Enlightening your clients: The difference between store-bought and professional skincare

Selling skincare at work comes naturally when you are able to answer a client’s questions regarding the professional lines carried at your salon or spa. When you have the answers, your sales pitch can turn into a fun, fact-filled conversation.

Have you ever had a client ask you what the difference is between store-bought and professional skincare?

Walking up and down the skincare aisles of the drugstore can leave your clients’ head spinning with promises of “No More Wrinkles” or “The Best Acne Treatment” and my personal favourite, “The Best Anti-aging Cream”.

The fact is there is no one product on the market that can deliver on these claims alone, especially ones found at the drugstore.

Why?

Because to get results to actually back-up these claims clients need to use high quality products with an array of ingredients and these are not found on shelves.

They are found at spa’s, medi-spas and dermatologist offices. Places such as ‘Sephora’ and ‘Shopper’s Beauty Boutique’ are also a few good places to get good quality products.

Let’s take a deeper look at the difference between store-bought products versus professional skincare, so that we can educate our clients on the difference.

Ingredients and Dosages

The skincare market is a billion dollar industry which relies heavily on marketing to get people to pick their products over others. They usually do this is by using some of the catch phrases mentioned at the beginning of this article.

People who are not in the skincare industry, for example our clients, may not be able to verify if the ingredients have the ability to actually benefit their skin.
Additionally for safety reasons, store-bought products cannot have high amounts of active ingredients because they must be safe for the general public to pick off a shelf, without consultation with a professional. For this reason, drugstore products usually have low levels of active ingredients which may not, and more often, does not, live up to their promises.

On the other hand…

Professional products contain high amounts of active ingredients that can actually back-up the claims they promise.
They contain numerous active or as I like to call them “performance” ingredients such as antioxidants like Vitamin C, B, and Ferulic acid, acne fighting ingredients like Salicylic acid, Anti-Aging acids such as Glycolic acid and the best ingredient to fight aging… Retinol… just to name a few.

The reason professional products are not sold in stores is because of the science behind the products. People selling these products have to be properly trained on skin analysis, ingredients, and contraindications. They are expected to educate the client on how to use the products safely and recommend the appropriate products for their skin/ skin concerns.

In conclusion, when it comes to skincare the best thing to do is educate your clients on the differences between professional and store bought products, the price point may be a bit higher but if results are what your clients want; knowing what they need to use to get those results will usually out weigh any price concerns.

Shauna Jenkins
EXECUTIVE SPA GROUP

Is Bullying affecting your Workplace?

Society has come along way in terms of acceptance and awareness. These are two different but equally important terms. Acceptance can be defined as a person’s agreement or approval to the reality of a situation without attempting to change it. Awareness is knowledge or perception of a situation or fact. Whether it be gender, race, religion, disabilities or sexual orientation, all people are entitled to equal rights and respect.

Bullying is a huge issue that is being recognized and addressed worldwide whether it be verbal, physical or cyber. There is a certain stigma that adults are not a target of bullying, maybe a preconceived notion that unless you are under the age of 18 you should be able to “brush off,” “get over” or “have thicker skin” towards unkind acts or words aimed at you.

The truth is there are no limitations or age requirements as to who is a victim of bullying. It is important to be able to recognize what bullying is and the negative effect it can have on the team and the business as a whole. If you see bullying in the workplace, it is your responsibility to do your part in contributing to a healthy workplace. Here are some tips from Alberta Learning Information Services on how to identify, address and resolve any bullying.

There are laws to protect employees from bullying. Take a look at our Employment Regulations Contact List to know different laws created for your protection.

EXECUTIVE SPA GROUP

BACTERIA IS A BEAUTY BANISHER

As service providers our goal is to send clients home feeling amazing, relaxed, and rocking beautiful manicured fingers and toes, glowing skin and trendy/healthy hair. We do our best to accomplish our goals. We use the best products and ensure we are properly trained.

We know what it takes to make our clients look their best… but do we know how to best protect our clients?

Germs and viruses will take that amazing service upside down!
Let’s take a look at some of the guidelines set out by Alberta Health Services to keep our clients looking gorgeous, glowing and most importantly germ free!

