Spa+Clinic Team The biggest annual fest of the Australian aesthetics industry, Beauty Expo Australia, put on its usual high class, action-packed, fun and colourful performance on the weekend of August 20-21 – the last Expo to be held at the Sydney Convention Centre, Glebe Island.
From next year it will be held at the brand spanking new International Convention Centre, rebuilt on the original site at Darling Harbour.
Thousands flocked to Glebe Island over the two (beautifully sunny) days to see what the various skincare, device technology, makeup, nail, hair and wellness exhibitors had to offer, as well as attend educational seminars and presentations.
“We’ve been delighted as ever by the support of the Australian beauty industry” says Beauty Expo event director Julia Erben. “And it’s been interesting for us to see trends inside the professional beauty industry which will inevitably become part of the consumer beauty industry”.
New this year was:
The Skin Sanctuary, home to leading global skincare brands Babor, DMK, Payot, Pevonia, Sothys and Dermalogica. It showcased the latest innovations, product launches and brand strategies to help salons, spas and clinics grow their business and provided a haven for aesthetics professionals to network and share insights, ideas and advice.
The Hub at the heart of the exhibition floor. It had four demonstration areas dedicated to anti-ageing, makeup, grooming and nails to provide endless inspiration in ongoing free sessions and select paid sessions with experts.
Dermal Therapy Conference: With rapid advances in skincare and aesthetics device technology, clients are demanding results-oriented services. But where to start? The inaugural Dermal Therapy Conference helped attendees answer the question: Is transitioning from a traditional beauty salon to a dermal/medi-clinic the right choice for you? The all-day conference was led by registered nurse Suzie Hoitink, founder of Clear Complexions clinics, an in-demand authority on a medical approach to healthy skin. She made an introduction about the current state of the industry, addressed how businesses can integrate with a variety of modalities and practitioners to increase the services offered to clients, and then presented a case study from Sarah Hudson, a salon owner highly respected in the field of clinical skin treatments.
TOP TECH
State of the art technology has become a driving force in aesthetics, with beauty professionals increasingly combining their high level of skills and training with devices that deliver measurable benefits to the skin and body. Some of the
Cutera spread the word about Pico Genesis, a new-generation laser that can effectively treat melasma – the most difficult of all pigmentation conditions to address – in just one session.
High Tech Laser introduced Perk, a new hybrid facial device that merges an in-clinic exfoliating and skin nourishment treatment with a detachable serum applicator that the client takes to use at home. It is designed to attract the Millennial market (aged 14-35), who are constantly looking for affordable skincare. It introduces these clients to the value of professional treatments. Perk can achieve noticeable improvements in as little as 15 minutes, with a full face treatment completed in less than 30 minutes. The in-clinic, equipment-based component of the Perk treatment creates a need for clients to return to the clinic for monthly treatments, which builds regular cash flow for the clinic and offers a high return on investment. High Tech also told how its new Motus AX revolutionises the way laser energy is delivered to the hair follicle for permanent reduction. The result is greater patient comfort on all skin types with equal or greater effectiveness than traditional hair removal lasers.
Cryomed’s rejuvenation, pigment, vascular and permanent hair reduction system, Cryo Broadlight (CBL), allows a salon, spa or clinic to treat many conditions with a single light device: 430 nm – Acne control; 515 nm – Epidermal pigmentation (Fitzpatrick skin types 2 and 3), lentigo; 560 nm – Vessels, melasma, telangiectasia, rosacea; 585 nm – Large vessels, dermal pigmentation; 640 nm – Photorejuvenation, enlarged pores, hair removal; 700 nm – Hair removal. The CBL is equipped with slide-in cut-off filters that minimise and reduce treatment time associated with having to change hand pieces. Six different cut-off filters are now available to maximise treatment outcomes and keep your patients happy.
The LightSheer technology in the Desire Light permanent hair reduction system by Lumenis has been validated in numerous clinical studies and peer-reviewed articles. It comes with the gold standard in hair reduction technology, a 805nm diode laser, two handpieces with various spot sizes, and advanced ChillTip Technology. This enables enabling you to provide your patients with maximum treatment comfort, optimal results, and a solution that is suitable for a variety of skin types.
