How you can find a great facialist

A few questions to ask a potential aesthetician • What is your background? • Where and when did you get your training? • How many clients have you served? • Where is your license or certification posted? • Have you received other certifications in related areas? • Could you show me testimonials from previous clients? • Do you have “before” and “after” photos of your work?

by Linda Leibl — 

Do you look forward to celebrating your next birthday? Attending that next party with friends to celebrate the arrival of another year of your life?

If you don’t, is it because you are starting to notice the signs of aging on your face? Do those fine lines on your cheeks and neck area, the brown spots, and a feeling of dryness serve as reminders that you are indeed aging? Do you wonder if your creams, ointments and lotions are really protecting you against the intense Arizona heat and sun? Maybe they are not giving you the protection and results you want.

Most of us want soft, supple, moist, tight skin all over our bodies — especially on our face, neck, arms and hands, the areas that are exposed to the sun, wind, dirt, car exhaust, environmental conditions and harsh chemicals we use every day (like antibacterial hand soap). So what can we do to keep our skin looking and feeling youthful without spending a great deal of time, energy and money?

An important first step to stopping (and reversing) the signs of aging is to find a great facialist or aesthetician whose services extend beyond the face to other areas of the body. But how do we know who to hire to help us take better care of our skin? How do we know who is credible and who will give us the results we are looking for? As you visit potential facilities and interview aestheticians, consider asking the questions in the attached box.

The experienced, qualified aesthetician you are seeking may work in one of many environments, including hair and nail salons, skincare centers, medical and resort spas, health and wellness facilities, dermatologists’ and plastic surgeons’ offices, and bodywork and massage facilities.

Don’t be discouraged if it takes you several months to find an environment and an aesthetician with whom you feel comfortable. If something about the person or place does not feel right, just complete the free consultation, thank them for their time and move on to the next one.

Should a practitioner’s ethics concern you, contact the Arizona State Board of Cosmetologists. This board governs laws relating to cosmetology and was created to protect the consumer from being harmed by an aesthetician, hairstylist or nail technician.

Victoria’s story

Victoria has been a client for 13 years. She began as a 17-year-old with acne and now feels confident with the way her skin looks and feels.

Question: How did you feel about your skin after the first couple of treatments?

Victoria: I feel that my skin had made noticeable progress almost immediately. My skin was, and still is, more rosy and smooth, as opposed to dry and irritable.

Question: What kind of results have you seen in your visits?

Victoria: I have seen Linda off and on over 13 years, and now I am much more serious about improving my skin. This is truly a priority to me. Just as with having a great body, one needs to care, nourish, and give time and energy to it. I am a professional woman in the banking field and wish to portray a highly professional image — starting with my face.

As a result of the treatments, my skin tone has greatly improved and my pores have dramatically reduced. I had a great deal of childhood acne which resulted in scarring, brown spots and dry, flaky patches here and there. Linda eliminated all of that and my skin is less sensitive than before.

Question: How have your self-esteem and personal self-image been affected by the improvements to your skin?

Victoria: My self-image has improved so much since I have visited Linda. I no longer hide my skin with heavy makeup. I know when people look at me, they see me. They no longer look at my embarrassing skin.

Question: Do you feel you are accomplishing your skin goals with Linda?

Victoria: I feel that Linda has helped me surpass my goals. I am on the 4-in-1 facial program. I follow her guidelines to get maximum results quickly. I feel my skin is thoroughly cleansed, exfoliated, oxygenated, hydrated and lifted, as well.

My skin is renewed and responding so well that I have a more profound arch in my eyebrows. My face looks like porcelain and, most importantly, I understand now that my skin is what I make of it. It looks great because I am investing in it. I could buy an expensive purse or outfit, but I would rather nourish my skin with these treatments to look refreshed and flawless.

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 2, April/May 2007.