Skin barrier health is a hot topic right now – right along with the subsequent ways of addressing it. Words like skin barrier and ceramides are popular search terms on Google, causing a good deal of confusion among the average client with the number of ways to support the barrier and even more ways of compromising it. One such method of support is to place a superficial barrier on top of skin using an emollient rich or occlusive product. Supporting the skin’s natural barrier function boils down to supporting the specific ratio of natural lipid components found within the epidermis.

All skin can be subjected to inflammation. Inflammation is the body’s defense mechanism in response to negative stimuli. Professionals are trained that in a controlled setting, inflammation can be beneficial to skin. However, when this type of inflammation, known as acute inflammation, persists, it progresses into chronic inflammation resulting in inflammaging.

According to Potter Stewart, “Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do.”

In school, ethics is taught as a moral code for a professional to abide by while they are in practice. It teaches the importance of doing each client that is treated “right” by act and verbiage. This is not anything that can be seen, for it is a conscience compass; each professional chooses the direction to take while treating a client. It is this conscience guide that communicates with each professional, letting them know when something is out of their scope of practice.

Amra Lear, licensed massage therapist and aesthetician, NCBTMB provider, trainer, and co-creator of world-renowned treatments such as the Nobu Go, recently relocated to Pallavi Luxury Spa in Clearwater, Florida after spending the last 22 years of her career on the Las Vegas strip at two prestigious spas. As a spa spokesperson, she appeared internationally on various media platforms sharing her knowledge on spa treatments and wellness. 

Sustainable packaging is a topic being discussed with increased frequency and urgency within the beauty industry. While the industry is projected to reach a whopping $510 billion in annual revenue this year, the immense growth comes with an environmental cost.¹ Annually, the global beauty industry generates more than 120 billion units of packaging, the vast majority of which is single-use packaging that ends up in landfills where it can take centuries to degrade.²

In trying to meet the growing demands of consumers, the beauty industry’s carbon footprint has grown too large to ignore any longer. Consumers are also becoming increasingly aware of the environmental footprint their beauty purchases possess. In fact, 57% of consumers state they are willing to change their purchasing habits to reduce the negative impact it has on the environment.³ This influx in both corporate responsibility and conscious consumerism is creating a synergistic push for sustainable packaging, adding unprecedented momentum to a shift that has been long awaited in the industry. While sustainable packaging is a complex and constantly evolving topic, there are five primary ways brands can reduce their environmental footprint.

Allison Turquoise Kent-Gunn entered the skin care industry as a licensed aesthetician at the age of 18, starting her career in consumer-facing product sales. In this role she garnered a strong sales record and a reputation for client education. She then chose to pursue her passion for business, taking a role as the Head of New Business Development at a skin care laboratory where she collaborated with brands and product development to launch innovative skin care products. Graduating with her MBA in 2020, she has since taken her career to new heights by joining WWP Beauty as their West Coast Sales Manager, where she partners with brands ranging from indie to international to launch cutting edge formulations and sustainable packaging solutions.

At some point, many people will look in the mirror and see that dreaded tiny red line or a cluster of red lines that resemble a spider web somewhere on their face or body. Broken capillaries, or telangiectasia, are typically found in places where skin is exposed to daily environmental stressors. They can appear anywhere on the body but are most likely found on the face, neck, and chest. Broken capillaries are not a cause for concern but can be frustrating for an individual, as they will not go away on their own and are generally hard to camouflage with makeup.

Holly Sheppard has been involved with the medical field for over 13 years – five of those years as a licensed aesthetician and laser technician. She also holds certifications in oncology aesthetics and eyelash lift services. She enjoys continuously expanding her knowledge and skills with advanced training. Sheppard takes pride in creating unique customized treatments with the latest technology that are both corrective and relaxing. She sees beauty in every individual and believes that taking the time to invest in skin is a decision that lasts a lifetime. Sheppard performs various aesthetic treatments; some popular treatments include IPL, laser resurfacing, peels and facials, microneedling, Emsculpt Body Toning, Hydrafacial, and more.

Treatments for the glorious female genitalia are now becoming frequently requested services. Since the requests for these treatments have blossomed, there are various ways to incorporate some of these treatments into a spa menu. The details surrounding this may be a bit graphic, but it is important information to know when working with an area of the body susceptible to infection and irritation.

A technician, educator, mentor, and business owner, Mary Nielsen has been at the forefront in medical aesthetics since its infancy in the early 1990s. She is currently vice chair and industry expert on the Oregon Board of Certified Advanced Estheticians. She is the author of the book “Fearless Beauties,” along with other aesthetic texts. She is the executive director of an aesthetic school, the founder of Fearless Beauties, and the creator of Cascade Aesthetic Alliance and Skintelligent Resources.

Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States. While it is primarily present on the face, it is not the only site. Acne can affect any part of the body that has oil-secreting glands or hair follicles, including the back, chest, and shoulders. Though these regions may be easier to conceal, body acne can still have an adverse effect on an individual’s social life, self-esteem, and body image.

Luckily, there are ways to support clients who may be experiencing body acne, starting in the treatment room with body facials and peels. With advanced professional treatments, peels and enzymes, and the right homecare regimen, professionals can help clients achieve healthy, smooth skin, and prevent or reduce the appearance of acne scaring. Think beyond only treating the face and explore how to help clients achieve whole body radiance and skin health.

Shannon Esau is the CEO and national educator at RA Skin Care where she oversees the company’s strategic growth, development of new product formulations and innovations, and the educational and instructional programming. She brings more than 20 years’ experience in the aesthetic industry. Esau has also completed advanced chemistry studies in cosmetic formulation and formerly owned and operated three advanced skin care clinics in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

Contrary to popular belief, cellulite is not actually fat. In fact, cellulite is a nonharmful cosmetic skin condition that affects the appearance of skin in localized areas. Usually found on more fatty areas of the body, cellulite can appear on hips, thighs, buttocks, breasts, and abdomen.

To everyday people, cellulite is often referred to as orange-peel or cottage cheese skin, hail damage, and the mattress phenomenon because of the creation of lumps and dimples on the surface of skin.¹ On the other hand, medical professionals refer to the condition as edematous fibrosclerotic panniculopathy (EFP), gynoid lipodystrophy, or adiposis edematosa.²

The texture of cellulite is created when deposits of subcutaneous fat found throughout connective tissue expand in the deeper layers of skin.³ The fatty tissue pushes through the vertical fibrous bands, medically referred to as septa, that ultimately connect skin to muscle matter. The septa run perpendicular to the surface of skin, so the bunched-up fat deposits pull through the skin layers which results in the puckered finish to the epidermis.

Throughout the epidermis and dermis, fat cells naturally store excess energy. Since septa links the upper layers of skin to deeper tissue, these vertical bands create miniature chambers for fat cells to live. However, once the fat cells begin to expand, the chambers bulge through to the surface of skin with the septa still tethered in place. The fat chambers balloon upward while the septa create a valley in between, creating a cratered surface known as cellulite.

These irregular connective tissue patterns below the epidermis create honeycomb-like compartments in the adipose tissue which cause skin to dimple. It is important to note that cellulite is completely unrelated to cellulitis though the similar names may suggest otherwise. Cellulitis is the inflammation of skin and underlying tissue by means of a traveling bacterial infection.⁴

Amanda Azar Walsh, L.M.E., is a professional makeup artist, medical aesthetician, and body wrapper based in South Florida. She is the founder and executive artist of Azar Beauty, and lead artist for NewsmaxTV, Pelican Grand’s Pure Spa, and Studio 1 Talent Specialists. Walsh has a degree in business management from Florida Atlantic University, diplomas in fashion makeup from Cosmix School of Makeup Artistry and Paramedical Aesthetics from Southeastern College, is dual-licensed, and holds over 40 certifications. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Businesswomen, National Aesthetic Spa Network, Look Good Feel Better, and a RAW Artist alumni.

The word ayurveda is a natural medicine with ancient history reigning from India. Since ayur means “life” and veda means “science of knowledge,” it refers to the overall knowledge of life. Ayurveda uses natural oils and herbs that includes a process of steaming and pouring through the body to center the mind, body, and soul.

The use of herbal remedies boosts and balances the system and relieves emotional stress. Ayurvedic massage relieves pain by increasing circulation, strengthening the lymphatic system, and opening for the flow of life. One of the most popular treatments is called panchakarmas; pancha meaning “five” and karma meaning “action” or “therapy,” which deals with the five major therapies. These are Vashti (includes the procedure of enema and is used with medicated oils that are filled in a plastic bag and tied), nasya (application of medicines through nostrils with medicated oils), raktamokshana (procedure that removes the vitiated blood from the body), vamana karma (an induced emesis using medicines to treat different diseases), and Virechana (the treatment of purgation to treat diseases caused by vitiation of pitta).

Making clients comfortable is an essential part of providing a phenomenal experience in the treatment room. There are many factors that play into anxiety before coming to an appointment, especially for first time clients. The objective is always to make sure that the client is fully comfortable physically and mentally. Showing the initiative to go the extra mile is always imperative.