Our Fairface Washcloths Customer Spotlight landed this month on an incredible woman named Patti Robinson, who also happens to be a licensed esthetician and sole practitioner and owner of Sapphire Skin Care & Healing in Portland, Oregon.
Not only does she empower tweens, teens and adults by giving them invaluable skincare tools with her skincare classes, she has also generously shared with us, expert skincare tips everyone should know!
Learn a few of the most important things you should know about skin care, in this revealing interview:
Tell us a little bit about yourself, including your educational/work background
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| Patti Robinson, Sapphire Skin Care & Healing |
I graduated from Oregon State University with a BS degree in Dietetics & Institutional Management, but my work career has been in financial services (working for three start-up companies). Six years ago I started planning for a different future- one that was more meaningful, more fulfilling and less stressful. I took Reiki classes and got certified, then attended a 9-month evening program at The Euro Institute of Skin Care while working full time, and became a licensed esthetician. I officially opened the doors of Sapphire Skin Care & Healing in November, 2011.
Today my world revolves around my family, of course, but it also consists of working part-time as a Program Manager for Genesis Financial Solutions; taking clients and teaching at Sapphire; volunteering at a chemotherapy clinic; and teaching Level 1 Reiki to chemotherapy patients and caregivers through the Northwest Reiki Association.
Tell us a little about your business and skin care program
I am the sole practitioner and owner of Sapphire Skin Care & Healing. I love it because I can provide a private oasis for clients and take the time to learn their skin concerns and educate. Some of my clients like to come in with a friend or two and create their own spa day with wine and snacks- and I can allow that since I own the place! I offer facials, LED light, microdermabrasion, peels, brow waxing, and Reiki. I also love to teach; I teach all levels of Reiki classes and also skin care classes for preteens, teens, and adults.Sapphire offers a private, high quality skin care experience for each individual. The name Sapphire was inspired by a book I read about ancient priestesses who held ceremonies to promote womanhood and healing. In these ceremonies, the priestesses would place six sapphires around the group of women to provide protection. Cool, huh?! In my treatment room, if you look closely, you will find 6 small sapphire wands placed strategically as they did long ago.
I retail a few product lines, but mainly Epicuren Discovery. It is a 30+ year old company out of Laguna Hills, CA that combines natural plant extracts with the latest most effective biochemical ingredients. They have a personal relationship with each farmer that they source ingredients from, and something like 98% of the plant sources are organic, and many of the products are 100% vegan. Epicuren is constantly innovating new products and improving existing ones, which I love. I had used the line myself many years before starting Sapphire, so the decision to carry Epicuren was easy.
Why do you feel it is important to start young when teaching about the importance of skin care?
For a few reasons. If you learn the basics early, you can establish valuable life-long habits and reap the benefits throughout your entire life. Not only do these habits promote beautiful skin, but they also protect against cancer and premature aging. You can also dispel misconceptions about skin care early and prevent any potential related issues.The biggest advantage of learning the importance of good skin care early, however, is to help manage acne from the very beginning. Today 80% of preteens, teens, and adults have acne, and acne is showing up at an earlier age because unfortunately puberty starts earlier. Adding acne to the list of stresses that 9 and 10 year old children already endure can have devastating effects on self-esteem and confidence- at an age where self-esteem and confidence are critical!
What do you think are common misconceptions about skin care? Does it seem to differ between ages?
The most common misconception I come across is thinking that the oil your skin naturally produces (or does not produce) is “bad”, when in fact it is one of nature’s finest gifts. Similarly, many people think that if they experience any oil on the face during the day, their skin is considered “oily” and needs to be treated aggressively.I have also spoken to people who say they don’t get facials because they are painful. Facials do not have to be uncomfortable! If you’d rather not have extractions or an aggressive enzyme or alpha hydroxy acid peel, let your esthetician know. My 90-minute facials include lots of massage (infused with Reiki) for relaxation and other benefits. When the body is relaxed it can heal on so many levels.
