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The epidermis is subject to constant environmental and biological wear and tear. As a result, dead cells of the outermost skin are continuously shedding. Regular exfoliation heightens the metabolic rate of cellular renewal and prevents the development of many age-related skin irregularities.
The intricate process of cellular renewal may be visibly seen on skin’s surface, but what is not seen is the delicate balance of cellular activity and rejuvenation happening just below the surface. The stratum corneum is 20 to 30 thick rows of keratin, about 0.04 millimeters to 1.5 millimeters thick, and is continuously shedding and replacing itself.
By removing dead keratinocytes from the surface of skin, a brand-new generation of skin cells rise from below to form the genesis of building skin health and beauty. Biological desquamation and professional physical exfoliation function beautifully in concert with each other to increase the production of collagen, elastin, proteoglycans, hyaluronic acid, and other substances inherent in skin regeneration.
HOW IT WORKS
A peel involves the application of an enzyme or acid to skin to remove and exfoliate the outer layers of dead cells so that a clear, more evenly pigmented, hydrated layer of skin can appear on the surface. When hardened keratinized cells are stimulated to release, new cells rise through the hair follicles, which decongest the pores to help resolve excess oil and rid the pores of bacteria. Deep peels are instrumental in the stimulation of fibroblasts that help to create new collagen. Regenerated skin cells are smoother and less creased with lines and wrinkles. Depending on the desired results and the level of peel being applied, the solution can be repeated weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly, and in combination with other procedures with varying degrees of layering. This process is referred to as a series of peels.
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Lyn Ross, L.M.E., is the founder and CEO of Institut’ DERMed Clinical Skincare, Med Spa and College of Advanced Aesthetics. A licensed master aesthetician, Ross is an accredited aesthetic instructor with over 40 years of experience in the field of aesthetics. Throughout her career, Ross has treated thousands of patients and has worked with the top plastic surgeons and dermatologists in Atlanta, Georgia. She has been committed to bridging the gap between aesthetics and medicine for over 30 years and continues to be instrumental in influencing the exploding medical spa industry with both her hands-on technical training and solid business experience.
There is an inevitable and timeless question that people have asked for centuries: how can youthfulness be restored after time has weathered one’s skin? The answer is superficial chemexfoliation, commonly referred to as the peeling of skin to remove damaged cellular layers for restorative rejuvenation.
Institut’ DERMed founder, Lyn Ross, is a master aesthetician who opened the first medical spa in the Southeast in 1989. Today, Institut’ DERMed is a premier medical spa in Atlanta, Georgia and a leading clinical skin care brand. They are dedicated to helping people achieve their skin care goals using only the most effective and innovative ingredients. Institut’ DERMed proudly offers retail skin care products and professional-only products distributed exclusively through the brand’s spa partners and in professional skin care centers across the globe. Ross is also the founder of Institut’ DERMed College of Advanced Aesthetics, an aesthetician training school for licensed skin care professionals.
Consultative aesthetics is the process of learning a client’s needs, then meeting those needs with solutions that combine products and services. With many clients seeking aesthetic treatments in conjunction with medical prescriptions and procedures, the clinical aesthetic practitioner requires an understanding of cosmeceutical ingredients and prescriptive medications for successful treatment outcomes.
A licensed professional can treat skin in ways that do not require medication or surgery, and very often, it is the professional who is first presented with the most common skin conditions like melasma, rosacea, acne, and hyperpigmentation. A skin care specialist can assess skin but cannot diagnose a medical condition or recommend prescription medication. However, a professional can help develop a healthy skin care routine for any known skin condition, so it is vital to be familiar with prescription medications, indications, and contraindications for aesthetic treatments.
