Spot Check: Identifying Hyperpigmentation Types and Causes
Written by Lyn Ross, L.M.E.
Hyperpigmentation is the result of an over-proliferation of melanin within a specific area or region of the body. Another name for hyperpigmentation is dyschromia, which refers to the condition related to the darkening of the skin. Ultraviolet radiation is the most well-known extrinsic factor that regulates melanogenesis, which is the skin’s response to protect from the harmful rays of the sun. Hyperpigmentation, or dyschromia, is…
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Disorders
The key to treating all types of pigmentation is early intervention. If nothing is done and the excess melanin leaches into the dermis, it becomes dermal pigmentation. The deeper the pigment, the more difficult it is to treat. It is important to be honest and realistic about what results clients can expect from clinical treatments and what level of commitment to homecare is required to…
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Disorders
Tanning Bed Time Bomb: Addressing Clients Who Need Sun Protection
Written by Shelly Steadman
What is it about lying in a coffin shaped box while 24 bulbs emit light strong enough to penetrate the subcutaneous layer that is such a hard habit for clients to break? I can sort of understand the beach and pool tanners. At least there you’ll get a bit of scenery and maybe chug a margarita to cool down as you rotate from front to…
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Skin Care
Hyperpigmentation: Are You Asking the Right Questions?
Written by René Serbon
Pigmentation is a complex condition that concerns many clients. In fact, complaints about pigmentation from clients often exceed that of aging. Yet, if this is the case, why are treatments for this condition failing? It is a multi-faceted question and the reasons can be numerous, so reviewing the pigmentation process called melanogenesis will aid in exploring the answers. THE MELANOCYTEThe melanocyte is the name of…
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Disorders
Prior to chemical peel application, there are important risk factors to consider. Understanding these risk factors will help to reduce side effects and will help to achieve optimal clinical outcomes. Risk factors are especially crucial to consider with layered peel application and caution should be taken with certain ethnic groups. When treating ethnic skin, it is essential to have a thorough understanding of skin histology,…
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Skin Care
Fitzpatricks 4-6: Sun Care
Written by Lila Castellanos, L.E.
Although dark skin is naturally more protective against harmful rays from the sun than fair skin, people of all skin types are susceptible to burn if they do not apply sunscreen on a daily basis. The burn may not be as obvious on dark skin, but this does not mean it is harmless. Studies indicate that just one severe sunburn may increase the risk of…
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Sun
10 Things About... Microcurrent
Written by Tina Abnoosi
The body is made of over 73 percent water, which is a great conductor. This make the body a perfect apparatus to flow energy in and out. Small amounts of electric current are conducive in maintaining normal cell behavior. This energy, when combined with appropriate frequency, facilitates iontophoresis – balancing sodium, potassium, chlorine ions in the cell – as well as aids in the transportation…
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Skin Care
Fitzpatrick Skin Types 4-6: Managing Acne and Scarring
Written by Gina Charles, D.O.
Dark skin is a physical trait that is present amongst diverse ethnic groups, such as African, East Asian, Latino, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Native American. While skin rich in melanin can, for the most part, safely absorb ultraviolet rays, developing acne is unfortunately very common. Consequences of acne in people with dark skin include keloid (raised scar after skin has healed) formation and hyperpigmentation (dark…
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Acne
Autoimmune Disease and the Skin
Written by Mary Ellen Dorey, RA
While it affects many people, autoimmune diseases does not have a lot of information as to its cause. What is known is that, for autoimmune patients, the body is unable to tell the difference between healthy cells and viral or bacteria agents. This causes white blood cells to attack and destroy other cells and tissues in the body. Patients find that their skin becomes drier,…
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Skin Care
Fitzpatrick Skin Types 4-6: Causes, Treatments, and Prevention of Common Hyperpigmentation Issues
Written by Dave Waggoner
Hyperpigmentation is a common skin condition characterized by the appearance of darker pigmented skin relative to the surrounding skin tissues. More likely than not, you’ve tried to explain what pigmentation is, where it comes from, and how to make it go away. Take heart! Pigmentation is a challenging condition that is multi-factorial. Even though pigmentation can be difficult to treat, the light at the end…
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Skin Care
When it comes to beards, shaping, cutting, and trimming facial hairs fall into the barber’s hands, but maintaining the luxuriousness of a man’s beard goes beyond the clippers. The upkeep of a man’s beard requires a knowledgeable skin care professional versed in men’s skin care and grooming. It is always a good idea to offer male clientele gender-specific services that cater to a man’s skin…
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Men
Eczema in the Spa: Causes, Identification, and Treatment
Written by Michele Corley
