By Rachel Hirsch, Aesthetician
A number of years ago, I encountered a king cobra on display that was unusually active. It was moving swiftly and swaying with its hood flared—rather unnerving—and I was grateful for the glass between us. And then I spotted its freshly shed skin and a quick search revealed that snakes feel itchy and uncomfortable immediately after shedding, and also vulnerable in their new skin. The aesthetician in me wished for something to soothe its discomfort and the writer in me recognized a good metaphor about the vulnerability inherent in all of life’s transitions.
Springtime is one such transition. We shed our bulky winter clothes and become newly aware of our skin, now that more of it is on display. After months of dry air indoors and out, it may not feel and look its best or healthiest. As a skincare specialist, I treat the full range of skin types and numerous conditions of the face and body. My treatments utilize active ingredients like naturally occurring acids, antioxidant vitamins, plant-based stem cells, ceramides, peptides, and organic materials to gently impact the uppermost layer of the epidermis which in turn, impacts the regeneration processes in the deeper layers. Over time, with consistent treatments, consistent home care, and sun protection, corrections can be made to such concerns as trans epidermal water loss, hyperpigmentation, melasma, texture, fine lines, wrinkle depth, laxity, and acne. At this time of year when we’re starting to spend more time outside, services are often focused on effective exfoliation, lightweight masks, serums, and hydrators, and mineral based sunscreen, in order to gently remove dead cells, effect change in the rest, and protect against UV damage. The added element of massage for the face, neck, shoulders, and décolleté improves blood flow, reduces puffiness and inflammation, alleviates sinus pressure, and has a temporary lifting and defining effect, all the while relieving stress and tension.
On a recent trip to New York for a spa expo, I took full advantage of the classes offered and learned quite a bit. Each was a shallow dive into topics I plan to explore further: oncology aesthetics, histology of the skin, massage techniques, corneotherapy, and incorporating lymphatic drainage into facial peel services for better results. I’m so inspired by all this new information and look forward to sharing it. And it wouldn’t be a successful trip without some new items I’m introducing into treatments—a tinted moisturizing serum with SPF30, tinted lip oils, a cooling mask with cornflower, elderflower, and chamomile, a new oxygenating treatment, and an ethereally scented rice bran massage oil.
Please reach out with your questions and concerns or to schedule time for a consultation or service. It’s always my goal to put clients at ease, to educate and inform, and unlike my previously mentioned slithery friend, to help them feel more comfortable in their own skin.
Contact Rachel to learn more:
https://ruscombe.org/practitioner/rachel-hirsch/
443-478-0047
Schedule an appointment online:
https://www.vagaro.com/lemonadeboutiqueskincare