The ideal skin complexion is not determined by skin tone or color but rather, the state of skin. When given its adequate necessities, such as hydration, lipids, cellular renewal, and a healthy pH, the complexion is radiant, indifferent of skin tone or color. The role of skin care professionals is to help optimize skin health while mitigating factors that compromise the integrity of skin, and thus, the complexion. 

SKIN DEEP

There is more to skin complexion than meets the eye, with both external and internal factors impacting it. Internal factors go much deeper than what is visible on the surface; complexion goes DNA deep. Unpacking the uniqueness of one’s DNA can be like finding a needle in a haystack, but gaining a more comprehensive view of intrinsic factors is not impossible. It simply takes time, education, and professional intention. To understand what unlocks skin’s brilliance, one must first learn about one significantly important cell to skin complexion: the melanocyte. 

Resource

1. Cooper, C. R. (2022). The No Compromise Black Skin Care Guide: The Gender And Teen Equity Edition. Charmaine Cooper

C.R. Cooper is a connective, knowledgeable, and compassionate educator who has been a skin enthusiast for over 24 years. As the education manager and master educator for a renowned global institute of learning in the skin health industry, Cooper values organizational and individual industry standards, professional and personal brand integrity, and, most importantly, the inherent worth in every skin care professional.

Aging can be proactive but inevitable. Skin changes over time. Some of these changes can be quite intense and affect not just skin but also mental health and well-being. For example, a teenager with severe acne may feel self-conscious and lack confidence due to their skin condition. A person in their 40’s who has developed deep wrinkles from improper skin care and sun exposure can resent their older appearance. From birth to final breath, it is imperative to provide skin with the proper products to meet its changing needs.

Education is an important factor for the longevity of a skin care professional’s career and ensures not only safety compliance but also ethical standards and the understanding of current industry trends. Skin care professionals must remain humble, with a true willingness to learn and absorb more information at all times as the industry is constantly evolving and changing. Professionals must focus on three categories of education investment: quality and compliance, investing in yourself, and credentials. 

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Courtney Sykes is the chief administrative officer of Southeastern Esthetics Institute and is a licensed aesthetics instructor in South Carolina. Sykes is also the creator of Courtney Sykes Molecular Anit-Aging, a clinical skin care line for consumers and professionals. Her passion lies in creating real change in the aesthetics industry, assisting her students to obtain gainful employment, and making a difference in the lives of their clients. Sykes specializes in a science-based approach to skin health and education. Her primary focus is chemical peels, laser treatments, eyelash extensions, micropigmentation, and cosmetic lasers. Her background in medical spa management has led her to nationally accredit the largest licensed aesthetics school in South Carolina – Southeastern Esthetics Institute. 

Social media can be overwhelming, exhausting, and disheartening at times. It can feel like a necessary evil for business owners and industry specialists with constant pressure to set yourself apart from competition and show up perfectly manicured for viewers. 

Social media may or may not be for everyone, but it is a free and powerful tool if you know how to utilize it in ways that won’t kill your spirit. It can be difficult to master the art of online sales through social media, but with a few simplified tips and tricks, the path to success is much easier. 

Tiffanie Orr has owned and operated her own skin care business for eleven years. She has successfully grown her business from a one aesthetician show to a thriving multiple six-figure operation. She has a team of nine amazing women in a small and rural town of only 3,500 people. She is proudly partnered with Éminence Organic Skin Care and Herbal Skin Solutions and is an educator and coach for beauty and skin care professionals through her sister company, Sweet Cheeks University (@sweetcheeksuniversity). Orr deeply wants to impact the lives of women through her work, and she especially wants to impact women who want to serve others as aestheticians as well as the women who depend on them. Orr is a mom to three beautiful children and resides in Salmon, Idaho. Follow her at @sweetcheekswaxingskincare. 

