ASCP Skin Deep

SUMMER 2026

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Peace of mind for your property. Add Business Personal Property Insurance at ascpskincare.com 85 Guidelines for Detecting a Dupe People, products, and small businesses often go hand in hand and rely on the support of professionals to uphold the integrity of their work so they can continue to serve you in return. Be mindful in your research and respectful to those who took the time and care to bring a product to life by practicing the following tips. Avoid purchasing through third-party websites, social media shops, and influencers who link to them. Social media is fodder for fraud, so it's important to avoid the clickbait trap. (If you are buying from a brand ambassador or influencer, you can check for their listing or link on the official brand website.) Locate the official product website and use it to connect with authorized retailers, ambassadors, and affiliates. Beware of websites with viral social media videos, AI-rendered imagery, and recycled stock photography. Use of low-quality before-and- after imagery is also frequently used without authorization and often shows unverifiable results. Watch out for heavy use of emotional messaging and deep discounts. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is, and it's a sure sign you need to dive deeper. Companies profit from pricing items low enough that you're willing to risk the money to try it but not spend to send it back when it fails to meet expectations. Be skeptical of unverifiable contact information, including fake email accounts and local phone numbers. When in doubt, contact customer service directly via telephone or email. Ask questions and wait for a response. If there is a lack of communication or it feels suspicious, request to speak to a representative. There are real people behind authentic products. Do more research to uncover white-label duplication disguised as innovation. Fabricated certification, fake clinics, and medical directors who don't exist can look convincing at first, but a quick online search can help you verify. Don't trust media companies with heavy affiliate- driven links to promote a product on a third-party website. These patterns and practices are so common among some third-party sellers that entire online networks exist to track "hot" and trending products, share sourcing information, and flag potential legal risks, allowing sellers to quickly pivot, remove products, and move on before accountability catches up to them. GETTY IMAGES

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