 Let’s talk about histamine—not just in the allergy world, but in your treatment room.
Some clients have mystery reactions: redness, itching, swelling, or even dizziness after what should be a “safe” treatment. It’s not always an allergy. Sometimes, it’s histamine sensitivity or even mast cell activation. What is histamine, anyway? It’s a chemical stored in mast cells that’s released when the body senses a threat—like allergens, injury, or inflammation. But it’s also involved in gut health, hormone balance, brain chemistry, and—yes—skin reactions. What can trigger a histamine response in the treatment room?
These things don’t have to be allergens—they just stimulate mast cells or increase circulation, triggering histamine release. Who’s more likely to react?
Did you know?
Quick ways to support histamine-sensitive clients:
Bottom line: If someone reacts to everything, don’t jump straight to blaming the product. Their histamine bucket might already be full.  We all know about IQ—your intelligence quotient—and EQ, emotional intelligence. But let’s talk about a different kind of “Q” that doesn’t get enough attention: RQ—Resilience Quotation.
RQ is your bounce-back factor. It’s your ability to recover, adapt, and thrive when life throws you challenges. Think about it: setbacks are inevitable, whether in your career, relationships, or personal goals. Your RQ determines whether you crumble or come back stronger. And the best part? RQ isn’t fixed—you can build it. Why RQ Matters Here’s why resilience is key:
How to Build Your RQ Good news—your RQ is like a muscle. Here’s how to strengthen it:
RQ in Action Think of someone you admire. Chances are, they’ve faced tough times and come out stronger. That’s resilience. And guess what? You have that too. Look at your own life—the challenges you’ve faced, the times you’ve gotten back up. Every one of those moments has built your RQ. The Takeaway Resilience is your superpower. It’s what keeps you moving when life gets tough. Unlike IQ or EQ, it’s not something you’re born with—it’s something you build. So when life feels overwhelming, remember: you’ve got this. Your RQ is stronger than you think, and it’s what will help you not just survive—but thrive.  The decision to use or avoid ice after treatments like microneedling or heat-based therapies depends on the balance between promoting the body’s natural healing response and managing client comfort. Here’s a breakdown of the benefits and evidence surrounding both approaches:
What Does the Evidence Say?
Best Practices
In summary, while the inflammatory cascade is vital for optimal results, moderate cooling may be appropriate for managing discomfort or reducing risks for certain clients. There is no strong evidence that ice is essential post-treatment, and avoiding it may maximize the benefits of the skin’s natural healing process.  As someone who’s been an entrepreneur for most of my life, I’ve learned countless lessons—some through triumph and others through failure. My journey started at age 23 when I set out with lofty goals to fast-track my way to becoming a millionaire. I believed that success was all about moving quickly: the faster I could accomplish something, the sooner I’d reach my dreams. But along the way, I discovered a hard truth: speed and momentum are not the same.
Speed Is Not Sustainable When I first started in business, I was laser-focused on speed. If I had a big win or brought in a lot of money, my instinct was to immediately reinvest it into the next big thing. I thought I was being bold, taking risks, and doing what entrepreneurs were supposed to do. But here’s the problem with speed: it’s often short-sighted. Every time one of my quick decisions didn’t pan out, I had to stop, regroup, and start over. And while every misstep taught me valuable lessons, the constant cycle of starting over was exhausting and expensive. Momentum Is the Long Game Momentum, on the other hand, is about building something sustainable. It’s about getting the ball rolling and ensuring it keeps rolling—picking up speed as it gains energy. Momentum doesn’t require you to stop and start over every time something goes wrong. Instead, it’s about creating systems, making thoughtful decisions, and allowing your business to grow in a way that builds on itself. The beauty of momentum is that once you’ve built it, it works for you. Instead of chasing success at full speed, you’re setting up a foundation that carries you forward consistently. It’s not flashy, but it’s effective. Why Momentum Matters in the Beauty Business Salon and spa owners, as well as solopreneurs, often fall into the trap of chasing speed. They focus on quick wins—like the latest equipment, a trendy service, or rapid client growth—without thinking about the long-term impact. But in the beauty business, building momentum is the key to sustainable success. Here’s why:
Lessons From My Journey