Some serious viruses and infections can be and have been known to be spread in salons and spas. Hepatitis C, MRSA, respiratory disease, fungus and even Hot Tub Folliculitis (an infection caused by a type of bacteria that thrives in poorly sanitized foot baths) have been confirmed.

Are You Inspection Ready?

These are some of the guidelines to follow to help you protect your clients:

• All work surfaces shall be constructed of smooth, non-porous and cleanable materials (i.e. painted drywall, vinyl composite tiles, linoleum or sealed concrete, etc.).
• Work areas must be adequately lit and ventilated.
• Client contact surfaces (tables, chairs, headrests etc.) must have a smooth, non-porous and easy to clean finish.
• Adequate storage space must be available for equipment, instruments and supplies.
• Suitable garbage containers must be readily available, maintained and emptied regularly.
• Approved disinfectants for disinfecting equipment, surfaces and reusable instruments must be available.
• An acceptable skin antiseptic shall be provided for skin preparation and post treatment.
• Items, that cannot be properly disinfected/sterilized or are intended for single use, must be discarded after each client use.
• A puncture-resistant container shall be provided for the disposal of needles, razor blades and other sharp devices or instruments.
• Pigments, cosmetics and other supplies must be labeled and handled in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Chemicals, detergents and cleaners must be stored, maintained and prepared in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

The spread of these beauty banishing bacteria is completely preventable and should be the #1 priority.

So remember to follow all sanitization procedures, use the proper level disinfectants and disinfection tools because no matter how gorgeous your client looks when they leave BACTERIA IS A BEAUTY BANISHER!

Please refer to the Personal Service Regulation and the associated Health Standards and Guidelines for a complete list of requirements.

Executive Spa Group

Employers: If You’re Not Offering These Services Yet…You Need To Be!!

Welcome to the new and exciting era of the Beauty Industry, where Medical and Esthetics treatments have collided into what promises to be the beginning of some of the most amazing advancements this industry has ever seen. Services formerly considered surgical and invasive have been adapted and are being delivered with little to no down-time. Treatments like Botox® and Fillers were often kept on the hush-hush years ago. Now, not only have they become mainstream, but are amongst the most celebrated and effective warriors fighting the battle on aging!

The Most Innovative Services of 2018

PRP aka Vampire Facials

This treatment has become wildly popular but we believe the name “Vampire Facial” has roots that stem back to 1590. Countess Elizabeth Bathory is one of the most prolific female serial killers of all time. She is also referred to as ‘The Blood Countess’ and legend has it that she bathed in the blood of young female victims to retain her youth.

In love with a younger man and obsessed with maintaining her youth (and maybe some mental health issues), Lady Bathory came to believe that blood had rejuvenating effects after one of her maids cut herself while brushing her hair. A small amount of blood landed on Bathory’s face which threw her into a rage. To start the day off right and avoid unpleasantness from the previous day, the other maids complimented Bathory on how youthful she looked that morning. Somehow, Bathory connected these compliments to the events of the prior day, and 500 years later we have Vampire Facials…ok ok, maybe our imagination is running a little bit wild!


The name ‘Vampire Facial’ refers to the ties with Transylvania as well as the comparison of Bathory to Vlad the Impaler (Count Dracula). Fast forward to present time and we have PRP (platelet rich plasma)/ PRF (platelet rich fibrin), a more modern approach and name.

This treatment was originally pioneered by orthopedic and sports doctors to promote faster healing and better results.

The process includes extracting a sample of blood from the patient then spinning it in a centrifuge which separates the platelet rich plasma/fibron from the platelet poor plasma in the blood. The PRP is then injected via needles or massaged onto the skin to promote rejuvenation and regeneration. This treatment can be used alone to provide amazing results OR in conjunction with dermal fillers, radio frequency, laser treatments and micro-needling. PRP can successfully treat the following:

• Fine lines/ wrinkles- Skin renewal and healing is activated through the production of new collagen. Wrinkles are not individually erased but the overall quality of the are is improved.
• Loss of firmness and tone- Tissue regeneration is achieved by pumping skin cells full of fresh Human Growth Factors. Tissue Regeneration+ HGF= Younger, Firmer and Plumper Skin.
• Baldness/ Thinning Hair- When paired with micro-needling an improvement in the density of hair as well as the stimulation of dormant follicles can be achieved.

