Pamela Hill Institute

3rd in a Series: Review of Professional Products for Aesthetician Use
 
Those looking for a simple line of skin care products that get results would do well to consider P8N8.  This line of quality products pride themselves on using age defying ingredients such as stabilized oxygen, Japanese green tea, vitamin A, Retinol and enzymes using their patented technology for delivery where it is needed, in the skin.  Manufactured under the highest possible standards, P8N8 caries skin care products for both men and women. This product line is one of the most popular with celebrities including Hilary Swank, Mariah Carey, Katie Holmes, Salma Hayek and Kate Winslet.

Oxygen Depletion Leads to Skin Problems

One of the concepts P8N8 uses is that skin problems can be a result of oxygen depletion, so they use ingredients that beat the premature aging process.  Green tea has made a lot of buzz lately about its anti aging properties, and is a prime ingredient.  Enzymes, and Retinol also contribute to the oxidization process and provide a healthy glow to skin.  Previously available only in Europe, P8N8 has come to North America and is widely accepted for the great results it gives its users.

Men Especially Enjoy P8N8

Men especially enjoy the benefits of P8N8 as they become more concerned with their skin.  P8N8 calls the effect “shock & aahh” and refers to it as a “power boost” of “basic boot camp” to improve men’s skin.  Their products include several cleansers, all with proper ph balance, as well as sun screen to both prevent and rectify sun damage to the skin.  P8N8 also has a shock treatment serums which they say can repair years of “war wounds” caused by the sun.  It resurfaces the skin using a time released exfoliant that acts before the surface of the skin and is twenty times more effective than traditional hydroxyl acids, achieving great results without excessive dryness.  It has been cited as great for improving wrinkles, frown lines, crow’s feet, eye bags, age spots, dark circles under the eyes, freckles and pigmentation problems, rough skin texture and blotchy skin.

Complex Creams Are Helpful

Another popular product from P8N8 are the complex 1 creams.  As a person ages the ability to naturally absorb oxygen from the air is diminished, which results in the skin retaining waste products.   This can be a major factor in dull, blotchy or blemished skin and other signs of premature aging.  If the complex creams are applied every morning the positive results become quickly noticeable.

Great Advice Provided

The professionals at P8N8 also provide great advice to those concerned with skin care. Things we may all know but it doesn’t hurt to remind us of them at times.  Getting plenty of water for proper hydration is important to good skin care, as is avoiding excessive touching of the face and not smoking. Also avoiding carbonated beverages will benefit the skin in the long run.   Remember that the skin is an indicator of the body’s basic health so do all you can do to keep your skin in shape.  And for an effective skin care regime P8N8 is a very good choice.

2nd in a Series: Review of Professional Products for Aesthetician Use

Aveda Corporation was founded in 1978 and is today owned by Estee Lauder.  Their product lines include Shampure, Rosemary Mint, Pure-Fume and All Sensitive.  Natural essential oils are key to their quality.  According to the company founder, "Our mission at Aveda is to care for the world we live in, from the products we make to the ways in which we give back to society. At Aveda, we strive to set an example for environmental leadership and responsibility- not just in the world of beauty, but around the world."

Aveda  offers education for salons associated with them as a way of assuring that skin care professionals are well aware of the ingredients and the efforts made at the highest quality standards.   Aveda also offers various treatments that are unique  to them only. The Aveda Hydrotherm massage for instance   is a massage which takes place on heated, water-filled cushions and has become  a trademark for the company. All Aveda certified treatments include the exclusive usage of Aveda made and approved products.

Partnerships With Indigenous Peoples

Aveda formed a partnership in the mid 1990’s with the babassu nut breakers of the Amazon rain forest in Brazil.  They began acquiring certified organic babassu to utilize as a base in creating rich, foaming cleansing elements called babassu betaine.  These elements offer wonderful, luxurious results and fit in well with Aveda’s declared mission, to support sustainable organic agriculture, provide ecosystem protection and to form partnerships with indigenous communities to encourage economic independence.  This collaboration has worked out very well for both groups, exceeding initial expectations.  The local collective sells Aveda babassu oil made to the high standards they need and both sides win.