Eczema is a general term used to describe inflammatory skin conditions exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics (depending on the severity and type of eczema): dryness associated with redness and itching, raised patches, cracks, swelling, small blisters, oozing of a pale yellow or transparent fluid, red or brownish grey patches, raised skin with greasy looking patches, crusty flakes, burning, rash, and scaling. TYPES…
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Disorders
Microneedling & Microinfusion: Contrasts and Optimization
Written by Robert Manzo
Microneedling and microinfusion techniques are often confused with regard to how each are optimized for the highest efficacy when used for the purposes of skin improvement and introducing active compounds into the skin. These procedures can be technique sensitive, as well. Understanding skin anatomy and physiology are critical in maximizing the effects of the procedures. Multiple clinical studies have been done in laboratories with specific…
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Skin Care
Methods of Exfoliation
Written by Linda Gulla
Chemical peels have been used for hundreds of years by many different cultures as a means of exfoliating the skin. Some chemical acids are natural agents that have been chemically changed to an acidic pH. Other chemical acids contain molecules that are naturally found in the skin. With an acidic pH, histological changes occur in the epidermis and dermis. In cosmetic dermatology, different types of…
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Skin Care
Hormones and Acne: The Missing Link
Written by Ahmed Abdullah, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.I.C.S.
Acne is considered by many to be a right-of-passage that must be endured on the way to adulthood. And, the research says this may be true. It is estimated that nearly 85 percent of people develop acne at some point between ages 12 and 25, regardless of country of origin.1 However, aestheticians know that acne is no longer just a skin condition isolated to the…
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Acne
What to Expect When Clients are Expecting: Acne Tips for Moms-to-Be
Written by Ashley Stowers
Pregnancy is such an incredible and exciting event in life, but many women will admit that it can have some challenging moments, both physically and emotionally. For some, “pregnancy glow” can quickly become overshadowed by hormonal acne. Most women know that they will have to sacrifice some aspects of their life, but, often, do not know that it might include their skin. In fact, almost…
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Acne
The Menstruation Situation: Understanding Female Hormones and Acne
Written by Larry Lockhart, R.P.
Discussing hormonal acne, the menstrual cycle, and menopause is a complicated subject and cannot be covered in its entirety in a few pages. To make it understandable, this article will be limited to the major players: estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone. It will focus on new ways of treating this old nemesis, so professionals can perform an acne transformation in just a few weeks, resulting…
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Acne
Illuminating Alternatives: A Quick Look at Brightening Ingredients
Written by Aliesh Pierce
Summer is fast approaching. For aestheticians, that usually means the second phase of brightening season. Since suppressing skin activity actually makes skin more photosensitive, the fall is the best time for clients to complete a brightening series before the sun really starts to beat down. However, a new generation of ingredients are making it safe to address pigmentation concerns year-round. By now, most clients have…
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Disorders
10 Things About … Microblading
Written by Irene Kennerley
Microblading is a popular eyebrow service for spa and permanent makeup clients. The service creates the look of individual eyebrow hairs with cosmetic tattooing; it is used to enhance the eyebrows and make them appear fuller. The results are not as long-lasting as traditional permanent makeup, which allows for some flexibility to update eyebrows as trends change. With an artistic mind, the training for this…
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Skin Care
The stratum corneum is the skin’s barrier and is the top layer of the epidermis. In the epidermis, keratinocyte stem cells reside in the basal layer, which is the lowest layer of the stratified epithelia. These cells divide further and differentiate as they move upwards in the epidermis towards the stratum corneum. Found within the stratum corneum are corneocytes which are dead keratin-filled squamous cells…
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Skin Care
Permanent Wrinkle Reduction: Reassessing Current Approaches to Antiaging Skin Care
Written by Ben Johnson, M.D.
The number one goal of most skin care companies is to temporarily minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while using clever language that makes clients think wrinkle prevention or even wrinkle repair is actually happening. With so many bright scientific minds working on more permanent solutions, what is keeping them from achieving this goal? This article will evaluate where the latest technology has…
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Aging
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Sensitive Skin
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AIA Featured School
Christine Valmy International School...Description: Christine Valmy International School for Esthetics, Skin Care & Makeup offers a quality education in the beauty industry, based on the teachings of the Founder of Esthetics in the United States—Ms. Christine Valmy. Ms. Valmy opened her very first sc ...