IT'S ALL IN THE NAME

Someone told me that we should change the title of advanced practice esthetician to “Master Esthetician”. I wondered why master? The answer is, we would follow the terms used by colleges across the country for those who have completed a master's program. Because several other states use the term Master such as Washington State, Utah, and Virginia, that brought up another question what makes the name those states chose right? If we follow terms used at the college level, would our basic esthetics 600-hour certific progam be a Bachelor of Science in esthetics and the next level would be Master Esthetician? Interesting!

Then I thought, do people really believe they are master estheticians? I don’t think we ever master esthetics and I also believe Minnesota chose the correct name for our profession. Yes, Advanced Practice Esthetician fits our profession perfectly because we continually learn, grow, and practice. We do this by attending continuing education classes, workshops, events, reading articles, doing research and sharing our knowledge with others.

Look around! Our product lines change, formulas change, and there are new emerging ingredients. Equipment has changed and will continue to change. Just look at the technology behind the equipment we are using today. Machines that exfoliate and deliver specialized ingredients to the skin by using water, or our LED and Microneedling equipment which has grown and improved over the years.

As estheticians, we consistently practice by working with clients, working with new products and ingredients, bringing in new equipment, working with new procedures, and sharing knowledge. If we stop growing, learning, sharing, and practicing it’s time to get out of the business. I am proud of this profession and proud to call myself an Advanced Practice Esthetician. How about You?

Are YOU ready for EARTH DAY?

Did you know?   Senator Gaylord Nelson, the junior senator from Wisconsin, had long been concerned about the deteriorating environment in the United States.  Then in January 1969, he and many others witnessed the ravages of a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. Earth Day 1970 would come to provide a voice to this emerging environmental consciousness and put environmental concerns on the front page. 

In 2009 the United Nations started calling it INTERNATIONAL MOTHER EARTH DAY and is now recognized worldwide with 190 countries taking part in EARTH DAY. Today, over a billion people across the world participate in EARTH DAY. 

Charging your Worth - Adding Value to Every Service

Joseph Pine and James Gilmore in their book, The Experience Economy share “customers don’t want choices; they just want exactly what they want”. If we compare our work to talented Performers whose job is to “draw people in, amaze them, and then ask for money”, we illuminate the value of an experience that they will always remember. I am always amazed at witnessing the value of changing a seemingly “difficult” customer into a happy and grateful human when they are given exactly what they wanted. When we ask ourselves, “what experiences are my customers receiving that add value”? We essentially are asking “am I charging for the experience that my customers are wanting, and that I am providing”? If I am than what can I do to increase the value of their experience, or increase my price?

Admittedly, the customer experience is different than it was ten years ago. Today customers come because they have seen our work on Instagram instead of only by word of mouth. They look at our service menu online to see if they “belong”. Do you only offer “Men” and “Women’s” services? Is the service they need even on your service menu”? And finally, customers only come back when you “invite” them back for another wonderful experience. What rituals do you have around inviting them back? It all comes back to “the experience”. As we create a beauty experience, history reminds us that “economic progress consists of charging a fee for what once was free” (Pine & Gilmore). Create and experience your customers will always remember. Smile and be kind, “do the damn thing” to use popular jargon and increase your net worth. Cheers! To an industry that values the business of beauty.

DON’T BE SOUR LIKE A LEMON . . . USE THOSE LEMONS TO MAKE LEMONADE!

Salons have closed! Owners and licensed professionals are worried, even wondering how they will survive. We understand your concerns and would like to offer up some ideas. These are intended to help you focus on the things you have control over and do during this time. 

Go into the salon, if you have access, and clean and disinfect like never before. Here are a few suggestions, you get the idea?

• Break room
• Drawers
• All surfaces
• Bathroom
• Dispensary
• Tools and equipment
• Front desk and phone
• Re-decorate, re-model or re-pair the salon.

Let’s prepare to hit the road running when you return to the salon!

• Use this time to update your client information such as address, phone, email, and website.
• Stay in touch with clients via social media, phone or email.
• Provide clients with tips and ideas on how they can care for their hair, skin, and nails during this time.
• Retail a products that will help maintain their color or curl - please refer to the MN Board of Cosmetology for guidance on this.Please note, you can not do this from your closed salon
• Retail an exfoliant to help exfoliate their skin
• Retail a treatment product for the cuticles or exfoliant for the feet
• Create and promote pre-pay packages that clients can purchase now - Gift cards purchases online or via phone
• Give them tricks and ideas to make their hair look thicker
• Let clients know you are available to answer questions and help them. (Facetime or Zoom)
• Work on your year’s promotional calendar Download April-June here
• Create a “We Are Back” promotional piece
• Up your game in customer service, think of what can you do?
• Try a new product, face treatment, nail design, cut, color or hairstyle on yourself or family.
• Research a new product or service to introduce to customers when you return to work.

Take your Core and Professional Practice class online through SSPA Find a Course Here SSPA Members receive a discount! Happy Dance!

Young Blood and Plasma Transfusions

The FDA recently warned that plasma infusions from young people provides “no proven clinical benefit” against normal aging, Alzheimer’s disease, or a host of other diseases. 

Directors Gottlieb and Marks from the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research say young-blood transfusions can pose risks.

Most research thus far into young-blood transfusions has been conducted in mice. Some of the mouse studies have been encouraging, but other studies have been less encouraging. One biotech company is currently testing a plasma-derived product in Alzheimer’s patients; a previous study from the company yielded mixed results.

NUTRITION MOMENT

Your Diet and Your Brain!

The way you feed your body affects your brain.

Evidence is starting to line up in favor of certain foods with the aim of reducing the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Our brain requires certain nutrients to function smoothly and biologically. One major study showed that a strict adherence to a diet known as the MIND diet reduces dementia risk by up to 53% for people ages 59 to 98.