Skin Care The Next Generation in Stem Cell Science Inspired by mother nature’s natural regenerative power, S²RM technology is a scientific breakthrough in skin and hair care. Designed to help improve the quality of life for people suffering from a myriad of skin concerns and conditions, this technology is safe, healthy, and contains no genetic material. From severe trauma such as burns, oncology treatments, and wounds to chronic and aesthetic concerns, stem cell-released molecules provide a natural approach to an effective, professional skin care regimen. The oncology community has played a significant role in the development of this breakthrough technology, due to the intensity of damage done to skin’s barrier and deeper cutaneous and subcutaneous layers. Formulated on robust, evidence-based science, these products were developed to provide an oncology-safe, natural approach to preventing and healing the painful burning, scarring, and long-term side effects of treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. With an estimated 1.6 million people diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States, this skin-identical technology is not only disrupting the medical standard for oncology aftercare but also the skin and hair care industry as a whole.2 Want to read more? Subscribe to continue reading this article, plus gain access to all DERMASCOPE has to offer. SUBSCRIBE
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Scope This Feeling Philanthropic: Starting a Nonprofit Organization A nonprofit is a great organization to start as a skin care professional for a variety of reasons. First, they are their own entity and therefore, do not have owners or shareholders. Any liability falls solely on the organization and does not hold individuals accountable. In addition, nonprofit organizations are exempt from paying sales tax on purchases and can apply for government grants and private grants as well as solicit the public and businesses for donations. Once officially recognized by the IRS, nonprofit organizations can offer tax deductions, benefiting donors and for-profits. Nonprofit organizations can also enhance spa professionals’ for-profit businesses, as more patrons become aware of the charitable affiliation. The greatest reason to start a nonprofit is its philanthropy foundation. Offering a valuable service needed by members of the community will have an important impact on the public. One just needs to decide what cause their passion aligns with and move to the next step. Want to read more? Subscribe to continue reading this article, plus gain access to all DERMASCOPE has to offer. SUBSCRIBE
Business How May I Help You? Customer service is not always about going the extra mile. Often, it is about doing the small, simple things beautifully with care and consistency. Finding the personable, old-school sense of customer service with the convenience of modern technology may very well be where the magic lies. Want to read more? Subscribe to continue reading this article, plus gain access to all DERMASCOPE has to offer. SUBSCRIBE Michelle Robertson is a licensed aesthetician of over 10 years and owner of Glo Skin in Palm Harbor, Florida. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology and brings over 15 years of industry experience, along with her background in research and chemistry, to her career. After growing up with acne and a strong Italian unibrow, Robertson learned the importance of proper skin care and the need for real results. Her passion for continuing education, science and the client experience drive her to provide advanced, customized facials that combine relaxation and results.
Business Me, Myself, & I Going solo in aesthetics is a massively critical time. Whether a business is being led by a newly licensed skin care professional with big dreams or one who feels ready to stop working for others and venture out alone, the path professionals are embarking on may take them well out of their expertise. The motivations for opening a solo practice may vary from the prospect of making as much money as possible to avoiding the creative limitations of conventional employment, but the responsibilities will remain the same, potentially far from what the entrepreneur may have wanted to take on initially. In other words, welcome to the world of business. It is far, far easier and more likely for a business to fail than to succeed, but that has not stopped countless hopefuls from investing time and money in the game for a chance to come out as a winner. Want to read more? Subscribe to continue reading this article, plus gain access to all DERMASCOPE has to offer. SUBSCRIBE Douglas Preston’s career spans over 40 years in professional aesthetics, technical education, and as a developer of new skin therapies. Preston’s age management treatment methods are in use throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and beyond. He is the inventor of the Preston Comedone Rxtractor, a unique acne treatment tool favored by skin care professionals around the world. In 2022 Preston was inducted into DERMASCOPE Magazine’s Academy of Legends. His beauty industry articles have appeared in DERMASCOPE Magazine, Spa Management Journal, MedicalSpa Magazine, American Spa, BeautyNZ, and others. Douglas Preston now practices aesthetics independently at Preston Skin Center in Los Gatos, California.
Business From Esty to Entrepreneur When an “esty” entrepreneur makes the decision to leave the security of a job and open their own practice, many thoughts may run through their head. Perhaps they are thinking about how they have always wanted to be their own boss or how they could manage things better than their current supervisor. Maybe they feel they are not being taken seriously where they are currently employed, or they may need more flexibility for their personal life. Regardless, in making the decision to go out on their own, one should consider timing, the pros and cons, and any necessary steps they need to take to make it all happen. Want to read more? Subscribe to continue reading this article, plus gain access to all DERMASCOPE has to offer. SUBSCRIBE Technician, educator, mentor, and business owner, Mary Nielsen has been at the forefront of medical aesthetics since its infancy in the early 1990s. She is an Oregon-certified advanced aesthetician and a licensed aesthetics instructor. She serves as vice chair of the Oregon Board of Certified Advanced Estheticians. She is the author of several aesthetics books, including four chapters in the latest “Milady’s Esthetics” textbook.