Building Wealth in Your Business One of the greatest benefits of building momentum is the ability to create wealth—not just for yourself but for your team. Financial literacy isn’t just about your own success; it’s about empowering your team to succeed as well. When you teach your staff to understand financial goals and how to earn for themselves, you’re creating a business that’s built to last. Employees who feel supported, respected, and invested in are more likely to stay loyal to your business. And when your business is financially stable, you have options:
The Bottom Line Speed might get you quick wins, but momentum will take you farther. It’s the difference between sprinting and running a marathon: one is over in minutes, while the other builds endurance and long-term success. As beauty business owners, it’s tempting to chase the next big thing. But I’m here to tell you: slow down just enough to make thoughtful, informed decisions. Build a foundation, invest in your team, and stay financially literate. The more momentum you build, the less you’ll need to rely on speed to reach your goals. And if you’re just starting out or feeling stuck, take it from me: having someone in your corner—a mentor, coach, or trusted advisor—can make all the difference. Momentum doesn’t happen overnight, but with the right tools and mindset, you’ll create a business that carries you forward for years to come.  I'm in a season of transition right now, and it’s one of the most challenging and emotional seasons I’ve ever faced. It feels like I’m being pruned—like a plant whose branches are being cut back, stripped down to make way for something new. And if I’m honest, some days it feels like I’m cutting off pieces of myself.
I’m letting go of the things that are draining my energy, the things that have been keeping me small. I’m cutting away the overgrowth—the parts of my life that are taking too much but not giving anything back. I’m simplifying, refocusing, and making space for my roots to grow deeper. But pruning isn’t easy. It feels terrifying. It feels like loss. It’s like cutting off a part of your arm or leg, wondering if you’ll ever be whole again. You’re afraid it’s going to hurt. You’re afraid it won’t grow back. The fear tells you to hold on, to keep the old growth—even when you know it’s no longer serving you. And yet, I’m doing it anyway. I’m cutting away relationships that no longer nourish me. I’m changing my environment to one that allows me to thrive. I’m examining my triggers—not with guilt, but with curiosity and compassion. When something sets me off, I see it as a message, a mirror showing me where I still need healing. Instead of feeling ashamed, I remind myself that triggers are teachers, and I’m learning what I need to work through to become the person I’m meant to be. And here’s the beautiful, emotional truth I’ve come to realize: what gets pruned away does grow back. It doesn’t just grow back—it grows back fuller, stronger, and more alive. I can feel it happening even now. The woman I am becoming, the tree I am nurturing, the flowers that are starting to bloom—they are worth every painful cut, every tear shed, every moment of fear and doubt. This process is raw. It’s messy. It’s scary. But it’s also breathtaking. I’m learning to trust that the pain of letting go is necessary to make space for something extraordinary. If you’re going through your own season of pruning, know that you’re not alone. I see you, and I feel the weight of it. But I also know this: growth comes from the cutting. Beauty comes from the breaking. And strength comes from the rebuilding. Hold on. Trust the process. The flowers are coming, and they will be nothing short of phenomenal.  This week, I had the incredible privilege of spending time with my niece and her newborn son. My niece, like me, is an entrepreneur, having opened her own spa. Watching her navigate the demands of motherhood while building her business left me in awe—and, honestly, deeply reflective. It’s no secret that being a mother is one of the hardest jobs in the world. But being a mother in the beauty business? That’s a whole other level. As beauty professionals, we don’t just work with numbers, files, or products. What we do is deeply emotional—we pour into others. We make women feel strong, beautiful, empowered, and unstoppable. But how do we do that when we feel completely drained ourselves? How do we pour from a cup that’s almost empty, or sometimes feels like it’s bone dry? Motherhood in the Beauty Business: A Unique Challenge Unlike some other careers, our work is intimate and personal. It’s not just about showing up and doing a task; it’s about connecting with people on a human level, often when we’re running on fumes ourselves. And the truth is, motherhood can feel isolating. Add entrepreneurship or running a beauty business into the mix, and you’ve got a recipe for overwhelm. I Want to Hear From You I know I’m not alone in wondering how we do this. How do we, as mothers, entrepreneurs, and beauty professionals, manage to keep pouring into others while balancing everything else in our lives? If you’re a mother in the beauty industry, I want to hear from you. Do you have any tips—not the generic ones we’ve all heard