February is here – a month known for Black History Month, Valentine’s Day, Chinese New Year, the occasional Leap Day, and so much more. While it is the shortest month of the year, this in no way means readers will get shortchanged generic education. Welcome to the age issue, formerly referred to as antiaging, age management, and mature skin. 

This category goes by many names and evokes many associations, positive and negative. These associations are for many reasons. For one, the concept of aging has had a face-lift in the last decade. Thankfully, agism is out, and prejuvenation is all the rage. Society and the industry have come to terms and are less concerned with staying young forever, a battle no one wins. Today, aesthetics is all about achieving beauty at any age, with no end in sight. 

Embracing aging by no means translates to letting yourself go. Embracing aging means welcoming the inevitable changes and saying goodbye to what no longer serves you. It is a privilege to grow older. This is an idea I hope echoes throughout the pages of this issue. 

The next time readers find themselves looking at the mirror in anything less than awe, I encourage them to take a step back. Stop comparing and appreciate the beauty that stands before you. It is a new dawn, and you are only getting started. 

A licensed aesthetician, Laynes is also the CEO of Smooth Skin Supply LLC and the creator of the Esthetician Summit.

What is your educational background, and how do you continue your education in the industry?

I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in kinesiology and have been a licensed aesthetician for 20 years. I am a huge ingredient junkie and educate myself weekly on skin care trends, new technologies, and ingredient uses for skin, specifically with eczema-prone skin.

How long have you been practicing, and why did you choose this field?

I have been practicing for 20 years, and this field really chose me. I have acne-prone skin and

started seeing an aesthetician over 22 years ago who really helped clear my skin. I wanted to

help other people who suffer with acne-prone skin like I did, so I decided to go to beauty school at night to get my license. After getting my license, I started waxing to learn how to earn more money per client instead of one facial per hour. I self-taught myself the seven-minute Brazilian wax technique, started manufacturing wax and teaching, and the Se-Brazil Wax brand was created.

Many devices have come and gone attempting to treat skin issues using frequencies. Many may automatically think of a high-frequency machine as an obvious choice, but these devices create ozone through frequencies. I believe this is actually harmful to skin because ozone causes free radical damage. For example, instead of considering acne a bacterial infection, it should be thought of as a detoxification reaction (and a delicate wound). Therefore, adding more inflammation to acne increases scarring potential. Other devices utilizing frequencies in the form of ultrasound can help with ingredient penetration, but high-frequency ultrasound (typically a medical procedure) can be harmful to skin and provide minimal long-term benefits. 

In today’s modern world, technology is advancing at an incredible pace. For aesthetics, this means that new products are constantly being released, rendering older equipment obsolete in a short amount of time. As a result, many licensed skin care professionals are choosing to sell their used equipment rather than just letting it gather dust. This trend has created a thriving market for secondhand equipment, with many online platforms dedicated to buying and selling used aesthetics equipment and modalities. This article will explore the benefits and risks of purchasing secondhand equipment, as well as provide tips on how to successfully resell. 

“Work with me and you’ll have new clients lining up at your door!” “Learn our 10 Super Success Secrets every aesthetician wishes they had known years sooner!” “Take your spa to the next level by attending our three-day Beauty Business Badass retreat!” Yeah, yeah, yeah…

Whether having worked in the aesthetics field for a while or just starting out, a spa owner may consider working with a business coach. There are plenty of reasons that an experienced coach could benefit their career: becoming better organized, improving sales, boosting marketing methods, and many others. Perhaps the spa owner has honed their aesthetics skills, yet feel helpless when it comes to budgeting, managing their time, or finding enough new clients to keep them going. Realizing the benefit of some business assistance is one thing, but identifying the right coach or consultant for one’s specific needs is quite another. 

A Google Business Profile (GBP) is a free tool that helps people find local businesses, and most importantly for a spa, it can generate bookings. There are several ways to set up a profile that provides a better chance of appearing at the top of local search results, but for now, take a look at these four easy actions to optimize this business tool. 

 NAP TIME

NAP stands for name, address, and phone number. Make sure the important info on the Google Business Profile is exactly as it appears on the business website and other review or social sites. If the address is not abbreviated on the website, do not abbreviate it in the Google Business Profile listing. This is important for accuracy and customer trust, but also because Google uses name, address, and phone number information to decide which businesses to show in search results. If the name, address, and phone number information is consistent across every online platform, it is more likely that the business will show up in search results.

According to Mayo Clinic, social anxiety is described as “an intense fear of interacting or talking with strangers.” Skin care professionals who deal with social anxiety can find it challenging to navigate connecting with new and existing clients. This fear can manifest in several ways, including having difficulty relating authentically, conducting consultations, and building a meaningful rapport with clients. 

OVERCOMING ANXIETY 

A part of the skin care professional’s job is to connect with clients, assess their needs, and deliver results. However, those battling with social anxiety can feel overwhelmed at the thought of deeply connecting with clients. The key to overcoming this anxiety is to recognize when it is present and take steps to accept and move past it. Signs of oncoming social anxiety can appear in several ways including rapid heart rate and being unable to focus one’s thoughts.  

Reference 

1. Mayo Clinic Staff. (2023, October 18th). Social Anxiety Disorder. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/social-anxiety-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20353561 

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.