Art of Beauty: Esthetician wants everyone to save face
The esthetician’s social media site buzzed.
For the “first time haven’t worn any makeup on my face and I have my self-esteem/confidence back.”
Then the next message.
“Just wanted to happily let you know that I have not worn foundation in over a week. Why? Because I don’t need to.”
And another.
“I don’t think I can remember the last time I felt confident enough to be around anyone completely makeup free. You are a miracle worker.”
That esthetician, Emme Diane, doesn’t think of herself as a skin wizard, but rather as someone who understands the healing power of nature mixed with the esthetics she began practicing nearly two decades ago.
To Diane, transforming the skin boils down to diet and lifestyle habits and using products that correct skin problems. But the first steps usually start with basic home-care remedies.
Acne? Roll an ice cube on inflamed breakouts for one to two minutes. The circular motion will reduce the inflammation.
Wrinkles? Olive oil is a good source of antioxidants, like vitamins A and E, which fight skin-damaging free radicals. Massage it onto the affected skin to moisturize and regenerate skin cells.
Rosacea? Help heal it by eating organic vegetables and fruit. The food’s anti-inflammatory compounds and carotenoids fight the damage.
This isn’t to say that Diane doesn’t subscribe to the use of creams and lotions. In fact, she created her own line of skin-care products focused on individual problems, including acne-prone skin, hyperpigmentation and inflammation.
The most popular is The Acne Skin Set, which includes a foaming facial wash, a clarifying serum, an acne eraser, hydrating cream and a sunscreen.
Sunscreen, Diane said, is the most important product in a beauty arsenal because UVA rays are the biggest cause of premature aging of the skin.
But before she suggests a skin-care plan, Diane’s first step in treating a client is a consultation where she analyzes the person’s skin type and identifies whatever problems need correcting.
For those struggling with acne, she schedules visits every two weeks until the splotches clear up. Clients are encouraged to communicate with her, through text messaging, social media or email, about their results and to ask questions.
Diane began specializing in advanced skin treatments 18 years ago. Her interest in skin care started when she struggled with acne around age 11.
“I had very problematic skin and I wanted to fix it,” Diane said, who worked in both medical and spa esthetics, solving skin concerns ranging from adult acne to sun damage in her hometown of Roseville, in Placer County.
She moved from Northern California and in June opened her practice in an office in Costa Mesa, focusing on corrective skin treatments and a clean skin program for acne and acne scarring.
The clear skin program, she said, will have clients’ acne under control in about three to four months.
And to make the regimen easy to follow, Diane compiled a booklet that she named “The Little Acne Bible.”
In it, she explains the root cause of acne, how it’s an inherited condition that results in genetically defective pores. She suggests avoiding certain foods and supplements that trigger and exacerbate acne.
That means eliminating peanuts, yogurt, cheese and high-sodium foods, all of which are rich in iodine. Iodine leads to breakouts, she said.
But first and foremost is washing the face every night. If a washing is missed once after a workout, expect a breakout, she said.
For those who can’t make it to her office, Diane offers virtual skin coaching, which involves long-distance phone calls to clients — living in places like South Korea, Poland, Australia and Canada — to discuss skin history and solutions.
Shannon Decker, a personal trainer and Los Angeles-based model, said she began using Diane’s skin-care products after a friend told her about the line.
Decker struggled with hormonal acne breakouts and melasma, a skin disorder that results in blotchy, brownish facial pigmentation.
She started following Diane’s recommended treatments and said she has seen a difference in her face over the course of a few weeks.
“She makes it so unassuming and would never scold at you,” Decker said. “It’s a team effort. You want to do what Emme said.”
Whatever the skin issue, Diane said the biggest rule for her clients to follow is to drink more water.
A person should drink at least half his or her body weight in ounces a day, she advises. Water will plump fine lines, reduce dark under-eye circles, brighten skin tone, fight fatigue and prevent skin from drying.
“Everyone has their own unique skin blueprint, and it’s up to me to fill in the gaps,” Diane said. “Good skin care is a necessity, not a luxury.”
For more information, call (949) 423-4020 or visit emmediane.com.
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Kathleen Luppi, kathleen.luppi@latimes.com
Twitter: @KathleenLuppi