like “sleep when the baby sleeps” or “work when the baby naps”—but real, actionable advice? Things you’ve discovered that have helped you not only survive but thrive? How Can We Support Mothers in Our Industry? This is also a call to action. How can we as a community do better for the mothers among us? How can we create spaces, systems, and support networks that help moms feel less alone, more empowered, and better equipped to handle the immense load they carry? It’s not just about saying, “Take a break,” or “Practice self-care.” Those phrases often feel hollow when you’re trying to juggle everything. It’s about practical ways we can step in and lighten the load—whether it’s through mentorship, childcare support, flexible scheduling, or simply offering a listening ear. My Wish for Mothers in Our Industry To all the mothers in the beauty business, I see you. You’re doing something remarkable—building a business, changing lives, and raising the next generation all at once. My hope is that together, we can create a culture of support where moms don’t have to choose between their dreams and their families, where they feel supported rather than stretched too thin. Let’s start this conversation. Share your thoughts, your experiences, and your tips. Let’s build a community where mothers in our industry feel empowered to keep pouring into others—without losing themselves in the process. Let's Hear Your Stories! We’ve all seen the buzz around stem cells in skincare lately. One company says bone-derived stem cells are the “holy grail,” while another touts fat-derived stem cells as the ultimate solution. But, when it comes down to it, what’s the real deal? Let’s break down what stem cells do for the skin, how growth factors work, and why understanding the science behind these claims matters more than the marketing. By the end, you’ll have the knowledge to make informed choices and be able to confidently educate your clients without falling for the hype.
What Exactly Are Stem Cells, and Why Do They Matter? In simplest terms, stem cells are like the body’s natural repair crew. They have a unique ability to turn into different types of cells, which means they’re great at regenerating tissues. There are many types of stem cells, but in skincare, we mostly hear about Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) derived from either bone marrow or adipose (fat) tissue. Both types of MSCs secrete proteins, called growth factors, which are like little “pep talks” for your skin cells. Growth factors signal cells to regenerate, repair, and produce more collagen and elastin, which we love because these are the proteins that keep skin firm and youthful. Growth Factors: The Real Secret Sauce Think of growth factors as the nutrients that make stem cells effective in skincare. Even when stem cells aren’t “alive” in skincare products (and they aren’t, by the way), the growth factors they produce are still there, ready to help the skin heal and look its best. So, whether you’re working with bone marrow or fat-derived MSCs, it’s really the growth factors that deliver the results. These growth factors can help your skin heal from microneedling treatments, reduce inflammation, and boost your skin’s overall glow. Bone Marrow MSCs vs. Fat-Derived MSCs: What’s the Difference? Let’s get to the million-dollar question: are bone marrow stem cells better than fat-derived ones? Here’s the truth—both types of MSCs are effective when applied topically, but they have slightly different strengths:
Sourcing and Safety: How Are These Stem Cells Obtained? The stem cells used in skincare products are carefully sourced from donors and then processed to remove any DNA or live cells, which means there’s no risk of cross-reaction when they’re applied to someone else’s skin. This is important for safety and regulatory reasons, ensuring that the end product contains only growth factors and beneficial proteins—no actual DNA or “live” cells. How to Separate Hype from Fact in Stem Cell Skincare Let’s talk about the science behind the products. When you’re researching a product that claims it’s “better” because it uses one type of MSC over the other, dig into the studies behind those claims. Here’s a quick checklist to help:
Bottom Line: Choose What Works Best for Your Clients Here’s the takeaway: Both bone marrow and fat-derived stem cells have their merits, and there isn’t definitive research proving one is significantly better than the other when applied topically. What matters most is the quality of the product, its source, and its formulation. Whether you choose a product with bone marrow MSCs or fat-derived MSCs, rest assured you’re still providing your clients with the regenerative benefits of growth factors that support their skin’s healing and rejuvenation. Let’s stop letting the marketing noise get in the way of the facts. By doing our own research, checking the studies, and staying informed, we can make choices that genuinely benefit our clients—without getting swept up in hype. |
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