Natural Oils

The rose and lavender oils Aveda uses also have a wonderful story. They come from flowers from the Balkan Mountains of Bulgaria.  The valley where they are grown is near the village of Tarmichene, and is home to the Enio Bonchev rose and lavender essential oil distillery.  These oils are extra sweet due to soil botanicals.  The factory was founded over a hundred years ago by Enio Boncev, and ceased operation when the communists took over the country. But, with their new found freedom the distillery reopened.  Bonche’s son-in-law repurchased the land and opened again for business.  The result has been a partnership with Aveda resulting in economic independence for the area and an improved standard of living for the workers, as well as the return of a proud tradition.

Click here to read the previous installment of this blog series on professional skin care products

Everyone in business wants to boost revenues.  Making money is one of the reasons for being in business.  After all, we all have to eat.  One of the best ways to increase revenue is through better utilization of the clients that you already have.  Marketing expenses designed to bring in new clients are needed, but can use up a budget very quickly, and when you already have regular clients who may be purchasing at-home skin care treatments elsewhere it seems foolish not to take advantage of this extra source of income.  After all, your clients come to you for professional services and trust you, and who better to provide at-home skin care products than aestheticians? Additionally this is a service you are performing for your clients, assuring them of getting the finest quality products rather than wasting their money of products that may, or may not work that they found in a local store.

Complete Skin Care Lines

Of course, the most logical choice is to carry high quality and professional skin care products so that you can put together effective at home skin care plans for your clients. Check out our ongoing series on Spa Product Reviews.

Aside from the obvious, consider these three area that you may not have considered:

Think of Your Hands First

Many times your clients will think of their face, but completely forget about their hands.  Many people wash dishes by hand. Wearing gloves will help, but recommending a professional grade hand cream to your clients.  Your product vendors can recommend creams that will do the job and improve the client’s hands, while at the same time keeping your clients connected to you.

Skin Brushing: Back To Basics

Skin brushing or dry body brushing is a very simple technique that your clients can practice to remove dead skin cells, encourage new skin growth and even stimulating blood and lymph flow.  Many professionals also believe that skin brushing has a positive effect on cellulite because it brings oxygen and nutrients to the outer skin layer.  This is a very simple technique, and will benefit your clients.  All you have to do is recommend the treatment and sell them the brush they need to take care of this process themselves in the comfort of their own home.   Recommend to your client that they start at the feet and go up the legs in long, but light and brisk movements.  The movements should be towards the heart which encourages lymphatic flow and discourages the return of blood.  Tell them to pay particular attention to those areas that are prone to cellulite like the thighs.  About three minutes a day is sufficient.

Don’t Forget the Sun Blocker

Remember to keep good quality sun blockers on hand.  Your clients need to use some form of protection from the sun, and you are the logical best resource.  Check with your product vendors and keep a variety of strengths on hand for those with different types of complexions.  Some aestheticians also keep a small display of wide brimmed hats and sunglasses around for their clients.  Often times these will be impulse buys.  If a hat is cute a client may buy one on impulse.  By blocking the sun with the hat you’ll be doing them a great favor.  

So don’t forget the little extras and watch your revenue stream increase.

1st in a Series: Review of Professional Products for Aesthetician Use

A holistic approach to skin care has always been the philosophy of Dr. Hauschka Skin Care products, considered leaders in the field.  Dr. Hauschka Skin Care was inspired when a  chemist, Dr. Rudolf Hauschka had a conversation with the philosopher Dr. Rudolf Steiner, asking him the ultimate question: “what is life?”  The answer he received was rhythm. Dr. Steiner told him that “rhythm is the carrier of life” and Dr. Hauschka took his advice to study rhythm and began developing his well known healing remedies based on Steiner’s teachings and using all natural plants.  He studied the rhythms and polarities found in nature, creating plant extracts that retained their vitality, and to his delight, he found that they remained stable without using preservatives such as alcohol.  Dr. Hauschka founded his company, seeing it as his mission to help people through introduction of the rhythms of nature through holistic remedies.

