Jodi Ramos-Austria: An Esthetician On A Mission
MEET THE PROFESSIONALS:
Jodi
Ramos-Austria
An esthetician on a mission.
Two years after opening The Beez Kneez Skin Care salon in the competitive San Francisco market, Jodi Ramos-Austria has become one of the most sought-after estheticians in town for her educational, customized approach to treatment. We caught up with Jodi at the recent Skin Inc. Face & Body show in San Jose, CA, to talk about her top three rules for healthy skin and more.
VIVANT
INQUIRES
Jodi Ramos-Austria on regimen, results, and the revelation of comprehensive skin care.
You had a twenty-year career as a paramedic, what made you want to become an esthetician?
I changed from paramedics to esthetics because I had children. When I started a family, I wanted better hours, and I wanted to do something where I was still helping people.
I was interested in esthetics because I had cystic acne for many years. I went to a dermatologist and was on antibiotics and Epiduo. It cleared my skin, but if I stopped, it came right back. The dermatologist never really talked about home care. Even simple things like the right way to wash your face. I was looking for a more comprehensive, healthier solution.
How does your experience affect the way you work with clients?
When I’m giving a facial, I’m giving advice, explaining what I’m doing and why, so you can go home and take care of your skin properly. Sure I’ll give them some quiet time, their seven minutes in heaven, but you’re going to get an education while you’re with me as well.
What’s your philosophy on facials?
What I really want people to understand is that a facial is not a luxury. It’s a necessity.
Can everyone have great skin?
Yes! Some take more work than others, but working with a good skin care "therapist," and being consistent with proper home care; it's achievable!
What is your skin care regimen?
Cleanse a.m. and p.m. using Mandelic Acid 3-in-1 Wash or Green Tea Antioxidant Cleanser. I use both.
Moisturize a.m. and p.m.
Sunscreen a.m.
Serum at night. I use Derm-a-renew. It's a 1-2 punch for kicking acne and aging in the butt!
Facial or deep exfoliant once a month.
LED light therapy when possible.
You’re also a makeup artist. Should makeup conceal or reveal?
Makeup should reveal. Good makeup starts with good skin. Makeup should enhance your beauty not change what you look like completely unless it's for stage or costume, then the sky is the limit.
Other than product, what has the most impact on skin health?
You have to do the home care. You can’t just rely on facials and then go and put bar soap on your face and ignore all the advice. I’m not a miracle worker. You have to do your part.
That includes watching your diet. So many of the foods we eat cause inflammation or are estrogenic. Dairy and soy in particular. It’s really a problem for my vegetarian clients. I tell them you’ve got to find other sources of protein.
What’s the biggest mistake people make in caring for their skin?
The biggest mistake that my clients make is over drying their skin in an attempt to reduce oil. If you strip skin of the acid mantle, you're going to create irritation and inflammation, which will make your acne worse.
What’s the best thing about what you do?
Definitely results. It’s also nice that when I see people now as opposed to when I was a paramedic, they aren’t in pain or angry. Now they’re happy to see me and then they’re thrilled with their results. I’m not saving lives anymore, but I am making them a lot happier. When you have better skin, you just feel so much better.
Jodi’s top three rules for healthy skin:
1. Cleanse for at least 2 minutes am and pm.
2. Make sure your moisturizer is noncomedogenic.
3. Don't self-extract! It just causes scars, pigment, and is harder to correct during a facial.
Comments
Hello Tania,
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I’m an esthetician. I would like to learn more about your skin care line.