As a practicing aesthetician, the question always arises, “Why can an aesthetician in one state perform a particular service that one in another state cannot?” Well, considering aesthetics was born from the cosmetology license, the industry has evolved tremendously since the 90s, causing variety from state to state. Trends, machines, devices, and products have become more potent and are able to perform a wide range of services. They assist in product penetration, stimulate muscles to tighten and firm the appearance of skin, lighten pigmentation and skin irregularities, remove hair, and so much more. Ingredients are often overlooked, and in some formulations, these ingredients can offer significant results but can cause damage if not used properly, like in the hands of unlicensed individuals. Knowing this, why are some states changing the scope of services aestheticians can perform?

SCOPE THIS

Connecticut

In July of 2020, Connecticut was the last state to become regulated for aesthetics, nails, and eyelash extensions. Prior to 2020, there was no regulation or governing board. While state guidance is clearly needed, minimizing the services aestheticians can legally perform in any state risks going back to an era of free rein for the unlicensed.  

Personally, having a preteen daughter has been eye-opening as far as skin care goes. With a new skin care trend going viral every day, it is no wonder when many young girls ask for over-the-counter products from popular box-store brands that may contain harmful or intense ingredients, unbeknownst to them. Prying a little further will reveal that these recommendations are far from personal but come from TikTok, Instagram, or other social media sites. If working professionals have not gone down these online channels, they may be unaware that preteens having a multi-step skin care routine – complete with glycolic acid, retinol, or facial oil – is not a rare practice. 

 Gone are the days of waiting for Glamour or Cosmopolitan magazine to arrive each month to learn what products to buy. The medium may have changed, but the interest did not. Modern preteens are very much into skin care, and they have direct access to influencers and information at their fingertips. It is becoming obvious that interest in skin care, antiaging, and beauty is starting younger and younger.  

As aestheticians, we are licensed to work with the integument, treating it according to what was learned in school and what is allowed within our scope of practice. As a practicing aesthetician with over 16 years of experience. I have heard my share of skepticism regarding product efficacy and the effectiveness of topical treatments as compared to more invasive modalities. Surprisingly, such skepticism is generally expressed by doctors who argue that methods like fillers, lasers, microneedling with radiofrequency (RF), and other nonsurgical options are the only way to prevent premature aging and reverse existing damage. Some doctors understand the unequivocal benefits of topical skin care and regular visits to the aesthetician, but it seems they are the minority in the profession. 

Dasha Saian Marchese is the co-founder and CEO of Saian and has over 22 years of experience in the spa industry. She is a licensed aesthetician, Aesthetics International Association Ambassador, and serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of DERMASCOPE Magazine. In addition to her aesthetics schooling, Dasha has a degree in business and marketing. She gives lectures and classes internationally and regularly contributes to global trade publications. 

Clients craving beauty solutions want instant gratification, and they can’t always get it in brick-and-mortar medical spas. Members of Generations X and Y are typically at work during business hours with little time to book spa treatments or purchase beauty products in person. Today’s clients are more often found online, many preferring to shop digital storefronts or browse social media late at night. Medical spas that want to capture their business need to be accessible from anywhere and at any time clients are ready to make a purchase. In an increasingly digital beauty industry, medical spas with e-commerce programs are leading this competition. 

BEAUTY ONLINE 

This year alone, online beauty-industry sales are expected to total $24.5 billion in the United Statess.1 By category, beauty and cosmetic products make up 26% of all e-commerce sales in the United States while 74% of shoppers prefer to shop online rather than in a store.2 In 2023, online transactions are expected to account for about one-quarter of health and beauty brand sales.3 

With an online presence, medical spas can sell memberships, packages, promotions, e-gift cards, and skin, hair, and weight-loss products around the clock. Whether it’s capturing a sale from an existing client or converting a new lead, it’s easier to generate revenue and maximize return on investment (ROI) for e-mail campaigns, organic social content, and Google or Meta advertisements by simply giving clients an option to purchase immediately. 

E-commerce also supports retail add-on purchases by driving clients to an online storefront after in-office procedures; popular upsells include post-treatment skin care products and hair and skin vitamins and supplements. These add-ons drive incremental revenue without creating work for in-office staff, and they prevent clients from shopping (and spending) elsewhere. 

Ideally, e-commerce programs can be linked with electronic medical records (EMRs) and customer relationship management (CRM) software to create a fully automated ecosystem that alerts clients when they are due for a refill or when their favorite skin care line has released a new product. Add in a few artificial intelligence (AI) triggers, and one e-commerce purchase can set off a multitude of drip campaigns and client check-ins that increase engagement and build long-term loyalty.  

