Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/1464744
New member benefit! Get the ASCP SkinPro app at ascpskincare.com/skinpro 63 A special thanks to photographer Stacy Jacob for providing the stunning images of Regina, taken while she was undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Stacy's artistry celebrates baldness caused by chemotherapy and enhances the self-image of people going through treatment for cancer. We are grateful for her work and contribution to this article. stacyjacob.com That new oncologist read the post-op report and discovered that, really, my journey had only just begun. He explained I still had 12 months of chemotherapy to go . . . along with another host of oral medications and all the side effects to boot. Q. Where does your perseverance come from? A. Absolutely my faith in Jesus Christ. As a Christian, I understand that God can do all things, so why couldn't He heal my body? Q. Have you always been a tenacious person? A. I think, in this situation, I have been the opposite of tenacious. I completely let go and allowed God to take the reins. In fact, I believe tenacity is what got me sick—trying to do things my way, without consulting God first. That left me in a condition where God had to "sit me down" for a bit and turn my eyes back to Him. Q. What is your motivation in business? A. The effects of oncology treatment left my skin ravaged from head to toe—extreme dryness, acne, radiation burns, surgical scars. I was definitely changed, and I wanted to come out of this and give to those who were going through the same issues. I was motivated by the idea that oncology skin care existed and that I was an "instant expert" on the subject! I felt like I was in the perfect position to help someone, and I didn't want to go through all of this without helping someone the way so many others had helped me along the way. Q. You opened your business in September 2021. How have you been able to keep your business going through the pandemic? A. I opened after the shutdown, when the heaviest restrictions had been lifted in California. My focus on oncology clients was slowed because I wasn't able to go "in- clinic," as planned, and work with treatment centers. But I have been able to treat clients who are posttreatment and dealing with the effects. Q. What adjustments have you made to keep your spa open? A. Because our industry is so regulated regarding cleanliness and sanitation, I believe that's why COVID-19 did not hit us hard. We are trained for this. I followed our industry guidelines and, thus far, all has been well.