In the realm of advanced aesthetics treatment such as chemical peels, microneedling, lasers, and cosmetic surgery, achieving optimal results requires more than just the procedure itself. Properly preparing skin before undergoing these treatments is crucial to maximize benefits and minimize potential risks. Skin pre-conditioning plays a pivotal role in enhancing the overall effectiveness and safety of these procedures, regardless of skin type. By incorporating key ingredients into a pre-treatment regimen, individuals can pave the way for successful outcomes and a smoother recovery process.

Before delving into the specific ingredients that should be a part of every pre-treatment regimen, it is vital to understand the underlying reasons why skin pre-conditioning is essential. The primary objectives of pre-conditioning are to optimize skin health, improve treatment outcomes, minimize adverse effects, and expedite the healing process.

References

1. Desai, S., Ayres, E., Bak, H., Manco, M., Lynch, S., Raab, S., Du, A., Green, D., Skobowiat, C., Wangari-Talbot, J., & Zheng, Q. (2019, May 1). Effect of a tranexamic acid, kojic acid, and niacinamide containing serum on Facial Dyschromia: A clinical evaluation. Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31141852/

1. Sander, M., Sander, M., Burbidge, T., & Beecker, J. (2020). The efficacy and safety of sunscreen use for the prevention of skin cancer. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 192(50). https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.201085 

1. Mukherjee, S., Date, A., Patravale, V., Korting, H. C., Roeder, A., & Weindl, G. (2006). Retinoids in the treatment of Skin aging: An overview of clinical efficacy and safety. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 1(4), 327–348. https://doi.org/10.2147/ciia.2006.1.4.327 

1. Yip, D. L. (2020). A pilot study on the use of a non‐crosslinked hyaluronic acid with associated anti‐oxidant ingredients to improve the effectiveness of nd:YAG laser toning in the treatment of Melasma in six patients. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 19(9), 2212–2218. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.13565 

1. Lintner, K., Gerstein, F., & Solish, N. (2020). A serum containing vitamins C & E and a matrix‐repair tripeptide reduces facial signs of aging as evidenced by PRIMOS® Analysis and frequently repeated auto‐perception. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 19(12), 3262–3269. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.13770 

Most dermatologists and well-meaning aestheticians recommend the use of sunscreen everyday as one of the most important parts of daily skin care routines. I believe this to be a mistake.

The quest for glowing, healthy-looking skin is never-ending. Innovative and unusual ingredients are continually sought after to give skin a coveted youth boost, whether found in technologically advanced laboratories or plucked from nature’s bounty. Enter caviar lime, an elegant-sounding natural extract that adds zest to any skin care regimen. 

IN THE LIMELIGHT 

Caviar lime is not the typical lime gracing margaritas or mojitos. Au contraire, also known as finger lime, this small, slender citrus fruit (microcitrus australasica) with green, red, purple, or black peel is found in the tropical rainforests of Australia. The textured skin encases an interior filled with translucent, caviar-shaped pearls in shades of white, yellow, pink, green, or red. Caviar lime is often used in food because of the citrusy flavor and unique look of the caviar lime beads. However, this ingredient is increasingly popular due to its skin care benefits as a natural exfoliant, acne-fighting powerhouse, glow-getting brightener, and antioxidant-rich elixir. The bottom line is that caviar lime extract is one of the keys to a fresh, radiant complexion. 

Retailing is an important part of the spa business as it contributes directly to the growth of overall profits and increases the potential for repeat business. In order to provide the best wax possible, you must think beyond the wax room for your clients. The products your clients use at home in between their waxing services and to prep for their wax are just as important as the waxing products that you use during the wax.

In order to recommend the most suitable products for your customer, it helps to understand your client and what their skin care and waxing needs are. This information will help you guide them to select the best products that will provide the results they are looking for. Additionally, selling retail products is a great way to build client loyalty as it helps to ensure your clients have a positive experience that extends long after their waxing service is over.

