ASCP Esty Talk

Do you often get asked, "What skin care regimen should I use?" "Is this a good product?" "What ingredients are best for anti-aging?" With so many trending ingredients and treatments on the market it can be hard to sift through all the options. If only there was a magic pill for fine lines, pigmentation, and loss of elasticity. In this episode of the Rogue Pharmacist with Benjamin Knight Fuchs , we...

Are you using app technology for client scheduling and credit card processing? PocketSuite , a client-service smartphone app for service professionals, can help with that, increasing earnings for businesses an average of 30%. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk , Maggie talks with Chinwe Onyeagoro, the CEO and Co-Founder of PocketSuite , about how the app can help estheticians elevate their practice...

It's a long-held debate in the esthetics industry: Does percentage or pH determine the strength of chemical peels? In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk , Ella and Maggie debunk some common myths and discuss other determining factors in the strength of chemical peels and how skin-peeling treatments affect the skin. ASCP Esty Talk with Maggie Staszcuk and Ella Cressman Produced by Associated Skin Care...

Melasma is a common but often misunderstood skin problem. Traditionally associated with hormones, it's also referred to as "pregnancy mask," although a simple Google search pulls up varying definitions, causes, and treatments. In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist with Benjamin Knight Fuchs , we discuss melasma's cause and prevention, melanin formation, and external factors affecting its treatme...

Sure, we read ingredient decks all day long. But do we always know what we are looking for, or looking at? The "What the Deck" Series will review I.L.s to decipher what the heck these ingredients are, what they do and how they work in formulations. In this first episode of the series, we examine ingredients that hide in the I.L. and decide if they trick or treat the skin. ASCP Esty Talk with Maggi...

Snail mucin, glass skin, sheet masks, microneedling patches—these are just some of the K-Beauty trends to influence the esthetics industry. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk , Maggie and Ella talk about the history of K-Beauty and discuss what makes K-Beauty so popular. ASCP Esty Talk  with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk   Produced by Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) for licensed...

The most well-known humectant is hyaluronic acid with its water-binding abilities. But did you know it can also boost collagen? And while hyaluronic acid and other humectants are considered the holy grail of hydration, they have the ability to dry out the skin when not used properly. In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist with Benjamin Knight Fuchs , he discusses how humectants benefit the skin a...

It's sweater weather! As the air turns crisp and the days get shorter, we enter a new season: Pumpkin Spice-Everything Season!!! It's also Peel Season, and the dawn of Holiday Season, and Change Your Skin Care-Routine season. In this episode, we discuss how to prepare your skin and your business for seasonal success. ASCP Esty Talk with Maggie Staszcuk and Ella Cressman Produced by Associated Skin...

Let's face it, in our profession there are many words that are a challenge to pronounce. Yet, some try anyway. In this episode of Esty Talk , we discuss commonly mis-pronounced words, along with overused phrases and widely accepted misconceptions. From salicylic acid to "but I want to peel, peel" and many things in-between. ASCP Esty Talk with Maggie Staszcuk and Ella Cressman Produced by Associat...

You may have heard of fermented foods like miso, kombucha, or kefir that have beneficial properties for the gut. But now, fermented ingredients are also making their way into skin care products and promise to work wonders for your skin. In this episode with Benjamin Knight Fuchs, R.Ph, we discuss what fermented skin care is and whether it really does benefit the skin. The beauty industry encompass...

Do we even remember what real people naturally look like? For many of us, our daily routines include constant notifications and "come-hithers" from various social media platforms, where nearly everyone's pictures are airbrushed or filtered. Their lives are posted, staged to reflect the good moments, the power-hour yoga pose on a rock in perfect sunsetting light. We have lip filler, cheek filler, t...

Eager to build your business and generate revenue, breaking up is hard to do! Of course, not every client relationship is a good one. Join Maggie and Ella in this Mailbag episode of ASCP Esty Talk as they share your stories about the right time to fire your client.   ASCP Esty Talk with Maggie Staszcuk and Ella Cressman Produced by Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) for licensed esthetician...

