Catch the new wave in skincare

I have a young male client who was concerned about the large pores on his nose, uneven skin texture from pre-adolescent acne scarring on his cheeks and jaw line, and the oiliness of his forehead.

by Linda Leibl — 

It is obvious we are in the anti-aging and wellness revolution, big time! Regardless of your age — from your teens to your 80s — you will want to catch this wave. There is even evidence that women in their early 30s are first coming in to scope out the new anti-aging technology and then referring their mothers and grandmothers to a favorite practitioner. This younger generation is curious, not to mention fearless.

Men of all ages also are riding the anti-aging wave. Recently, there have been more products on the market for men’s hair color, as well as skincare.

I have a young male client who was concerned about the large pores on his nose, uneven skin texture from pre-adolescent acne scarring on his cheeks and jaw line, and the oiliness of his forehead. Recently, he told me he is ecstatically pleased with his treatment and has received results “beyond his expectations.”

To be forever young

The scenario: You want to look more youthful and you would like to experience high-performance, results-oriented treatments utilizing the most natural, non-invasive application methods possible. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery has reported that of the more than 8.3 million cosmetic procedures performed in 2003, 78 percent were non-surgical. Since 1997, non-surgical cosmetic procedures have exploded in popularity by 471 percent, resulting in a multibillion dollar market that did not even exist 10 years ago. Furthermore, aestheticians can perform many of these services without inflicting extreme discomfort or requiring anesthesia.

A booming business

When it comes to purchasing power, the baby boomer generation is at full strength. We are seeking the “fountain of youth.” We want those trips to the fountain to be painless, with no risk. We do not want to be homebound for 3 to 30 days, and we want our treatments reasonably priced. We also want to apply our makeup, do our errands or attend our favorite events immediately following the procedures. Baby boomers hope the market can keep up with their demand for a wide variety of anti-aging and wellness products.

Non-invasive skincare

Non-invasive means there is no penetration of the skin (i.e., via surgical cutting, laser cutting or hypodermic needle). This definition seems to have taken the nation by storm, but what does it really mean?

In many parts of the world, non-invasive and natural remedies have been used for centuries. For Americans, however, it is a recently introduced yet fully embraced concept. We have new respect for the potential and power of non-invasive and natural alternative treatments or applications. A client can be treated in an hour or less, with no down time, often in a series done over cumulative visits to achieve the best results. Non-invasive treatments may include a needle with slight pressure, or first numbing the area with anesthesia.

Although the American mindset regarding wellness has evolved over the years, the nature of our culture is such that we demand healing and change happen quickly. In reality, many cultures relied on the alternative methods as the only solution, simply due to a lack of access to modern technology. In aesthetics, a beautiful balance of anti-aging and wellness has been achieved through non-invasive devices and techniques that work in harmony to bring the best of both worlds together — the traditional and the modern.

The last 20 years of skincare aesthetics have passed in a whirlwind. When I received my license in 1986 in California, we were the second class to receive a State Board license. No one knew what an aesthetician was, or how to even spell the word. We have moved from elementary facials with steam and crème, to assisting plastic surgeons with pre- and post-operative techniques.

Today, anywhere you drive you will see gyms, yoga and Pilates studios, massage centers and full-service spas, as well as acupuncture and wellness clinics. We have come so far in a relatively short period of time.

The burgeoning aesthetic and wellness industry attracts all levels of professionalism. There are infinitely different types of treatments: facials, superficial peels, medium peels, deep peels, non-chemical and chemical peels, as well as different types and percentages of acids, injectables, fillers, fat-transferred procedures, non-surgical facelifts, laser resurfacing, lasers such as IPL and Fraxel, LED light therapy, Titan Thermage, Micro-dermabrasion and oxygen infusion. Many alternatives mean many choices. Your skin is personal and your demands and requests are personal, as well. You can catch the new wave by choosing wisely and with confidence.

References: Journal of the American Medical Association, Spa and 20/20 magazines, and featured author David Suzuki.

Linda L. Leibl, B.S., has been a clinical aesthetician since 1986 and founded Advanced Skin Technology in 1993 in Scottsdale, Ariz. 480-443-3445 or [email protected].

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 26, Number 3, June/July 2007.