How many of you love those pesky little hairs? You know, the ones that all of your clients want removed. Hair removal services have long been considered the money makers in the aesthetic industry. The history of hair removal dates back as far as ancient Egypt when people would use shards of flint or obsidian to remove all visible hair; as with all good things hair removal has most definitely seen many advances in the methods to achieve smooth, hair free bliss.
In this issue, we are exploring the many different options for hair removal. If hair removal is your specialty, you should find tips and techniques to help you expand your business. If you are looking for something to increase the bottom line in this tough economy, adding hair removal services just might be the answer. In our new department 10 Things, you can read about hair removal via sugaring by Lina Kennedy. In the articles, you will find information on threading, waxing, and laser hair removal.
This month you will find first time DERMASCOPE contributor Michelle Ornstein’s article on Just a Thread (page 66). In her article, she describes the history, technique, and her own personal experience with this ancient hair removal technique which has been passed down as a gift from one generation to the next. Next, regular contributor and AIA president, Tina Zillmann tackled the important, but often under reported topic of The Skin Care of Waxing (page 72). Her article focuses understanding the anatomy and physiology of the skin can minimize the damage that can surface due to waxing treatments. The next three are a trio of articles on Lasers. First time contributor Betty Minor’s article Laser Safety 101 (page 80) is just what it says… an article on the protocols for safety with lasers and how to structure your safety program to properly protect you and your clients. Louis Silberman’s No More Fears (page 88) covers the use of lasers with darker skins and how the advances in technology have opened the door on this hair removal method to all skin types. Rounding out the trio is first time contributor Randy Brenner with The Hairy Truth on Lasers and IPLs (page 100). Brenner’s article uses a question and answer format to briefly breakdown the differences between these two forms of hair removal. Finally, we close the articles with Jenny Hogan’s article Keep Men on Your Mind (page 108), in which she offers a plethora of tips on marketing to this ever-growing spa segment.
I would also like to congratulate Rebecca Gadberry on her induction into “The AIA Academy of Legends”. We are honored to receive her as a Legend. As you will read in her story (page 60), Gadberry has dedicated the better part of her life to enhancing the aesthetic profession and the results of her efforts will be felt for generations to come.
Lastly, I encourage you to take a stand and join Aesthetics International Association (AIA) this year. Become a part of the organization that is championing the cause of aestheticians. For more information on why being a part of the association is important to you, turn to the Dear Member letter on page 12. We look forward to welcoming each and every aesthetician to our membership roster this year!
All my best,
Saundra