BEING YOUR OWN SALESPERSON

Selling retail can be intimidating and it takes practice as well as confidence to be successful at it. It requires you to gather information, build a trusting relationship, and gain the respect of your client. Your clients need to feel confident in what you are telling them and that the solution you are proposing is going to be worth their investment of time and money. 

1) Ask and Listen: In order to fully understand your client and be able to offer the best retail product for them, you need to ask some basic questions first to determine their current homecare routine. Are they exfoliating routinely? Are they using a moisturizer? Are they prone to ingrown hairs? Once you have asked a few basic questions, which you can bring up during the waxing session to relax and distract your client, you can gain insight about your client’s needs while not taking up time before or after the wax. 

2) Educate: Education is key so that your clients can understand the purpose behind the products you have recommended as well as what results they can expect. For example, for a client that suffers from ingrown hairs, educating them on exfoliating and treatment products will help them understand how they can prevent and treat ingrowns, as well as help them narrow down on which products they should use based on your recommendation. Find a line of retail products dedicated to ingrowns, such as a spray that contains targeted ingredients like salicylic acid and is perfect for both backbar use and retail. Other options include wipes and exfoliating mitts.

3) Demonstrate: An excellent way for clients to sample the products is for you to use the products during the service. For example, showing your client the proper way to exfoliate will allow them to try a product and understand the proper way to use it on their own, enhancing their post-wax experience. If your client isn’t familiar with the importance of exfoliating, starting with this concept is an easy way to start padding their at-home routine. Exfoliation between waxes is paramount to maintaining proper pre- and post-waxing care. Find a brand that offers a wide range of gentle exfoliating sugar scrubs with different scents like apple and cranberry, coconut vanilla, pomegranate, grapefruit, and lavender and chamomile. 

Although one-time use may not offer the results right away, the in-service experience will provide your client with some background when making a decision to purchase. 

4) Follow Up: Each time your client returns for their wax, it is essential to check in with them to see what is working for them and listen to the feedback they provide. Not only will this allow you to offer advice and make any additional suggestions or changes, but it will help you to continue building trust in your relationship with your client by showing compassion and care to help them achieve the results they want.

Choose retail products that are composed of targeted ingredients and offer solutions to many skin care concerns that are associated with waxing. At-home care is essential in order for clients to experience the best possible wax each and every time they visit. Clients will be happy when they see the results after keeping up with an at home routine. They will experience less ingrown hairs, their skin will naturally feel smoother, and their wax session will be more comfortable. As a result, you will set your spa apart, increase your client's loyalty, and build your reputation as a reliable waxing spot!  

Lindsay Miller is the president of LYCON Wax North America. Having first discovered LYCON Wax in the United Kingdom 10 years ago, she has dedicated her time to growing the brand across North America, including introducing LYCON to Canada. Training and product quality are extremely important to Miller and she prides herself on building a strong team around her that can offer the best customer experience possible. LYCON continues to be a market leader in hair removal wax and is used in top spas and salons around the world.

In this day and age, everyone is running around with barely any time to relax. Going to the spa is a perfect way for someone constantly on the go to finally stop and relax. Relaxation should be a part of the client experience from beginning to end. Employing these elements of relaxation can bring peace to any spa space.

LIGHT IT UP

Lighting is a big part of creating a relaxing environment. Choosing the right light bulb is just as important as the warmth of the lighting. Fluorescent lights are typically not recommended for a spa setting. Fluorescent lights flicker at a rate that stresses out the brain and can zap employees’ energy. Additionally, avoid using spiral, compact fluorescent bulbs that are filled with mercury because if they break, mercury dust could possibly be in the air for days, wreaking havoc on all the lungs that pass through. 

Holly Tanella is an international award-winning aesthetician and business owner with over 10 years of experience in the aesthetics industry. She was named the 2019 Top International Holistic Esthetician at The Skin Games and has owned BOHO Alternative Med Spa in Allen, Texas since 2015. Tanella is a wife, mother of five, and skin fanatic whose personal mission is to help her clients create healthy, glowing skin through alternative methods.