The world of skincare and aesthetics is simultaneously enticing and intimidating.

Artful Living: Promises of a glowing and flawless complexion reel us in, but navigating a seemingly endless march of new products and cutting-edge treatments can be paralyzing. So, how do we know which creams or lasers will actually get us results? Ask an expert, of course. We recently sat down with Skin MPLS founder Cassie Fehlen to get her insights on all things aesthetics, including skincare trends, functional facials and ways to love your skin.

How did you get started in the skincare world?

It all began because my mom always took fantastic care of her skin and encouraged me to start a few-step skincare regimen at a young age. Having begun so early, it was just a part of life that was baked into me. Throughout my teenage years and into my twenties, friends would seek my advice on their skin and other beauty products, but getting into the beauty industry never occurred to me. Instead, I majored in business at a four-year college because I thought that’s what you did. After several years of working as an IT consultant in the corporate world, I found myself discontented and yearning to help people more directly in both my career and daily work. And who is the one person that you tell everything to? You know, your hairstylist! I had apparently poured my heart out to her over the years, and she helped guide me straight to aesthetics. I never looked back!

What’s the philosophy behind Skin MPLS?

It stems from my time working as a consultant — we are problem solvers, skin problem solvers! We want to be your skin consultant so you can focus on the rest of your life and the things that really matter to you. Daily life is packed; there isn’t time for you to also be a skin researcher and expert. Working with a professional who can easily guide you to the right products and treatments for your skin shortcuts you straight to skin results. We see the self-confidence boost that an improved and clear complexion brings, so we want to bring that to as many people as possible.

What sets Skin MPLS apart from other spas?

When we opened in 2013, we were the only skin clinic in the Twin Cities to specialize in treating acne. We love to treat acne! Nearly every adolescent will encounter acne in their teens, and so many women deal with acne in their twenties, thirties, forties and beyond. It’s baffling to me that there aren’t better resources readily available to help people with acne, so I dug in before opening and figured it out.

The impact of clearing a client’s acne drives us to continue doing our jobs enthusiastically. I’m proud of the work we do and the added bonus is that it attracts top aestheticians who care about our clients and industry, and consider aesthetics to be their career. You can see any of our providers and know you’re with a top skin expert.

Which trends are you excited about right now?

I’ve always been a fan of at-home skincare devices and tools when used responsibly! They used to be few and far between. But now, they seem to pop up daily, which makes it hard to decipher what is worth it and what is not. I love researching, trying some of them out and helping others decide what trendy device may be worth incorporating into their skincare routine.

Any trends to avoid?

I hate to be too negative, but avoid all skincare trends! Be cautious and discerning. You don’t need to be an early adopter to get your best skin. Even as new professional equipment, products, protocols and treatments come out, I like to wait and let others be test subjects first to weed out learnings. No need for me or my clients to take on unnecessary risk or try something expensive just to find the results underwhelming!

Skincare seems to be inundating everyone right now, which is exciting for our field and creates interest. However, every company in every industry is trying to get a piece, which can dilute results because not every company should be making skincare products, devices and tools.

Can you tell us about functional facial treatments?

We like the word “functional” because it’s a bit of a double entendre, meaning to have purpose and to treat holistically. With our consultative approach to skin, we make sure our facial treatments function to achieve your skin goals and treat your concerns. And, holistically, we consider more than just your face when we’re helping you through your skin issues. We investigate and thoughtfully dig into your health and lifestyle to uncover any hurdles that may be thwarting your skin goals.

Why is it important to seek a professional to create an at-home routine?

Ultimately, it will get you the results you’re looking to achieve. Though products from a professional can seem expensive up front, they will save you time, frustration and money. Skincare products and ingredients are confusing. What works for your friend’s skin won’t work for your skin. We know skin and can tell you what will work for your skin to get the results you’re after.

What are the best ways to enhance skincare results?

Med spa treatments give some noticeable and relatively quick skin results. They are an excellent place to start if you’re new to skincare and have lofty goals and a short timeline. Otherwise, they beautifully support and boost results in already improved skin. Broadband Light (BBL) laser treatments can shift pigment in skin that you didn’t notice was there until it’s gone. The light targets the red and brown pigment in the skin to create a very even canvas.

BBL, medical-grade microneedling and deeper chemical peels can all pack a punch for skin change. But med spa treatments can take a chunk of your skincare budget, so we use them wisely for those with stricter budgets. At Med Spa @ Skin MPLS, we believe your neck and your décolleté are as important as your face, so we include those areas (as time allows) in the price of your treatment.

Which treatment do you recommend most?

Nothing is one-size-fits-all, but medical-grade microneedling is as close as possible. There are very few contraindications, and we thoroughly review your health history and get any necessary clarifications before moving forward. This unicorn of a treatment is FDA-approved to treat acne scarring and wrinkles, but it has also been seen to improve overall skin health, including redness, pigmentation, dullness, laxity, collagen creation and pore appearance. There is one day of downtime, and for most people it’s pretty minimal considering the skin improvement.

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By Rosie Kelly

Artful Living