Tiphany Hall, PhD, MBA, is the chief growth officer at Aesthetic Record, a cloud-based, electronic medical records and practice management solution for high-growth aesthetics practices. Since 2019, Dr. Hall has helped the organization expand its technical capabilities with key features and third-party integrations, growing the customer base to more than 8,000 aesthetics clinics. She also serves as executive producer of Aesthetic Next Productions, a video and digital media agency for industry partners and training organizations, co-founder and director of Aesthetic Next, a multidisciplinary international educational meeting, and host of For the Record, an industry podcast. 

In a world filled with filtered selfies and vanity, the quest for timeless beauty remains in pursuit. Everyone has heard several of the age-old remedies passed down through generations, promising the secrets to eternal youth, but it’s time to debunk the myths of cucumber slices and DIY concoctions and embrace the power of professional skin care experts who can decode the unique needs of skin, ensuring a radiant glow in the future. 

In the pursuit of healthier, more vibrant skin, people often wonder who is the best to turn to for skin care expertise. The unique approaches to skin care require different skills and tools to aid in informed decisions on a skin care journey. Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all solutions; skin deserves customized care. Aging is an inevitable part of life, but with the right skin care routine and professional guidance, individuals can slow down the signs of aging and maintain a youthful appearance. A comprehensive age prevention plan may require multiple professionals aiding in the upkeep of beauty. By understanding the roles of skin care providers and dermatologists, elevating skin care routines to achieve age-defying results has never been more accessible. 

Simone Hopes is a Houston, Texas native with a passion for dermatology and aesthetics. With over seven years of experience as a dermatology and plastics physician assistant, she has become a prominent figure in the field. Hopes is not just a practitioner; she is also the proud owner of Queen Aesthetics, a thriving medical spa practice. Her journey began with a mission to address skin concerns among people of color, recognizing the need for inclusivity and diversity in the medical beauty industry. She stands as a strong advocate for change, aiming to break barriers and redefine beauty standards. Hopes’ dedication to her craft and her commitment to promoting skin health and confidence make her a remarkable force in the world of aesthetics.  

The perfect pucker is mandatory for Valentine’s Day, even if the only person you are kissing is your reflection (No shame!). The good news is that cannabis not only has a myriad of uses during the month of love but is an especially good ingredient to perfect your pout all year long. 

COMPLEX SYSTEMS

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of over 400 cannabinoids from the cannabis plant. Cannabinoids are compounds that are exclusively extracted from the cannabis plant and have a range of potential therapeutic benefits, such as easing anxiety, reducing inflammation, and anti-viral and antimicrobial properties, just name a few. Additionally, humans already have a network of receptors in our body that work with cannabinoids.  

Antonia is a New York State licensed massage therapist, cosmetologist specializing in aesthetics science, and electrologist. With over 16 years’ experience in the industry Antonia’s work has brought her everywhere from the classroom to her certified green spa, the Windham Spa, to the United States Olympic Training Center and beyond. Outside of the treatment room she is a writer, speaker, and consultant with the New York State Department of Education, leading education firms and industry magazines. Antonia’s current passion projects include treatment research and development for burn patients, and assisting in the development of the United States Paralymic Bobsled and Skeleton Team.  

Starting either a wax bar or full-service spa are both great business opportunities and each has its own set of benefits and considerations. Prior to deciding which business structure is best for you, it is important to do your research and build a business plan. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each will help you make an educated decision on which to choose.  

MASTER OF ONE 

Wax bars focus on waxing and the team is encouraged to perfect that skill to offer the best wax possible. Most wax bars have an expanded menu of waxing services which include multiple areas of the body that not all spas offer. Specialization allows the business to differentiate itself from other businesses because clients who are seeking a wax will most likely be more attracted to a specialized business. Clients will assume that a business that focuses on one service will be able to provide a high-quality, more comfortable waxing experience. Additionally, being known as a specialized business can boost the overall reputation of the business and build credibility in the waxing space. Although many full-service spas do offer waxing as part of their service menu, the professionals are not often dedicated to that service and therefore do not have the opportunity to build their skills as quickly as someone who is only doing waxing.  

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.  

When we think of the skin care industry, we may not immediately think of what has traditionally been known as men’s skin care; however, it is an important segment of the consumer group, and worth time and consideration. 

