Skin is the largest organ of the human body. It exists as a barrier for the human body against the external environment, serving as the first line of defense, protecting the body from pathogenic microorganisms, chemicals, and physical factors. Skin also plays a role in thermoregulatory function and immunological processes. When assessing and managing skin conditions, practitioners must consider the physiological processes taking place within.

Skin plays a large factor in maintaining homeostasis of the human body, largely taking place in the stratum corneum (the most superficial layer of the epidermis which consists of 15 to 20 layers of corneocytes). When looking at the corneal layer microscopically, it resembles a brick wall. Corneocytes work as the thick bricks, cemented together with a fatty intracellular matrix as the cement. The health and ultimately the presentation of skin type is largely dependent on the integrity of the barrier, corneocytes, pH, and composition of superficial lipids.

Breanna Brown is a licensed aesthetician and certified laser technician. Brown is currently pursuing a Master of Business and Science, studying cosmetic science at Rutgers University. She has been in the beauty industry for over eight years, starting as a makeup artist and YouTube beauty and skin care guru. She quickly gained recognition for her knowledge and passion in the industry and has been recognized nationally on “The Steve Harvey Show” as a beauty expert to follow. She specializes in advanced aesthetic treatments, corrective skin care, antiaging treatments, chemical peels, and laser treatments. Brown is an advocate for advanced education in aesthetics and is a recurring keynote speaker at the virtual aesthetic conference, Medspa Mastery. She takes a science-based approach to aesthetics, using her background in cosmetic science and passion for product ingredients to elevate her skills in the treatment room and educate her clients on the importance of ingredients when caring for their skin at home. 

The global medical spa industry is expected to grow by 14.1% by 2027. With the allure of such a flourishing industry, many practitioners are leaning towards starting a medical spa business. No doubt that having a medical spa can bring in substantial income if done correctly; however, not knowing how to execute it successfully can cause severe financial loss and heartache. With some forethought and planning, it is possible to thrive in this industry and make a remarkable brand. Every state has its own rules and regulations when it comes to owning a medical spa, but it is helpful to have some general guidelines before jumping into this industry. There are some steps to consider before opening a medical spa effectively and avoiding major pitfalls.

Razia Mirza is a licensed medical aesthetician, a United States Army surgical nurse and the co-owner of Razi Medical Aesthetics in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, with over 10 years of experience in advanced skin care therapies. She is passionate about customizing a unique treatment modality for each client suitable to their needs. She specializes in clinical skin care treatments, hyperpigmentation, grade 1 to 4 acne, acne scarring, and age management. Mirza has also established a sizeable online presence on multiple social media platforms, where she educates her followers on evidence-based treatments. She holds certifications in microneedling, advanced chemical peels, IV infusion, and permanent makeup.

Clean beauty is enjoying a moment of focus as the wellness industry undergoes a dramatic boom. The label of clean beauty can mean a variety of different things, but primarily, it is a standard of ingredients that are nontoxic, safe, and transparently labeled. More specifically, clean products are formulated without fillers, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, alcohol, or artificial fragrance. Ideally, the ingredients in clean products are also noncomedogenic and hypoallergenic. Using products with clean ingredients is important to keep clients and their skin safe from toxic and harmful additives. Often, harsh ingredients can cause inflammation, which can create issues for all complexions. 

Common sage is a colloquial term for Salvia officinalis, a Mediterranean flowering plant that belongs to the mint family. Like its cousins rosemary, basil, oregano, and thyme, sage has long been considered an essential culinary herb. Its sharp, earthy aroma and peppery, bitter-sweet flavor has made it a staple in numerous cuisines around the world. Beyond the culinary realm, sage is a popular ingredient in cosmetic products, soaps, and cleaning agents.

As is the case with many other herbs, sage is brimming with antioxidants and nutrients and has been used in alternative medicine for centuries. While much of the evidence for its curative powers remains anecdotal, modern scientific research illustrates that sage does in fact possess a host of therapeutic properties and is able to deliver tangible health benefits. There are seven reasons to consider when supplementing your diet with sage.

Tina Richardson is a writer, aromatherapy enthusiast, and website accessibility evangelist. When she's not optimizing websites for people with physical impairments, you'll find her editing the blog at True-Blue.co.

Recent COVID-19 restrictions have made staying afloat in the spa industry even more difficult than ever. Therefore, new and inventive treatments are needed to increase revenue. Aside from offering the traditional spa therapies such as massages and facials, consider incorporating one or two holistic healing modalities either as a single treatment or as an upsell to already booked appointments.

Holistic or alternative and natural treatments have gained popularity and acceptance in recent years and are slowly being incorporated along with traditional therapies as clients learn the benefits of these lesser-known options. The following are some of the top holistic treatment options available in alphabetical order.

Rachelle Dupree has over 20 years of experience in marketing, media, communications, and design. She studied with a Denver-based herbalist and naturopath for four years, combining her marketing knowledge with her love of natural remedies and skin care. She currently contracts as a marketing and communications director for Vivoderm Natural Skincare and various design clients. 

The neurotoxin and filler facial treatment is the latest, innovative skin care treatment. It enables the practitioner to fully customize and individualize the treatment of each client, providing optimal antiaging benefits while achieving the client’s skin care goals.

Emily Rockwell graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Science in nursing in 2010, and she received a Master of Science in nursing from the University of Pennsylvania in 2015, graduating as an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner. In 2017, Rockwell opened The Emily Rockwell Skin Clinic in Wilmington, Delaware. This clinic specializes in high-quality skin treatments from Botox, fillers, and customized medical skin care regimens to medical Hydrafacials and peels. She is one of the top 100 injectors in the country, has been a top 10 account for ZO Skin Health for the past three years, and is a sought-after source for the media.

