Ep 48 - Meeting Client Demands Via Training

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0:00:39.2 Speaker 2: You are listening to ASCP Etsy Talk where we share insider tips, industry resources and education for estheticians of every stage of the journey. Let's talk 'cause ASCP knows, it's all about you. 

 

0:00:54.7 Maggie Staszcuk: Hello, everyone, and welcome to ASCP Etsy Talk. I'm your host today, Maggie Staszcuk. I have been a licensed esthetician since 2006, and I'm the advanced modality specialist here at Associated Skin Care Professionals. Where no topic is off limits, we share all kinds of great information on this podcast from ingredients and the science of the skin, to business and beauty diversity. We hope you come away having learned more about your career in the industry and maybe even life in general. Today, we are joined by Adriana Babani. Adriana has been a licensed esthetician since the year 2000. Currently, she is the Director and Business Development Manager at True U Education. Her passion is educating and growing with the industry, both within the spa setting and to the medical environment. Please welcome Adriana to the podcast. Hello, Adriana. 

 

0:01:42.7 Adriana Babani: Hi, Maggie. How are you?  

 

0:01:44.3 MS: I'm great. Thanks for joining us. 

 

0:01:46.7 AB: Thank you for having me. It's a pleasure. 

 

0:01:50.4 MS: So before we dive in, tell us, for those who don't know, what is True U Education?  

 

0:01:54.8 AB: So True U Education is a platform that is for estheticians to come in and really learn the advance, whether it's in techniques or wanting to learn more medical setting. But what's unique about it is that we're really growing on adding and doing more classes for all types of estheticians because there's just so many different types of estheticians that are out there that wanna just maybe stick to the spa side or they wanna go on the holistic side, and/or just wanna learn more about the medical side. It's really a place where you can come in and just learn all different types. 

 

0:02:30.3 MS: So where should individuals start their search when they're looking for advanced training?  

 

0:02:34.0 AB: Well, definitely go to True U Education, and you can really look up to see the different variety of classes that are offered. Another thing that I usually tell estheticians or students that just come through is one of the things that you wanna look at also is your state loss, and really see what is it that you can do under your scope before you're starting to invest into some maybe treatment that you are not gonna be able to do. However, I don't wanna discourage somebody from not educating on it because I think it's important that even if you can't do a part of your scope, it is important that you know about what's out in the industry. Because nine times out of 10, it's gonna be clients or patients that are gonna be coming to you, and really asking for advice or, "Have you heard of this particular treatment," or whatnot. So you wanna be educated on everything. 

 

0:03:31.3 MS: Yeah. Absolutely. I totally agree with that. And I have heard horror stories, if you will, where somebody has gone and purchased a device, and the company or the rep has said, "Oh yeah, no problem, you can do this," and really, in fact, they can't. And they really should be reaching out to their state board, like you said, and being sure that it's within the scope for them. So tell us a little bit, what are the pros and cons to online training versus hands-on or in-person training?  

 

0:04:00.8 AB: Well, there are so many great things for it. And I think with what has happened lately during this timing that we're living in right now, I think that the online courses have really exploded. But I think that most estheticians, and I can't say all, but a lot of estheticians, we tend to be more visual people. So this is where pros are when you're doing hands-on because when you're a visual person and you're actually doing it hands-on, everything starts coming into play, a really understanding of how this particular treatment is working with this particular product or what it may be, whatever it's gonna fall into. The cons are, is that, honestly, as far as hands-on portions, I don't really find anything as cons go with that. 

 

0:04:49.7 AB: But as far as online training, a lot of the online training is great because you can self-pace yourself, and you can really take the time to process something, and maybe go back to it if you need to versus if you're in person, the day is over, as far as having that contact right then and there. It's not that you can't email or find out an answer, but that's where I would say. And then as far as the cons go for the online is that sometimes if you don't understand something, you almost feel stuck, and you don't have a live person to be able to talk to them, and ask, and see if you're really comprehending it the proper way, and then you continue on, and then something doesn't make sense. So I would say that that's the biggest difference between the two. But to have this outlet to be able to do online training and to do in-person training is just... It's been great. 

 

0:05:51.2 MS: In your opinion, are there certain courses that are better suited for online or in person? Should somebody who, say, wants product knowledge, maybe it's okay to do online versus somebody who wants to learn lash extensions?  

