The science that refers to the overall well-being, health, beautification, and preservation of the skin, the body’s largest organ, is called esthetics, or aesthetics. What does it mean to me? Continue reading below.
I struggled with acne as a teenager, as well as society’s perception(s) of beauty. I wanted to look and feel the best, but I could never get there. I was reaching for something that wasn’t real.
Aesthetics, to me, is beyond the health of the skin. It’s the health of the skin, overall body and mind. Taking care of my skin, researching natural ingredients to enhance my skin, and constructing my own formulations based off of this research brought me peace. It was my get-away from everything else in life.
This was my form of self-care, and I enjoyed learning about it. However, I didn’t think it’d be a profession I’d pursue. I was set on a path to graduate with my bachelor’s, receive my master’s, and eventually head towards a doctoral degree. It wasn’t until my last year in college that I really thought about what it was that I wanted in life.
What did I want? Happiness. I wanted to do something that filled my heart entirely. Although I still would’ve been happy with the route I had planned, I knew that I would’ve felt something missing. My enthusiasm for the integumentary system couldn’t be ignored. It felt right and there were no lingering questions about what I wanted. The answer was there.
However, it hasn’t been an easy journey. I shocked loved ones with the news that I didn’t want to continue with my master’s education, which caused disappointment. Even so, I knew I needed to do this for myself. Now, they see my natural ability to understand the concepts I’m learning in class and my joy in it.
In addition, I was pregnant at the time that I planned to attend aesthetics school. I needed to wait until after my daughter was born. I wouldn’t change having my daughter, but I didn’t expect to have a child so soon. I often get asked the question, “Does having a baby affect your career?” In some ways, it does. For instance, I had to wait until I was ready to go back to school and I kid you not, it was difficult. I didn’t want to leave my daughter and I felt bad for choosing me. On the other hand, I was the most unhappy with myself because I didn’t know who I was anymore after having a baby. I focused all of my attention on my daughter and our household so I lost sight of myself.
What I did know about myself was my passion for the skin. At five months postpartum, I gathered my courage to apply for aesthetics school. Since attending, I’ve started to feel more like myself. I have a better balance of the life that I have, like being a student and a mother. I had a lot of changes within a short period of time and I needed to give myself grace to learn who I was becoming. Aesthetics has given me a space for relief and inner voice. I’m becoming the most authentic version of myself. I’m proud to share that with my daughter, and loved ones.
Through aesthetics, I’ve learned how to love myself deeper and find my own perception of beauty. It’s made me want to help others feel and look their best inside and out. It isn’t that I chose aesthetics. Aesthetics chose me.