Lastly, there is the misconception that if your foundation contains sunscreen, that is all the protection you need. The problem is that we do not normally use enough foundation to provide the amount of sunscreen needed for adequate protection.
There are other misconceptions I could mention, but these are the biggies, and they’ve been held by people of any gender and any age.
What are some of the common problems people face with regard to their skin?
The most common problematic skin conditions I see at Sapphire are acne (at all ages), dehydrated skin, sun damage, and spider veins (textbook term being “telangiectasis”). I have also seen cases of overexfoliating the skin.What are a few of the most important things people should know about skin care?
Other than the misconceptions discussed above, I would say the following:- Don’t underestimate the advantage of a healthy whole foods diet, regular exercise, quality sleep, and drinking lots of water. And not smoking! As an example, my skin (and my energy) improved tremendously just by reducing my sugar consumption to one treat a week.
- I like to recommend the following strategy for adding products to a regime: at age 13 or 14, start using a high-quality exfoliant one to three days a week; at age 20 start using an eye cream and a topical Vitamin C product; and at age 30 start adding products geared towards anti-aging, such as collagen-promoting peptides and antioxidants. And everyone (all ages) should be using a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 every single day, period.
- Get a facial every 4-6 weeks if you can afford it. You can’t help but feel great when your skin looks its best, and the relaxation and time away from your cell phone and “To Do” list is invaluable.
Why did you choose to include Fairface Washcloths in your skin care program?
I have been telling all of my clients and friends about Fairface Washcloths! Your washcloths are so gentle and non-irritating to the skin, but yet they are extremely effective in removing any remaining cleanser or debris from the face that rinsing can leave behind (or regular rough washcloths, for that matter). I used to have a few stubborn tiny bumps on my temples, and after just a week or so of using my new Fairface Washcloths, the bumps vanished! And my sensitive skin does not get inflamed after cleansing, as regular washcloths used to do.Fairface Washcloths are perfect for all of my clients and students, especially those with acne and rosacea. My young clients especially love the fact that they are so soft!
Anything else you'd like to tell us
I had a particularly challenging year in 2014. I broke my right arm in July, broke my left foot in August, then was diagnosed with breast cancer in October. Can you believe that?! But I survived, and I ended up on the other side of it all more strong; more appreciative of things and people; and certainly more understanding and compassionate towards people with cancer, especially breast cancer. It’s a great perspective to have as a healer.All challenging experiences have a lesson in them, right? These events have inspired me to do not just mediocre things but AMAZING things with the rest of my life, even if I think I am not capable, haha. Heck, one week after my breast cancer surgery I was in two news broadcasts helping to promote a local hair salon that was giving a complimentary service to breast cancer patients. Who thought I would ever be on TV?!
Details about your classes and website:
I schedule my skin care classes periodically and include them in my newsletters, but I can also custom schedule a class that is convenient for those interested. You can contact me via email at patti@sapphireskincare.com or via phone at 503 926-2674 to schedule a class or to be added to my newsletter list. The classes are about 2 hours long and include a PowerPoint presentation, a small gift and samples, and a chance to practice your new skin care routine with products from my backbar. Fairface Washcloths will be offered as the free gift for the Teenage and Adult classes.The current schedule and prices are as follows. Classes are held at my studio in northwest Portland- Sapphire Skin Care & Healing, 925 NW 19th Avenue, Ste D, 97209.
Parents can attend at no charge. They are fun, informative, and relaxing!
Preteen Skin Care: $30 per student
Saturday, September 19th, 2pm – 4pm
Teenage Skin Care: $35 per student
Sunday, October 4th, 2pm – 4pm
Adult Skin Care: $40 per student
Sunday, October 25th, 2pm – 4pm
As I build my clientele, I currently take clients at Sapphire late Thursdays, and Friday - Sunday. My service menu is on my website, along with a link to Sapphire’s Facebook page. I am also on Yelp.
Patti Robinson
Sapphire Skin Care and Healing
503 926-2674
www.sapphireskincare.com
Look for us on Yelp!
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