Client help please

I have this client who came to me in early December for a non-skin service. We got to talking and I ended up sending her home with SS samples. Of course she loved (how could she not?!) and called me so she could pick up products. I sent her home with Green Tea Cleanser, Blemish Control Cleanser (use 3x/week), Cucumber Toner and Hydrating Serum. She did not want to purchase a moisturizer yet and did not want the scrub. She just sent me a text today telling me that her skin hates her. She is still breaking out on her chin, jawline (lots of blackheads she says) and some on her cheeks. She is exfoliating with grape seed oil and white sugar (which I told her to stop using) and uses a Neutrogena moisturizer.

I've never given her a facial but I think I convinced her that she needs to get one. It sounds like she has a lot of congestion and a good deep cleanse will really help. I will get more details about her diet, lifestyle, etc when I see her. I know she is a nurse and probably in her late 20's.

Normally this is not a "problem" client and I would know exactly what to do but since she is already using some products, I want to make sure I give her the best facial tomorrow. Any recommendations? I have all the enzymes (I don't think I'm out of any) from SS and masks. I also use the UltraSonic Spatula and I have High Frequency.

What do you guys think? I don't want her to return her SS products b/c I know they will work for her. I don't think I will be able to convince her to get the scrub but I will definitely recommend a different homemade scrub than the one she is using. :) And maybe I will be able to get her to buy the Light Aloe moisturizer. $15 is so inexpensive!

Thanks so much!

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sandra Hicks on January 10, 2013 at 4:54pm

It definitely sounds like she has a lot going on. The Pomegranate enzyme is a good one to use for her . But I think once you talk with her and really hear what she is saying and NOT saying you can get a better understanding of what is really going on with her skin. Clients often do some crazy things to themselves when it comes to their skin and want to blame it on the products . ( i know this from personal experience with one of my clients). She may be scrubbing her skin too hard, too much. Also explain to her the benefits of using one product line for her skincare, when used together they create a a synergy that works to give her better results faster because they are suited for each other and made with the same integrity.

Permalink Reply by Sandra Hicks on January 10, 2013 at 5:03pm

Also let her know that although it is a good oil, Grapeseed oil can be slightly comedogenic and may be part of her problem..

Permalink Reply by Lisa VanBockern on January 10, 2013 at 5:03pm

I like the items you have recommended so far. Tell me more about her skin. Is it dry, normal, oily? Is she consistent on the homecare? Is the angry skin a problem of the past, or is it just recent since starting the products? What type of makeup does she use? Does she sleep in her makeup? Technically, the Blemish Control Cleanser should be her exfoliation since it contains 2%gly/2%sal; she shouldn't need the grape seed oil and white sugar. I would definitely add the Blemish Spot treatment to her regimine to reduce the inflammed lesions.

My thoughts turn to hormonal issues since you mention it is the jawline and chin. I think the professional treatments are definitely in order. If she's sensitive or inflammed, I would lean towards the Coconut enzyme so I don't anger the skin further (especially being a first time treatment). If she's not sensitive, I would lean towards the blueberry enzyme (1%gly/1%sal) and use the ultrasonic to penetrate the product, and then remove the product. Also perform your high frequency. During the masking section of your facial, I would spot treat with the Cranberry Turnover (20% salicylic) on the inflammed pustles and apply Seaweed everywhere else.

After your skin analysis, for a treatment plan, you might consider weekly treatments of either enzymes (blueberry or pomegranate) or alternate some Cranberry Turnover (20% salicylic) only on the inflammed areas. These don't have to be full 1 hr treatments - they could 15-20 minute treatments so you could price it reasonably so you could see her every week and stay on top of the acne breakouts.

I realize this is some vague information since I cannot see your client. Remember that we don't always recommend the perfect set of products or the right treatment immediately. I'm here to support you. Keep trying. Your client wants you to keep trying. If you ever need to exchange a product, please do so for your client and find the perfect products for her. I do the same for you - return any products and I will either issue credit, or replace the product. One of my best compliments from a client was "I knew Lisa was up at night trying to figure out my skin issues". We eventually figured it out, and it took months, but we got there. She's still my client and a friend now.

I look forward to everyone else's feedback on this issue. Lisa

Permalink Reply by Devyn M. on January 10, 2013 at 5:19pm

Thank you ladies! I wasn't at work when I spoke to her so I didn't have my notes with me about her skin, makeup routine, etc. I do not know that she is combination leaning more towards oily. I did mention to her that her breakouts were probably hormonal but I'm not sure that the are inflamed or anything like that. I'm getting the impression that she has a lot of blackheads and maybe some bigger pimples. It seems like her skin has not changed at all since I first saw her but I am only guessing and basing it on what she told me. I think she expected her skin to clear up when she started using SS.

Products- I wouldn't know what to switch up at this point b/c I wouldn't recommend the other 2 cleansers. Adding I would do but I think money is an issue. I love Blemish Spot Treatment but I don't think everyone thinks it's going to work as well as it does b/c there are so many crappy ones out there. :( I keep saying I'm going to have my clients write testimonials about SS products but I haven't gotten around to it yet.

Lisa- I never thought to use the spatula to penetrate the enzyme into the skin. Brilliant!

Permalink Reply by Cindy Greenwood on January 15, 2013 at 4:48pm

someone has to say it....

OMG - sugar and grapeseed oil?!?! Wow.

I would totally do it for a body scrub but not my face.

I have had several people balk at the price of the Retinol scrub.

So I buy the sample size and sell it at a retail price. (sshhh..don't tell Lisa I do that!)

This works great for people that just need a little bit (like my girl with the milia around her eyes).

Permalink Reply by Lisa VanBockern on January 15, 2013 at 5:01pm

LOL! Oh you're so sneaky. That's why we have them. You can sell them, give them away, whatever works for you. Q. - how's it working for the milia around the eye? Do you use the Ageless Hydrating Serum also for the milia?