Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/1208034
ASCP & you ASCP INFLUENCERS Meet influencer Monique Raab, director of the Aesthetics Institute in Portland, Oregon. She is a master esthetician and a CIDESCO International Diplomat. A 1999 graduate of the institute, Raab was featured in NAILS magazine as the youngest nail technology license holder in the United States. Here, Raab talks about how the Aesthetics Institute provides students with a top-notch esthetics education. ASCP Influencers honors and promotes the experts, product manufacturers, and educators who shape our profession. There are many ways to stay connected with what is happening, including joining associations like ASCP and registering for email updates with the state board. How has the Aesthetics Institute maintained a strong curriculum and reputation since 1985 in such a competitive environment? Since the school's birth in 1985, our focus has been to offer a competitive, modern curriculum. Holding our students to the highest standards of knowledge and professionalism creates an elite tier of industry leaders. We audit our curriculums every year and look at esthetics trends to evaluate the market demand. We love surveying clients, students, professionals, and employers to determine where the market is headed; it is fun for them to be part of that process, and we value their input. Our team researches and collaborates to create our own original content that is based on the science of the products and technology. Bringing in trends can be risky; however, the key to success in this industry is diversity! How do you accommodate both in-house and on-site continuing education courses? Currently, we offer three programs: Master Esthetics, Electrology, and Advanced Esthetics. Our electrology and advanced programs are available as a hybrid elearning and resident program. The theory for both courses can be completed from home. Once the theoretical portion is completed, students come to the school to complete hands-on training. This allows them to complete the course in as little as four months or as much as six months. Legislation is always changing. As a school, how do you stay on top of those changes and prepare estheticians to succeed? From day one, we stress with our students the importance of participating in legislative changes. This is the career they have chosen to be a part of, and they should be equally invested and knowledgeable about how those changes can affect them. There are many ways to stay connected with what is happening, including joining associations like ASCP and registering for email updates with the state board. Staying informed and connected is going to elevate you as a top industry professional. What esthetic modality trends are you excited about? I am most excited about radio frequency and microneedling as a combination service. I feel like radio frequency has been underutilized in the past, and with all the recent updates in technology we will be able to offer another level of multilayered treatments to target skin laxity and texture.