Reneé Rouleau, a celebrity aesthetician over 35 years who I deeply admire says it best: "We do what dermatologists don't, and what skin influencers can't."
Don't get me wrong, I am 100%, even 110%, pro dermatologists. I see mine yearly to check for skin cancer because they are the expert at diagnosing skin diseases and prescribing medications.
And if I ever see something that I am unsure of or feels outside of my scope, I will always refer you to one. But if you've ever gone to the derm for acne for example (like I have multiple times), your experience probably looked something like this:
You wait in the lobby, they see you for about ten minutes, write you a prescription medication and then ask you, "still the same pharmacy?", and then you're out the door.
And speaking from my own personal experience, it feels cold and even a little embarrassing to talk about your skin and how it makes you feel when the appointment feels rushed and like the doctor is already halfway out the door, even if it is unintentional.
Dermatologists give you the medicine.
They treat the condition, but because appointments are often so quick, it can sometimes feel like there isn't time to really get to know you or your skin on a deeper level.
That's where I come in.
Both dermatologists and aestheticians study the skin, but our approaches are different. Dermatologists study the skin to diagnose and treat medical conditions, while aestheticians study how the skin functions and responds to daily life.
While I don’t diagnose, I get the unique opportunity to actually navigate your skin journey with you. I like to describe myself as a "skin detective".
I get to spend an hour with you physically touching your skin and analyzing it under both a magnifying lamp and Wood's light.
And over time, truly getting to know your skin.
We talk about the "why" behind your skin. Is it stress? Diet? Your pillowcases? Is it the hot yoga class you love? Or maybe even that morning coffee you love drinking on an empty stomach (guilty, so I get it lol).
As an aesthetician, I don’t just hand you some products, wish you luck, and send you out the door. I create a personalized plan that supports your skin and your lifestyle because the two are deeply connected, while also taking care of you in the process.
Then on the other end of the spectrum, you have influencers. They often share whats working for them, whats trending, or may even push a "one-size-fits-all" approach. But as I mentioned in last week’s email ("Why What Worked For Their Skin, Didn’t Work For You"), their routine or products they use aren't customized or tailored to your specific needs.
They're not analyzing your skin in real time checking to see if it's dehydrated, what it needs, or how it responds overtime.
If you've felt like a number at the dermatologists office or have tried the next thing that an influencer posted, you're likely missing the middle ground.
Dermatologists treat.
Influencers hype.
Aestheticians guide and transform.
We get to fill the gap by doing what they don’t and what they can’t.
Until next time,
Stay Barefaced
Providing professional acne, pigmentation, and anti-aging facials to the Hopkinton, MA community, including neighbors in Town Center, Wharton Road, Peppercorn Hill, Whitehall Estates, Ravenwood, Legacy Farms, and Valleywood.