Get to Know the SKIN MPLS Community: Meet Hannah!

When Kelly was asked to think of a client to feature on this month's Skin(nie) she had her answer within seconds – if you ask an aesthetician to describe their perfect client, it would be Hannah! She is receptive, dedicated, and loyal. Hannah has even been in to receive a facial treatment from Kelly every four weeks for nearly four years!

She takes her skincare game very seriously and her product collection is one of the strongest we have seen. She follows instructions to a tee and takes all of Kelly's advice without hesitation. From day one, she put her trust in Kelly and has never looked back! On top of it all, in Kelly's words, "Hannah has such a calm, warm, and kind presence and I truly look forward to seeing her each month." Kelly feels so honored that Hannah has placed her skin in her hands for all these years and also very grateful for the relationship they have built. Hannah’s a go-getter who likes to keep busy. Outside of her Skin MPLS visits and managing two jobs, she enjoys being active, traveling, and spending quality time with her family. We are so excited for you, too, to meet Hannah! 

What brought you in for your first treatment at Skin MPLS? 

Desperation! I’ve had acne since I was a teen. I’ve seen family doctors and dermatologists well into my adulthood to deal with the breakouts. But the acne never went away and it actually got worse (and more painful) as an adult. I’d given up hope until I found out about skin aestheticians via Google. I first had consultations with other aestheticians but didn’t really feel that they were “the one” for me. Once I went to Skin MPLS and met Kelly though, I honestly almost cried from relief when I got home from the appointment. 

And what kept you coming back? 

I’ve never even considered stopping making appointments. I felt that Kelly truly cared about my skin problems and really wanted to create/modify/research a skincare regimen that worked for my lifestyle and budget from day one. Not to mention, the hours work great with my schedule, and Skin MPLS makes it so easy to restock my products. 

We know how wise Kelly is – but what’s the best advice you’ve received from her, skin or otherwise? 

Every appointment, I get words of positivity or encouragement from Kelly. But I think the advice that’s had the most visible results has been about my skincare!

What were some of the treatments you tried in the past to clear your acne and how did those work out? 

I’ve tried the infomercial treatments (ProActiv), oral and topical prescriptions (Isotretinoin, Clindamycin, etc.), drugstore bar soap and/or face washes, (Shea Moisture, Neutrogena, etc.), products created by dermatologists (Nareen Dermatology), Korean skincare routine (Peach & Lily regimen, I also lived in South Korea for a year so I tried products while I was there). All of the treatments affected my skin in some way, a little worse, a little better. But there was never a period of time that my skin was actually pain-free and clear until I started the regimen from Skin MPLS.

Sounds like you’ve never given up on your skin goals! What advice can you offer young women struggling to believe if they can treat their acne? 

I’d say to keep researching if anything. I almost gave up and am really glad that I didn’t. Because finding a treatment that gives me the privilege of having painless and clear skin makes me appreciate it every day. I had tried a lot of different things and I wish I looked at alternative skincare options sooner rather than thinking my doctors and dermatologists were the only ones who knew about skincare. What may have worked for their patients, didn’t work for me and that could be the same for others. 

I think it’s also important to find what works for you and follow the treatment plan. Even though I tried a lot of other treatments, I did as they instructed and stayed true to the treatment plan, before deciding what didn’t work for me (that way I knew that I gave it a fair chance). Once I followed the regimen developed from Kelly, I knew I found a treatment plan that worked for me.

Okay, give us your most cringeworthy product before starting at Skin MPLS…

Most cringeworthy was probably ProActiv, I wanted to have one of those Before and After moments!

Now would you call yourself a product junkie, or do you stick to the tried and true? 

Now that I have my regimen from Skin MPLS, I stick to that consistently because I know that works for my skin. However, I do like to see what else is new (I see you Fenty Skin) but I have no motivation to buy and try them unless I get the recommendation from Kelly.

We know winter can be hard on acne-prone skin, how do you adjust your regimen? 

When I go in for my wintertime monthly appointments with Kelly, we check-in and see how my skin is doing then adjust from there. To combat the dryness, it’s usually switching from every day to every other day of the 3% Mandelic Acid Toner and incorporating more overnight masks using the Le Mieux O2 Calming Mask + Face Reality’s Hydracalm mask (these two have become part of my year-round essentials since Kelly recommended them).