We are bombarded regularly by commercials and advertisements extolling the virtues of exfoliation. Products contain "micro-scrubbers", apricot pit grounds, and other ingredients touted to scrub away the outer layers of dead skin cells while "making skin appear fresh and beautiful." About a decade ago microdermabrasion was introduced, while chemical peels have been used for decades. Yet as exfoliation use is burgeoning, the incidence of skin…

The skin care industry has spent the last 20 years on a mission: to slow/stop the aging process and/or reverse damage that has already occurred. If we polled physicians and aestheticians today on whether or not our mission has been "accomplished," the answer would likely be a near unanimous "no". Regardless, the industry claims from manufacturers include an endless parade of "age-reversing", "ageless", and/or "anti-aging"…

On the flip side, the ultrasound skin machine is a substantiated, scientifically proven, safe, non-invasive micro-device for the superficial rejuvenation of the face and other regions of the body. Ultrasound is a simple, three-stage system (cavitation, sonophoresis, micro-amp) for a safer mechanical exfoliation - using water, sonophoresis for molecular product penetration, and healing micro-amp therapy. The ultrasonic system utilizes a flat, non-toxic metal blade that…

THE EVALUATION With the client at the epicenter, an aesthetician's job is to become a super sleuth. The body communicates all of its needs; we simply have to be astute enough to listen. The skin evaluation is a narrowing process. As you classify a client's skin type, condition, and consider age, internal issues, emotional state, and lifestyle, you're narrowing down the field so the treatment…