Master aesthetician, Lyn Ross founded Institut’ DERMed Spa, one of the most respected names in the skin care industry, in 1989. The Institut’ DERMed Spa is a 3,000-square-foot facility located in Atlanta, Georgia, with 11 treatment rooms offering the latest medical clinical aesthetic technologies to assure quality solutions that provide the ultimate relaxation and results for skin health and beauty. Ross was an originator of the cosmeceutical product and treatment concept Institut’ DERMed Clinical Skin care, which is now widely dispensed in prestigious spas, medical spas, and physician’s offices. Ross founded the Institut’ DERMed college of Advanced Aesthetics in 1995, after years of providing client support for the medical community to teach professionals, nurses, and physicians the specialized skin care and makeup techniques she developed working side by side with doctors to help clients recover after surgery.
Skin is the largest organ of the body, covering and protecting from outside attacks by physical trauma, chemical reactions, or microbial invaders. Skin of the average adult human exceeds 22 square feet yet is generally no thicker than 2 millimeters, or 1/16 of an inch. It regulates body temperature through sweating, detects information from objects by touch, and acts as a sun shield to protect the body from harmful ultraviolet rays while also initiating the process of vitamin D production during sun exposure.
Skin is comprised of two major tissue layers, the epidermis and dermis. The epidermis contains three types of dendritic cells: melanocytes, Langerhans, and Merkel cells. Melanocytes produce skin’s primary pigment called melanin. There are two types of melanin, eumelanin, which is brownish or black, and pheomelanin, which is reddish or yellow. Both are synthesized from tyrosine, one of the 20 amino acids used by cells to synthesize proteins. Tyrosinase is the main enzyme responsible for increased melanogenesis, leading to conditions such as freckles, solar lentigines, acanthosis nigricans (dark discoloration in body folds and creases), melasma, hyperpigmentation, and skin cancers such as melanoma.
The number of melanocyte cells is consistent in all skin types regardless of their ethnicity; however, the number of active melanocytes that produce melanin pigment varies greatly. In other words, it is not the number of melanocytes within the epidermis that influence skin pigmentation, but the genetically pre-programmed activity of the melanocyte cells that produce individual skin color. Variations in genes can be traced to geographic origin and correlate to skin, hair, and eye color.
Master aesthetician, Lyn Ross founded Institut’ DERMed Spa, one of the most respected names in the skin care industry, in 1989. The Institut’ DERMed Spa is a 3,000-square-foot facility located in Atlanta, Georgia with 11 treatment rooms offering the latest clinical aesthetic technologies to assure quality solutions that provide the ultimate relaxation and results for skin health and beauty. Ross was an originator of the cosmeceutical product and treatment concept Institut’ DERMed Clinical Skin Care, which is now widely dispensed in prestigious spas, medical spas, and physicians’ offices. She founded the Institut’ DERMed College of Advanced Aesthetics in 1995 after years of providing client support for the medical community to teach aestheticians, nurses, and physicians the specialized skin care and makeup techniques she developed working side by side with doctors to help clients recover after surgery.
Melasma is a common skin condition affecting approximately six million women in the United States and 45 to 50 million women worldwide. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 90% of individuals with melasma are women between the ages of 20 to 50 years old. Melasma manifests as light to dark brown or greyish patches of abnormal pigmentation that can appear on the cheeks, upper lip, chin, and forehead.
The name melasma comes from the Greek word “melas,” meaning black. It is sometimes referred to as “the mask of pregnancy” because it commonly affects pregnant women due to their fluctuating hormones. If melasma develops during pregnancy, it may resolve by itself a few months after delivery, but there is no guarantee it will totally disappear.
Genetic predisposition may be a major factor in the development of melasma. Everyone is born with the same number of melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin. However, these pigment cells may be larger than other depending on genetics, as in the case of darker skin types, or more active, as with those living in geographic areas that have a higher rate of sun exposure.
Lyn Ross, L.M.E., is the founder and CEO of Institut’ DERMed Clinical Skincare, Med Spa, and College of Advanced Aesthetics. A licensed master aesthetician, Ross is an accredited aesthetic instructor with over 40 years of experience in the field of aesthetics. Throughout her career, Ross has treated thousands of clients and has worked with the top plastic surgeons and dermatologists in Atlanta, Georgia. She has been committed to bridging the gap between aesthetics and medicine for over 30 years and continues to be instrumental in influencing the exploding medical spa industry with both her hands-on technical training and solid business experience.
