The International Esthetic, Cosmetic & Spa Conference (IECSC) wrapped up the Be+Well Beauty and Wellness Show in Fort Lauderdale in late August early September. The two-day event featured new products, new devices and technology, as well as classes and opportunities for professionals to network.
Allan Share, President of the Spa Industry Association, said that people should attend trade events like Be+Well to receive education, make connections with the vendors, reconnect with old friends and make new contacts.
Share when he got into the industry 38 years ago, the mantra was “educate, educate, educate.” He said nothing has changed and that the classes that are offered at the conference enable professionals to get valuable education that goes beyond the knowledge they received when they were in school.
“You get a license and then you start practicing, but then that’s when the real world education starts,” he said.
Share said that having conversations with the vendors is a way to gain meaningful insight about how to adapt to new technology, because a lot of them have been in the industry for years. He added that reconnecting with “old” friends in the industry and making new friends can help cultivate a support system, which is something every professional needs.
When it comes to technology, vendors showcased everything from red light devices to devices that use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to provide diagnostics for the skin and scalp. Professional skincare companies are also providing customized skincare solutions for estheticians to sell to their clients.
Smart SKN has a handheld AI Skin Analyzer that estheticians, medspas and clinics can use to create personalized cosmeceutical skincare products. Val Neicu of SmartSKN said the handheld, wireless, AI-powered dermascope that the company uses can connect to any phone or tablet. She said a solo estheticians can use it because it does not take up a lot of space. It takes pictures of the skin, measures the moisture and oil levels of the skin and from that creates a skin analysis report that has eight skin biomarkers, which includes sensitivity, pigmentation, redness, pores, sebum.
"We actually use that data to create personalized products. We have an AI formulator that creates a formula that we can pass on to a robotic lab that makes it for the clients. It is a personalized product that is made to order, with their name o it," Neicu said.
Neicu said that professionals can offer skin analysis and provide personalized products which keeps the clients coming back to them. She said that personalized skin care is something that is gaining popularity as more clients want more personalized treatments and products for their skin. She said what Smart SKN does is more sustainable because the products are only manufactured after they are ordered. She said people have better results with personalized skincare products, as skin changes over time and estheticians can scan their clients skin and create skincare to meet their changing skincare needs.
Professional skincare brands are moving into haircare, mostly scalp care with serums that decrease hair loss and hair shedding. Brands like (plated) Skin Science and Kerafactor have products that stimulate the scalp. Candela showcased its Glace Facial, while Glacial Skin by R2 Technologies showed its Glacial Facial. While the Glace facial is meant to give the same results as glass skin, the Glacial facial uses a colling effect to reduce inflammation, brighten the skin and reduce redness.
