My Personal Story As an Aesthetician
Greetings!
My name is Carolyn Stone and I would like to share my career story with you.
Carolyn Stone, LE
I am an Aesthetician living and working in Massachusetts. After working for dermatologists and a prestigious spa in Newburyport for several years I decided to start my own spa. My spa was nothing short of elegant. Hardwood floors, silk drapes and furniture even nicer than what I had at home. I had the clientele, experience, wonderful location, and I knew that I was a good Aesthetician. So, what more did I need?
After about a year into it, I felt like there was something missing. It wasn’t until I closed my doors that I realized my business just couldn’t survive on the typical esthetic treatments that I learned in school. Clients were looking for more and I didn’t have the high tech equipment that is available to estheticians that could increase my revenue.
That’s when I met Andrea Bingham, an Electrologist and day spa owner who was looking for an Aesthetician. Andrea’s Spa was using an IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) for hair removal as well as some other high tech equipment for various skin conditions. After working with Andrea for a while, I understood what was missing in my business and why hers prospered. Now, whenever I talk about my experience, I tell colleagues, with confidence, that if I had it to do over again, I would open a smaller, cozier spa and focus on having the equipment that clients are looking for today.
The good news is that today, if you are a licensed Cosmetologist or Aesthetician in Massachusetts, you are approved by the Board of Registration of Cosmetology to use Intense Pulse Light in your practice for the removal of hair only. Here is what I found:
Source: www.mass.gov
“The Board has been made aware of the increasing popularity in other states of non-laser Intense Pulse Light (“IPL”) Devices.…. Therefore, because of the apparent safety of these devices, the Board will approve the use of IPL devices for the removal of hair only by its licensees in appropriately licensed salons.…. Salons which wish to utilize these devices must abide by the following guidelines:
• You must notify the Board of your location and floor plan
• You must provide the Board with a copy of the User Manual for your IPL
• You must only perform Hair Removal with your IPL
• Show proof of training from either the company that sold your equipment or other IPL professional training (see Training and Education below)
Click Here to read the full policy on the Government’s website.
The best news of all about this piece of legislation is that, now, you can afford the equipment too!
Recently VIORA introduced an advanced IPL that anyone can afford, the Trios™. Developed by an R&D team with over four decades of engineering experience and know-how in light-based systems, Trios™ is a phototherapy system that offers trusted clinically proven technology at an affordable price. And for Aestheticians, the company offers special promotions as no paid consumable.
If you are interested to learn more about IPL in general, or more specifically about the Trios, feel free to contact me or Andrea at any time.
Carolyn Stone, LE 978-518-0118
Andrea Bingham, RE 617-257-1085
IPL Vs. Laser Hair Removal
Source (www.qesthetics.com)
Hair removal with lasers and intense pulsed light (IPL) devices is commonly performed in most dermatology practices. However, there have been few clinical studies directly comparing the efficacy of multiple hair removal systems in the same individual until recently. And some hair removal service providers announced that they prefer using lasers over IPLs, because they think that lasers do a better job of targeting hair follicles, and therefore reduce hair more effectively than IPLs.
But a recent clinical study shows that although hair removal with lasers is highly effective as expected, treatment with IPLs can cause less pain while showing efficacy equivalent to laser systems. This study was done by Dr. Snehal P. Amin & Dr. David J. Goldberg, skin laser and surgery specialists of NY & NJ, and The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
In their study, Dr. Snehal P. Amin & Dr. David J. Goldberg evaluated the efficacy of four highly popular systems for laser hair removal. Ten subjects with skin types I–III, aged 18–55 years underwent treatments of unwanted hair removal on the back or thigh. All subjects were treated twice with:
- an ipl with a red filter;
- an ipl with a yellow filter;
- a 810 nm diode laser;
- a 755 nm alexandrite laser.
Evaluation of photographs at 1, 3, and 6 months revealed a significant decrease in hair counts (50%) and hair coverage (55%). There was no statistical difference in efficacy between the four different light devices. Minimal temporary adverse effects were noted from all systems, and the alexandrite laser showed the highest pain scores. The original article about this study was published at Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy. 2006; 8: 65–68.
