The aging process is a natural, biological event that has been genetically programmed into the human species. Additionally, the term aging echoes into the social and economic sectors of everyday life. Viewpoints, including stereotyping, are reflective of the society and geographical region in which an individual resides. These perceptions are quickly shifting as an era of new perspectives emerges, which allows for extraordinary individual transformation. Most significantly, maturing clients are remaining healthier and vital throughout their life passages of 50 and beyond. They may be striving for retirement, reprioritizing their life and work, and adjusting to the new normal established during this past year. Indeed, 2020 provided opportunities of profound insight in how skin care professionals are going to best serve clients.

Gail Sheehy, author of the of the classic bestseller, “Passages,” compared the passage of life as being analogous to a lobster which grows by developing a series of hard, protective shells. Each time it expands from within, it must shed a confining shell. In parallel, in each passage from one stage of adult life to another, one must shed some of their protective structure, which leaves them temporarily exposed and vulnerable. During this process, however, one also becomes embryonic and exuberant again. A heightened potential appears to stretch towards new growth. Throughout this aging process, one may feel panicky and retreat or ignore the impulse to change and remain stuck in their shells. No matter the choices made, the future will be rendered better or worse, but in any case, restructured.

Alexandra J. Zani is an international educator, licensed instructor, speaker, author, and researcher in the professional skin care industry. Academic background includes cell biology and medical technology. Zani is on the Education Commission of the International Association for Applied Corneotherapy, is a member of NCEA (National Coalition of Estheticians, Associations, and Distributors), and is certified in Oncology Esthetics and the Pastiche Method of Skin Analysis. Zani is the owner and director of AEsthani Skincare Institute, LLC in Greenville, South Carolina and is also co-founder of Intellective Aesthetics, dedicated to post-graduate aesthetics studies.