Even though COVID-19 vaccines have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are currently being administered, experts predict it is going to be a while before things fully return to business as usual. With that in mind, the beauty world continues to look for new ways to innovate and make close-contact services safer. When it comes to spa and skin care services, it seems professionals will be seeing more of holistic and medical aesthetic practices merging.

There are multiple layers that go into creating a facial treatment that not only provides clients with results but also gives them a sense of balance and recovery. Supplying great skin care along with a relaxing facial may feel good, but it may not be sufficient enough to retain clients. Professionals should offer clients a soothing sense of touch that improves their results and makes an in-person treatment more valuable.

Beatrice Van is an award-winning aesthetics master educator. She is an enthusiastic and positive self-starter with over 17 years of progressive experience in the beauty industry. In addition to her role as clinical caster aesthetics educator at Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics, she is the clinical director for Fearless Beauties, a certified advanced aesthetician, makeup artist, and nail specialist. On her days off, she works at Indie Esthetics helping her clients look and feel like the very best versions of themselves or off traveling throughout North America as an education ambassador for CND and Fearless Beauties. Her passion is to empower both students and beauty professionals to boldly invest in their education and strengthen their skills, while elevating standards in the industry.

There is an old saying that tomorrow is not what it used to be – and that could not be truer than it is today. When the pandemic hit, there was tremendous uncertainty in many service industries, and the skin care industry was no exception. Not only did professionals not know when spas would reopen, but they did not know whether clients would be interested in spending money on spa treatments while being stuck at home or wearing masks in public. Talk about challenging times. 

These challenging times helped breed innovation. Professionals quickly learned to pivot towards virtual consultations, online education, and social media events. Interestingly, the exact opposite of what aesthetic practitioners feared would happen – happened. Due to this, as spas slowly reopened, clients became even more interested in spa treatments as a way to feel good about themselves while sheltering in place. 

During this time, what is commonly known in the health and beauty industry as the lipstick index, proved for the first time in 30-some years to be untrue. This phrase refers to the pattern in which people will still splurge on lipstick and other types of makeup during economically uncertain times. However, today people are less interested in makeup and more interested in skin and body care. They want treatments that make them look and feel good in the long run, without having to wear much makeup. Therefore, medical spa treatments are still in demand and the trend is predicted to climb.

Louis Silberman, CEO of National Laser Institute, pioneered the medical aesthetics training industry and is the largest educator in the country. Its medical spa operations see up to 3,000 clients per month. Silberman was a semi-finalist for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2014 (prior award recipients include the founders of Google, Starbucks, and Amazon). Known for starting Health4her.com – a health and beauty retailer which became the sixth most visited pharmacy website with 500,000 visitors per month – out of his garage, Silberman has been written up in many publications, including Entrepreneur Magazine and Fortune Small Business. 

One of the most wonderful and amazing aspects of the aesthetics industry is that it always seems to be changing. Science never stands still, trends come and go, and new ingredients continuously come onto the scene to help clients’ treatments. New technologies have revolutionized booking procedures, marketing, and even client interactions. To that end, two of the most used methods in this current time of aesthetics are holistic and medical aesthetics.

What do these terms mean for a spa business? How can spas apply them seamlessly? Can they be blended to create a fusion spa? One common thread across the aesthetics industry is that clients are seeking a way to look and feel their best. How well skin care professionals aid them in that endeavor has great bearing on the success or failure of a business. How do these terms intersect with the aesthetics industry?

Nichelle Mosley’s passion for aesthetics was born out of a desire to help others after failing to find help for her own acne as a young adult. Licensed in 2015, she has worked in clinics, plastic surgery practices, dermatologists’ offices, and with family practitioners. She then opened her own clinic in 2017, Queen City Beauty Group + Wellness. She focuses on integrative aesthetics and holistic solutions to clients’ skin concerns. As a member of the International Association for Applied Corneotherapy, Mosley seeks whole-person solutions, while delivering results for clients. She is also the 2019 Skin Games Age Management Champion and 2018 Skin Games Acne Finalist. 

Psychodermatology is a branch of therapeutic care based on the interactions between the neurological, immunological, cutaneous, and endocrine systems, known as the NICE network. It recognizes the complex interrelationships between skin and the neuroimmune cutaneous system and integrates psychological therapies along with dermatological intervention. A great deal of scientific discovery has been realized regarding the connection between the brain and skin as they share an intricate, complex relationship influenced by several body systems. Research has confirmed that skin functions as a primary stress receiver and is capable of stress-initiated responses. The increasing prevalence of external and emotional stress has contributed to a rise in inflammatory related skin conditions and in particular, those connected to neuro-dermatological origins. This has perpetuated an increasing awareness of relationships involving dermatology and psychology that have previously remained somewhat obscure.

Dr. Erin Madigan-Fleck is a naturopathic medical doctor, licensed master cosmetologist, aesthetician, and licensed aesthetics instructor. She received her naturopathic doctoral degree from the University of Science, Arts & Technology College of Medicine and her naturopathic clinical studies at Progressive Medical Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Madigan-Fleck is a member of The American Society for Nutrition, International Association for Applied Corneotherapy and The Society of Dermatological Skin Care Specialists. She is also the CEO and owner of Naturophoria, a naturopathic skin care clinic in Atlanta, Georgia.