The Treatment Room Podcast - Episode 159 Summary

Title: If You Build It, They Will Come (Virtually)
Host: Tess, Licensed Esthetician
Release Date: September 28, 2024

Introduction

In Episode 159 of The Treatment Room, Tess delves into the transformative journey of transitioning from traditional in-person esthetician services to a fully virtual practice. This episode is packed with invaluable insights for estheticians and skincare enthusiasts alike, addressing startup strategies, skincare management, and navigating ethical challenges in the beauty industry.

1. Transitioning to a Virtual Aesthetic Practice

Question from Caitlin: "What did the startup process look like for your transition to virtual aesthetics? What was the timeframe from the idea to taking your first client virtually, including startup costs and legal advice?"

Key Points:

• Pandemic as a Catalyst: Tess began her virtual practice during the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced many businesses to adapt. The sudden shift provided her with the impetus to explore virtual skincare solutions.

• Initial Steps and Low Startup Costs: Tess started with minimal investments—just a phone, computer, and note-taking tools. “You could literally start this with a computer or just a phone. It is, I think, really about you” (00:35).

• Building a Client Base: With a modest social media following, Tess began offering low-priced consultations, gradually refining her virtual treatment plans and fostering client satisfaction, which led to increased demand.

• Pricing Strategy: Encouraged by her boyfriend, Tess raised her consultation fees from $50 to $250, which surprisingly attracted more serious clients who valued her expertise. “When you really have that strong demand, it can be a good sign that it is time to raise your prices” (17:10).

• Legal Considerations: Tess advises incorporating your business (e.g., LLC or S Corp) to protect personal assets and obtaining appropriate liability insurance. “Incorporate your business. So you'd want to talk to an attorney about becoming an LLC or an S corp...” (25:45).

Notable Quote:

“This can be a good idea for an esthetician who wants to get familiar with the product process of doing virtual consultations.” – Tess (09:15)

2. Managing Redness-Prone Skin

Question from Caitlin: "What would you recommend for skin that is always red?"

Key Points:

• Understanding Skin Redness: Redness can stem from various factors such as an over-sensitized barrier, excessive UV exposure, or naturally higher vascularity.

• Recommended Products and Treatments:

  • Anti-Inflammatory Antioxidant Serum: Tess highlights her complex serum containing helichrysum italicum extract, known for its anti-allergic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. “It feels incredibly cooling and calming and hydrating on the skin.” (33:20)

  • Vitamin C: Enhances barrier strength and capillary health, complementing other active ingredients.

  • V Beam Laser: For severe redness and rosacea, the V Beam Laser is recommended as it targets red pigments in blood cells, effectively reducing visible blood vessels. “It is the gold standard for redness prone skin.” (38:50)

Notable Quote:

“I wish I had more pictures of my skin at that time, but I don't. But just through proper care and antioxidants, anti inflammatories, protecting my skin...” – Tess (34:10)

3. Exfoliation Frequency for Acne Clients

Question from Gabriella: "How many times a week should an acne client be exfoliating?"

Key Points:

• Individualized Approach: There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Exfoliation frequency must be tailored to each client’s skin type and acne severity. “There's not even one rule for every acne prone person.” (42:05)

• Understanding Acne as a Pore Disease: Acne involves excess skin cell production, oil, and bacteria clogging pores. Effective exfoliation helps manage these factors.

• Professional Guidance: Tess emphasizes the importance of professional consultations to determine the appropriate exfoliation regimen, which may include:

  • Retinoids
  • Glycolic Acid
  • Mandelic Acid
  • Benzoyl Peroxide

• Preventative Care: Consistent nightly exfoliation is crucial for preventing new breakouts. “Good acne care and real transformations actually happen in the prevention stage.” (46:30)

Notable Quote:

“I'm just not a fan of big blanket advice like that, because it may work for one person, but it may be too much for another person or might not be enough for another.” – Tess (43:20)

4. Navigating Ethical Challenges in the Workplace

Personal Question: "I am stuck in a toxic job that pushes me to make product sales, even if it's not what the client needs. How can I balance my ethics as an esthetician with job security?"

Key Points:

• Pros and Cons of Working for Others:

  • Pros: Financial stability and consistent paycheck.
  • Cons: Limited freedom to choose products, potential ethical conflicts, and inability to fully meet client needs.

• Strategies for Addressing the Issue:

  • Respectful Communication: Approach your boss with suggestions that benefit the business, such as integrating virtual sales or drop shipping options. “There are a lot of brands nowadays that do drop shipping...” (55:15)

  • Exploring Entrepreneurship: Tess suggests considering starting your own business when ready, emphasizing low overhead strategies like sharing a suite or leveraging small-town advantages. “If you are the big fish in a small pond, you can really stand out.” (57:40)

  • Turning Challenges into Motivation: Use workplace frustrations as fuel to pursue your own path. “Allow the things that are frustrating to fuel your fire. Don't let them discourage you...” (59:25)

Notable Quote:

“Sometimes you need that little encouragement from somebody outside of your process.” – Tess (21:30)

Insights and Advice

• Leverage Trends Early: Tess advocates for embracing unconventional methods early rather than following trends, which helps in distinguishing your practice. “If you wait for everyone else to be doing it, then you really have to be the absolute best...” (28:50)

• Focus on Client Connection: Success in virtual aesthetics hinges more on the quality of client interactions than on expensive equipment. “It's about the connection with the client, the conversation, making them feel like you're listening...” (19:15)

• Continuous Learning and Adaptation: Tess emphasizes evolving your services based on client feedback and maintaining flexibility in your business model.

Conclusion

Tess wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to share their experiences and questions, fostering a community of growth and support. She underscores the importance of resilience and adaptability in the esthetician profession, urging peers to harness challenges as opportunities for innovation and personal development.

Final Thought:

“We can all doubt ourselves, we can all feel limited by our circumstances. But those things I think can really be what eventually pushes us to find better, do better and be better.” – Tess (1:04:50)

Timestamp Reference Guide

• 00:35 – Low Startup Costs and Initial Setup
• 09:15 – Importance of Virtual Consultations
• 17:10 – Raising Consultation Prices
• 25:45 – Incorporating Your Business for Legal Protection
• 33:20 – Benefits of Anti-Inflammatory Serums
• 34:10 – Personal Skin Care Journey
• 38:50 – V Beam Laser for Redness
• 42:05 – Individualized Exfoliation Strategies
• 43:20 – Avoiding Blanket Skincare Advice
• 46:30 – Preventative Acne Care
• 55:15 – Integrating Virtual Sales in a Traditional Setting
• 57:40 – Advantages of Small Town Practices
• 59:25 – Using Frustrations as Motivation
• 1:04:50 – Embracing Challenges for Growth

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the core discussions and expert advice shared by Tess in Episode 159 of The Treatment Room. Whether you're an aspiring virtual esthetician or someone passionate about skincare, this episode offers actionable insights to elevate your practice and personal skin wellness journey.