What type are you?

What type are you?
As a skin therapist and specialist I like to keep up to date with the latest going ons in the world that is skincare.
I need to have my finger on the pulse of the latest promises being made to you by the cosmetic companies, whether its to ‘firm and tighten’, ‘banish open pores and oily shine’, or ‘erase lines and wrinkles’. I also regularly research the ingredient technology that’s on the horizon and the scientific data that back up their claims.
I couldn’t help overhearing a conversation recently, whilst doing some research reading the ingredients list on another skincare cosmetic that was claiming to radically turn back the clock in one pot.
The conversation was between a cosmetic company sales assistant and a prospective customer who wanted to invest in a new skincare regime.
‘I’m just not sure if what I’m using is right for my skin type, my skin still feels dry even after moisturising’ said prospective customer. My ears instantly pricked up. ‘Right so you’ve got dry skin then?’ asks sales assistant. ‘Well I think so…I’m not sure, I was hoping you could tell me’ says the customer. I now turn to look at the customer who is quite heavily made up and force my eyes back to the product in my hand. ‘Say nothing’ I think to myself, ‘It’s not your business’.
‘Well’ sales assistant leans towards customer,’ I think you look dry’. I replace product back on the shelf turn on my heels before I have the chance to muscle in on the conversation which would a) have been rude and b) totally patronising to the sales assistant.
It’s this very act that goes on up and down the country in every department and chemist store that really frustrates me and makes me feel for those sales assistants who are expected to give advice on products and peoples skin with, sometimes, little or no training on the organ itself.
I can only ever give advice and diagnose skin types and conditions once I have completed a detailed consultation, removed every scrap of make up and analysed and viewed the skin under close proximity and even then it can take a couple of treatments to establish what’s going on.
How on earth can you give true and correct advice when viewing a customer’s skin when peering over the counter at someone with full make up on? It’s just not possible and so this turns into a ‘sale’ rather than a recommendation of a product.
Skin type V skin condition
Your skin type is genetic, it’s what you are born with there is nothing you can do to change it.
However, as a skin therapist, it’s the skin conditions that are associated with that skin type that can be treated, controlled or remedied.
Over the next few blogs I am going to give you a definition of the three key skin types and some of the associated conditions.
Remember that everybody is unique though and as with my treatments, you cannot be put into a ‘one size fits all’ skin type category.
Next week: Lipid dry skin…
Want to know your skin type? Call Louise on 07810 872 633 or email enquiries@u-treatments.co.uk to book your skin health assessment and experience her ‘U and your skin’ facial treatment.

www.u-treatments.co.uk
Copyright 2009