Why Commitment is the Essential Ingredient to Beautiful Skin

Date: 26/09/2017

Ingrid Katz (Pure Aesthetics) - Published in A2 Magazine Issue 23

The skin is the biggest and most complex organ of the body, forming a barrier on the periphery to protect all that lies beneath it. This makes it the first line of defence when under attack from external influences.

The face and hands are especially vunerable to these influences, as they are exposed the most: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. So with this in mind, it is vital to follow a skin care routine (particularly facial skin care) that is not only effective and easy to maintain, but also stimulates and feeds the skin as well.

That said however, finding a routine in and outside of the clinic can sometimes be difficult. The most common complaint or concern I hear from clients in regard to their skin routine is: “I don’t always have enough time, or I am too tired in the evenings to complete my routine”. Whilst I am extremely sympathetic to the time-dependent lifestyles of modern men and women, I feel it’s vital for skin specialists to counsel their clients in regards to what will be required from them - both at home and in salon - in order to achieve their desired results. This is, after all, the client’s journey. They need to be committed to what the journey entails, and of course, the rewards that will be experienced along the way.

The importance of tailor-made treatments

Skin care specialists sit in a unique position where clients place trust in us to perform a task that they pay for, and want to see results for. This relationship should be treated with the respect it deserves, and a client should feel assured that their skin concerns are being taken care of, with the best available resources. If clients don’t see results, they won’t go back to the clinic for follow up treatments. If the homecare routine is too complicated, a client won’t follow through with it. If a client has not mindfully committed to what is being recommended, they won’t follow through on the programme or regime. Ultimately, results will not be achieved.

A skin care programme and routine should never be too onerous; it should fit into one’s lifestyle rather than the other way around. Too much time and money is wasted on homecare routines that are not followed, with countless products sitting on bathroom shelves collecting dust, and clients continuing to complain that results aren’t seen. So it’s up to the professionals to ensure this cycle is not repeated.

When treating specific concerns like acne, congestion, pigmentation or dryness – where clients wish to reach a particular goal - skin specialists need to take the time to counsel the client and assist them in making a decision to commit to a programme that will achieve the desired results. Communication is key. At the same time, a client needs to understand that without commitment to what has been recommended, results will not be seen or achieved.

Final thought

In reality, a skin specialist desires the ability to recommend the best treatment and homecare regime for a client, but must realise that sometimes this recommendation will not always fit into lifestyles, as well as budgets. One must then have the ability to work around this with the client to ensure the best skin care for budget and time or lifestyle restraints. In the same context, clients must appreciate that if they are going to invest in the recommendation/s, then they should invest not only in monetary terms, but in a commitment to what is being presented as well. When this happens, happiness and satisfaction reigns.

I love the analogy of “taking your skin to gym”; making it fit and keeping it that way. As we age, our body’s metabolism begins to slow down, which means that our skin does as well. This translates to all of the skins normal functions moving at a much slower rate, and so, just like taking our bodies to gym to improve on this general slowdown, so we should target our skin in the same way. This will enable the skin to function more optimally, leading it to age at a slower rate while defending itself against outside aggressors.

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See what's inside A2 Magazine issue 23