Another study (Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 2004; 150.) also found that the effects of diode laser and ipl exposures on hair follicles are similar. The minimum fluence to suppress the hair growth is the same for both devices.
Fitzpatrick Skin Type Classification
Source: http://www.skininc.com
By now, everyone that has ever worked with an IPL is well aware of the importance in understanding and recognizing the skin type they will be treating. Working with the TRIOS is no different in that aspect, but what the TRIOS can do for you, is simplify the process with its intuitive software. The practitioner must choose light, medium or dark for skin type and the TRIOS will do the rest. Below, you’ll find useful information on the importance of knowing and using the Fitzpatrick scale.
The Fitzpatrick Skin Type Classification system was developed in 1975 by Harvard Medical School dermatologist Thomas Fitzpatrick, MD, PhD. This system classifies complexions and their tolerance of sunlight. It is used by many skin care professionals in order to determine how someone will respond or react to facial treatments.
This scale focuses on potentials for irritation—burns—and hyperpigmentation. Both can be good indicators of treatment choices. For example, Fitzpatrick skin type I clients have a greater tendency toward irritation, but less, theoretically, for developing hyperpigmentation, if it is not triggered. Conversely, the Fitzpatrick skin type VI client will not be as easily irritated and will have an inordinately high tendency toward pigmentation.
| Type | Color | Burns | Tans |
| I | Very fair | Always | Never |
| II | Fair | Usually | With Difficulty |
| III | Normal/White | Sometimes | Average |
| IV | Slightly Dark | Rarely | With Ease |
| V | Dark | Very Rarely | Very Easily |
| VI | Very Dark/Black | Does not Burn | Very Easily |
The Effectiveness of an IPL for Hair Removal treatment
The timeline for hair removal stretches from the prehistoric age to today’s hi-tech devices such as Viora’s Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) device, the TRIOS. Dreams of a summer season without hair create an added value for aesthetic and medical clinics all over the world. As a society, we’ve been conditioned to associate excessive body hair with unattractiveness and/or lack of hygiene. Over the years, men and women have razored, waxed, tweezed, electrolysized and lasered unwanted hairto look and feel better about themselves.
Hair is a renewable resource and as such, an endless revenue stream for businesses smart enough to capitalize on it. An entire industry has sprouted out of our seemingly harmless desire to be relatively smooth-skinned and hair-free. Recent statistics presented by the various aesthetic and medical societies show that hair removal is the 4th most popular non-invasive procedure in the United States.
In 1995, the FDA cleared the first laser for hair removal, the Nd:YAG laser. Since then, other technologies for Hair Removal based on photothermolysis have been introduced, such as the Intense Pulsed Light (IPL). Developed in the mid 1990’s as an alternative to dermatological lasers, IPLs have become the workhorse of hair removal practices. IPL systems have advantages over lasers in their variability, convenience, and cost.
Target specificity is the basic of phototherapy, as the light emitted targets chromophores found in the hair. Phototherapy based hair removal is a technique for long-term hair removal by thermal destruction of the hair follicle and its stem cells. Heat is generated by the conversion of the light energy emitted which is selectively absorbed by chromophores in the skin. Melanin is the main chromophore in hair follicles and the key target for the process of phototherapy based hair removal. Patients with light skin tones and dark hair color are the most ideal candidates for IPL treatments because of the large amount of melanin found in the dark hair and little amount in the skin thereby not creating a conflict of interest for the light as there would be with a dark skin and dark hair candidate.
IPL treatment is effective in removing hair from the back, chest, legs, arms, underarms, face and even the most sensitive and private areas, such as the bikini line. IPL is not as painful as waxing or lengthy as electrolysis. Some IPL patients feel a stinging or pinching sensation when the light pulse is applied onto the skin, but the treatment does not involve anesthesia.
Treatment times may vary depending on the area being treated, hair color and pigmentation of the skin. Before the treatment begins, all clients must go through a pre-treatment consultation to determine the correct energy level for their skin type. Although the number of treatments required will vary from client to client, typically IPL Hair Removal is a continuous process for all candidates as reduction increases with each treatment you have. Usually 3 – 6 treatments are enough to reduce hair from common problem areas but various factors affect the results of the treatment (thickness of hair, the area subjected to treatment, the growth cycle of hair).