As controversial as it is effective, the bleaching agent hydroquinone is the most commonly used tyrosinase inhibitor. Often used in the treatment room to prep for advanced exfoliating treatments, it's also recommended for post-inflammatory pigment and melasma. In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist , we sit down with Benjamin Knight Fuchs to discuss the effects of hydroquinone on melanin producti...

First, we had glass skin, then we had glazed donut skin, and then we had skin slugging. We thought these were passing social media trends, until we heard "slug" as an actionable term in a professional setting. Now, we're seeing the growing popularity of the skin-fasting trend, a polar-opposite approach. Tune in as Ella and Maggie discuss the differences, the similarities, and the professional pote...

Here on Esty Talk, we've endlessly discussed healthy skin and wellness starting with eating whole foods, practicing mindfulness, and having a good gut microbiome. But one topic not discussed is ingestible skin care. That is, supplementation formulated to increase the health and well-being of the skin. On this episode of ASCP Esty Talk , we discuss what constitutes ingestible skin care and whether...

Microdosing, an emerging branch of skinimalism, focuses on lower concentrations of active ingredients and smaller doses in your skin care products. In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist with Ben Fuchs , Ben discusses his view on microdosing and how to get the most out of your skin care.   Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) presents The Rogue Pharmacist with Benjamin Knight Fuchs, R.Ph. Th...

There is no questioning that the landscape of our industry has changed largely because of the influence of technology. With the limitations of in-person interactions, 2020 initiated a shift (or a shove) toward virtual socialization. We embraced Zoom meetings, oversaw virtual schooling, had virtual doctor visits. Now, many of those practices have become the norm. So, are virtual visits with an esth...

Sun is the leading contributor for advanced aging and poses the greatest risk for skin cancer. That is what we have been taught, that is what we preach: "Sunscreen! Sunscreen! Sunscreen! It saves lives!". However, a recent article published in June 2022 challenges the rise of melanoma diagnosis and its relationship to the sun. Listen in as Ella and Maggie discuss the article's position on the Vita...

Dehydration, distended capillaries, inflammation, acne breakouts, chronic dry skin. These are just some of the effects alcohol can have on the skin, not to mention loss of vital vitamins and nutrients.  In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist with Ben Fuchs , we discuss the effects of alcohol and how to manage them both topically and internally.    Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) present...

Christine Valmy, the pioneer of esthetics, is quoted as saying women in Europe would spend all their spare money on their skin while women in America would spend thousands on their evening gown and walk into a party with blackheads. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella discuss whether Americans and Europeans view skin care differently and what it is about the European Facial that mak...

Are you a licensed esthetician who wants to position yourself as an expert in your field? Do you want to raise awareness of your brand? Then this podcast is for you! Join Ella and Maggie as they discuss current "experts" and how to gain the similar exposure and success. ASCP Esty Talk with Maggie Staszcuk and Ella Cressman Produced by Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) for licensed esthetic...

Once thought of as feminine, the practice of caring for one's skin is now seen as self-care. With skincare companies and practitioners moving to gender neutral products, packaging, marketing, and services, we can expect a shift in verbiage and service menu offerings. In this episode, we discuss history, statistics, influencers, and all things related to gender bending in professional esthetics. AS...

The beauty industry encompasses businesses and services geared toward helping people look their best, but the industry is profoundly changing. People are looking past the surface to learn about systemic change and how to truly care for the skin from within. Recorded live from the ASCP Skin Care School Forum, Benjamin Knight Fuchs, RPh, discusses the future of skin health and designing the best you...

In a time where much of our advice comes from the internet, how does one navigate something as unique and personal as skin care advice? Many turn to online advisors or influencers without clarifying their qualifications. In this episode, we offer our own advice, busting 3 myths that you may not have considered in your search. ASCP Esty Talk with Maggie Staszcuk and Ella Cressman Produced by Associ...

The esthetic industry has long held a tradition of female practitioners providing services to female patrons. In recent years, we have seen an increase in male clientele and a market shift targeted at men's skin care. Now, we also notice an increase in professional male estheticians. In this episode we examine this change and celebrate both female and male professionals. ASCP Esty Talk with Maggie...