Alma Beauty Reform, distributed by Spectrum Science and Beauty, was introduced as a highly effective longterm solution for the contouring and tightening of body and face. Its patented UniPolar technology uses heating achieved with a radio frequency of 40.68 MHz, sending 40.68 million transmissions per second to the tissue. This type of focused and powerful energy enables deep dermal heating causing little or no discomfort. Used successfully in over 4,600 clinics worldwide, Reform treatments are suitable for all skin types (Fitzpatrick I-VI), as well as for thin and delicate areas.
Dermatude Meta Therapy , distributed by Embody Beauty and Health Equipment, has been embraced by social influencers and celebs such as the Kardashians as a “lunchtime” non-surgical facelift. Meta Therapy (Medical and Aesthetic Tissue Activation Therapy) creates thousands of micro-perforations in the skin every second. The skin sees these perforations as skin damage and activates its natural repair mechanism in addition stimulating fibroblasts to produce collagen and elastin. It significantly improves skins’ appearance, reducing pores, fine lines and pigmentation and increasing hydration levels, firmness and elasticity. It also has a two-fold effect, placing subjectables (Extreme Lifting Complex and Active Hydra Booster) onto the skin first which are designed to penetrate directly into the dermis, restoring skin from the inside out.
Clinical Magma, touted as the world’s fastest laser hair removal system, was unveiled with demonstrations of full back and leg hair being removed in under 10 minute by distributors Clinical Pro. Attendees were also able to have lesions such as blood blisters and broken capillaries removed with the Clinical Skin Clear device for $20. ClinicalPro also showcase the new Clinical Microson HIFU for clinical grade non-surgical face and body lifting with no downtime.
BLC Cosmetics demonstrated the benefits of LightStim, a non-invasive LED light therapy device designed to penetrate the epidermis layer of the skin, stimulating the skin’s natural ability to produce collagen and elastin. Used and acclaimed by US-based aestheticians, dermatologists, and plastic surgeons for over a decade, LightStim Professional Lights can be incorporated as part of your facial menu to help improve treatment results across facial, laser, microdermabrasion, peels, waxing and injectable services, design a signature LED light therapy facial, or you can offer LED light therapy as an add-on treatment to all your services. LightStim Professional Hand-Held Lights continue client results at home with the device designed to target specific concerns including wrinkles and chronic pain.
CUTTING EDGE COSMECEUTICALS
The quality and concentrations of active ingredients such as peptides, stem cells and growth factors contained in premium professional skincare brands can physiologically change the skin – something that simply isn’t available from over-the-counter skincare.
“Expo is a great opportunity to find out more about what companies offer in terms of support and education for their business needs and, of course, a wonderful way to experience the products, new and established,” says Liane Scior, co-founder of Universal Aesthetics, distributors of Pevonia organic cosmeceutical skincare, Phytomer marine skincare, and creator of Eles mineral cosmetics. Pevonia was UA’s focus at Expo, an exclusive skincare and spa line used in some of the finest salons and spas worldwide. Free of artifical colour, fragrance and parabens, Pevonia uses only organic botanicals and marine extracts; its treatments synonymous with outstanding results and a luxury experience.
Paramedical skincare pioneer and founder of DMK, Danne Montague-King, dropped into Expo from Los Angeles (looking at least 15 years younger than his 73 years despite having a bad cold and jet lag) and was duly inundated by attendees wanting to know more about the brand’s life-changing skin revision protocols and products.
Payot Australia’s co-managing director Rita Smith, national educator and sales manager Jodie Whiley, business development managers other key personnel were on hand to showcase the iconic French skincare brand’s product ranges, including the latest products released here.
German skincare supremo Babor launched its new “makeup-skincare” collection, Age ID, with formulas based on the 60-year-old brand’s extensive skincare research and featuring exclusive textures and flexible shades to reflect a woman’s individuality. Babor also showcased Derma Visualiser, a state-of-the-art imaging device for analysing skin issues and thus setting the groundwork for the most effective treatment program.
Australian aesthetics powerhouse InSkin Cosmedics showcased its OCosmedic cosmeceutical skincare, Viora device technology suite, and the longest established and leading micro-needling device on the market, Dermapen, which has come under InSkin’s umbrella.
NAILING IT
Gel manicures have been the big news in professional nails for the past few years. Beauty Expo’s tip was healthy gel manicures which protect natural nails, such as offered by global nail leaders OPI.