Acne is a very common skin condition that commonly begins during puberty. Acne is often attributed to DNA factors and a strong family history is usually present in acne clients. According to one United Kingdom study of twins, 81% of their acne was due to genetic factors linked to androgen hormones. The acne skin condition can also be aggravated by emotional stress and environmental factors. Acne is a broad term that includes blackheads and whiteheads, pimples, pustules, and nodules. Acne typically manifests on the face, neck, back, and chest.
Lyn Ross is the founder and CEO of Institut’ DERMed Clinical Skincare, Medical Spa, and College of Advanced Aesthetics. A licensed master aesthetician, Ross is an accredited aesthetic instructor with over 40 years of experience in the field of aesthetics. Throughout her career, Ross has treated thousands of clients and has worked with the top plastic surgeons and dermatologists in Atlanta, Georgia. She has been committed to bridging the gap between aesthetics and medicine for over 30 years and continues to be instrumental in influencing the exploding medical spa industry with both her hands-on technical training and solid business experience.
As we begin our spa business recovery from the recent economic recession due to the COVID-19 virus the stress of being out of work combined with the concerns on how to re-open the economy safely can take a big toll on our mental wellness.
Both spa staff and client confidence have left many spa professionals concerned about their ability to recover their businesses long term. After being in the spa business for 32 years and surviving many economic downturns, I feel qualified to speak on this topic, especially since I am still a spa owner of a 3,000 square-foot medical spa that employees 18 staff and the manufacturer and distributor of a product to the trade with over 200 small business accounts that depend on our company to provide not only products but also training.
I must acknowledge that this time is like no other in that the economy around the globe has been affected by this recent pandemic disaster. As an industry leader located in Atlanta, Georgia, the first state in the United States to open back up to the business, here are a few words of encouragement and tips to help you on the road to recovery.
Monthly promotions are a great way to create consistent sales. Promotions create excitement and who doesn’t love a deal? Platforms such as Groupon were built on that premise. Promotions can be service or product motivated, or both. Consistency is the key. Create a promotion for every month with a short script to train staff. Create signage at the point of check out and other traffic points, such as the waiting area and bathrooms. Broadcast the promotion socially to encourage sharing and through e-mail.
A promotion can consist of a discount, buy one get one offer, gift with service purchase, gift with referral, or even create a client appreciation calendar.
Create social rewards for clients that give the business a word of mouth endorsement. Offer a discount on their next service or a product gift on their next visit when they post a review or share a promotion on social media.
CLIENT APPRECIATION WEEK
During slow times, host a client appreciation week with a daily deal for every day that week. This is a great way to reward loyal clients and a great way to get busy. Offers might include:
REVIEWS
Reviews are also considered user generated content. People love to see recommendations and advice from existing clients before making a purchase themselves. What others say about the spa is more credible than anything the spa can say about itself. When possible, post pictures, as “before and after” pictures will sell a promotion. Make a list of every feature, benefit, and fact about the spa’s services, then collect and use testimonials that specifically address each claim. Focus on the tangible outcomes that clients are interested in, like reducing their fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, clearing their skin, or just looking radiant at an event or party.
Applying the above ideas, spas can use promotions on a regular basis to boost their bottom line and get clients to the spa.
Did you know that makeup is one of the most immediate tools professionals have to create an instant skin transformation for beauty conscious clients?
A personal makeup styling session is about helping clients choose healthy skin cosmetic options for day and evening looks, which can be updated based on seasonal color changes. This makeup session can be a fun self-discovery for the client and give you another way to increase business profits.
THE ASSESSMENT
To begin, visually asses the client’s skin color, face shape, facial features, hair, and eye color. Start the session with a few simple questions to determine the client’s personality type, which will help you to create the best makeup solution for their lifestyle. Questions to ask include:
By learning the client’s answers to these questions, you can come up with a final look that will be satisfactory to you both. Do not be afraid to be creative, but always be open to the client’s feedback.