In a study by Straits Research, the global men’s skin care products market was valued at $12.981 billion in 2022.1 It is estimated to be valued at $15.23 billion in 2023 and is expected to total $37 billion by 2033. The adoption of men’s skin care products is likely to advance at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.4% during the forecast period.2  

A FEW GOOD MEN 

The growing demand for gender-specific products such as shampoos, conditioners, shaving creams, face masks, and peels by men is expected to positively impact the market.3 Interestingly enough, it appears that men’s spending habits differ from women’s when it comes to impulse buying. Men are more than willing to splurge on skin care as a form of self-care due to their growing awareness of skin care products. In Deloitte’s latest update to its ongoing Global State of the Consumer Index, researchers found when men splurge, they spend 40% more than women globally and in the United States on various items.4  

However, the surging disregard of gender binaries among Generation Z consumers is a major growth opportunity the men’s skin care market offers.5 Nearly 40% of adults aged 18 to 22 have shown interest in gender-neutral beauty products, according to the NPD Group’s iGen Beauty Consumer report.6 

Digital Development  

 Men have been exposed to much more information about skin care, beauty products, and cosmetics as a result of the rise of social media beauty bloggers and influencers. While TikTok and Instagram have similar membership numbers, TikTok has a larger audience for male-centered beauty content. According to market and consumer data platform Statista, as of January 2023, approximately 54% of TikTok global users were women and 46% were men. The #mensskincare hashtag currently draws up approximately 350,000 results on Instagram; on TikTok, the same hashtag has over 295 million views. A representative from TikTok pulled up the viewership count for several of the most popular male-centered beauty hashtags: #mensgrooming has 1.5 billion views, #mensmakeup has 326.8 million, #mensskincare has 292.7 million and #mensskincareproducts has 31.7 million.7 

Lila Castellanos has focused her energies into the beauty industry for the past 19 years, specializing in skin rejuvenation. As a licensed aesthetician, she has lent her expertise to several different environments including working as a paramedical aesthetician in the medical spa field as well as in both day spa and mobile spa business models. It was through these varied experiences, along with the interactions with her loyal clientele, that she honed her passion for improving and maintaining the health and integrity of her clients’ skin. Castellanos thrives on being able to use her extensive knowledge to customize each treatment to help her clients achieve the results they are searching for. Her adaptability and versatility are equally impressive in providing antiaging facials, treating acne, and minimizing the appearance of scarring or when addressing skin conditions that arise as a result of hormonal changes.  

Welcome back to The Melanin Diaries. No one wants to walk on eggshells, especially passionate skin professionals. The bedrock of client care is effective communication, not the fear of offending them. There is a large advantage in leading a consultation with the positives of providing optimal solutions for clients and not with what could possibly go wrong. It is a level of confident empathy that can be felt.

Many skin professionals soar in their empathy levels, however, have to work a bit more on their confidence levels. It is not automatic for most. With the plethora of mishaps and miscalculated outcomes that have transpired in the treatment room for melanin-rich skin, some would argue that the concern is warranted. However, if risk alone was reason enough to not provide services, there would be no medical clinics, medical spas, or skin care studios. 

Therefore, mitigating risks, negative experiences, and mishaps for clients, rests on the levels of knowledge skin professionals possess. When it comes to caring for melanin-rich skin, there are at times invisible barriers that clients come to a skin health space with. 

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, but most importantly the inherent worth in every skin professional.

Bridging the Microbial World: Exploring the Microbiome, Skin Barrier, & Beyond

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Licensed skin care professionals know how important it is to understand the fundamentals of the body's integumentary system. For professionals who treat acne, it is even more important to understand two key functions within that system: the microbiome and barrier. Join licensed aestheticians Alex Hernandez and Kelsey Duque as they discuss the importance of the microbiome, how to recognize and address an impaired barrier, and how to help your clients get clear skin for good using the Face Reality Clear Skin Method. Plus, a deep dive on Face Reality’s brand-new Barrier Balance Creamy Cleanser, a powerful creamy cleanser developed specially for the needs of acne-prone skin.

MEET THE PRESENTERS- Alex Hernández & Kelsey Duque

Alex Hernández, a licensed aesthetician for over seven years, first joined Face Reality’s Clinic as an acne specialist, then became lead aesthetician, managed their Clinic, and then assumed responsibility as lead educator. She oversees professional training, and develops Face Reality’s educational materials, protocols, and classes nationally for the brand’s Acne Professional Program

Kelsey Duque, a licensed aesthetician of over eight years and a certified acne expert for five years. Trained by Laura Cooksey herself, Duque began treating acne clients in the Face Reality Acne Clinic and later played a key role in onboarding and supporting Face Reality’s Acne Expert community. As education development manager and educator, she oversees professional training, and develops Face Reality’s educational materials, protocols, and classes nationally for the brand’s Acne Professional Program