seasoned professional she is becoming.

Skilled and seasoned skin care professionals and dermatologists regularly get asked how to turn back the clock on visible skin aging. The biggest encouragement is simple: use a daily regimen of barrier-boosting products, apply sunscreen daily, and do not neglect often overlooked areas of skin like the neck.

More attention has recently been given to the importance of a healthy skin barrier, including its role in reversing and slowing the signs of extrinsic skin aging. Research supports that a damaged barrier coupled with chronic inflammation is the main driver of visible skin aging. The significant function that skin care products play to preempt skin aging, not simply reverse the process, is no surprise to skin professionals. They have a keen understanding of skin biology and the effect topical products have on skin. They have also been long-time proponents that quality skin care formulations, those that calm skin, promote barrier strength, and protect skin from environmental damage, are paramount for maintaining skin’s health and appearance now and in years to come.

FOREVER YOUTHFUL

The skin barrier acts as an outer layer of protection from harmful environmental factors and holds in moisture necessary for a healthy, functioning body. Skin contains a balanced ratio of essential lipids like cholesterol, ceramide, and free fatty acids. These naturally occurring compounds help the barrier protect the body against environmental assaults, assist in wound healing, and maintain a youthful appearance. Using skin care products every day that include these key lipids helps to not only keep the barrier intact but also promotes the improvement of a damaged barrier so skin can do what it was meant to do – protect the body.

The neck can show signs of aging seven times faster than on the face as its skin is thinner and more sensitive to common environmental factors. Fewer sebaceous glands mean less protective lipid production, making it prone to dryness, irritation, wrinkling, and crepiness. Since most information about using a daily skin care routine emphasizes the face, it often excludes needs of skin on the neck entirely. Irregular attention leads to an accelerated rate of epidermal degradation and more noticeable signs of photo damage. Many antiaging products with harsh ingredients induce irritation of the neck. For this reason, you must remind clients to address the needs of skin on both the face and neck using gentle and safe products, including a cleanser, treatment moisturizer, and broad-spectrum sunscreen.

BOTANICALLY BASED

As people age, skin all over the body produces key lipids at a slower rate, which results in diminished elasticity and less capacity to hold on to hydration. Additionally, the cumulative effects of exposure to ultraviolet rays emerge as unwanted dark spots and coarse wrinkles. Using a lipid-rich, botanically based skin care line is effective to gently rejuvenate skin’s appearance while supporting its natural structure and hydration without causing damage or visible irritation. Botanical extracts from plants and herbs are a nonirritating alternative to harsh synthetics and have been shown to have similar or better results.

Botanicals have calming properties and have grown in demand recently as clients desire more natural and gentle beauty routine alternatives. A moisturizing product enhanced with ceramides and botanicals is the foundation of any regimen to effectively slow and reverse signs of photoaging on the face and neck. By providing the right amount of key lipids, hydration, and nonirritating ingredients, skin on the face and neck achieves optimum beauty and function.

As educated skin care professionals, it is their goal to help clients achieve healthy skin for life. Recommend a combination of quality skin care products with prescription-grade therapies that reverse the foundational problems that lead to visible skin aging and skin conditions. Witnessing first-hand client satisfaction of those who follow these recommended protocols is most satisfying as a skin professional and client advocate.

Carl R. Thornfeldt, MD, FAAD is founder and CEO of Episciences, Inc., the creators of Epionce skin care. He is a practicing dermatologist with over 30 years of skin research, 22 U.S. patents granted, and over 40 scientific publications on the topic of the skin barrier, skin inflammation, drug delivery, and dermatology. Thornfeldt has been dubbed the “Father of Barrier Repair” for his extensive research and writings about the importance of the skin barrier to resolve chronic skin disease and prevent premature skin aging.

The Supreme Recontour Eye Concentrate is the first and only to combine the power of concentrated serum and nourishing cream in one age-defying solution. Refreshing feel on contact, the Concentrate targets the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, the loss of firmness, the look of under-eye dark circles and puffiness for visible revitalization.
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The waterless Honey Mask is powered with 19+ botanicals to virtually remove impurities, while working in synergy with the natural renewal and barrier process. Pure Honey awakens with detoxing boost of gently breaking down the congested feel. Working in synergy with skin’s natural defense and renewal process, this mask uplifts the look of the face helping create a more replenished, refined and healthier appearance with a comforted feel.
17063086161  https://www.aveseena.com/

This pH balanced non-stripping, micro foaming cleanser is infused with mineral rich Amethyst, moisturizing rice proteins, anti-inflammatory Vitamins E, B3 and C to deliver hydrating and detoxifying touch. Botanical cleanser delicately purifies, softens, while visibly supporting skin moisture barrier, pH, immune wellness and microbiome. Skin feels balanced with a sense of calm and nourished purity.
706-308-6161  https://www.aveseena.com/

The term exfoliation includes mechanical instruments or instruments that administer substances, such as brushing machines, microdermabrasion, and granular scrubs. There are various chemical and enzyme exfoliants available. This is an overview of exfoliating agents pertaining to chemical peels, the precautions, and pre- and post-care of skin.