GUIDELINES FOR A SUCCESSFUL MAKEUP STYLING SESSION
Find the Correct Foundation Based on the Skin’s Undertones
Check the veins on the client’s wrist. If they look blue, the skin is a cool tone, and if they look green, the skin is a warm tone. However, it is essential that you color match to test the foundation by swiping three shades on the cheek next to each other, down to the jawline, near the neck.
I usually recommend two shades of foundation: one that’s close to the skin tone and another that’s a bit lighter, as the center of the face tends to be lighter and the perimeter can be darker.
Choosing the Concealer
Concealer is effective for hiding dark undereye circles and skin imperfections. Select a concealer that closely matches the foundation shade. Concealers are either liquid, stick, or camouflage cream. Choose the best option for your client’s concerns.
Figure Out the Best Blush Color
For the most natural look, match the inside of the lower lip when choosing a blush color. For a more dramatic evening look, go with a darker blush that is the opposite undertone of the skin.
Decide on Eye Shadows
Blue Eyes: a brown smoky eye will give a natural daytime look and grey and silver with black liner will intensify the color of blue eyes for evening.
Green Eyes: use red-browns and pink tones for the daytime look and opt for dark wine, plum, and amethyst colors to intensify the look for evening.
Hazel Eyes: dark brown neutrals and gray for the daytime look and bold combination orange and rust colors will make the eyes pop for evening.
Brown Eyes: plum and pink for a soft daytime look and midnight blue and black for a dramatic evening look.
Frame the Eyes
Fuller eyebrows frame and punctuate the face, but not all clients will have full eyebrows. Whatever the fullness desired, the important thing is to closely match the hair color for a natural look.
Mascara
Many women would agree that the most used and most loved makeup product is mascara. This is because having dark and long eyelashes can transform a person’s overall look, making them look more awake and engaging.
Pick the Perfect Eyeliner
For a bold, dramatic look, add eyeliner before applying mascara. Eyeliner can be neutral, colorful, or a metallic shade, like gold or bronze.
Get the Lip Color
There are some women who prefer to keep their lips bare and others who cannot go a day without wearing lipstick. The best lipsticks for cool undertones will be blue or purple shades and the best lipsticks for warm undertones are red or orange shades.
Lastly, prepare a face chart so that the client understands the recommendations and how they can duplicate the looks at home.
Makeup is fun and is not intimidating if you keep it simple and remember that you can always wipe it away and make another selection if it is not what your client is happy with.
Master aesthetician Lyn Ross founded Institut’ DERMed Spa, one of the most respected names in the skin care industry, in 1989. The Institut' DERMed Spa is a 3,000-square-foot facility located in Atlanta, Georgia., with 11 treatment rooms offering the latest mediclinical aesthetic technologies to assure quality solutions that provide the ultimate in relaxation and results for skin health and beauty. Ross was an originator of the cosmeceutical product and treatment concept Institut’ DERMed Clinical Skincare, which is now widely dispensed in prestigious salon spas, medical spas, and physicians’ offices. Ross founded the Institut’ DERMed college of Advanced Aesthetics in 1995, after years of providing patient support for the medical community to teach aestheticians, nurses, and physicians the specialized skin care and makeup techniques she developed working side by side with doctors to help patients recover after surgery.
Every professional has had them: clients who have a million and one questions about the latest trends in skin care as soon as their facial session begins. They, then, proceed to tell the professional what peel and facial they need and want for their skin, despite any contraindications that would clearly indicate their know-it-all request was not the right approach for their skin.
As the population grows increasingly multicultural, skin care professionals will be challenged with the task of recognizing how dark skin differs from light skin, what is normal versus problematic, and which treatments have the highest efficacy and lowest potential for complications for individuals with multiethnic origins.
By the year 2065, more than half the population of the United States will be either African American, Hispanic American, Asian American, or Native American. In light of this information, it is important to consider the special traits of ethnic skin and the preferable exfoliation methods to properly care for it.