Business Taking Care of Business Making the jump from employee to business owner can be a scary and somewhat daunting task. So many variables factor into the equation, like whether to be the sole owner and rent a suite or office or whether to go into business with a partner, perhaps several partners. An even bigger risk may involve opening a multi-service spa as an owner with employees. When spa businesses acquire staff members, will they be filed as a W-2 or 1099 employees? What is the difference? If spa owners take on opening a bigger space with rooms, will they rent some out? What booking software should be used, and does it include payroll, accounting, and marketing services? So much thought goes into every facet of running a business, even things one might not immediately think of as concerns. It is important to fully grasp what it takes to open a business to prepare for a successful, smooth-running operation. Want to read more? Subscribe to continue reading this article, plus gain access to all DERMASCOPE has to offer. SUBSCRIBE Maxie Frericks has been a licensed aesthetician for over 16 years. Her highlights include being the lead waxer and trainer for three European Wax Centers in Manhattan, contributor for numerous skin care publications, judge for The 2019 Skin Games, educator for Face and Body Summit, and featured in ASCP 2018 Skincare Summit: Waxing Ageless Edition. Frericks has since transitioned into a business consultant for aestheticians and spa owners.
Business Finding Community: Staying Connected as a Soloist Working as a solo skin care professional is incredibly rewarding. You have total control over your business, from services you want to offer and at what price to marketing and advertising decisions. Your creativity can flow freely, and you can really have your hand in every aspect of your business. However, working on your own can also be isolating. You may find yourself missing the camaraderie of working with a team. Maintaining motivation can also be a struggle when you’re flying solo. The key to staying connected is to connect – literally. There are a few ways to do that so you can enjoy and reap the benefits of working as a solo provider without the isolation. Want to read more? Subscribe to continue reading this article, plus gain access to all DERMASCOPE has to offer. SUBSCRIBE Alisha Shumake is a licensed aesthetician of 15 years and owner of The More You Glow in Detroit, Michigan. She obtained a degree in small business management and has worked in a variety of different roles in the aesthetics industry such as sales, salons, and medical spas. Shumake decided to take the step into entrepreneurship in 2020, opening The More You Glow. In addition to providing corrective and age management-based treatments, she also strives to educate clients in product knowledge and the latest in treatment advancements to accomplish their skin care goals.
Business Wax On: Building a Business on Brows & Brazilians The two most popular and profitable waxing services are eyebrows and Brazilian waxes. Not legs, arms, backs, chests, toes, bums, knuckles, or necks. There is nothing in the skin care professional’s handbook that says, “If you wax, you must wax every single body part or nothing at all.” This is your business. You decide what you want to wax and, more importantly, what you don’t. That may sound scary, and you may feel like you’re excluding people that want something other than what you offer, and that’s ok. Doctors specialize, teachers specialize, chefs specialize, so why not you? By specializing and creating a niche for yourself, you are telling people, “Hey, this is the only thing I do, and I do it really well.” When it comes creating an eyebrow and Brazilian business, it’s a no-brainer money-maker. Here are a few of the most important must-haves to build a booming eyebrow and Brazilian business. Want to read more? Subscribe to continue reading this article, plus gain access to all DERMASCOPE has to offer. SUBSCRIBE Founder and CEO of The Wax Chick, Crickett Enos is a licensed aesthetician, product creator, writer, speaker, and advanced waxing educator, specializing in eyebrow design and Brazilian waxing. With over 18 years of experience in the industry, she has trained and empowered thousands to wax with skill, confidence, and efficiency.
Business Spa-uditing: The Client Experience & Retail Sales One of the least productive approaches when it comes to a spa business is thinking, “We’ve always done it this way.” The aesthetics industry is constantly evolving, and the last few years have been a catalyst to speed up the pace of ever-changing consumers habits. As the world’s economy goes through ups and downs, it’s important to make sure you are maximizing your sales potential, particularly retail, which is one of the fastest and easiest ways to boost the bottom line. A fresh set of eyes can help you assess if you are creating an inspiring environment for clients to purchase from and if you are missing opportunities for retail sales. Make sure to bring your growth mindset before you audit your spa and don’t be scared of the not-so-pretty truths. Put yourself in the shoes of your ideal client and analyze your spa’s client journey. Here are the top touch points to look for when mystery-shopping your spa. Want to read more? Subscribe to continue reading this article, plus gain access to all DERMASCOPE has to offer. SUBSCRIBE Founder of the spa retailing coaching platform, The SPAcialist (@the_spacialist_pro) and a skin expert, Alice Pichery has been in the spa industry for 15 years. Born and trained in France as a licensed aesthetician and massage therapist, she traveled the world and expanded her spa and wellness culture before settling in Miami, Florida for the last 10 years. Acknowledged in the industry as a savvy cosmetics educator, spa trainer, and retail manager for high-end locations and brands, Pichery’s mission is to empower spa professionals to become the retail high-performers they were always meant to be, while remaining aligned with their authentic self and purpose.