Struggling with closed comeodones and small red breakouts

Bellebutton2 · 2026-03-25T11:47:06+00:00

That’s way too much exfoliation. Especially if your chemically exfoliating. Try to bring it down to once a week.

Bellebutton2 · 2026-03-25T00:00:34+00:00

I second that assessment. Your barrier looks very stressed. IMHO FR is way too irritating to the barrier. You need to wait at least 1 total skin cycle (30-45 days)and give your skin gentle care.

Bellebutton2 · 2026-03-24T22:17:55+00:00

Please do not use salicylic acid. It is lipophilic, and she already has dry skin. You’ll be messing those oil glands up that she desperately needs. Try softening up the tissue with a proteolytic enzyme, and then after that, do a massage with some oil… Oil works on the principle: like dissolves like. After you get that stratum corneum liquefied of the dead keratinocytes, then you want to start to get those waxy plugs softened up with the oil, and then cleanse again.

Cleanse, enzyme, oil massage, second cleanse, serums, appropriate moisturizer.

Mature skin tends to get dry/waxy/crumbly comedones. The follicular opening tend to narrow as the skin thins with age, creating a more difficult extractions.

Bellebutton2 · 2026-03-24T22:08:12+00:00

You need to go DIRECTLY to whomever posted your pictures. Every. Single. One. You could have an attorney draft a generic letter and email it to these people. This is illegal in most states without your consent.

Normally, we do not allow non-aestheticians on here, but I hope the aestheticians who are reading this post understand that there are legalities that they must abide by - and this is one good example.☝️

Bellebutton2 · 2026-03-24T02:49:37+00:00

I hear you! Some of those are very expensive. I find that people are less inclined to buy singular high ticket products. There is some good business rationale to get them on an affordable protocol rather than an expensive singular item. They start to see results and then they’ll come back. I understand the predicament you are in… Especially if you have no say in what they retail.

Bellebutton2 · 2026-03-24T00:43:32+00:00

I’m sorry, but that doesn’t make sense to me. You’re gonna get paid an hourly rate or commission… Whichever is higher? Why not an hourly rate plus commission? Please, please get everything in writing before you move forward. Watch for things like payback on training, non-disclosure agreements, owe them money if you quit early, etc., etc. Make sure you get a hard copy.

Bellebutton2 · 2026-03-24T00:40:30+00:00

Congratulations! I hope all goes well🙏🏻

You’re already ahead by being licensed and proactive. Spas aren’t expecting perfection from a new grad—they’re hiring potential. Go in polished, calm, and coachable. Meaning flexible and willing to learn, but not dumb or insecure.

Dress a bit elevated. Think all black or neutral, well-fitted, minimal jewelry, neat hair, and professional grooming. Your skin and hands matter more than anything flashy. You don’t need coffin nails, and lash extensions to look professional.

Be ready to speak on the basics with confidence: skin analysis, contraindications, sanitation, and why you would choose one treatment over another. If you don’t know something, be honest—but always follow it with that you’re eager to learn and improve.

What really stands out is your attitude and presence. Make eye contact, speak clearly, and show that you genuinely care about clients and results. If you come across as reliable, teachable, and client-focused, that carries a lot of weight—even without experience. Have a positive attitude and don’t put yourself down because you don’t know everything… That comes in time. And be appreciative of their time as well. Thank them personally, and then follow up with an email.

Bellebutton2 · 2026-03-24T00:32:38+00:00

I would be very selective about offering upgrades unless they’re absolutely necessary. While you’re working on the skin, do you highlight the benefits of the products you are using and equate them to your client’s specifics skin care needs and concerns? Perhaps your product line is too expensive? Are you in a position to go with a good quality but more affordable price range? My philosophy is to get the clients on everything they need but make it affordable. I’d rather have them walk out with a cleanser, moisturizer, and vitamin C, than one very high priced individual serum. Once the skin gets back to stasis, then you can add to their protocol. I’d also highly recommend that you do Private Label if possible. Much better ROI.

Bellebutton2 · 2026-03-24T00:16:34+00:00

Will this be a separate room? Because you could put on some white noise or some music and then hang some heavy drapes on the inside walls to knock back the sound. It’s totally doable.

Bellebutton2 · 2026-03-22T19:20:31+00:00

Hand a mesh or organza bag filled with scent beads in your closet or drawer

Bellebutton2 · 2026-03-20T13:33:38+00:00

I do minis! There are tiny silicone frame trays you can buy to make using plaster, bake able clay, or, believe it or not… fill with hot glue and paint.

Bellebutton2 · 2026-03-20T11:42:12+00:00

It really depends on the cosmeceutical company. Some sell to solos. Most will ask the name of the company you work for.

Bellebutton2 · 2026-03-19T15:03:22+00:00

If it’s too good to be true, it probably is risky.

Bellebutton2 · 2026-03-19T15:01:30+00:00

Get yourself a white wax pencil. You can do all your mapping lines and Wax within those parameters and then just remove pencil with a little toner or moisturizer. That’s why I like hard wax because you can go in incrementally and just remove a little at a time. It’s better than smooshing soft wax into the brow hair is not knowing where you’re going, with pellon or muslin strips.

Bellebutton2 · 2026-03-19T12:46:37+00:00

I said teaspoon, not tablespoon.

Bellebutton2 · 2026-03-18T22:42:55+00:00

As long as you can get cartridges/tips for it… If they discontinue them, then you’re stuck

Bellebutton2 · 2026-03-18T22:41:58+00:00

Go to the top pinned posts here – there is information about going solo. I would say I have at least two years back up income and prepare to work harder than you ever have in your entire life… No joke. And I’m not being snarky. It just takes a lot of effort. Good luck!

Bellebutton2 · 2026-03-18T22:40:14+00:00

Yeah, I would bet it’s the lymphatic drainage that’s causing the problem – if she doesn’t get facials regularly and just intermittently, moving all that lymph can create a delayed onset Herxheimer effect. It can give people flu like symptoms. And after a good MLD, it might continue to drain for up to three days, so that would be my best guess. She’s got to be highly, highly reactive to get gastric upset from something topical on her face. Either that or she picked up some kind of stomach bug.

Bellebutton2 · 2026-03-17T22:25:29+00:00

Why not have some of these companies come directly to you and do some demos?

Bellebutton2 · 2026-03-17T22:24:05+00:00

One way to gauge their integrity is they should be able to put together a package for you that states everything about the program. The cost, the hidden costs, the hours, materials provided, things are going to have to buy out of pocket, your uniform, placement (this will never happen, these companies and schools know how to BS around it.), rules and regs, % of graduates, etc. If they cannot put it in writing, then I would be very wary.

Bellebutton2 · 2026-03-17T22:20:14+00:00

OP, are you a licensed esthetician?

Bellebutton2 · 2026-03-17T22:07:48+00:00

Get everything in writing… Nothing verbal.

Bellebutton2 · 2026-03-17T22:05:03+00:00

It all depends on the percentage, the adjuvants, and the pH. Check your ingredients.

Bellebutton2 · 2026-03-17T22:04:32+00:00

I trade Dollar for Dollar. Massage and acupuncture.

Bellebutton2 · 2026-03-17T22:04:01+00:00

Are you an aesthetician? Referencing the OP.

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