National Esthetician Day - Six Things to Learn
October 15th is National Esthetician Day (or National Aesthetician Day, depending on preferred spelling). It also happens to be my anniversary - and was actually created the day my husband and I got married! October was already Skin Care Professional’s month and National Esthetician Month which honors all people in the skin care industry - estheticians, cosmetic chemists, spa managers, you name it. Cosmedix, a cosmeceutical brand who created the idea of Esthetician Month, took it a step further and made October 15th, 2016 the first National Esthetician Day - a day specifically to honor and celebrate estheticians and their role in helping clients have healthy, glowing skin. While I was walking down the aisle to my husband, dancing, and eating cake, the Face & Body Show in Atlanta, GA was kicking off with Cosmedix’s announcement of this awesome holiday. To celebrate the sixth anniversary of this holiday, here are six things you can learn about estheticians!
We’re Beauticians, Not Magicians
I actually saw this on my former hairdresser’s mirror in her old salon in Nashville, and it stuck with me. We can do an incredible amount of work in a single service that can make a drastic difference in your skin, that’s for sure! But keep in mind that those results need to be maintained at home, and might not even be achievable during the first facial depending on your homecare (the skincare you use at home). There are also medications, illnesses or conditions, lifestyle factors, even diet and hydration levels that can all affect how effective your facial is.
Yes, We Really Have to Ask That
At first glance, our intake forms can seem a bit invasive. Why would a facialist need to know what medications I take in the first place‽ Eh, I never drink water and live on cold brew, but they don’t need to know that. Psh, I never wear sunscreen and sunbathe all the time, but I’m definitely gonna put minimal exposure and great sunscreen use. Well…first off, we’ll (nicely) call you out when you’re lying and we know it. We can tell you don’t wear sunscreen, we can tell your skin is dehydrated, and we can DEFINITELY tell when you haven’t been honest about medications (and supplements) you take and the skin starts reacting abnormally. However, not being honest about medical conditions, medicines, supplements, and other treatments can actually drastically affect your facial and what we can use in it. There are certain treatments we actually can’t perform if a client is taking certain medications or has certain conditions! Not disclosing that puts you at risk AND the esthetician’s license at risk. Don’t be that person.
No Stupid Questions
Listen, the internet is a wild place full of…interesting tips and tricks. Please ask your esthetician about them. We would rather you ask us about every ridiculous skincare “hack” you see and have us guide you then have you call for an emergency soothing treatment because you burned your skin doing a DIY lemon juice peel. Ask me how I know.
We’re Rooting For You
We understand how complex and complicated treating skin can be. A lot of us have our own skin issues! Most estheticians are MORE than happy to help you create a routine that works for *you* using products that work for *your skin and wallet*. I say most because unfortunately, not every esthy has this in mind - but the rest of us? We want to set you up for success. We want you to be confident and happy in your skin with a routine that fits into your life!
Not All of Us Fear Aging
More and more estheticians and other skin care professionals are turning away from this idea that it’s awful to age and are instead focused on helping the skin be it’s healthiest. Dermatologists and other injectors are becoming more refined and targeted with their injectables so expressions can still be made and no one looks puffed up. Instead of eliminating wrinkles, the goal is to increase and maintain healthy collagen production - which, yes, normally lessens wrinkles. Healthy skin will usually show that you’ve lived life! It’s not poreless, it’s not perfectly smooth, it’s not even always all the same tone - and that’s okay! Once the skin is healthy it’s much easier to correct any little issues that might be bothering you, but usually? Not even an issue.
Ask About Us
Feel free to schedule a consultation, look up your esthetician on social media, or even ask during the treatment! Ask them about their lives, how they became an esthetician, what they feel is important to prioritize in the treatment room and at home, what they look for in their skincare products and other cosmetics. It’s important you understand how your esthetician operates for you to have the best experience and make sure they’re a good fit for your treatment goals and lifestyle. If your esthetician wants you to come in every week for a treatment you can’t easily afford and doesn’t give you suggestions to change your homecare when you’ve asked for them, it’s worth trying a different esthetician who might understand your needs better.Now go make an appointment with your favorite esthetician - and maybe bring them a little treat this month (especially if you see them the 15th) as a way of saying thanks!