The Treatment Room Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Asking Aliesh (Mentorship, esthetician retirement + mental health.)
Air Date: October 24, 2025
Host: Tess (Licensed esthetician, acne expert, nutrition coach, founder)
Guest: Aliesh Pierce (Celebrity esthetician, educator, formulator, author of Milady textbook chapter)

Episode Overview

In this rich, heartfelt episode, Tess welcomes back celebrity esthetician and educator Aliesh Pierce for an in-depth conversation on mentorship, personal growth in aesthetics, building successful collaborations, planning for retirement, and navigating mental health as a skincare professional. The duo’s foray into industry wisdom, personal stories, and actionable advice creates a space for both aspiring and established estheticians to feel seen and inspired.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Power of Purpose and Passion

• Aliesh’s journey: Aliesh shares what pulled her into aesthetics, revealing that her fulfillment comes from helping clients "see themselves for the first time again" and guiding new estheticians.
  • “When I hand the client the mirror after a facial… it never gets old.” (03:05, Aliesh)
• Purpose statement: Influenced by a conversation with India Arie, Aliesh developed a guiding purpose:
  • “I help people create their own unique definition of beauty.” (04:00, Aliesh)
  • This statement serves as her internal compass for new opportunities and staying centered in her mission.

2. Entering the Celebrity Space and Self-Promotion

• How she landed celebrity clients: Aliesh credits her agent, PR experience, and learning to self-promote, even if it feels unnatural.
  • “You have to go out on a limb and brag a bit.” (06:13, Aliesh)
• Handling high-profile clients: Butterfly nerves are normal, but professionalism and clarity of purpose ground her.
  • “I’m always letting that purpose statement guide me.” (07:28, Aliesh)

3. The Role of Mentorship in Success

• Formative mentorship: Aliesh speaks with warmth about her first aesthetics mentor, Rev. Diana Presley, who introduced her to both high-level technical training and spiritual/lifestyle integration.
  • “She created her own lane… she really opened the door for me.” (09:18, Aliesh)
• How to find mentors: Sometimes, mentorship happens through unexpected community connections, like church.

4. Building Relationships with Dermatologists

• Collaboration over competition: Aliesh emphasizes that most dermatologists are “open and excited to work with estheticians” if practitioners initiate contact—especially those who value the power of facials.
  • Research first, then reach out, and leverage communities like Learn Skin. (10:48–13:42)

5. Gaps in Aesthetics Education & Training

• Training hours disparity: U.S. states vary greatly—some require as little as 300 hours, whereas international counterparts require years.
  • “To only require 300 hours… honestly, I think it’s insulting.” (16:08, Aliesh)
• Spoon-feeding & business skills: Too much rote learning and too little practical, emotional intelligence, or business prep leave new estheticians underprepared.
  • Recommends “training on someone else’s dime” before going solo. (17:44)

6. Hiring Estheticians & The Skill Gaps Observed

• Aliesh admits hiring on potential and gut feeling, rather than solely experience, can be a flaw.
  • She’s now shifting to a more evaluative approach: written questionnaires and trial facials. (21:57–23:07)
• Common challenges faced by new estheticians: Skin analysis is the hardest skill, followed by technical skills like extraction and massage.
  • “You can’t customize until you know what you’re looking at.” (25:18, Aliesh)

7. Evolution in Extraction Techniques

• Shifting paradigms: Old-school aggressive extractions are being replaced by gentler, more nourishing techniques to minimize trauma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
  • “Now, the more coaxing, hydrating, nourishing approach… is much more beneficial and less traumatic.” (28:13, Aliesh)

8. Navigating Economic Uncertainty

• Client retention, marketing, and adaptability:
  • “If you’re good at your craft, you’re actually solving the problem that brings you money—so you’ve got to keep finding new clients, new issues to solve.” (31:10, Aliesh)
• Long-term thinking: Start with your exit strategy, codify your best practices, and build your business to eventually sell—don’t just focus on daily hustle.

9. Planning for Retirement and Building What’s Next

• Selling a business: Aliesh discusses how she’s preparing her business to sell, from removing her name to creating a detailed manual and contemplating adding real estate.
  • She's also started a nonprofit, providing facials and wellness to underserved communities and LGBTQ youth.
  • “It just really fills my soul, you know, scars in therapy… so many opportunities to do good.” (42:12, Aliesh)

10. Mental Health & Self-Care for Estheticians

• Burnout is real—prioritize yourself: Aliesh candidly describes her summer breakdown and how an 87-year-old aunt’s wisdom reminded her to “put yourself first… if you don’t function, nothing else functions.” (44:38)
• The new flex is self-love:
  • “The real flex now is: how much can you care for yourself? How much do you love yourself today?” (46:42, Aliesh)
  • Don’t measure value by productivity alone—your worth isn’t tied to your to-do list.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Highlight | |-----------|---------|-----------------| | 03:05 | Aliesh | “When I hand the client the mirror after a facial...it never gets old.” | | 04:00 | Aliesh | “I help people create their own unique definition of beauty.” | | 06:13 | Aliesh | “You have to go out on a limb and brag a bit.” | | 16:08 | Aliesh | “To only require 300 hours… honestly, I think it’s insulting.” | | 25:18 | Aliesh | “You can’t customize until you know what you’re looking at.” | | 31:10 | Aliesh | “If you’re good at your craft, you’re actually solving the problem that brings you money—so you’ve got to keep finding new clients, new issues to solve.” | | 42:12 | Aliesh | “It just really fills my soul, you know, scars in therapy… so many opportunities to do good.” | | 46:42 | Aliesh | “The real flex now is: how much can you care for yourself? How much do you love yourself today?” | | 47:53 | Aliesh | “You are already valuable. You do not have to—you're already loved.” |

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:00] - Introduction to Aliesh, her background and purpose
• [04:44] - How Aliesh entered the celebrity aesthetic world
• [07:54] - Importance of mentorship in aesthetics
• [10:35] - Building relationships with dermatologists
• [15:59] - Gaps in aesthetic school education
• [21:57] - Hiring estheticians and what Aliesh looks for
• [24:45] - Most common skill gaps in new estheticians
• [28:13] - Changing approaches to extractions
• [31:02] - Weathering economic downturns through adaptability
• [33:44] - Planning for retirement and business exit strategies
• [41:39] - Giving back: Nonprofit work and community outreach
• [44:29] - Prioritizing mental health, self-care, and boundaries

Resource Links & Contacts

• Aliesh Pierce:
  • Instagram: @ask_aliesh
  • Website and educational resources: askaliesh.com

In Closing

This episode is a must-listen for future-facing estheticians and industry professionals seeking wisdom on crafting a purposeful aesthetic career, the art of care, longevity, and preserving wellbeing. Aliesh’s vulnerability and actionable insights resonate with anyone building something both lasting and heartfelt.