Are We Truly Healers?

I’m one of those estheticians that got into the business because I have a passion for skin care and I love taking care of people. However, whatever you do, please do not approach me at a party and lead me into the kitchen to take a look at a growth on your husband’s back. Really. What do you expect me to do? Sterilize the area with a cosmopolitan and throw on a pair of rubber maids?

I wouldn’t dream of tapping my dentist on the shoulder at a Starbucks, and with finger in mouth, stretch my bottom lip down to my jaw line to see if he detected any gum disease. Or, in the wake of another bad break up, dragging my therapist out of her Hot Yoga class to have a sit down in the middle of the parking lot. Or, God forbid, during the finale of The Boy From OZ, grabbing my colorist, bending my head down and asking if he spots any weird patches of gray coming in.

On the other hand, my friend and co-worker, Tina, will leap at the chance to remove anything on anyone at anytime and anywhere. She carries a facialist’s arsenal of surgical gloves, gauze, lancets, and alcohol in her purse.  I recently saw her in action while waiting on line with her two toddlers in tow for the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland.  A red haired, freckled father in front of her had developed a bad sun blister on his neck. Thanks to Tina, by the time the Disney swashbucklers were covered in booty and booze, the freckly Dad’s neck had completely healed! 

My question to you, fellow, Wellness Professionals, is:  If we reserve our interest in our client’s skin care issues to only within the confines of the treatment room, does that infer that we are uncaring, greedy practitioners only looking out for our business? Or are we simply human beings, and like everyone else, prefer to keep our social lives free of the responsibilities that come with our daily working lives?

Most people I know wouldn’t ask their dermatologist for advice outside of the office. Why expect your esthetician to drop her groceries and save the day? It’s unfair. My dermatologist agrees, he says we should all be treated with the same respect. I admit, there are some differences, I may not have the deckhouse in Lake Tahoe or the Mercedes GL550 or for that matter, the three and a half day workweek, but I do enjoy little departures from the treatment room occasionally. 

So, I warn my clients: If you see me sitting quietly at the end of a bar somewhere, at least let me finish my beer.