 

0:06:05.0 AB: Yeah. Absolutely. Because as far as lash extensions for what you said, that's a technique. And really, it's about, it could be something so little of just picking up the lash 1 ml closer to the pinpoint of it versus you're watching and you're not grabbing it or you're not getting it. And ingredients, it's one of those that especially in this industry, you're constantly learning, but you can really stop and dig deep and do a little bit of research with that. But when it comes to technique-wise, it's really important that you are with a person, whether it's in that or whether it's either lasers, anything like that is really important. Because you can read all the things and you can see it, but once you see it being put on, as far as the treatment being done, then like I said, things just fall into place, that "aha" moment comes back to you. 

 

0:07:00.4 MS: Manufacturer-based training, in your opinion, does it provide the proper education to seek employment and perform those treatments?  

 

0:07:09.5 AB: So I don't wanna necessarily say that it does or does not. However, I will say that they do teach you on how to use that particular modality. And they'll go a little bit over indications and contraindications, but you as the provider really need to know how is it that this is working, the physics of it, the mechanism, is it working with this Fitzpatrick? Is it better for this? This is where your education really comes into play, and knowing if that machine is gonna be the right machine for them. And as far as employment goes, I think it's great to have everything on your resume, that you've learned this particular treatment, but you really don't get that full-blown understanding in how this modality works until you're using it. 

 

0:07:56.3 MS: Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. What about those estheticians who are getting all of their training on the job?  

 

0:08:02.0 AB: I think that's great because that's the way you're really gonna learn. But I think with the way the industry is, and wanting to learn different types of treatments, you're stuck to just what that particular machine is that they're using. For example, let's say a laser hair removal. You're gonna learn how to use that particular modality with it, but then you go to another place, and you may have to retrain your brain on how this particular machine is. 

 

0:08:31.7 MS: Yeah. Absolutely. Yeah. From facility to facility, it's all different. So to your point earlier, I think it's really important that estheticians are getting that broad knowledge, and you're gonna have those clients that come in and say, "What about this? What about that? Should I get it done?" Even if it's not within your scope, you should be well-versed and know it for sure. So with that said, just in general, how important is continuing education and doing refresher courses?  

 

0:09:00.1 AB: I've been in the industry for over 20 years, and I'm forever gonna be a student. It is so critical that you know that you're constantly and trying to educate yourself on products and different... 'Cause there's different types of ingredients. The industry is evolving so quickly, and there's always new trends and new things that are always happening, so it's important that you keep up with the times of what the industry is. 

 

0:09:24.6 MS: So for you personally, and as the director of education, how do you decide, "I should definitely take this class and maybe not this one," or, "This is a trend that's gonna fade, but this one, I can tell, I need to learn. It's here to stay"?  

 

0:09:41.7 AB: I think that this is where you as a provider need to know what's your clientele. 'Cause there's different types of providers that are like, "I'm an acne specialist," or, "I wanna go just holistic." So you wanna see that way. And there are some trends that, yes, I feel that can really come. And this is where the business-building comes into as far as understanding, "Is this gonna add value to yourself? Is it gonna add value to your clients? Is it gonna add value to your business?" And then that's where you're gonna make the decision as to, "Yes, I'll take this particular course," or, "I won't." 

 

0:10:24.3 MS: And sometimes I hear people say, "Maybe you do need to find a niche, and just stick with that, and not be this jack of all trades where you're learning everything, and just continuing to take advanced training, and build your menu of services." Do you agree with that? Or do you think it's important, like you said, to be a learner for life, and continuously take courses, pay attention to these trends that you think are going to stand the test of time?  

 

0:10:53.6 AB: Well, I don't wanna say stick to one lane, but I do think that as the career, this is a very long career, hopefully for most. And I got such love for the industry that I feel that sometimes you can go into one lane for a while, and then you're gonna jump out of that lane and go into something else. I just think that when you are trying to do too many services at one time, I think that you do get lost a little bit, or sometimes you don't do the proper... Personally, when I did lash extensions and I did it the same days that I did facials, for example, or treatments, it was just too much time because I wish that I would have had it on a specific day that I was just doing that. Because what ends up happening is, so many people will come in and they would be like, "Oh I'm here for a full," or, "For a touch-up," and then they needed a full service, or a full set, and then that just throws off your day. But I think it is important that you do know all the things that are out there, what services are provided. 

