Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/618738
46 january/february 2016 T here's no doubt about it—it's a good time to be a skin care professional. Increased consumer demand across all age demographics for skin care products and services signals a bright road ahead for the industry, with the US market expected to hit $10.7 billion by 2018. 1 The job market for skin care specialists is bright! RECOVERING, SHIFTING, AND GROWING The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment in the skin care field to grow almost 40 percent from 2012–2022—faster than the average for all other occupations. 2 This growth is due in large part to a shift in consumer attitudes. The public is embracing the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle, and skin care services are becoming less about luxury or pampering and more about healthy skin. Increased access to, and affordability of, skin care services are other key factors. The number of spa facilities has increased in the last year, and so have spa visits. 3 Locations close to home or work make services accessible while helping to promote skin care as a part of a healthy regimen. RESULTS RULE You know it's true: today's skin care client is savvier than ever. Consumers and potential clients research products online and in print, and read reviews long before they buy a single product or book a service. The relaxing or basic facial is moving out of favor; clients are now demanding specialized treatments and products that produce tangible results. Technological advances in esthetic equipment, treatment protocols, home-care products, and devices position the skin care professional to be able to provide an exceptional experience in myriad ways. Stem cells, growth factors, and complex formulations lead the pack. As consumers are bombarded with skin care product information, online sales, advertising, and promotions, the power of a personal recommendation and a customized home-care protocol is more important than ever. The person to deliver this is you! Customization and personalization are driving the trend toward targeted treatments—by age, health condition, gender, and ethnic diversity.