What to ask before being treated by a skincare specialist.

I remember my journey with acne very, very well. I call it a journey because it truly was. For years I embarked on a long and arduous trek from facialist to dermatologist, well-worn credit card in hand, hiding my acne behind over-sized sunglasses, and desperately throwing way too much money at anyone who said they had the answer to my skin woes. And let me tell you, everyone has the answer, and everyone will take your money. Like so many problems in our lives, so many of us are looking for a quick-fix. So how do we wade through the yes-men and decipher who really is capable of giving us the clear, supple canvas of our dreams? Skin Master Amanda Massey of our very own Raw Canvas Skin Bar is here to give us the scoop on what to look for and what questions to ask when seeking out skincare products and treatments.

We often hear you say that "All clinics are not the same", can you tell us what that means to you?

There are so many different products and treatments on the market for every skin concern, from acne to anti-aging, and different combinations of products are treatments work for everyones different skin type and concerns. Having a skin-master do every single consolation and treatment allows us to ensure and guarantee our results. 

"The truth is I would rather say no than yes to treating a patient if I don’t not have control over their skincare. It is important to have them prep the skin with a customized home care regime based on their concerns. This way treatments will be optimized and I can expect a proper out come. I look at it as: skin care is the nutrition plan, and I am the trainer. In order to see results you must have both. Also, most of the time good results can be achieved by getting on appropriate skin care products catered to your concerns. It also comes down to prevention and correction. Once the skin is prepped and healthy we can begin the process to achieve the true meaning of Raw Canvas, no make up, no filter just a beautiful Canvas they can bare to the world!" - Amanda Massey, Skin Master

So, what are the questions you should ask when seeking out a clinic or skincare specialist?

Here is my list of questions I would recommend asking at your first consult, or upon looking into booking with a new clinic. I'm answering them all as I would for any one of my clients to give you an idea of what you should be looking for.

What product lines do you use and why?

There are many high-end skincare products on the market that don't have the ingredient deck to provide clinical level results. Understanding which lines pack the power you need to provide value for your money is crucial. Do your research and ask questions about the lines and products provided. At Raw Canvas we love Zo Skin Health, and iS Clinical, and are constantly educating ourselves and evolving the products we carry to stay cutting edge and drive the best product driven results possible.

What treatments do you recommend/offer and why?

Along with a well customized home-care routine treatments are an important part of working with any skincare concern. From peels to laser treatments and everything in between that can be offered, your in-studio time and money is extremely valuable and you want to make sure it is maximized to optimize your results. Understanding why certain treatments are recommended to you is crucial in guaranteeing your are happy with the outcome. Again, it is so important to do your research. 

What equipment do you use?

At Raw Canvas we invest in cutting edge technology and put our money where our mouth is in terms of ensuring we have the best equipment possible to meet your needs and exceed your expectations. We spoke of the power of different lasers in our blog post about laser hair removal, and that really ties into this question. From our Dermalinfusion machine, to our top-of-the-line lasers we can ensure the best results for our clients by investing in our clinic. Don't be afraid to call ahead and ask questions and understand what equipment can provide the best results for your needs and concerns.

What is my overall timeline of expected results?

This is such an important question because nothing happens overnight! Although with many treatments and regimes quick results can be seen (and be so exciting!), most skin concerns take a combination of products and services that take time to guarantee long-terms results. With both our popular Laser Genesis, and Dermalinfusion treatments, a series of services is recommended spanning weeks or months for best results. We have many clients who are seeing continued results and improvements with things like acne, anti-aging and rosacea years after beginning treatment. Any clinic or technician that tries to guarantee quick results is likely either not being truthful, or not setting you up for long-term success in managing your skin, and knowing a timeline of when you will need treatments and how long it will take to see results sets both you and the clinic up for success! As we always say, honestly is number one for us at Raw Canvas.