Clients do not go to a spa without a reason. While there are walk-in clients that come by just to browse around, refresh their products, book appointments, and look for a new lip color, the majority of clients look up a spa's number, call to schedule an appointment, and drive to the spa to have a service or purchase a product.
With the numerous professional exfoliation solutions and infinite application options available to today’s aesthetician, it can be overwhelming to determine the best peel treatment plan for each individual client. Developing a strategy for safe peel application to avoid common complications and achieve optimal results is key to a successful outcome and client satisfaction.
Excess hair presents an embarrassing problem as many women around the world participate in some form of hair removal. While cosmetic concerns are a determining factor in hair removal, some clients may be dealing with a more serious issue. Unwanted hair may not just be cosmetic when presented with a client suffering from excessive hair growth but it can also be a sign of a medical condition. Having unwanted hair is an issue that attributes to an emotional burden, such as low self-esteem and depression, in the individual.
We all know a necessary part of maintaining healthy skin is regular exfoliation. Removing the buildup of dead skin cells is essential for preventing fine lines and wrinkles, eliminating congestion in the hair follicles, reducing recurring acne breakouts, and helping to maintain a healthy complexion. Dead skin cell buildup also inhibits maximum results from topical skin care products. As we age, the metabolic rate of cell turnover naturally begins to slow down. By sloughing dead skin cells off the surface, new healthy cells are stimulated. Accelerating the metabolic rate of cell renewal resets the aging clock back to a more youthful time of heightened cell growth. Without question, exfoliating the skin’s surface at different levels on a regular basis helps it to look brighter, evenly toned, fresh and radiantly youthful.
Clients may be enjoying that golden tan or those long days at the beach this summer, but what they do not see are the long-term effects that sun exposure can cause. Melanocytes are melanin producing cells, and their production is increased in the skin to protect itself from the damage the sun’s rays can cause. The excess melanin in turn can cause uneven pigmentation, solar lentigines and even dilation of small blood vessels. So, what treatments are most effective once the sun’s damage is already done?
Your spa can have an unbeatable line of products and services, employ the most skillful and dedicated aestheticians, and generate the sort of profits that can turn the most successful of businesses green with envy. However, all can be lost in the blink of an eye if you do not pay enough attention to the people that put you there – your customers. Good customer service is vital to the life of any business, and it's not just about keeping customers happy. It's also about tending to the unhappy ones and addressing their complaints.
There is a saying in business that nothing happens until someone sells something to somebody. If this is true, no business can be successful, or even survive, unless all efforts are directed at serving the people who do the buying – the clients. Unfortunately, where many aesthetic professionals fail is by not thinking of themselves as skin care technicians and salespeople. It is important for you to put your time and energy in the treatment room into giving the client the best in skin and body care, but once you have them hooked on your services, do not risk not retaining them by your lack of series sales.
On the road to starting and running your small business, there are many potential roadblocks. Questions concerning budgets, marketing, hiring, and promoting abound. Particularly during difficult economic times, creating a new venture can be risky and tricky. Well-meaning friends and relatives may often offer you advice that can derail you from your goals. But don’t despair; help is here! As a business owner for over 20 years, I would love to share some tips and tricks with you regarding operating your small company.I started my spa 20 years ago, at a time when spas were few and far between. Some years later, I expanded the business and added my own cosmeceutical product line.
Consumers should not be afraid to make an appointment at a “mediclinical” spa because of complex words like aesthetics, paramedical, and cosmeceutical. These words have one mission in common: consumer relaxation with results. Today’s Mediclinical spa concept is the millennium’s answer to a “one-stop healing shop.” The American spa industry has grown exponentially in the last two decades and thankfully so. Proudly, I can say I was an aesthetician in the mid-1980s when skin care was just taking off in the United States, before licensing was available, and when the European facial “invasion” was just beginning to take hold. Ladies were coming in to relax and enjoy treatments that offered them pampering and a topic for conversation.