Frequently Asked Questions

Esthetics is the application of various treatments to the skin, to maintain its health and vitality. Estheticians are trained in skin wellness, helping their clients balance oil and moisture content and achieve a healthy, youthful complexion. As well as various facial treatments, they commonly also perform body treatments such as salt or sugar scrubs, moisturizing or slenderizing body wraps, hair removal techniques such as waxing or threading, and hand/foot treatments to rejuvenate the skin. 

A variety of treatments and products are used to protect skin from environmental hazards and combat fine lines, wrinkles, and a dull, uneven skin tone. Estheticians are also skilled in managing conditions such as acne, rosacea, eczema, and dry skin, to name just a few. And finally, skin care treatments are wonderfully relaxing and rejuvenating. If smooth, healthy skin is your goal, visiting a skin care professional can benefit you.

It is always a good idea to schedule a consultation appointment prior to your first treatment, especially if you are new to esthetic treatments. This gives you and your therapist a chance to discuss your goals and expectations for the first visit, and long term goals for the future. During a consultation, your therapist will go over an extensive intake form, and most likely do a cleansing of the skin followed by a detailed skin analysis. This will give your therapist the information she/he needs to create an individualized treatment plan, both for a series of professional treatments and recommendations for products you can use at home.

Your skin care treatments should be provided by a properly trained professional. Don't hesitate to ask your skin care therapist about her background, training, and experience—especially as it relates to the treatment you are considering. Your therapist is a professional member of Associated Skin Care Professionals. Our members have been validated as meeting their state's licensing credentials and/or core training requirements, and agree to follow a code of ethics which ensures you'll be treated responsibly and with the utmost respect. ASCP also provides its members with comprehensive resources that allow them to keep up with changing trends, making certain you'll receive the most up-to-date therapies available.

Much of the success of maintaining a visible improvement after treatment depends on consistent, correct home care. Your esthetician is trained to select the products that will most benefit your skin, and to advise you on how to maintain your professional results between visits. Like medical or dental care, following the right daily regimen at home is essential if you are to get the most out of your visits to a professional.

Waxing is the most common method of hair removal in spas today. Hair on any part of the body or face can be waxed. Warm wax is applied to the area and then removed, bringing the hair with it. There are two types of wax: hard and soft. Hard wax, which is easier on delicate skin, is often  used on the face, underarms, and bikini area. Soft wax is used on the face, legs, arms, back, and chest. Waxing reduces hair growth when performed at regular 30-day intervals. Because waxing pulls the hair out by the root, it grows back softer, finer, and thinner. The more you wax, the less hair grows back. Waxing should not be performed if you have particularly sensitive skin, because it can pull off a couple of layers of skin cells along with the hair. Waxing can cause tenderness and swelling. In addition, some medications will cause the skin to react badly to waxing. Don’t wax if you’re taking Retin-A, Accutane, or any type of acne prescription.

Brow Henna is a long lasting brow dye that remains on the skin underneath the brows for up to 2 weeks and stays on the hair for 4-6 weeks. Brow Henna is a solution for clients wanting their brows to remain darker than their natural brow hair color for the same amount of time that their shaping lasts. It is also a great solution for clients wanting to achieve a more filled-in look without having to use makeup or a brow pencil. Brow Henna also effectively covers gray brow hairs and comes in a variety of different shades.

Brow Lamination is a semi-permanent treatment that realigns the direction of brow hair and creates an instant look of added volume, fullness and fluffiness! Lasting 3-5 weeks, Brow Lamination is a solution for clients with stubborn hair growth, course unruly brows, or brows that do not stay in place. Paired with an optional Brow Shaping and/or Brow Tint, Brow Lamination can work wonders and eliminate the need for daily maintenance, even for clients with existing Microblading or Micropigmentation.  

This treatment is similar to a ‘Lash Lift’, however, Brow Lamination has been specifically formulated to perfectly shape and set brow hair without over processing, and while maintaining a PH level that remains gentle on sensitive facial skin. Approved by Health Canada, this 3-step system lasts until the brow hairs have completed their growth cycle. 

A HydroJelly Mask is a "jelly-like" mask that provides multiple benefits to your skin such as hydration, smoothing, moisturizing, cleansing, exfoliating, conditioning and toning skin and reducing inflammation. HydroJelly masks help to promote healthy skin and keep your pores from getting clogged.

An extraction is the process of clearing a clogged or compacted pore by manual or mechanical means. Extractions are often performed as part of a facial. Most people need at least a couple of extractions during each facial, though you may require more extractions if this is your first facial. 

Comedones (blackheads) are the most common reason for extraction. A blackhead is not necessarily "dirt in the pores" as many people think. It is a pore that has become clogged with excess sebum and dead skin cells. The dark spot which is visible on the surface of the skin is oil which has oxidized and darkened on exposure to the air, like when you slice an apple and allow it to sit out for a while. 

Pustules and pimples can also be extracted, depending on their size and depth. This often requires the use of a lancet to gently lift and remove the very top layer of the pustule to allow the contents to be easily extracted. 

Some pores may not be ready to be extracted on the first attempt and may require several treatments before they can be cleared. 

Cryo Globes are facial globes that eliminate puffiness, especially around the eyes, reduce oiliness, ease acne and give your skin the perfect healthy glow.