Exfoliation is a topic of debate for many professionals and so-called skin experts. Everyone understands the concept of exfoliation, yet most people are doing it all wrong. Exfoliation is an important step in a skin care routine as there are many benefits of enzymes and gentle exfoliation techniques.

Let’s go back to the basics and relearn why exfoliation is an important step in a skin care routine. Not digging too deep, it is important to remember that skin naturally exfoliates when it goes through a cellular cycle. The stratum corneum is the protective layer and replaces itself every 28 to 30 days, yet as one ages, that cellular turnover rate slows down. Exfoliation becomes more important with age, but the key is to exfoliate correctly.

Samantha Dench is a 16-year licensed aesthetician, owner of Skin Deep, author, and speaker. Dench’s passion stems beyond treating the skin to include internal health to achieve healthy skin for clients by finding the root of the problem. She loves to educate groups of women and share her knowledge and passion of skin. Dench loves to share her book to help women take control of their skin. She is a single mom of three and loves to cook, bake, and find creative ways to find healthy alternatives to her favorite dishes. 

Let’s talk about branding. Effective Branding and a cohesive feel can give you a major edge in an increasingly competitive industry. Your brand is the commitment you make to clients. It tells them what they can expect from products and services, and it differentiates you from others in the skin care industry. Your brand is created from who you are, who you want to be, and who clients perceive you to be.

Since this can sound overwhelming, start with what you like, picture the perfect client, and don’t be afraid to have fun.

Instead of stressing about the perfect logo, think of the overall feel a client should experience when they walk through the door, visit your website, or click through your Instagram account. While a logo is one way a client will remember you, clients are more likely going to remember how they felt when they saw your space or online presence than the perfect logo. This impression should have a cohesiveness about it. Colors are important and can convey desired environments like something uplifting, energizing, or relaxing. 

To help grow a brand and the perfect clients with it, create an avatar that represents your ideal client. For example, the perfect client could be in their mid-30s, make good money, and isn’t afraid of spending money. The ideal client may like an elevated experience and doesn’t want to be rushed in and out. They may have their hand on the pulse and know the trends. Generally, ideal clients prefer quality over quantity.

After determining the avatar, start building a cohesive experience.

Kasey Boone has always had a passion for the beauty industry. After working as an aesthetician in the treatment room for over 15 years, she now has a passion to create fun, versatile tools that can be used in and out of the treatment room. She has created the amazingly soft and easy-to-use Glow Towels, Glow Skincare Cold Roller, Mini Cold Roller, and more. When Boone is not creating skin care tools or treating her clients, she is working on her new magazine and podcast, Skin and the City.

With the constant video calls, less-than-ideal lighting, and Zoom filters, clients have been critiquing their facial features and appearance more than ever this past year. The focus on the face and empty social calendars caused body sculpting treatments to take a bit of a backseat. Thankfully, vaccination rates are growing, mandates are lifting, and in-person life is resuming, and with it, clients are thinking about more than their usual facial filler and toxin touch-ups – the body is officially back in focus.

Often, regardless of a healthy diet and active lifestyle, clients are left with stubborn pockets of fat that do not respond to their efforts. The great news is that there are more noninvasive body sculpting and fat reduction modalities than ever.  

Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD, FAAD, is a fellowship-trained, board-certified dermatologist based in CT. A leader in the field, she is the chief medical officer of Ideal Image, the nation’s largest aesthetic provider. She is also president and co-founder of Modern Dermatology of Connecticut. As an authoritative voice in aesthetics, she is intimately involved with clinical research, speaking, and teaching. 

As the body’s largest organ, skin plays a vital role in wellness as well as beauty. Healthy skin is an outward reflection of how one feels. Moreover, some skin care treatments influence the vital biological systems, helping to achieve a more balanced emotional and physical state. One simple, yet often underrated skin treatment that spa clients can benefit from is dry brushing, also known as body brushing.

Heather Kreider, L.E., R.N., co-owner of Makes Scents Natural Spa Line and Hempfield Botanicals (CBD), both Certified B Corporations, has lived and breathed the spa industry for over 20 years. Her credentials include post-graduate certification in advanced skin care at the International Dermal Institute and experience as an aesthetician specializing in European skin care. Furthermore, Kreider is also a licensed registered nurse. Besides a signature line of products, Kreider’s company also creates custom formulations for spas who wish to offer their own distinctive treatments.

