Forgive Me?

It feels awkward, to be so newly into our relationship of writer and reader to admit that I have already lied to you. I don’t lie well. I’ve never been great at it. The energy of a lie is very heavy to me. I feel the weight of it in my words as they come out. It drops like a stone in my stomach. My shoulders hunch like an albatross has become my new necklace. I’m admitting this up front so I can lighten the load but also because at the time I lied, I didn’t know I was lying. The tell tale signs were not apparent even if, as I typed the words, I felt a sense of hesitation in making such a bold, public statement.

As a relatively new entrant into the skincare world, I thought I knew what kind of esthetician I wanted to be. As I get deeper into the work in real life (vs. in training or school) I realize that what I really want is to be fully educated. As educated as I possibly can be. To do that, I can’t eliminate a part of the industry; any part of it. This realization got me to start questioning how I instinctually wanted to rule out needles, neurotoxins or any sort of advanced invasive esthetic procedure (because it exploits the skin’s ability to regenerate) without having a true understanding its purpose, its power and/or its potential. So I chose a new path, to work in the last possible place I ever thought I’d go… into a plastic surgeon’s office.

Now, I’m the one holding the SkinPen with 14 stainless steel needles that penetrate the skin with a medical grade motor at 7,000 RPM creating microchannels in the skin that activate the skin’s wound healing response to induce collagen and elastin production. Turns out it’s actually a fun procedure to do and the results, over time, are remarkable. RealSelf reports an 86% “worth it” rating from real patients. I’m also the one holding the fractional resurfacing laser. I’m holding the IPL laser. I’m holding the LHR (Laser Hair Removal) laser. I’m soon to be holding the Sofwave ultrasound laser. I’m practicing and I’m learning and I’m loving the gathering of knowledge and experience.

I’m not going to drop my energy work or my love of Qi Beauty and the amazing results I’ve seen. However, I’m beginning to wonder if there’s a marriage in this mix that could make the results even better?

The point here is that I hadn’t tried to micro needle anyone’s skin before I decided that I didn’t want to do it as part of trying to find my niche in the industry. And for the best, most thorough education, the elimination-before-you-know-see-feel-try-it-technique, for me personally, just won’t do. I’m not interested, at this point, in fencing myself in on the wide-open landscape that’s before me. I’m free to roam. I will do so with an open heart, an open mind and the spirit of an explorer. I will embark on my journey to prioritize learning above all else. I hope you’ll continue to join me, and learn with me. Assuming, of course, that you can find it in yourself to forgive me for being so bold in my naiveté.

I’m committed to your skin’s health, regardless of how it’s achieved.

With humble gratitude for your partnership on my journey, Lani