Alyssa Cink

First-time massage clients are a big deal. That first massage appointment is your chance to make a lasting impression. Getting a massage for the first time should be the kind of experience your new massage clients rave about. Make it a positive experience, and they’ll likely become repeat customers and refer you to their friends.…

When you think about your life as an esthetician, do you ever worry about your safety? Esthetician health and safety rarely makes front-page news—even in the beauty industry. That spot is frequently reserved for hairstylists with their hot curling irons, or nail techs with their exposure to cuts and hot water.   But we want to…

Think of a job site that’s prone to overuse injuries.  What comes to mind first? Did you picture a construction site, where workers repeatedly lift heavy things and handle heavy machinery? Maybe you thought of crime scenes and fires, where first responders encounter varying degrees of danger and exertion every day. Now, let’s get real:…

As a massage therapist or esthetician, have you studied the potential lymphatic drainage massage dangers?  Lymphatic system drainage massage (a.k.a. manual lymphatic drainage or MLD) is a gentle and relaxing technique. By lightly stretching the skin, it’s used to stimulate the lymphatic system, a group of organs, tissues, and vessels that balance bodily fluids and…

Is your hair salon prepared to tackle questions about chemo and hair dye? Hair dye and chemotherapy are difficult to address, because each person’s chemotherapy journey is so unique. You’re unlikely to hear the same story twice. There are different kinds of chemo for different conditions (like autoimmune diseases and blood disorders), and different reactions…

Nicks and cuts aren’t fun for you or your clients. For clients, a barber shop razor cut triggers anything from mild pain to genuine fear. Forums across the internet share scenarios like: My barber cut my ear. I didn’t see him disinfect his tools. Can I get HIV from barber scissors or HIV from a…

“I am a nail technician and when I work my neck hurts when doing pedicures,” one Reddit user posted in a thread about painful nail tech problems. “Any help or tips for that?” “Wait until you have sciatic nerve damage and carpal tunnel,” another Redditer replied. “Repetitive injury is a definite cost of doing nails.…

Starting a massage therapy career comes with lots of big milestones and decisions. You’ll need to choose a class or training program to hone in your craft. Plus, you’ll decide what kind of setting you want to work in, like a spa, franchise, or hotel. Will you start your own business, or work for someone…

As a hairstylist or barber, you know that healthy, confidence-boosting hair doesn’t just come from the hair salon. To keep cuts and colors in top condition, your clients have to put in some work at home, too. Without the right hair products, tools, and maintenance routines, those bouncy curls and glossy locks can revert right…