Why should I see an esthetician?

Esthetics is the application of various treatments to the skin, to maintain its health and vitality. I am trained in skin wellness, helping my clients balance oil and moisture content and achieve a healthy, youthful complexion. As well as various facial treatments and hair removal techniques.

A variety of treatments and products are used to protect skin from environmental hazards and combat fine lines, wrinkles, and a dull, uneven skin tone. Estheticians are also skilled in managing conditions such as acne, rosacea, eczema, and dry skin, to name just a few. And finally, skin care treatments are wonderfully relaxing and rejuvenating. If smooth, healthy skin is your goal, give me a call 719-648-8155 Stacy.

What’s the difference between dermatology, cosmetology, and esthetics?

Dermatology is a branch of the medical profession, practiced by licensed physicians who specialize in disorders of the skin. Esthetic practice specifically excludes diagnosis, prescription, or any other service, procedure, or therapy that requires a medical license. If you’re being treated by a dermatologist, your esthetician can provide complementary and support therapies. In addition, estheticians are trained to recognize early signs of many medical conditions affecting the skin, and will refer you to a dermatologist in such a case.

Cosmetology is the study of beauty treatments including nail care, hair care and styling, makeup application, skin care and more. Esthetics is one branch of cosmetology; some estheticians work in other branches of cosmetology in addition to their skin care practice.

Techniques and products

Techniques used by estheticians include facial steaming, exfoliation, waxing, pore cleansing, extraction, and chemical peels. Creams, lotions,  clay or gel masks, Machines may also be used to help deliver high-tech services.

Some common therapies:

• Custom and Signature Facials: A facial is the most popular treatment performed by estheticians. It is a good way for your therapist to get a good understanding of your skin prior to suggesting more aggressive treatments. A facial generally includes makeup removal and skin cleansing, exfoliation by mechanical, enzymatic or chemical means, steaming, extractions, facial massage, a treatment mask, serum/moisturizer and sunblock. Custom facials can meet your individual skin care needs and goals
• Chemical Peel: An exfoliation process, is very effective in treating a large range of skin concerns such as aging, sun damage, acne, mild scarring, improving overall skin brightness and evening skin tone. Peels can be light, moderate or deep. Light peels require no down time from work or normal activities. Moderate peels may require a day or two of down time, and deep peels can require a week or more to allow the skin to fully heal. Estheticians who are not working for a plastic surgeon  perform light to moderate peels only. Deep peels are performed by a physician, or under a physician’s supervision, for your safety.
• Exfoliation: The removal of dead skin cells manually (scrubbing, brushing, or using a system such as microdermabrasion), with a chemical peel (a product that causes dead skin cells to shed) or with an enzymatic product that digests dead skin cells. Exfoliating the skin well help the skin to absorb serums and moisturizers that help improve your skin.
• Extraction: This is the process of deep cleansing the pores, either manually (using gloved hands and cotton or tissue around the fingers, with gentle pressure to remove the impacted pore) or using a metal extraction implement designed to clear blocked pores. This can also include the use of a lancet (a small sharp blade to lift the dead cells of the skin prior to extraction).
• Microdermabrasion: The process of resurfacing the skin using a machine that sands the skin’s epidermal (outer) layer, using either a wand tipped with crushed diamonds, which are then suctioned back up along with the dead skin cells. It can be very helpful in improving skin texture, fine lines and the effectiveness of home care product penetration.
• Micro-needling: Highly customized service performed in a safe and precise manner with a single-use sterile needle head. Throughout the treatment, activating agents will be applied to stimulate the rejuvenation process. Then a hydrating facial mask will be applied for hydration. This is a great service to improve skin texture, fine lines, wrinkles, scars, stretch marks, minimizing pores, and hyper pigmentation (dark spots), product absorption, increase collagen and elastin for thinning skin. 
• High Frequincy light theropy: Used to treat and helps get rid of bacteria; milia, acne, open comedones, closed comedones, cysts, and pustules. 
• Waxing: Waxing removes unwanted hair at the root. There are two different types of waxes: hard and soft. Soft wax is applied warm to the skin in a thin layer in the direction of hair growth. Cloth strips are then applied to the warm wax, rubbed in the direction of hair growth, and quickly pulled off in the opposite direction. This method is best used on larger areas of the body such as the legs, back or chest. Hard wax is used without cloth strips. It is applied warm, in a layer about the thickness of a nickel, allowed to dry and then removed quickly in the opposite direction of hair growth. Hard wax is less irritating to sensitive skin and is excellent for the bikini, underarm and facial areas.
• Lash Lift (lash perm): Lifting technique designed to give you longer-looking lashes without the need for lash extensions. It looks as if you used a really good eyelash curler, only the lift lasts for 6-9 weeks. -No damage to natural lashes and no maintenance, 
• Eyebrow and Eyelash Tint: Eyebrows are tinted with a tint to match your natural hair color. Eyelashes are tinted with a black tint eliminating the need for mascara for 2-3 weeks. A great service if you would like to eliminate brow and lash smudging.
• Permanent Make-up:  Micro blading gives brows a natural full shapely look. Wakeup ready for your day with your eyeliner and lip permanently tattooed. Corrective procedures available for clients needing to correct previous procedures. Consultation required before any permanent make-up service to go over desired outcome and to make sure procedure is right for you. 

Visiting an esthetician

During your first visit, I will go over an intake form, I will do a cleansing of the skin followed by a skin analysis. Giving me the information I needs to create an individualized treatment plan, both for a series of professional treatments and recommendations for products you can use at home.

What about home care?

Much of the success of maintaining a visible improvement after treatment depends on consistent, correct home care. I am trained to select the products that will most benefit your skin, and to advise you on how to maintain your professional results between visits. Like medical or dental care, following the right daily regimen at home is essential if you are to get the most out of your visits.