And just like that – another year goes by! This issue not only represents the closing of 46 years of DERMASCOPE, it also features the second annual winner of our Cover Contest with, of course, trusted educational articles revolving around chemical peels and exfoliation. With so much to cover and celebrate, December’s issue is stuffed with brilliance.

Starting off that brilliance begins with Alexandra J. Zani’s article entitled, “Chemically Committed.” With peel procedures increasing in the cooler months, it is just as important to care for clients’ skin prior and post-treatment as it is to successfully perform the treatment itself. Discover how to qualify clients, what to consider, and how to protect newly peeled complexions in this must-read article.

Since chemical peels are a much-debated topic within the professional skin care industry, spas need to explore the milder options they have at their disposal, such as cool peels. Coming in hot with her debut article, join DERMASCOPE Ambassador, Cathy Wainwright as she discusses these water-based peels, the ideal protocol, and how to best manage client expectations with her article, “Cold Hard Facts.”

Stemming from the larger peel debate comes the question of barrier protection and potential risks. With so much to consider when administering peels, skin care professionals need to have a firm grasp of the physiology of peel formulations and skin, peel depth and activity, and how to always be prepared in even the worst-case scenario. Get the facts in “Perfecting Peeling Practices,” an article by Dr. Erin Madigan-Fleck.

Rounding out this excellent lineup of primary education, learn about how to properly layer exfoliants with the article, “Combination Exfoliation” by Celeste Hilling. With seasoned insights to various exfoliation methods, the best practices for common skin types, and a step-by-step protocol to her favorite exfoliating facial, this article will deliver on so many layers.

And without further ado, let me be the first to announce the Cover Contest’s second annual winner, Sharon Subdhan! She is a face of the industry lighting up Queen’s Village, New York that we want the entire industry to know about. Get to know her better in the article “A Piece of the Collective” plus a very special section showcasing our favorite Cover Contest applicants. The Cover Contest is our way to give thanks to the individuals who make up the industry, and we want nothing more than to share that gratitude with our readers.