Alexandra J. Zani is an international educator, licensed instructor, speaker, author, and researcher in the professional skin care industry. Academic background includes cell biology and medical technology. Zani is on the Education Commission of the International Association for Applied Corneotherapy, is a member of NCEA (National Coalition of Estheticians, Associations, and Distributors), and is certified in Oncology Esthetics and the Pastiche Method of Skin Analysis. Zani is the owner and director of AEsthani Skincare Institute, LLC in Greenville, South Carolina and is also co-founder of Intellective Aesthetics, dedicated to post-graduate aesthetics studies.

Although chemical peels have been around since ancient Egyptian times, when peel instruction in medical and aesthetic textbooks took hold in the 1980s, much has changed today. Aggressive peels were being used globally by the early 1900s, and in the 30s and 40s, women from the Eastern Bloc settled in New York, New York and Los Angeles, California where they opened practices specifically to peel the complexions of socialites. Providing only skeletal information to doctors, they were able to keep their formulas and peeling techniques amongst themselves. Other skin professionals later analyzed these peel formulations to come up with their own peels. Some of these formulas are still in use today. 

Cathy Wainwright’s lifelong endeavor has been skin care and aesthetic balance. She has been tweezing eyebrows and teaching makeup and product application since her formative school years. As a versatile professional, Wainwright has been enmeshed in the study of skin, aesthetics, business building and cosmetic chemistry. She has owned a skin care studio and day spa and has worked alongside plastic surgeons, dermatologists, aesthetic nurses, and a host of top aestheticians for over 40 years. She believes in digging deep, past the superficial layer to ask what if.

According to most medical practitioners, the goal of a chemical peel is to remove a predictable, uniform thickness of damaged skin, which subsequently allows for normal wound healing and skin rejuvenation to occur while simultaneously minimizing complications, such as scarring and unwanted pigmentary change.¹

An educational icon with over 37 years in the in the aesthetic industry, Dr. Erin Madigan-Fleck is a naturopathic medical doctor, licensed master cosmetologist, aesthetician, and licensed aesthetic instructor. Dr. Madigan-Fleck received her naturopathic doctoral degree from the University of Science, Arts & Technology College of Medicine and her naturopathic clinical studies at Progressive Medical Center in Atlanta, Georgia. She is a member of the American Society for Nutrition, International Association for Applied Corneotherapy, and the Society of Dermatological Skin Care Specialists. She is the CEO and owner of Naturophoria, a naturopathic and skin care clinic in Atlanta, Georgia and DermaEducationTV postgraduate aesthetic training.

Exfoliation is the new cleansing step. Just as quality cleansing removes dirt, oil, and makeup, exfoliation goes a little deeper to rid skin of critical factors which advance the signs of aging and affect skin health. Over the last decade, clinical research has shown that the cumulative impact of environmental factors like pollution particles, ultraviolet rays, blue light, chemicals, and urban dust accelerate a loss of skin elasticity, wrinkling, discoloration, and the onset of chronic skin conditions. A recent review by The Journal of Women in Dermatology demonstrated that skin is the gateway for pollutants, viruses, and bacteria to enter the blood stream, affecting not only cosmetic beauty but overall wellbeing. With this knowledge, exfoliation takes on a whole new meaning and purpose in homecare and clinical skin treatment. Recent advancements in understanding the benefits of the various exfoliating technologies, not only as standalone treatments but also when used in combination with other aesthetic modalities, has put a spotlight on the true power of the combined exfoliation steps to change and redefine skin’s appearance. Exfoliation not only improves complexion but can also minimize chronic skin conditions by removing particles trapped in surface skin cells and preparing skin to absorb restorative ingredients.

With two decades in the beauty and skin care industries, Celeste Hilling is the founder, CEO, and product formulator for Skin Authority. Hilling is an esteemed speaker and media resource on skin care, healthy lifestyles, self-esteem, and business. Skin Authority is respected for developing pure and powerful products without the use of parabens, added fragrance, dyes, or animal testing.