Share: do you like to get your skin analyzed?
I suppose ladies who are concerned about their beauty will have their skin analyzed professionally one time or another. It might be at a department store’s cosmetic counter, at an aesthetic salon, or at a dermatologist’s clinic. How such analyses help your skin is that they will enable the skin care experts to recommend you the right products or treatments for your specific skin type. And obviously, a professional skin analysis by a dermatologist is much more thorough and detailed, compared to the others.
State-of-the-art skin analysis
When it comes to such analysis, you can be sure that some state-of-the-art skin diagnostic tools will be involved and your pore size, sun spots, wrinkles, and lines are all exposed for scrutiny. In fact, I wouldn’t be far wrong from saying that your skin issues are always magnified. LOL.
Rarely a good report
I seldom go through such analysis unless I absolutely have to, and that’s really because I hate the whole idea! In fact, I find the whole process rather intimidating because they always just focus on the negatives. I mean isn’t it demoralizing to learn that your pore size is too big, or that your pores are congested, or that your pigmentation is showing aplenty? There is definitely always something to pick if you’re going to bite that product or treatment recommended isn’t it? However, there was one instance when a dermatologist I consulted actually dismissed all the skin problems I highlighted. Except for my pigmentation, he found my skin to be normal and he wasn’t too concerned about fine lines or wrinkles, dismissing them as “expression lines”. Well, that was certainly an exception and I actually felt GOOD after the consultation.
Your say
Alas, those are exceptions like I mentioned and so it’s rare. Most of the time, I end up feeling lousy so I avoid them if I can. So my question to you today is, do you like to get such professional analysis done on your skin? Or do you prefer self-analysis done via quizzes in the safety of your home?
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I don’t mind getting my skin analyzed. It’s okay to find out problems so that I can fix it, if need be.
I think it really depends on the person doing it. The lady from Lancome did it for me (it was at a mall and they asked me to do an analysis when I pass by their store). She compared my skin to women of the same age, she told me good things too like hydration is better than the rest.
I do like to do these test, as though I am doing a personality test. But yes, they may be exaggerated, so it is best to keep a list of what you already wanted to buy before approaching the counter, and get pulled in skin analysis.
The harder-selling beauty salons seldom if ever dole out positive sounding analyses, do they? ? A derm is ok if one has serious problems, otherwise, shouldn’t be too bugged about it. Has to do with acceptance of self rather than seeking unattainable perfection.
I do feel afraid of such analysis, especially those by salons. they tend to paint the image of a monster to hard-sell
on another note, derms are usually more concerned with the health of your skin rather than whether it meets the high standards for beauty women have nowadays. wrinkles and lines are a natural part of aging no?
Not since years ago… I don’t really need someone to tell me that my skin is sensitive and blah blah blah.
Plus, they tend to add on “defects” when your skin might not even be that oily, or dry or full of wrinkles.
I would get my face professionally analysed to see my skin condition and hopefully learn a thing or two about how to better take care of it, but I would also take everything they say with a grain of salt. Like you said, they emphasise too much on the negative and overblow your “imperfections”. I wouldn’t analyse my skin by myself as I’m not an “expert” unlike the aestheticians/beauticians who have (Hopefully, in most cases) some form of training so I might end up giving your skin a wrong analysis, which I did before- I thought my skin was oily and acne-prone when it was actually sensitive, dry and dehydrated and the “pimples” were actually my sensitivity flaring up!
I hate going to those facial salons for skin analysis because they always make it sound like its the end of the world, dooms day, disaster zone for my acne prone skin. Interestingly, the dermatologists that I visited before do not think much about my acne issue, they consider it a ‘mild’ case and refuse to administer any antibiotics. They just told me to follow a consistent (key word) & gentle skincare regime of cleansing, moisturizing and mild exfoliation, keep a healthy diet and sleep well. Hmm….
I guess it depends on who we encounter. Maybe the ones I encounter are more aggressive. Having said that, I just remembered that a Vichy SA was pretty honest and told me that my pores are okay when I wanted to buy one of their products. So yeah…but the bad ones probably stick out in my memory. LOL.
You do? I guess I encounter more of such analysis at beauty salons cos I hardly purchase at counters these days so those tend to be exaggerated.
I often wonder the skill/knowledge of the aesthetician/beautician who analyze my skin. I worked as an admin at beauty products distributor many years ago and have come across aestheticians/beauticians who learned the skill from another aesthetician/beautician. I have been having my facials done regularly for the past 2-3 years by this lady who claims that she completed her course in Japan. I don’t buy her products because 1 sample she made me try gave me breakouts. Because I don’t use the products she sell, her comments about my skin is they are undernourished – for the last 2-3 years. I do mask, not as regular as I would like but at least 2-3 times a month in between facial sessions. I use a variety, Kiehl’s, Origins, L’Occitane, Premier Dead Sea and Skin Inc. The only product I get from her is Jyunka serum. I’ve asked friends what they think of my complexion and they said they wouldn’t use undernourish to describe. Where would be a good place to have your skin analyze without hidden agenda to get one buy? Wouldn’t it be a little silly/vain to visit a qualified dermatologist just for that purpose?