The cost of an IPL hair removal treatment largely depends on the surface area to be treated based on the number of pulses used. Hair Removal with an IPL is faster, less obtrusive, and more cost effective than any other hair removal system today. Therefore, it is commonly thought that IPL Hair Removal is the most advanced and effective permanent hair reduction process available.
Before and After Pictures:
Post five treatments. One treatment every six weeks.
Post five treatments. One treatment every six weeks.
Have you wondered about the difference between Skin Rejuvenation (IPL) and Skin Tightening (RF) treatment?
If you have, Viora‘s clinical team has put together the following for you.
The difference between Skin Rejuvenation (IPL) and Skin Tightening (RF) treatment?
Skin Rejuvenation (SR)
SR treatments are indicated to improve the overall appearance and quality of the skin. SR treatments normally address the dermal and epidermal layers as a whole without specific target cells. SR treatments can be performed in several modalities; microdermabrasion (mechanical exfoliation), chemical peels, laser resurfacing and IPL.
IPL SR treatments
Target cells for IPL SR treatments are the skin cells in the dermis. The purpose of the IPL SR treatment is to increase the temperature in the dermal layer in order to create a controlled tissue trauma and encourage the body’s healing process by producing new skin cells.
Research has shown that exposing the skin cells to a temperature of 580C and above for one second leads to thermal damage, resulting in replacement of the cells with newer ones (Figure 1).
With the Trios™ IPL system, the skin temperature rises to ~650C for 25msec, and repetitive heating of the same tissue produces adaptive (cumulative) results leading to optimal rejuvenation without removal or burning of the epidermal layer (unlike peeling or exfoliating rejuvenation treatments which injure the epidermis layer).
As during the IPL SR treatment we are replacing skin cells, the amount and quality of elastic fibers or collagen are not increased or improved. The skin’s general appearance is improved but this outcome should be maintained frequently to continue replacing the dermal cells.
Figure 1: Normal human skin cells were exposed to 620C for 1 second and examined after 24 hours. Cells were stained with LIVE/DEAD Kit to differentiate live (green) from dead (red) cells. In the control (Right) all the cells were alive, while after the exposure to 620C (Left) only 20% of the cells remained alive.
Skin Tightening (ST) with RF-based treatments
ST treatments differ from SR treatments in the purpose of the treatment and target cells. The purpose of ST treatments is to encourage the production of elastic fibers and connective tissue to improve skin elasticity.
RF based ST treatments
Target cells for the ST treatments are fibroblast cells located in the dermis. According to the stress model; to encourage fibroblast activity and gene expression of Collagen Type I and Type III, fibroblast cells must be heated to a temperature of 42°C for 4 minutes consecutively. The result of this process is popularly known as Collagen remodeling.
Using the Reaction™ ST applicator we are employing electromagnetic energy to produce a heat effect in the dermis where fibroblast cells are located. The multiple passes over the treatment area assure the cells remain at the effective temperature for 4 minutes. As a result, fibroblast cells increase their activity both to produce new connective tissue and replace existing or damaged tissue. The total amount of collagen in the skin is therefore increased and collagen quality is improved.
Thank you,
Viora Clinical Team
Our January 2010 Newsletter
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January 2010 Happy New Year from Viora! We would like to wish you |
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Health Canada Certifies Viora’s Radiofrequency Body Contouring System Viora has received Health
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New Beauty Magazine Features the Reaction™ In the
Beauty Brief section, the Reaction™ is covered as an innovative technology for tightening the skin and addressing irregular body contours. Read More |
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We are excited to announce
that American Health & Beauty began coverage of the Reaction™. This is the first from a series of articles. Read More |
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In order to tailor the
best offer for your financial situation, Viora partnered with Paramount Financial Services who specializes in equipment leasing and financing for businesses nationwide. |
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Viora has some exciting American Academy of Dermatology Annual Official March Booth: April Booth: May Booth:
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Special Promotions
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Tailored especially for
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Microdermabrasion 18% Discount on any DiamondTips Pro Kit and DiamondTips Upgrade Kit
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Contact us today to Website: www.vioramed.com Phone: +1 201 332 4100 Email: info@vioramed.com
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