I have been active in the aesthetics industry for 23 years. I am an aesthetician and I still maintain my practice in San Antonio. However, starting out in my profession I was a counter manager at a department store. From there I’ve been a makeup artist, educator for other manufacturers, and a board member for the local chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Currently, within the Skin Rejuvenation Clinique®, I train and direct all staff members and continue to assist with non-profit organizations. Within Advanced Rejuvenating Concepts™, I act as director, product educator and formulator, create protocols, and maintain my relationship with AIA as an Ambassador. What has surprised me the most during my professional journey is - The volume of education available, yet there are few aestheticians willing to take advantage of it. I have met several professionals who feel their experience has them knowing everything about the skin and ingredients, yet they’re not willing to share their experience and learn new concepts and philosophies. I believe that most people choose a particular spa/skin care clinic for – Great services and a fair price. If you had to pin point a moment or procedure where most aestheticians go wrong? What would it be and how could they avoid this type of situation? I’ve found that when an aesthetician becomes comfortable in the treatment room, things can go wrong. When this happens, they may absentmindedly perform a treatment without consulting with the client – asking questions about any changes in their skin that they’ve noticed; possibly turning a basic treatment into a nightmare. By simply staying in tune with their clients and making sure to talk to them within the first five minutes could stop this from happening. Realizing you are also a manufacturer and educator, how would you suggest one cuts through all the marketing to find the line(s) that are right for them?  I believe each person should stick with his/her concept or philosophy on skin care. What is your theme: Rejuvenation, relaxation, acne, waxing?  Know what you want to focus on and keep that theme throughout with the product you choose.

Tina Zillmann’s one piece of advice that she gives every client:

Results comewith their daily care. How they take care of their skin is important and they do not have to spend a fortune to maintain their skin. Encourage them to find and use a good alpha hydroxy acid, vitamin A, sunscreen, hydration product, and to stay out of the Sun! These tips can give your client 10 years back on the look of their skin.

 More from our interview with Tina:

DERMASCOPE:
Which of the various roles and positions you’ve held have taught you the most or had the most impact on you and how? 

Tina:
Each role has taught me something about the many aspects of business ownership, but essentially they have all taught me that in order to overcome obstacles, you have to face challenges head-on.

DERMASCOPE:
Has there been a constant theme that has led you from one point to the next throughout your training and career? (i.e. asking questions, reading certain material, et cetera.)  

Tina:
Listening is key. Our industry is changing all the time and in order to keep up with the masses I like to listen, absorb what clients, aestheticians, and experts have to say. You can always learn something new everyday.

DERMASCOPE:
Do you have any regrets, or is there any one thing you can point to and think, “I wish I would have done that differently” or “if only I had known then what I know now.” Please explain.  

Tina:
The only regret I feel I have is thinking that I knew everything when I came out of school. You could say I was a total “know it all.” But in the same aspect, it made me what I am today and to respect the many aspects of learning. I feel like I’m more open to other concepts and ideas when it comes to skin.

DERMASCOPE:
Why do you think people come to a particular spa/skin care clinic?

Tina:
Great services and a fair price. I really feel our success with Skin Rejuvenation Clinique® is based on these two principles. What keeps our clients coming in is simply the value of our treatments and the results we give them.

DERMASCOPE:
What do you believe separates the best clinics from the rest?  

Tina:
Consistency in service, retail, and results.

DERMASCOPE:
Do you have a signature treatment that your clients love – a classic of sorts? What makes it so loved? 

Tina:
Our Rejuvenation Facial treatment is the most popular. It’s a one-hour service that incorporates a clinical facial treatment followed by the spa relaxation. We do about 50 of these treatments at a single location per day.

DERMASCOPE:
What tool or tools would your treatment room not be complete without? Why?

Tina:
I love our Ultrasonic Skin Scrubber. I use it in every one of my treatments simply because of the immediate result it delivers for rejuvenating the skin, plumping eyes and lips, and reducing blemishes.

DERMASCOPE:
What adaptations have you made over the years to stay relevant in the treatment room?

Tina:
Since the Skin Rejuvenation Clinique® was founded 20 years ago, we’ve specialized in chemical peels and microdermabrasion treatments because our theme focused on sun damage, hyperpigmentation, and acne scarring. Several years later we incorporated ultrasonic technology and about four years ago, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments. We have never used a steamer in the room. I believe steam just makes the skin sensitive. Some may argue that it’s necessary to open the pores. Pores have no muscle, they don’t open or close. Steam makes the skin supple, so do alpha hydroxy acids or facial wash and water.

DERMASCOPE:
You wear so many hats; manufacturer, distributor, educator, skin care clinic owner and aesthetician, wife, mother, et cetera. What is your secret to keeping life in balance and enjoying the journey?  

Tina:
Sometimes I ask myself the same question. Simply put, it’s people: Support from my husband and kids, other family members, and staff. I would never be able to run my life without a great support team and connections in the industry.

Find me on Facebook and Aesthetics Professional at www.aestheticsprofessional.com