To create and sustain a successful skin care business, professionals need to stay up-to-date with the ever-growing and changing aesthetic equipment technology. Today's clients are savvy and results-oriented. There is so much information readily available to them on the internet. They are investigating technologies and want to know that the professional is current as well. They are no longer satisfied with an old fashioned steam facial. Fortunately, professionals have the equipment available to them to achieve the kind of results clients are looking for. When professionals offer their clients a treatment using high-technological equipment that achieve immediate results, clients become walking advertisements. Their friends see those results and inquire what they are doing and with whom. Now professionals have loyal, lifetime clients and instant referrals. EXFOLIATIONWhat is the first thing that comes to mind when asked about equipment for exfoliation? Most people think of microdermabrasion. That technology, however, is rather dated; it was really the only modality around in the 1990s. As a result, almost every client received a microdermabrasion treatment and, to boost the treatments' intensity, skin care professionals topped it off with an acid peel. There are many cutting-edge technologies that professionals can use for exfoliation during a facial, especially if they are concerned about the suction of microdermabrasion. For example, skin care professionals can use a resurfacing tool, which achieves the same great exfoliation as the diamond microdermabrasion machine, but with no suction. Ultrasound for exfoliation is another must-have for every skin care professional. Sound waves from 25,000 to 28,000 vibrations per second can be the most effective for exfoliating the skin. The ultrasound spatula can be used to remove cleansers and enzymes. A three-in-one treatment that exfoliates, infuses, and oxygenates the skin is another great technology for exfoliation. This newer technology capitalizes on the Bohr Effect that was discovered by Christian Bohr in 1904. This effect indicates that when carbon dioxide concentrations increase, the hemoglobin releases oxygen from within the body. The interaction between the special capsugen tablet and the treatment gel on the skin creates an abundance of CO2 that triggers the Bohr Effect, thus oxygenating the skin from within. These effects are beneficial for anti-aging, re-texturizing, and correcting pigmentation issues in the skin. This technology provides powerful exfoliation with no irritation for the client. HYDRATIONUltrasound can also be used for deep product penetration and hydrating the client's skin because the sound waves stimulate cells. The tiny massage it produces expands the space the cells exist in, causing movement of cytoplasm, the rotation of mitochondria, and the vibration of the cell nucleus; it stimulates and expands the cell membrane. It improves local blood and lymph circulation and increases the penetration of the products used in treatment. Another hydrating modality is electroporation. This modality uses short modulated pulses of high voltage to create transient aqueous pores in the skin. This application of an electrical pulse momentarily disrupts the cell membrane, allowing the entry of product into the skin. When the pulse ceases, the membrane returns to its original structure, leaving product that has been penetrated into the interior of the cell in place. The effect of the electroporation lasts for a few seconds, allowing the introduction of product. Therefore, electroporation opens a pathway that allows skin care professionals to insert professional products deeper into the client's skin. High intensity-focused ultrasound uses high-energy ultrasound that is focused directly where the unit is positioned on the client's face; it creates a thermal effect that, in turn, creates high-speed friction within the cells to stimulate collagen and elastin. This heat will not affect the epidermis because of the fast (about a half of a second) and direct access to the area being treated. This modality has hydrating and toning affects to the client's skin. Another great hydrating modality for the client's skin are products that utilize the breakthrough science of nanotechnology. BRIGHTENINGLight-emitting diode is a fantastic brightening technology. It can be used for all skin issues – such as anti-aging, acne, rosacea, and pigmentation – and on all skin types. Another light-based technology is microphototherapy. This treatment uses the healing power of light and heat energy to stimulate faster production of collagen and elastin, allowing new, fresh cells to surface, thus brightening the client's skin. Oxygen infusion is another brightening and super hydrating treatment. It offers instant gratification and the sensation is refreshing and relaxing for the client. Once clients have experienced a quality oxygen-infusion treatment, they will often want it included in their facial. It is great for deep hydration and plumping fine lines and, depending on the product being infused, it can help other issues such as pigmentation and acne. TONINGMicrocurrent is a well-known modality in the skin care industry for toning and tightening the client's skin. Tiny microcurrent impulses trigger chemical reactions at a cellular level to enhance the production of natural collagen and elastin, provide circulatory benefits, and work directly on the nerves and muscle fibers. The body seems to use the microcurrent energy to increase its own energy production, resulting in visibly firmer and smoother skin. Skin care professionals need extremely good training to do a proper microcurrent treatment; many machines come with little or no training. Microcurrent is very technical and needs to be done properly to achieve optimum results. A great toning treatment for the body is a body buffer. It simultaneously spins and zigzags back and forth, sending constant, concentrated energy into the area being treated. This oscillating massage boosts the body's blood and lymphatic flow, stimulates collagen formation, and stretches fibrous tissues to improve elasticity. It is great for massage therapists to use at the beginning of a massage to loosen the client's muscles. It is also beneficial for cellulite treatments. Older clients can benefit from the body buffer as their skin's elasticity loosens with age. Clients over 50 can greatly benefit from this form of treatment. When high frequency mixes with the air outside of the unit, the electrical current infuses the client's skin with rejuvenating oxygen molecules that cause a circulation rush. As a result, the skin feels awake after the treatment. High frequency hydrates and brightens the skin. Skin care is a fantastic industry that provides clients with great opportunities to better improve their skin and their self-confidence! Skin care professionals should keep themselves educated about the ingredients and technologies in the industry and, most importantly, enjoy their work every day which will draw others to their positive energy and enable them to succeed and prosper! Shelley Hancock, The Gadget Gal, is one of the most trusted aesthetic advisors in the industry and founder of Shelley Hancock Consulting, an organization dedicated to helping aestheticians increase their profits. After owning a successful skin care center for 29 years, Hancock expanded her focus so she could provide a deeper level of service to fellow aestheticians. Through hands-on training, workshops, and private consultations, she has now connected thousands of beauty business owners with aesthetic equipment that attracts a higher level client and helps build a more successful practice. When she's not training or coaching, she can be found recording her radio program for Voice America. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or shelleyhancock.comWant to read more? Subscribe to one of our monthly plans to continue reading this article.