 

0:12:04.3 MS: I think you make a really interesting point. For those estheticians that are really trying to broaden their horizons and offer multiple modalities, being able to say, "Lashes are gonna be during this time. Facials are gonna be during this time." Because it is challenging to jump from one modality to the next, and not just change out your room, but also switch your mind from one to the other. It throws you off a little bit. So I think that's a good little business tip there. What are some devices or procedures that you see trending currently?  

 

0:12:41.2 AB: Oh my goodness, it's so fun right now, just seeing the way things are going. One of the devices that is trending right now is the Genie-O, which is basically an oxygenation through the skin, then it's ultrasound. And so that's a really big treatment that's happening 'cause you can really customise it, they have different pods to them. It's considered more of a Class I modality, so all types of estheticians can use it. And the salt facials coming, you're gonna start hearing buzzword about that, which is basically doing an exfoliation with salt, and then also doing cavitation of ultrasound, including LEDs. And so I think that what I'm noticing a lot is a lot of modalities are coming out that you're able to almost do them in the lunch hour. Timing slot is what I'm seeing a lot, which is great for business-wise, but then you can always incorporate in all the other spa elements if you want to. 

 

0:13:46.6 MS: It seems like cavitation is becoming really popular. You mentioned LED as well. Do you think it's because these are non-invasive, really quick turnaround? You mentioned the lunchtime procedure. Has the pandemic played into that at all, people have more or less time, or they want less invasive for whatever reason?  

 

0:14:08.5 AB: I think that it could have played a little bit for it. I think that it's a little... I think people are just wanting to do something that they're gonna see result right away. Radio frequency is another one that's huge right now and it's really becoming the gold standard of tightening of the skin, whether it's on the body or whether it's on the face. It's really making a big trend this year. I think we're gonna see that a lot. 

 

0:14:35.4 MS: For a lot of these procedures, radio frequency and ultrasound rules and regulations maybe don't necessarily directly address those procedures. So what do we say to estheticians who want to do radio frequency, but state board says, "I'm not sure." How does somebody interpret their law to know, "Can I do some of these procedures that might be a little more advanced?" 

 

0:14:58.0 AB: I think that you'd have to really... You'd also speak with your insurance, is gonna be one of the biggest things, and then finding out if you are working, does it need to be under a medical director, and maybe having to go and dig a little bit deeper into that, and making sure that you have the proper people in place. 

 

0:15:20.0 MS: I think that is a really valid point. Knowing if you need to have a medical director is a good indication that this might be more advanced procedure, a little bit out of your scope. But if you can work under the direction of a doctor, then perhaps you can perform that procedure. Do you have other advice for aesthetic students and those already licensed that are looking to advance their career and training?  

 

0:15:45.4 AB: It's such a beautiful career, and that it is one of those that it's a journey. It's not something that you're gonna just do, and then get all these treatments in on somebody, it's constantly changing, and that it's okay that you don't know everything. Because like I said, I'm gonna forever be a student. And it's one of those industries that you're gonna constantly want to grow with and learn. And just pace yourself. It's okay that you can't do every single item that's out there in the industry and your menu, and that's okay. You will find your niche, and you will find that clientele that will find you. 

 

0:16:32.4 MS: Adriana, it's been a pleasure chatting with you today, and thank you for sharing your expertise with all of us. Tell us where we can find and learn more about everything you're doing. 

 

0:16:38.5 AB: So you can go to our Instagram handle, which is True U, which is the letter U, underscore education, and then you can also go to our website at www.trueueducation.com. We have everything there that you need. And we also do live webinars, which are great for those that can't come in in person. 

 

0:17:01.7 MS: And that's good. That's awesome. Thank you so much. Thank you for joining me, Adriana and thank you to everyone listening in, and have a great day. Talk to you next time. 

 

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0:17:09.7 S2: Thanks for joining us today. If you like what you hear and you want more, subscribe. If you wanna belong to the only all-inclusive association for estheticians, that includes professional liability insurance, education, industry insights and an opportunity to spotlight your sick skills, join at ascpskincare.com. Only 259 per year for all this goodness. ASCP knows, it's all about you.