ASCP Esty Talk: Episode 300 – Meet ChatGPT, the New Esthetician in Town

Release Date: January 22, 2025

In the milestone 300th episode of ASCP Esty Talk, hosts Maggie Stasik and Ella Cressman dive deep into the burgeoning role of artificial intelligence, specifically ChatGPT, in the esthetician industry. This episode explores the intersection of technology and skincare, analyzing both the potential benefits and inherent challenges that AI brings to skincare professionals and their clients.

1. The Viral Phenomenon of AI-Generated Skincare Routines

The episode opens with Maggie recounting a viral story that caught her attention on LinkedIn. A 37-year-old woman reportedly used ChatGPT, prompting it to act as a professional dermatologist and esthetician to craft a personalized skincare routine. The result? Impressive before-and-after photos showcasing noticeably improved skin.

Maggie (B) [01:12]: "So Ella, across my thread on social LinkedIn there was this article people were commenting on. This 37 year old woman went to ChatGPT and prompted Chat GPT to be a professional dermatologist slash esthetician and create a skincare routine for her."

This anecdote highlights the growing trend of individuals turning to AI for personalized skincare advice, raising questions about the reliability and effectiveness of such technology.

2. Experimenting with ChatGPT: A Personal Journey

Intrigued by the viral success, Maggie decides to test ChatGPT herself, following the same prompt structure used by the woman. She inputs detailed information about her skin conditions, age, and specific concerns, anticipating a transformative routine.

Maggie (B) [02:36]: "So I followed the same format, entered it in, said that I want you to act not just as a dermatologist, but also you're extremely skilled esthetician. I want you to use professional skincare products."

Initially optimistic, Maggie quickly encounters challenges. The AI-generated routine includes steps and products that don't align with her personal preferences—most notably, the inclusion of toner, a step she actively avoids in her regimen.

Maggie (B) [03:32]: "It also listed multiple products that I could use and I was immediately turned off when it said I needed to use toner."

3. The Limitations and Biases of AI in Skincare Recommendations

Ella and Maggie delve into the shortcomings of ChatGPT's recommendations. Maggie discovers that without her professional background, the AI's suggestions might not meet the nuanced needs of individual clients.

Ella (C) [04:31]: "I'm imagining it's pulling from these places that have high SEO. With a high SEO places are these mainstream brands who pay organ or, you know, somebody to have a new SEO for their Google ranking."

They discuss how AI models like ChatGPT often rely on high-SEO sources, leading to biased recommendations favoring mainstream brands over niche or professional-grade products. This dependency can result in generic advice that may not suit everyone's unique skincare needs.

4. The Art of Prompt Coding: Enhancing AI Responses

Maggie employs "prompt coding"—a technique of refining and rephrasing prompts to guide the AI towards more accurate and tailored responses. Through iterative prompting, she achieves a more satisfactory skincare routine, aligning closer to her existing regimen with minor adjustments.

Maggie (B) [06:04]: "We went through three different versions of regimens based on the more information I kept prompting and in the end ended up with basically a regimen I already do."

Despite improvements, the process underscores the necessity for users to possess a certain level of expertise and persistence to extract valuable advice from AI tools, which may not be feasible for the average consumer.

5. The Role of AI: Tool or Replacement?

The conversation shifts to the broader implications of AI in the esthetician field. Maggie expresses initial concerns about AI potentially replacing human professionals, but both hosts acknowledge that AI is more likely to serve as a supplementary tool rather than a complete substitute.

Maggie (B) [11:00]: "Embrace it. Don't distrust it all the way. Yeah, yeah. So, you know, initially when I saw this thread, my gut reaction was, wow, AI is replacing the esthetician or the dermatologist."

Ella concurs, emphasizing that professionals bring a depth of knowledge and personalized care that AI currently cannot replicate. They stress the importance of maintaining trust and credibility in professional services amidst the rise of AI-generated content.

6. Integrating AI into Professional Practice

Rather than viewing AI as a threat, Ella and Maggie advocate for its integration into esthetician practices to enhance client services. They suggest practical applications such as virtual consultations, interactive skin quizzes, and leveraging AI for efficient research on skincare ingredients and contraindications.

Ella (C) [10:27]: "And another thing to think about for estheticians is medicine. So if your client comes in during the consultation and has pharmaceuticals or supplements, you can plug that into Perplexity and say, are there any skin contraindications of these?"

By utilizing AI tools like Perplexity, which provides peer-reviewed studies and sources, estheticians can offer more informed and scientifically-backed advice, streamlining the consultation process and enhancing client trust.

7. Trusting the Professional Edge

The hosts conclude by reinforcing the irreplaceable value of professional judgment and personalized care in skincare. While AI can aid in information processing and routine creation, the nuanced understanding and empathy of human professionals remain paramount.

Ella (C) [09:44]: "But I guess the, like, long and short of it is that we know more than ChatGPT, so always, at least Maggie and I always put your trust in the pro."

They encourage estheticians to leverage AI as a complementary tool, enhancing their practice without compromising the personalized touch that clients seek.

Conclusion: Embracing Technology While Upholding Professional Integrity

Episode 300 of ASCP Esty Talk masterfully navigates the complex landscape of AI in the skincare industry. Maggie and Ella provide insightful analyses on how AI tools like ChatGPT can influence skincare routines, the importance of discerning information sources, and the potential for AI to augment professional services rather than replace them. The discussion underscores the necessity for estheticians to stay informed and adapt to technological advancements, ensuring they continue to deliver personalized and effective skincare solutions to their clients.

For estheticians and skincare enthusiasts alike, this episode offers a balanced perspective on integrating AI into practice, advocating for a harmonious blend of technology and professional expertise to foster enhanced client outcomes and industry growth.

Notable Quotes:

• Maggie (B) [03:39]: "I had to do a little reality check here. So I followed the same format, entered it in, said that I want you to act not just as a dermatologist, but also you're extremely skilled esthetician."

• Ella (C) [04:31]: "I'm imagining it's pulling from these places that have high SEO. With a high SEO places are these mainstream brands who pay organ or, you know, somebody to have a new SEO for their Google ranking and all these other things."

• Maggie (B) [11:00]: "Embrace it. Don't distrust it all the way."

• Ella (C) [09:44]: "But I guess the, like, long and short of it is that we know more than ChatGPT, so always, at least Maggie and I always put your trust in the pro."

Stay Connected:

For more insights from this episode or to engage with Maggie and Ella, visit the show notes or connect via ASCP's social media channels. Share your thoughts on how estheticians are balancing AI-generated advice with professional judgment by reaching out on Instagram, Facebook, or emailing getconnected@scpskincare.com.