Elisabeth Sigmund, a pioneer aesthetician in Sweden, was at this time studying skin care and coming to a realization that outward appearance was a result of a person’s emotional well-being and inner health.  Also having an interest in anthroposophy and in traditional plant remedies, Sigmund developed her own line of skin care treatments.  When she discovered the healing ingredients proposed by Dr. Hauschka they began a collaboration, and in 1967 these two giants in the field joined forces, launching the line of skin care products and treatments methods we know today as Dr Hauschka Skin Care.

What is Holistic Treatment?

The idea of holistic treatment is new to many people.  What is meant by holistic is thinking of the complete picture of health.  Rather than simply treating the symptoms, the holistic approach is to determine the cause and treat it.  The repercussions and ramifications of any one decision are considered.  Plant and mineral ingredients are chosen based on their individual effects and interactions with other components.  And, whether or not they came from an ethically and ecologically sound source is also taken into account.  Dr Hauschka also uses environmentally friendly packaging and always avoids artificial preservatives.

The holistic view of health and appearance requires an understanding of the relationship of the skin to a person’s overall health.  The Dr. Hauschka Skin Care regimen should only be one part of a holistic approach including healthy eating habits, proper exercise and personal contemplation to reconnect to the natural rhythms  All of these factors have an effect on the skin, and all should be taken into consideration.

Biodynamics Is Part of the Process

When it comes to acquiring the proper ingredients, Dr. Hauschka Skin Care products believe strongly in Biodynamcis, which is a holistic form of agriculture dating back to the 1920’s.  All products used in Dr. Hauschka Skin Care products are grown according to cycles of the moon and stars with plants, animals and people involved all taken into account, as a way of viewing the big picture.

It is only natural for people to want the best, and only logical to believe that the best comes from nature.  We are, after all, products of nature.  Using Dr. Hauschka Skin Care products on your clients, and selling these stellar products for at-home skin care programs is a good start to a healthier lifestyle, resulting in healthier, better looking skin for all of your clients.

More info is available at http://www.drhauschka.com

Ensuring an Optimal Outcome in Skin Care might also be of interest.

There are several types of chemical peels available for use by aestheticians.  Knowing the differences between them and assessing which chemical peel is right for various clients is a part of the professionalism that all aestheticians should strive for.  

As an overview, the chemical peel itself refers to a method of removing the outer layer of skin, getting rid of the damaged skin and allowing new skin to replace it.  Reasons for chemical peels are as varied as the types of damage done to skin.  Wrinkles, uneven skin pigmentation, minor birth marks, sun damage and acne scarring  are just a few of the reasons that clients will come to you for a chemical peel.

Reasons for a Chemical Peel

Personal reasons for wanting a chemical peel by a client include enhancement of personal appearance, increased self-confidence and a raise in self-esteem.  These are strictly cosmetic reasons but chemical peels are even used for removal of pre-cancerous skin growths, a valid medical reason.

Remember: the client will not know the difference between the varying degrees of chemical peels. It is your job to know the differences and apply the correct strength based on the client's needs.

Phenol: The Strongest Agent

Of the most common agents used in chemical peels, the strongest solution is Phenol, which produces a deep peel.  A client who has coarse facial wrinkles, or perhaps has blotchy and damaged skin caused by pre-cancerous growths or excessive sun exposure may be a good candidate for Phenol treatment.  Phenol lightens the treated areas  and is commonly used on the face.

Mid Level Peel

Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is also an option, considered a medium or mid level peel, and it may be used in various concentrations.  Trichloracetic acid tends to not be as long-lasting as  Phenol-based peels.  For this reason, multiple peels may be required when using trichloracetic acid.  However, the recovery time is much shorter, making it very popular, especially for those clients with only minor problems to correct, or with very limited time.

Milder Agents Have Shorter Recovery Times

Alphahydroxy acids (AHA) are the mildest agents in common use. Referred to as superficial or light peels, Alphahydroxy acids provide brighter looking, smoother skin at a surface level only.  Alphahydroxy acids are varied, and include fruit acids, lactic acids and glycolic acids.  Many times Alphahydroxy acids will be mixed with facial cream or a facial wash and will become part of a send home daily skin care regimen for your client.  If a client receives a full treatment with Alphahydroxy, recovery time is less than any other peel, making it a good choice for those clients who have limited time for treatment.

Interested in learning more about chemic