Head off premature aging and sun damage with this powerful treatment.

At the end of 2006, Robert LaMorte, co-owner of three Chicago-area locations of Robert Jeffrey Hair and Skin Care Studio, approached two long-time employees about opening a fourth, in the trendy Lincoln Park neighborhood in Chicago. Jodi Paul, employee of LaMorte since graduating cosmetology school 20 years ago, and Jeanette Kemble, a client turned employee since 1997, jumped at the opportunity to co-own their own location. A year later, in December 2007, they opened and began welcoming in a diverse group of clients that range from college students in their late teens and early 20s to professionals in their late 40s and 50s. To mimic the feel of the neighborhood, the duo designed an airy, light and welcoming space. “We wanted to keep our finishes upscale, similar to the high-end luxury condos that were being built above us,” says Kemble. So they went straight to the source, using the condo contractor’s granite provider and cabinetmaker for the countertops and cabinets in both the salon and skin care sections.

As first-time owners, Paul says their biggest challenge so far has been introducing skin care to people who normally don’t use it. “We’re trying to get people on a regular system of facials and upgrading their skin care so they’re not buying it from a pharmacy,” she says. With the economy slumping, Kemble says it has been even more of a challenge. “People view getting a facial as a luxury item, and they tend to spend more money on hair first.”

To counteract the challenges, Paul and Kemble have introduced special promotions. The latest was designed to bring hair clients in for skin care, offering them a 20-minute special eye treatment for $25, instead of the regular $40. Signs were also posted on mirrors in the salon, touting the availability of skin care and waxing. “A lot of people who come in for hair don’t know we do both, so we’re trying to promote within the existing clientele,” says Kemble.

Their use of Dermalogica is a selling point, too. “It’s a clean line that works well for a broad range of people,” says Kemble. “It’s also simple; a client could buy two or three things and be set for beginning a facial regime.” The facial treatments are also customizable for the diverse clientele. “Definitely the most popular treatment is the custom facial,” says Paul. “There are a variety of facials and a variety of ways to customize them.”

investing in the future
Rather than focusing solely on the results of skin aging—like wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and loss of elasticity—the new AGE Smart anti-aging line from Dermalogica is designed to prevent the biological triggers that lead to those changes in the first place. The complete 11-piece line also treats the visible signs of aging, with products that include Antioxidant HydraMist to hydrate, MAP-15 Regenerator to improve clarity and firmness, MultiVitamin Power Concentrate to strengthen and MultiVitamin Thermofoliant to refine texture.

therapist: Denise Lynn, Esthetician 
spa: Robert Jeffrey Hair and Skin Care Studio in Chicago, Illinois
products: Dermalogica
snapshot: Addresses the signs of aging, premature-aging, and the signs of photo-aging and sun-damage.
contraindications: If the client is using an intensive exfoliating product, he/she must discontinue at least two weeks before undergoing this treatment. Clients who have taken Accutane within the past six months should not receive any exfoliating treatments. Do not perform exfoliation on sunburned or irritated skin, or on skin that has been waxed within the past 24 hours. Practitioners should perform a patch test to ensure skin will not become overly-sensitized. 
duration: 75 minutes
price: $100-$123
recommended home care: A personal regimen wil be recommended based on Face Mapping performed by a professional skin therapist.

Investing in the Future

Rather than focusing solely on the results of skin aging—like wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and loss of elasticity—the new AGE Smart anti-aging line from Dermalogica is designed to prevent the biological triggers that lead to those changes in the first place. The complete 11-piece line also treats the visible signs of aging, with products that include Antioxidant HydraMist to hydrate, MAP-15 Regenerator to improve clarity and firmness, MultiVitamin Power Concentrate to strengthen and MultiVitamin Thermofoliant to refine texture.

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