TThe magic in the aesthetician’s fingers is now increasingly supplemented with scientific tools helping them deliver treatments more effectively to their customers.“Treatment using Hands or Machines – Which is more Effective?” This question is not a debate anymore given the rapid advances in scientific tools readily available to a skin professional says Vaishali Shah – Founder & Education Head, LTA School of Beauty.
This was the topic of an interactive Technical Session in the StyleSpeak Beauty Conference 2024 held in April this year. With Vaishali Shah and Arpita Das – Cosmetologist, International Beauty Educator & Consultant leading the discussion, over 110 skin therapists, aestheticians and dermatologists hotly discussed the effectiveness of these different modalities.
StyleSpeak brings you the key take-aways from this interesting technical session. Here are the excerpts…
1: MANUAL TOUCH VERSUS MACHINE TREATMENT
Discussion: The debate started with discussing the pros and cons of machine versus manual beauty treatments.
While Arpita Das spoke in favour of manual beauty treatments, Vaishali Shah mentioned the benefits of using machines but with a caution that machines should be used only after the consultation with the client.
Another point to be noted here was that the concern of the client takes precedence. Understanding why a client has come to a beauty therapist is important before the decision about whether to give a treatment by hand or a machine is taken. If a new client is looking for a machine treatment, always consult first and make the client understand that the possibility of getting results with both the treatments would differ.
If an existing client is used to manual treatments, start with 80% treatment by hand and 20% machine treatment to begin with, and slowly and gradually ask them their preference and choose accordingly.
Outcome: The choice of the treatment modality should depend solely on the consultation and concern of the client.
2: MACHINES DELIVER FAST RESULTS
Discussion: A cosmetologist is often faced with clients who come looking for machine-based beauty treatments as they deliver fast results.
Vaishali feels that this should not make therapists feel they are on the back foot, as once again consultation plays a big role here. The client should be informed that looking for fast results is not the solution here – efficacy is important. While Machines help in quick penetration of product molecules, results can differ from skin to skin.
Cosmetologists prefer machines that stimulate the muscle and boost the collagen system. With a very strong portfolio of products flowing into the country proper consultation and support will ensure that accurate results are delivered.
Outcome: Inform clients that the efficacy of the treatment varies from skin to skin
3: TRAINING MAKES THE MACHINE TREATMENT PERFECT
Discussion: In today’s scenario, products and machines are flooding the market but lack of product knowledge or training is a major drawback.
Cosmetologist should use machines only after proper training. A training upgrade becomes essential when new machines are launched, or older models are upgraded. However, when no training is available, it is a major drawback. It creates chaos among beauticians and the beauty industry. For example, a HydraFacial machine is available with different multifunctional attachments, but should be used only after proper training.
One important point – while using a machine that can be used both on the face and the scalp, hygiene levels must be very high to prevent bacteria going from the face to the scalp and vice versa.
Outcome: The gap in training needs to be addressed.
4: PRODUCTS AND INGREDIENTS
Discussion: New skincare products are launched regularly. What ingredients should a skin specialist look for in the products they use?
Vaishali raised the crucial point of using appropriate products for skin treatments, as products are formulated with specific actives to deliver specific results. Given the many types of products available, how would therapists decide what they could use.
According to Arpita, products can broadly be categorized into Natural and Organic categories. Then there is also a category called herbal, among several other combinations. Expressing concerns she feels these should come with strong R & D data to support their functionality claims.
Vaishali advises that all the products have active ingredients, and these should be the basis for product choice – not the price. Manufacturer should give details on the efficacy of the product. These need to go hand in hand.
Outcome: Therapists should get product/ingredient efficacy data from the supplier to make the right product choices for their treatments.
Conclusion:
- The interactive Session ended with the Speakers concluding that clients seek quick and better results increasingly, and machines help deliver that very efficiently.
- Whether beauty treatments done manually or with machine intervention depends solely on the consultation, concern, preference of the client.
- These combined with training and products with the right ingredients contribute towards the efficacy of the treatment.