Yeah…one of them kept saying oh, your skin was so terrible before coming to my place but now you’ve got to thank me for glowing skin. I honestly couldn’t tell much of a difference.
Actually the one I saw was a derm but his is an aesthetic clinic so I thought he would recommend me some treatments…but yeah, they’re probably more realistic. I remember one aesthetic doc mentioned in a talk that it is only possible to look 5 years younger even with all the treatments.
I guess you’re right…but I also thought they would recommend botox, etc to reduce the wrinkles since they are offering aesthetic enhancement services.
Yes, true for most of those I’ve come across.
Some of them are good but not all. At least none of them helped me clear my acne issue – whether their treatments or their products. I cleared it on my own after a round of research. So overall, I’m more self-reliant in diagnosing my skin issues. Anyway, they have said all they wanted about my pigmentation but none of them cleared them for me too. So yes, I’m very skeptical of their expertise.
Interesting. I think I have a better understanding of dermatologists’ role after reading your comments, along with Zhenling’s & Audris’. Come to think of it, that should be the way cos they’re highly trained professionals so they should convey a more genuine attitude compared to the aestheticians who are likely trying to hit their monthly quota.
i love to get my skin professionally analyzed but i hate the hard-selling that often comes right after. but i don’t trust “professional analysis” by brand/facial consultants ’cause most of the time, the only advantage they have over me doing self-analysis are gadgets (those that magnify screenshots of the skin or test hydration levels) which I don’t have. I don’t think they’re specially trained to provide expert advice. I prefer it when it’s done by a licensed dermatologist.
Last time my skin was analyzed was late last year by my previous dermatologist. He told me my skin was actually in good condition except for the dermal pigmentations I really intended to share with him (that’s why I booked an appointment). He was quite honest with me that there’s only a 50-50 chance for treatments to cure my pigmentations since they were (still are) under the surface, especially so that I refused to use hydroquinone.
I visit various aesthetic clinics to find the “cure ” to my acne problem on my forehead which has been plaguing me for almost 15 yrs. I must say that I thought beauty sales consultants are the most aggressive in upselling products and services but skin doctors seem to become sales persons of late. I end up being cross sold botox for my jaw. Some even told me to consider fillers to make my nose bridge higher and add some length to my chin. I spent thousands on laser procedures to “cure” my acne when I realized simple Retin A gels was more than sufficient. While I cannot shift the blame entirely to the doctors as I personally have a keen interest in aesthetic procedures, my observation is that the cross selling has become more of hard selling. Its difficult for me to walk out of the consultation without getting any procedures done. Well, probably the cost of sustaining the business and eagerness of profits have became a priority rather than the responsibility of being an advisor.
I don’t find hydroquinone exceptional. I tried that many years ago and it was prescribed by a derm…didn’t see much improvement.
Not surprising because the aesthetic industry is so competitive! I remember a GP I was seeing just for a normal flu trying to cross sell me to get rid of a mole on my face! But my husband did go for the treatment.
So did you managed to get your forehead acne treated finally?
I think I would rather approach the professional(probably a dermatologist ) for analyzing my skin as I am not very educated on such matters.I think by letting the professional to help me analyze my skin, I would have a better understanding of my skin type and will use appropriate skin care to protect it. Using skincare that does not suit your skin might also cause problems since there are many different types of skincare products for different types of skin.
I once went to this facial salon and the beautician said that I have dry skin. I dont know if I can trust her as my Tzone is usually oiler than my cheek area, and shouldnt this be a combination skin?
I was recommended a skin doctor who is also a GP in a neighbourhood clinic and he prescribed Retin A gel for my acne. It was the simplest, cheapest ( $30) and most effective solution for me! My acne is totally under control as long as I apply a thin layer every night under my water based moisturizer. He gave me the advice “Less is more” and I totally agree.
I remember looking at some poor woman whose skin was in such good condition! It was almost perfect and to think they convinced her to use a ton of AHA products. Yeesh… :O I also remember falling for that many years ago, when the NeoStrata salesgirl kept sweet-talking me… ugh.
Do you think every dermatologist does a skin analysis? Because I want to have one! I know you don’t seem to like have your issues pin pointed. But I think I wouldn’t mind that at all. Plus, it’s good to know. And then you can actually adress the presented issues.
I understand what you’re saying…same thoughts here. I think the junior ones are usually locally trained but even with an overseas qualification, it doesn’t mean much if they’re skills are not up to par. So I go by trial. Did your aesthetician used anything to analyze your skin or just by her eyes? If she had used some equipment, then the results are probably more reliable. I usually trust what the machines show. I was shown once that the collagen level in my skin isn’t so good so I started putting more effort that front and it has become better.
