Skincare Services

Beauty shops and beauty supply outlets are the first level in our breakdown where skincare treatments actually enter the picture. They are performed by licensed estheticians and cosmetologists in a salon setting and typically encompass facials, cleansing and moisturizing treatments. The facials are usually not as deep-acting as in more intensive skincare salons, but they do serve to interest customers in skincare and produce short-term benefits for clients.

The products used and sold may be from a variety of manufacturers and almost always incorporate both in-salon and at-home versions of cleansers, exfoliants, toners and moisturizers, in addition to makeup.

The skincare salon may also be described as a beauty salon whose primary function is skincare. At most, massage and nail services are offered in addition to skincare, but almost never hair. All technicians in skincare salons are licensed either in esthetics or in cosmetology, with a particular emphasis on skin.

These salons may have their own extensive product line covering a wide range of skincare treatments for a variety of skin types and conditions. Typically, services such as cleansing, facials, light peels, aromatherapy, normalizing of problem skin conditions and even camouflaging makeup are performed. Clients may realize real, long-term benefits in these salons, and should usually be prepared to pay for them.

A primary focus of the paramedical skincare clinic is working with physicians such as dermatologists, plastic and cosmetic surgeons and, increasingly, dentists, to improve the results and minimize the side effects of medical procedures. This is not necessarily the clinics’ only focus, as most also have a customer base of fairly wealthy clients whose interests lie in receiving intensive skin services.

A growing area requiring intensive training, this level deals frequently with clearing acne, post-surgical scar reduction, restoring skin tone after liposuction, improving elasticity of facial skin following face lifts, burn therapy, electrolysis and a number of other medical subjects. Doctors in these areas are becoming increasingly sensitive to patients’ concerns about cosmetic effects of common treatments and are more willing than ever before to work with knowledgeable skincare professionals.

Paramedical skincare clinics are not tied into one brand of products, as the range of their needs usually goes beyond the abilities of any single product line. Services include cleansing and toning, peels, camouflaging makeup, permanent makeup and the treatment of chronic skin conditions.