This treatment has little to no downtime, some redness/sunburn like effect is to be expected as well as possible bruising. The treatment uses the patients own blood so there are no contraindications other than those with anemia, blood/bone cancer or clotting related conditions. Best results are seen up to 3 months post treatment and can last up to 2 years.

Botox and Fillers

I know what you’re thinking, these are not new treatments…let me explain.

Botox and fillers have been around for a long time and initially weren’t even used for cosmetic purposes.

Botox has ophthalmologic roots and was originally used to treat spastic conditions of the eye.

Fillers have always served to fill in areas with loss of volume, but let’s just say some of the first-used filling agents have not only long been abandoned but banned! (Think paraffin injected into your face and hardening, then migrating and causing facial distortion just to name one of the reasons for the ban).

Botox® has evolved in the way of different benefits of new techniques. Dentists have been using Botox® for years as a treatment for TMJ and grinding of the jaw which after time causes a very masculine and defined jaw line. Presently, this treatment has crossed over to medi spas for anyone looking for a softer jawline.

Fillers have come A LONG way as new generation hyaluronic acids are formulated to last longer and are injected in new ways including the use of a canula to ensure precise and even distribution.
A new filler called Kybella has the ability to permanently destroy fat cells and is erasing double chins. It’s the first and only injectable agent able to successfully and permanently create a new face shape and recontour the jawline.

Botox® and Fillers have definitely become mainstream, gone are the days of living with small lips, unwanted creases or the yearn for that youthful plumpness your skin once possessed. The fix for these and many more concerns is readily available just a syringe away.

Plasma Pen

This Fibroblast Treatment is ELECTRIC (literally), not just because of how amazing it is, but the technology uses electricity to smooth lines, remove pigment, even out skin tone and texture, tighten loose skin and helps with the appearance of stretch marks.

Plasma is considered the fourth state of matter.
This pen works by creating a positive charge to particles and transferring this energy to matter. A luminous electrical discharge is created, “Arc”, which stimulates immediate healing and stimulation from the dermal layer of skin where your collagen and elastin are produced.

The Plasma Pen has been popular in Europe for over 20 years but has only recently made its way out West. This treatment has gained popularity successfully treating the following:

• Fine Lines and Wrinkles including: Forehead lines, lip lines, smile lines, crow’s feet and neck bands. This is a great alternative to Botox…no needles!
• Eyelid Lifting: This skin lifting treatment is a great alternative to Blepharoplasty (a surgical eyelid lift) no cuts, anesthesia or surgery!
• Collagen and Elastin stimulation: the dermal layer of our skin is often referred to as the “mattress” it gives our skin shape and plumpness but over time the mattress can become worn out and not have the same full and bouncy effect it once had. When we stimulate this layer of skin we are causing the body to stimulate more collagen and elastin production which in return plumps up the skin.

There is minimal downtime with this treatment, expect some redness and swelling (especially around the eyes) and some brown pigmentation may be visible for up to 2 weeks post treatment. Any pigmentation must not be picked at and will naturally exfoliate off when it is healed. Numbing is done prior to treatment to ensure maximum patient comfort.

Executive Spa Group
(780) 604 2772
info@executivespagroup.com

Terminating Employees

Things don’t always work out. Letting go of employees is never easy. Most employers terminate employees only as a last resort. This is why we decided sharing this information is important in reducing any stress associated with employee termination.

TERMINATION FACTS:

• Alberta’s Employment Standards Code specifies the notice period employers must give when asking someone to leave a job. This termination notice period depends on how long the employee has worked for you.
• You must give termination notice in writing and the employee works and is paid regular pay until the end of the notice period.
• You can offer pay instead of a termination notice. In this case, the employee ends work immediately but is paid for the duration of the notice period.
• If you ask an employee to stop working immediately or partway through a notice period, you must pay the employee until the end of the notice period.
• You do not need to provide termination notice if the termination is temporary (up to 59 days)
• You do not need to provide termination notice if an employee refuses your offer of reasonable alternative work
• You do not need to provide termination notice if if work is unavailable because of a strike or lockout
• You do not need to provide termination notice if the employee is terminated for just cause (e.g. theft, violence…)

Do you have other questions regarding Beauty Industry employment matters?
Contact us to learn more.

Executive Spa Group
(780) 604 2772
info@executivespagroup.com