Maintaining clear, healthy skin is more like a marathon than a sprint. As a chef, my schedule often consists of late nights and early mornings. Whether I’m preparing meals for clients or teaching and training culinary students. With such a demanding routine, it’s easy for certain things to get overlooked. One consequence can be having dry and dull skin or adult acne! At times, keeping a consistent, healthy skincare routine can fall to the wayside. Still, I do my best to stay committed. My daily skincare routine, both morning and night, takes at least 20 minutes, and consistency is everything! I’ve learned that glowing skin doesn’t happen overnight. It requires dedication and care over time. From cleansing and exfoliating, followed by layering serums and moisturizers. While my at-home routine lays the foundation, I’ve found that professional treatments elevate my results to another level. Scheduling a professional facial, like a HydraFacial, has become an essential part of my yearly skincare regimen. I’ve experienced at least four HydraFacials so far, and each time, I walk away with instantly refreshed, radiant skin. The glow is undeniable, and the results only get better with consistency.
Recently, I had the pleasure of receiving a HydraFacial. It took place at The Wellness Spot Fitness and Day Spa. This spa is a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Historic College Park, Georgia. The Wellness Spot is a beautiful upscale retreat. It is known for its serene atmosphere and commitment to self-care. TWS has been serving the community for four years. It offers a full range of services including massages, advanced facials, nail care, and fitness classes. Owned by Valaurie Lee, TWS is more than just a spa it is a thoughtfully curated wellness haven. Through her vision, she has created a space. Clients can step away from the demands of everyday life. They can experience total wellness of the mind, body, and skin. As an esthetician, nail care therapist, and self-proclaimed skincare enthusiast, I’m always excited to experience treatments from a professional perspective. Recently, I had the pleasure of receiving a HydraFacial from Jackie. She is one of the experienced estheticians at TWS. The experience did not disappoint. A HydraFacial is a non-invasive, three-step treatment. It is a medical-grade facial designed to cleanse and exfoliate. It also extracts impurities and deeply hydrates the skin using a patented vortex-fusion wand. Often called hydradermabrasion, this treatment addresses concerns like acne. It also combats dryness and fine lines. It offers these benefits with no downtime. This makes it suitable for virtually all skin types.
The treatment includes three key steps. The first step is cleanse and peel, which gently exfoliates and resurfaces the skin. The second step is extract and hydrate, where a vacuum-like suction removes impurities while infusing moisture. The third step is Infuse and Protect, delivering targeted serums to nourish and protect the skin. The HydraFacial is highly customizable. This allows boosters to be added to target specific concerns. These concerns include hyperpigmentation, fine lines, or congestion. During my treatment, Jackie used products from the G.M. Collin skincare line. I am very familiar with this brand, as I often incorporate their eye serum and mask into my nighttime routine. Known for its high-performance, results-driven formulations, G.M. Collin products complemented the HydraFacial beautifully, enhancing both the experience and the outcome.
The results were immediate. My skin felt incredibly smooth, hydrated, and refreshed. There was a noticeable glow that lasted well beyond the treatment. The overall experience was both relaxing and effective, striking the perfect balance between luxury and results. I managed to chat with Jackie to ask her a few questions about her take on skin care. Read below!
1. What inspired you to become an esthetician?
I’ve always been a beauty queen growing up. In 2023, after I took a sabbatical from my studies at Spelman, I wanted a skill that would be useful. I understand that job security can be sparse in this country due to the rise of AI and other technologies so I found it best to have the ability to work with my hands.
2. How long have you been practicing, and where did you get your training?
I have been practicing aesthetics for going on 3 years now, starting at The Elaine Sterling Institute.
3. What types of treatments do you specialize in (facials, chemical peels, waxing, acne treatments, etc.)?
I specialize in corrective skin care, that includes Hydrafacials, chemical peels, acne treatments and skin resurfacing.
4. What skin concerns do you feel most confident treating?
I feel the most confident with stabilizing the skin barrier from issues with sensitive and sensitized skin. Restoring hydration and moisture are the most imperative for any further correction.
5. What skincare lines have you worked with?
I’ve worked with G.M. Collin, Eminence and some Dermalogica.
6. What ingredients do you find most effective for anti-aging or acne?
Collagen for anti-aging has shown the most results in my treatment room. Clients typically come back with results that have scarring lightened and any past breakage in the skin repaired.
7. How do you stay current with skincare trends and new treatments?
TikTok is so informative on what other people are doing. Outside of that, I listen to a lot of podcasts when I drive. Two of my favorites right now are “Not Just Lashes” and “Esthetician Talk”.
8. How do you decide the right treatment plan for different skin types?
A treatment plan can have a 100 factors that essentially all lead back to what the client wants. What is the budget?”, “Are they looking to invest in products?” or “How consistent & responsible are they with their home care routine”, and “How fast are they looking for the desired results?” are just a few questions that determine what direction we’ll take our journey together.
9. How do you handle clients who have unrealistic expectations about results?
I first start with acknowledging that I understand their perspective and goals, this reassures them that we have the same goal. After that is just being honest and leading with education, giving them the reasons why that may be unrealistic. After that is providing a solution and compromise of how we can meet in the middle so that we can get started on moving forward.
For instant radiance with no downtime, try the HydraFacial at The Wellness Spot Fitness and Day Spa. It’s definitely worth experiencing. Whether you are maintaining healthy skin or you have specific concerns, this treatment is essential for anyone serious about skincare!
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