When it comes to body care, there are a plethora of options to choose from. Whether you are in the market for natural, synthetic, or a mixture of both, there are ingredients that should be avoided to maintain the integrity of clients’ skin. There are many chemical compounds that make up body care. Common ingredients can be broken down into categories, both natural and synthetic. There are natural and synthetic actives to avoid or use in small quantities to achieve smooth, supple, and hydrated skin that professionals and their clients are looking for.

Ashley Deckard has been a licensed, practicing aesthetician in sunny Denver, Colorado since 2013. While gaining experience in the industry, she realized there was something special about holistic skin care treatments. Deckard’s love of working with the body’s natural intelligence to heal itself led her to working with CBD. Education is at the heart of what she does; the last five years of her career have been dedicated to developing future industry professionals. Her passion lies in providing space for individuals to unwind, renew, and tune in. In addition to her practice, Deckard is the assistant director of education for Color Up CBD.

Many clients are afraid of getting botulinum toxin treatments because of common myths. They may believe that antiwrinkle injections will freeze their facial expressions (leaving them unable to lift their eyebrows naturally), neurotoxin injections are extremely painful, or if they stop receiving injections, their face may look more wrinkled than before they started. These myths have been debunked time and again.

What is rarely acknowledged is that even clients who choose to get botulinum toxin treatments often harbor misunderstandings about it. Therefore, it is an injector’s responsibility and even moral duty to ensure that their clients fully understand the treatments they give them, so they can make fully informed choices about their own faces, skin, and bodies. This is also in a medical spa’s interests, as they can prevent their clients from feeling disappointment, unhappiness, and even anger down the road.

There are two popular misunderstandings about injectable neurotoxins from clients who are new to injectable treatments and more seasoned aesthetic clients as well. They both have the common theme of expecting too much from these treatments.

Dr. Moses established Parfaire in 2015 to deliver world-class quality cosmetic treatments synonymous with Beverly Hills, California to the San Gabriel Valley and Southern California at affordable prices. Prior to entering the beauty world, she earned a master’s degree in biochemistry from the Colorado School of Mines where she graduated second in her class with honors. Dr. Moses received her medical degree and completed her residency training at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She graduated with honors and was awarded the prestigious Janet M. Glasgow Award for being the top student in her class and was recognized as an outstanding woman at the threshold of her medical career. Dr. Moses served as an American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) physician in one of the nation’s top hospitals for more than a decade.

Diane Von Furstenberg once said, “I didn't know what I wanted to do, but I always knew the woman I wanted to be.” However, for me the woman I wanted to be was a dermatologist. Not just any dermatologist, I wanted to be a holistic dermatologist so I could integrate my love of nature with the human body. Dermatology proved to be the vessel where I could bring healing through skin care.

On my medical journey, I discovered that there is a path for students to become a holistic healthcare provider, which took me to the Pacific College of Health and Science (PCHS). Before arriving there, I traversed many other medical programs where I learned that healthcare is best approached when all medical disciplines are involved. In other words, people need both aspects of eastern and western medicine to heal. To implement those values in my future practice, I gravitated towards Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which includes the field of acupuncture.

With October comes the long-anticipated arrival of Halloween. Make sure clients stay away from toxic ingredients found in mainstream Halloween makeup by recommending safe, mineral powder-based products. Additionally, learn the steps to a boo-utiful candy corn eye look using products like these. (Must be logged in and hold an active AIA membership to view video below.)

Even though it does not require much to rejuvenate, professionals in the skin care industry may be too busy with giving that they forget to take care of themselves. Finding a podcast to listen to while commuting, attending to chores, or just resting is one way a professional can care for themselves this month. (Must be logged in and hold an active AIA membership to view video below.)

One of the most important hires a spa owner will make is the position of receptionist. From booking appointments and greeting clients as they walk through the door to managing inventory or assisting management, a spa’s front staff plays a big role in the day-to-day tasks. However, what exactly should be expected from a receptionist? No matter the size or needs of a spa, there are basic expectations everyone should have.

{

Lina Kennedy is the president and CEO of Alexandria Professional, a worldwide leader in body sugaring epilation and skin conditioning. Kennedy is the pioneer of professional body sugaring and master trainer of professionals and distributors in more than 30 countries. As a beauty industry innovator, Kennedy has developed a full line of all-natural, vegan, and cruelty-free skin care products and treatments that are safe and effective for all hair and skin types. Kennedy is dedicated to ensuring that each professional trained in body sugaring learns and understands the exceptional results they and their clients can achieve through the Kennedy Theory. She is a motivational speaker, the author of numerous articles in beauty magazines, and a multi-patent holder.