1995 was a year of dramatic change. That's when I trained and stepped into the role of Holistic Health Practitioner. Not only was the concept of "holistic" sort of a "woo woo" word back then, but the thinking was that anyone who was embracing, and certainly those guiding others to adopt a holistic lifestyle, was a radical hippie! When I trained and added the role of Esthetician to my repertoire in 2005, mindsets had progressed in regards to a holistic and healthy lifestyle. However, holistic esthetics was really just being born. There were only a couple of professional holistic skin care lines to support those of us who had decided to blaze this trail! 

So, what exactly is an Esthetician? The way I see it there are three categories.

Conventional Esthetics 

This covers a lot of the typical things that people have come to expect in the facial room. In this area of the practice you might see things on the menu like chemical peels, microdermabrasion, dermaplaning, microneedling, and a host of other treatments where chemicals, machinery and technology may be relied on to treat the skin. The products are also more intensive, possibly harsh, "chemical" product lines with ingredients designed to work with the skin for quick or "instantaneous" results. There is likely not deeper consideration given to how the products and treatments operate and/or affect the entire body as an "ecosystem".

Integrative Esthetics

If you're beginning to see that these distinctions look a lot like medical models, you're right, it is similar. There's conventional medicine and there's integrative medicine. So integrative esthetics naturally speaks to combining conventional esthetic practices and treatments along with some consideration to a holistic approach to skin care. Perhaps an Integrated Esthetician visit might include a chemical peel but with more consideration for gentle products for pre and post support care for the skin.

Holistic Esthetics

One of the basic philosophies in holistic esthetics is "do no harm". We approach the skin with consideration to the whole person. Everything that we do takes a slow and steady approach to supporting the skin in a direction of wellness and function. Holistic Esthetics rarely offers quick and instantaneous results. Our understanding informs us that these are not sustainable for skin function and radiance that will last a life time. Holistic estheticians are guided by a therapeutic model of prevention. They maintain a practice and philosophy to provide services that never alter the biological integrity of the skin. Holistic skincare is mindful to the functionality of the skin first and foremost. Your holistic Esthetician is likely to dig deeper into your health, lifestyle, diet and wellness to consider more about YOU prior to moving forward to help you meet your skin care goals. They typically work with very gentle treatments along with clean, possibly organic products. Treatments and care will go slower, with lots of consideration to helping the skin regain balance and health.

No matter what type of esthetician you chose to work with, whether they are conventional, integrated or holistic, skin care professionals operate from a labor of love. What we do is truly a calling to serve in such a unique offering, assisting the face to look and feel beautiful! We deeply care about your results and want you to be thrilled with your skin -- for life 

One more thing to consider: When deciding to work with an esthetician it's important to understand that they are not a "service provider" who is there to do some thing to your skin once or twice. They are PARTNERED with you! This means that what they do, the recommendations that they make, the products that they offer are given with the intention to ASSIST YOU in gradually bringing your skin to a new and beautiful sweet spot! You play a huge role in the partnership! We will never succeed without your dedication. So the next time you see your esthetician and they recommend a treatment or some products, remember, he or she is not simply trying to sell you on something. Our products, treatments and methods are the instruments of change!

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