Skin analysis is considered the most important part of a facial. Using a magnifying lamp, the aesthetician looks at a client’s tone and texture and is able to determine what skin care regimen should be used to improve skin concerns. Collagen gives skin its thick, plump appearance and elastin is what makes it snap back quickly. Is your client’s skin smooth or rough? Are there visible breakouts or bumps, age spots, and hyperpigmentation? Is the muscle tone firm or is it visibly sagging?

With age, it is hard to maintain a youthful appearance, even if the client is following a healthy lifestyle, such as limiting sun exposure and getting regular facials. Unfortunately, there is no way to completely prevent signs of aging. The older skin is, the thinner and dryer it becomes. It takes longer for young, healthy cells to be revealed, which makes skin look duller and feel rough. There are treatments like chemical peels, microcurrent, and LED that target both skin tone and texture.

CHEMICAL PEELS

Antiaging chemical peels achieve noticeable improvement in skin tone and texture to provide more youthful, radiant skin. They target fine lines and irregular pigmentation like sun spots, lentigines, and acne scars. They also help with rough patches on the skin. Chemical peels may include ingredients like glycolic, lactic, malic, and trichloracetic acid. The solution is applied directly to the skin to exfoliate damaged skin cells to reveal new, healthy skin. After the peel is removed, the skin is neutralized. The skin is now prepared to receive the benefits of the appropriate serums and creams in the healing process.

MICROCURRENT

Microcurrent technology has been part of the beauty and skin care industry for many years. It is often billed as the non-surgical facelift. Overused facial muscles are stimulated to act younger, leaving the client with a lift. It works on relaxing crow’s feet, softening expression lines on the forehead and between the eyebrows, giving a more friendly and relaxed look. A microcurrent treatment can trigger chemical reactions at the cellular level, reducing fine lines and wrinkles. It also enhances the production of natural collagen and elastin. Skin is immediately smooth, firm, and hydrated following the treatment.

LED

Bright lights and protective goggles – we’re talking about LED skin therapy. It is often used in many antiaging facials. Did you know it was originally developed by NASA? It is a painless, relaxing, and a non-invasive skin care treatment that triggers different reactions beneath the epidermis and penetrates the skin at varying depths. Amber and red light LED stimulates cellular activity, including the fibroblasts that produce collagen, minimizing fine lines and wrinkles. Green light addresses pigmentation concerns and blue light addresses acne and breakouts. LED treatments can last anywhere from three to 10 minutes, with some sessions as long as 20 minutes. They are usually added to a service, but LED can also be a stand-alone treatment. Clients are advised to purchase at least six treatments for best results, done one to two weeks apart, followed by a maintenance treatment once a month. 

One of these treatments should be done at least once a month for best results to stimulate the skin’s cellular turnover. But, if clients say they cannot afford this monthly, it is best to recommend an at-home routine that helps with the exfoliation process, as well as facial exercises that can relieve tension. It is also best to suggest they have a facial at least four times a year, as the seasons change. 

Annette Hanson is the founder of Atelier Esthétique Institute of Esthetics in Manhattan, a New York state licensing, NACCAS-accredited skin care school, postgraduate facility, and the first United States aesthetics college to be recognized by London’s International Therapy Examination Council (ITEC). Her professional experience spans more than 30 years as a Paris-trained aesthetician, waxing specialist, body therapist, salon manager, and spa consultant. A creator of two product lines, she is also a published author and sought-after lecturer at leading professional conferences worldwide. She was instrumental in the development of the 600-hour curriculum for the New York state aesthetics license, as well as the written and practical exam. She served as an educator on the Appearance Enhancement Advisory Committee to New York’s Secretary of State. She was inducted into the Aesthetics International Association (A.I.A.) industry legends in August 2009 by DERMASCOPE Magazine. She is on the leadership committee of the ASCP Skin Care School Council (Associated Skin Care Professionals).