OPI, distributed in Australia by International Beauty Supplies, launched bright new retro shades and its politically neutral spring/summer collection, in both traditional formulas and gel lacquers. Buyers were offered free LED studio lights with every purchase of 20 x OPI gel colour 15ml lacquers.
MAKING IT PERSONAL
Beauty is becoming more personal – there’s no need now to adhere to the one-size-fits-all mentality. Brands like The Lip Lab have professional consultants waiting to work with consumers to create their own customised lipstick or lip gloss shade – with the option to personalise even further by adding sun protection, lip plumper or anti-ager.
BROW TATTOOING
We all know the importance of the perfect brow. But now professional brow artists are adding to what we naturally have to work with, using increasingly sophisticated tattoo techniques. The new feather-and-stroke technique, as demonstrated by international brow superstar David Zhang, is revolutionising the look of thin or patchy eyebrows – permanently.
REASONS TO SMILE
Teeth whitening obviously isn’t new, but the market for LED light whitening continues to grow. The big news on this front at Expo was Warpaint – a natural whitening system owned by social influencer, Pia Muehlenbeck’s mum. They sold out of product on Day One but managed to air freight more stock in for Day Two and also picked up international stockists for the first time.
EDUCATION IS ALL
For a mere fraction of the price of seeking individual advice and education from experts to enhance business and professional skills, Beauty Expo facilitated life and business-changing workshops under one roof with some of Australia’s and the world’s most sought-after experts/educators in their fields. These included:
- Big Online Results Made Easy. Digital marketing isn’t about a pretty website or how many Facebook fans you have but getting the phone ringing! In an interactive session, Worldwide Salon Marketing CEO Greg Milner stripped away the jargon and revealed the many myths and nonsense salon owners are told about marketing online.
- Man v Machine. Paramedical skincare expert Daniel Dickson (managing director, DMK Australia and New Zealand) told how to utilise the latest beauty compounds and technologies to create case-by-case tailored skin prescriptions and help clients’ skin reach its full genetic potential. He dared participants to question current industry perceptions and approaches, and inspired them to think outside the box when revising skin dysfunctions to provide clients with lifelong results.
- Profit or Perish. Beauty business expert Julie Piantadosi, one of Australia’s leading customer service trainers, presenters and business advisors who is in demand by companies from all over the world to transform their teams, led two empowering workshops
- When Nutrition Is The Reason Your Clients Are Not Getting Results. Have you (and your clients!) ended up frustrated when trying to address skin conditions like acne or rosacea? Have you ever considered taking a look at their diet and lifestyle and introducing questions relating to same into your consultation form? China Westcarr (pictured above), global education and development manager for Advanced Skin Technology have an insightful presentation re the role nutrition plays in helping achieve the results you and your client are looking for.
- Understanding Hyperpigmentation. China’s workshop focused on the formation of excessive, unwanted skin discolouration (ie. hyper pigmentation), a condition that affects all skin types and colours and both sexes. The presentation was an invaluable opportunity to learn more about this frustrating condition and how best to manage it; its causes and the best in-clinic strategies to get the desired outcomes for both you and your patient/client.
- How To Position Your Salon and Be On-Trend in a Crowded Market. Caroline Nelson, founder of Nelson Beauty Business and one of the aesthetic industry’s most experienced business coaches and strategists, shared her vast industry knowledge and expertise on topics such as: How to work smarter, not harder, to develop higher client loyalty; designing a marketing campaign that sets you apart from the competition; new trends and how they could impact for the positive or negative and keeping up with them while managing day- to-day operations.
- Asian Makeup Techniques and Eyelid Enhancement Secrets to Change Any Face. Martha Mok and her D’Makeupstation team’s full-day workshop showed the essence of Asian makeup styles, products that are suitable for Asian skin tones plus the secret of how to enlarge, correct and re-create eye shape with the magic of eyelid tape. Martha’s successful Facebook Bridal Group unites over 800 artists around Australia. She gave unique insights into such topics as: the differences between Asian and western-style Asian makeup; learning to use eyelid tape to enhance, correct, lift and create different eyelid shapes; how to make eyes looks more youthful and lifted; most popular makeup styles asked for by Asian clients; and best colours to use on Asian clients.
