To help bring awareness and education to teenage clients beginning their spa and wellness journey, these industry experts shared what to look for in teenage skin care—from the specific skin needs of teens and how it differs from adults to self-care and wellness practices to help teenage clients with self-image and life balance.
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To help bring awareness and education to teenage clients beginning their spa and wellness journey, these industry experts shared what to look for in teenage skin care—from the specific skin needs of teens and how it differs from adults to self-care and wellness practices to help teenage clients with self-image and life balance.
What are the skin care needs of teenage clients?
Kimberlee Geng, director of education and training, Pure Fiji USA: Hormones will affect teenagers’ skin, as their oil glands are often some of the first changes stimulated during puberty. So, one of the most common skin care concerns that affects this age group is acne.
Lydia Sarfati, founder and CEO, Repêchage: Acne, atopic dermatitis and psoriasis are the key dermatologic problems facing teenagers, according to a recent study published in Children (November 2021). Typically, teenage acne is triggered by hormonal changes brought on by puberty, specifically, increases and fluctuations in androgens. This leads to an increase in sebum production, which can start a cascade of events that lead to congested, acne-prone skin.
What’s more, these chronic conditions may cause visible lesions and ongoing discomfort, which can negatively impact their self-image, activities, daily habits and interactions with their peers. While addressing oily and acne-prone skin is the No. 1 need for this age group, skin care professionals should also consider other factors, such as over-drying from aggressive treatments, environmental aggressors or concerns that are made worse by stress and anxiety.
Janna Ronert, founder of IMAGE Skincare: Teens need a simple program to combat oil and acne: a great cleanser, morning and evening; sunscreen every day, rain or shine; and exfoliation one to two times per week using a gently enzyme exfoliator.
Lynnette Cole, licensed esthetician and senior director of education at Cosmedix: Establishing a simple daily cleansing and moisturizing routine is crucial early on. After they do that for a few weeks, they can slowly introduce one product at a time to address specific concerns like congested pores, excess sebum or acne. Remind them that patience and consistency are key to overall skin health, regardless of someone’s age, skin type, condition or concerns.
What wellness advice do you have for teenage clients?
Ronert: Teenagers need to eat a healthy, balanced diet full of foods that are green. They must drink their weight in water every day, and wash their face after all exercise!
The team at M.A.D Skincare: Education and information are key in health and wellness. The pressure on teens is higher than ever, and a balanced lifestyle helps in all areas, including skin conditions. Health and wellness needs for these gests include a daily, results-oriented skin care routine; healthy diet; plenty of exercise; and a positive balance between social life, school and work.
How should teens’ spa treatments differ from those for adults?
Geng: Some adult spa treatments include harsh products or techniques, such as deep tissue massage or facials with deep exfoliation, which can cause an adverse reaction on younger skin. Teens should avoid abrasive scrubs that often cause irritation and inflammation, as well as strong alpha- or beta-hydroxy-acid chemical peels, which are drying.
M.A.D Skincare: When treating teens, avoid all abrasive services. The primary focus should be on deep cleansing and purifying. Education should focus on the basics of proper home care, and the importance of SPF and aging prevention.
Sarfati: Regular facials that address breakouts, help to reduce oil and sebum, and keep the pores refined and clear are the priorities for teenage skin care. The key is to provide treatments and products that do this, but also maintain the proper moisture level to the skin to prevent over-drying and to restore the skin’s optimum natural biome.
Cole: Teenagers aren’t necessarily concerned with wrinkles, hyperpigmentation or the long-term effects from sun exposure, so I recommend early product education, encouraging simple self-care habits and mapping a skin care journey for teen clients as they navigate through puberty to adulthood. It’s also important to educate them about potential cross contamination by reminding them to regularly wash their hands, change their pillowcases, clean makeup brushes or application tools and avoid sharing their cosmetic products with friends or family.
What do teens look for in terms of self-care?
Ronert: They want clean beauty options and companies that take care of the planet. Day-to-day, teenagers want simple routines that keep their skin clean and healthy.
Sarfati: Teenagers need to reduce the appearance of skin lesions while minimizing stress to break that breakout cycle. Treatments need to be focused, fun and fast.
Cole: Easy and simple skin care and makeup routines are their favorite self-care. Wearing a foundation formulated with broad spectrum SPF, for example, is a daily essential that both provides sun protection and covers blemishes.
What are your favorite treatments for teens?
Geng: I prefer customized facial treatments designed for young skin, usually with a soothing mask and relaxing facial massage, as well as teen manicures and pedicures. I also give them makeup lessons and advice about how to take care of their skin.
M.A.D. Skincare: A classic “high touch” facial service is a fantastic way to introduce this age group to the prospect of lifelong self-care. During the treatment, we love using M.A.D Skincare Four Fruit Enzyme Exfoliating Mask with Pumice under steam to remove dead surface proteins, followed by very thorough extractions.
Ronert: I love IMAGE Skincare’s vitamin C facial for teens. It is super hydrating and gently exfoliates to reveal a dewy, glowing complexion.
Cole: I opt for Cosmedix Clarify Salicylic Acid Foaming Cleanser, plus the brand’s clarifying serum, oil-free moisturizer and cleansing mask (used once or twice a week, or as a spot treatment). Encourage good self-care habits for teenage clients by creating a simple skin care routine or kit, which empowers them to maintain and achieve results at home. A cleanse, treat, moisturize and protect skin care routine can be very confidence boosting.
Sarfati: The Repêchage Hydra Medic Facial with Desincrustation Mask for Oily, Problem Skin is a deep cleansing and refining treatment that helps diminish the appearance of breakouts. Both the facial and the at-home products contain seaweeds such as Laminaria digitata, Ascophyllum nodosum and Laminaria saccharina, as well as tea, salicylic and kojic acids, willow bark, aloe and hyaluronic acid to soothe and renew the skin while addressing excess oil.
In addition to intensive facial treatments, spa owners can create a menu of options that can easily be incorporated into other services that teens already receive regularly. These include easy-to-apply face masks during manicures and pedicures, and relaxing and skin enhancing body treatments in conjunction with waxing.