Oh, as for dermatologist, I think they would expect some sort of issues before you visit them. The aesthetic doctors would expect some sort of “purchase” I would imagine or maybe to be paid for consultation. But I’m not sure if they actually tell you your skin type. I think the derms that I’ve visited never talked about this.
If she had washed your face, and usually should have, before analyzing your skin, then she might not have seen the full effects in that sense. But usually it’s dryness that prompts more oil secretion so she isn’t that far from wrong although I might also despite your skin as combination based on your description.
I see…that’s good. Do note that Retin-A can make your skin more photosensitive so I guess you’re already diligent on sunscreen in the day.
NeoStrata was introduced to me by a derm! But I don’t like it. I suspected that he introduced me only because he was carrying it. Didn’t find it exceptional and hated the texture, etc.
It really depends but over here, the dermatologists usually run aesthetic clinics and that’s getting competitive so I will only go to them if I’m prepared to part with money. However, they don’t seem to point out skin types, etc unless asked.
I would love to get my skin analyzed scientifically to know what products would then work effectively for my skin. Most of the times we use products by trial n ‘ error, causing undue stress to our skin. If I’m told that the moisture content of my skin is low or I need to use a skin firming product scientifically via a skin analysis, I’ll go for it. Also, the analysis should be short and non-invasive.
I do like to get my skin analyzed because till now I haven’t had a chance to go for it professionally but yes, they tend to focus on the negatives instead and especially I have pigmentation problem so I prefer not to hear that again and again!!! I avoid even the beauty counter sales girls because they often keep on telling me the same thing and it really gets annoying why are they telling me something I already know!!! Though, I would definitely like an objective consultation which would advise instead of point out and tell me about the reasons underlying the problems.
YES! I hate hearing the same thing over and over again too! It’s not like I don’t know I have pigmentation issues. Bah!
True…especially if we’re not aware of our skin issues and you’re right that sometimes, we might end up using the wrong products. I guess such analysis are useful from time to time.
Unless you go to a real dermatologist, most of those skin “analyses” are just a tool to sell beauty products. Like what you said, people will always find something to critique about your skin. And those machines are defaulted to find skin faults. They only tell you what’s wrong, but never what’s good about your skin. I did one skin analysis years before, and at the end of the examination, of course, was the selling time.
I’m not sure about these analyses. I did one rather recently and was horrified with the results although my skin looked OK.
I didnt request for it but after a facial I had a skin analysis done with a machine in the doctor’s clinic downstairs. I found it interesting as it did a surface analysis as well as deeper down – I asked and was given the print out with photos. I did not think the therapist gave me a satisfactory explanation.
However, this morning, I saw the dermatologist and he gave me a more detailed explanation and answered my questions as well – at no charge. He was very unhappy that the machine(s) had been used by the beauty therapists without any consultation with him. In fact I saw that the scan/analysis machine had been removed from where it was used on me a few days earlier.
I am not convinced of beauty counter skin analysis.
Agreed that not all are good. My acne problem cleared up after diligent facials, but I can’t attribute 100% of the success to them because I also saw a doctor and was thus also prescribed medication. I don’t fully trust their products, treatments and/or expertise but I personally feel that it helps a little bit, especially facials- for me it’s a time to relax (And I feel relaxed during good facials) so maybe that’s why it could be of help. When I get analysed I just listen and understand my skin type- most of the time also it’s trial and error on what really works and what doesn’t on my skin ?
I know what you mean…it really depends and sometimes if the people doing it are trying hard to push products, then the results can be bias and inaccurate.
At least you got a good analysis and proper explanation by the derm at no charge. But it also means the beauty therapist are not too savvy about these things cos they don’t seem to know how to interpret the analysis.
Yeah, we ourselves got to have some basic understanding and be more discerning so as not to get “conned”. ?
I don’t mind getting my skin analysed, especially if a machine is involved (I have the impression these are more accurate), but I don’t think I’ll ever get the ‘chance’ to do one because I think if one goes to an aesthetician or a derm, one must be prepared — or is already considering — to do one of their treatments or use their products, and since at this point in time I’m NOT considering any of these, I won’t be going for any analysis as far as I can see, simple as that! ?
Ya, usually there is no free lunch…so to speak. ?
Come to think of it, it’s too bad Singapore has no laws regulating overselling in beauty and related industries. Or if there are any, they sure aren’t enforced.
It’s very tough…we have to “self-regulate”! LOL.
It’s ridiculous but whatever, as long as the current “climate” is in place, I don’t think things are changing for the better. *sighs*
Oops, I meant “political climate”. But that’s all I’ll say.
Aha! I know what you mean… ?