ASCP Esty Talk

In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk , Maggie and Ella are joined by Shannon Erley, CEO and founder of Pomp, to talk about the invisible revenue stream many estheticians overlook in their businesses. They explore where missed opportunities arise in the client journey, why retail and home care often get deprioritized, and small shifts that can help estheticians better support both results and revenue....

In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk , Maggie and Ella talk about command prompting and how the way you communicate with AI shapes the results you get. They break down why vague prompts fall flat, how specificity changes outcomes, and how best to use it in your esthetics practice. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk   Produced by Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) for l...

In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist , Ben discusses how histamine, mast cells, and allergic responses impact the skin beyond sinus symptoms. With allergy season in full swing, Ben breaks down what mast cells are doing during an allergic response, why histamine can visibly affect the skin, and why some people experience skin flares even without classic respiratory allergies.  Associated Skin Ca...

In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk , Maggie and Ella discuss how wellness is splitting in two directions: hyper-optimization and a return to nervous system care. Your hosts also explore what this shift means for estheticians, who are often expected to balance both technical expertise and a more therapeutic role in practice. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk   Produced by A...

Right now, it feels like there's more pressure than ever for skin care to be proven. But what the proof actually means isn't always clear. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk , Maggie and Ella talk about how proof shows up in skin care today, from clinical data to consumer perception and visual results. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk   Produced by Associated Skin Care Pr...

In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist , Ben discusses Melanotan II, often referred to online as the "Barbie Drug," and its rise within biohacking and social media culture. He explores what the compound is, why people use it to artificially stimulate tanning, and the potential risks and concerns associated with its unregulated use.   Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) presents The Rogue Ph...

Summer brings sunshine, ballparks, and hot dogs. But in the treatment room, it often brings a noticeable shift in business rhythm. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk , Maggie and Ella explore seasonality in the esthetics industry, asking whether summer is truly a slowdown or just a shift in client behavior. Using a lighthearted hot-dog stand analogy, your hosts unpack timing, demand, and the opport...

"Favorite Things" is back! In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk , Ella and Maggie share the treatment-room staples they're currently loving. From multitasking skin care and collagen-supporting formulas to pro-level devices and regenerative innovations, they break down what's working, why it stands out, and how it can elevate both services and at-home routines. Plus, you'll have a chance to win some o...

SPF looks like a simple number on a bottle, but it's actually based on specific lab testing conditions that don't always translate to real-world use. In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist , Ben Fuchs breaks down what SPF actually measures, what it doesn't cover (including ultraviolet A considerations), how application amount impacts real protection, and where some of the most common misunderstan...

Being the driver of the appointment is about shifting from simply performing services to intentionally guiding the client experience with confidence, clarity, and presence. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk , Maggie and Ella are joined by guest Claudia Wyatt, an "enthusiasm igniter" and "self-doubt eraser", to explore what it means to lead the appointment, elevate client interactions, and take own...

Big news in sunscreen regulation: For the first time since 1999, the US is seeing a new active ingredient approved, BEMT (Bemotrizinol), signaling an important shift in how sunscreens are formulated. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk , Maggie and Ella discuss what FDA regulation of OTC sunscreens means, why new UV filters are significant, and how these changes impact both formulation and client ed...

Skin carries a natural, individual scent signature that can subtly shift over time. Research is beginning to explore how much of that shift is driven by biology versus perception. In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist , Ben Fuchs breaks down the science behind age-related changes in skin scent, including the roles of the microbiome, lipid oxidation, barrier changes, and senescent cells, and disc...

The skin doesn't just need hydration and protection—it needs energy to repair, regulate, and function optimally. At the center of that energy system is NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), a coenzyme essential for cellular metabolism, which naturally declines with age and stress. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk , Maggie and Ella explore NAD+, its role in skin energy and repair, and how niac...

Japanese skin care is often associated with minimalism, ritual, and a skin-first philosophy. But what's commonly marketed today is often a simplified Western interpretation of a much deeper cultural approach. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk , Maggie and Ella explore what Japanese skin care truly is, how it became popular globally, and how it compares to Western and Korean skin care philosophies...

Urea is one of the most misunderstood ingredients in skin care. Is it a hydrator, an exfoliant, or both? In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist , Ben Fuchs talks about how urea functions at different concentrations, why it's critical for barrier health, and how to use it strategically for conditions like dryness, keratosis, and compromised skin. Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) presents...

Beauty consumer behavior is shifting, and what happens in mass and prestige retail impacts your treatment room and retail shelves. Trends in 2026 include skin care's rebound, fragrance growth, and how clients are spending strategically rather than abandoning professional services. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk , Maggie and Ella discuss what these insights mean for client behavior, retail strat...

The esthetics and cosmetology compacts are key legislation shaping how professionals practice across state lines. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk , Laura Puryear, ASCP's government relations director, breaks down what the compacts are, how they impact estheticians, and why advocacy for your career. Resouces: Cosmetology Compact: https://cosmetologycompact.gov/ Esthetics Compact: https://esthetic...

Layering skin care products can feel confusing, especially with so many warnings about mixing actives. In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist , Ben Fuchs breaks down when ingredients truly interfere with each other, when it's a misconception, and how factors like pH, formulation, and application order impact results. Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) presents The Rogue Pharmacist with Ben...

From reactive visits to proactive, results-driven routines, the male client is evolving. Gen Z and younger Millennials approach skin care with education, efficiency, and a focus on performance, giving estheticians a real opportunity to serve this growing market. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk , Maggie and Ella discuss the shift and share strategies to grow your male client base. ASCP Esty Talk ...

In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk , Maggie and Ella play a game called "Coulda Fooled Me," exploring the beliefs and assumptions that have tripped up estheticians over the years. From business myths about pricing and product lines to industry trends and "professional-only" claims, Maggie and Ella unpack what's fact, what's fiction, and what's worth rethinking. Tune in to grow, laugh, and sharpen y...

Is your client's skin really "purging," or is it something else? In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist , Ben Fuchs breaks down what skin purging actually is, when it occurs, and why it's often misunderstood. Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) presents The Rogue Pharmacist with Benjamin Knight Fuchs, R.Ph. This podcast takes an enlightening approach to supporting licensed estheticians in t...

Perimenopause is no longer a niche topic; it's a multibillion-dollar conversation in beauty, wellness, and health care. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk , Maggie and Ella explore how hormonal shifts present with clients and what estheticians can do to support them. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk   Produced by Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) for licensed esth...

Drawing on her own experience navigating allergies and immune misfunction, Kiarra Smith, founder of Rooted Serenity, shares how she began recognizing immune-related patterns in her clients, from reactive skin and chronic inflammation to slow healing and recurring concerns that don't respond to standard protocols. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk , Maggie and Ella talk with Kiarra about becoming a...

Each year, IMCAS Paris, the premier cosmetic dermatology and plastic surgery conference, sets the tone for what's next in global esthetics, from innovative treatments to shifting patient expectations. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk , Maggie sits down with Jenni Nagle of Lip Gloss and Aftershave to discuss what's catching her eye this year and what estheticians should be watching as these intern...

The esthetics license may be the same, but the path into the industry looks very different depending on when you started. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk , Maggie and Ella welcome Kiarra Smith, founder of Rooted Serenity, to explore how Gen X and Gen Z estheticians entered the industry from completely different starting lines and what we can learn from each other moving forward. ASCP Esty Talk w...