BlackDoctor.org (BDO): What sparked your interest in skincare?
AirestDion (AD): My experience with severe acne sparked my interest in skincare. Growing up I had frequent, painful breakouts that left horrible scars on my skin. It had such a negative impact on my self-esteem that I was desperate to find a remedy. My parents took me to every notable dermatologist in our city, each of them recommending a different cream, gel, chemical treatment or pill. After following the suggestions of the dermatologists, my skin was left sensitive, inflamed and in significantly worse shape than when we began. Through this experience, I quickly realized that the majority of skincare products on the market and professionals within the industry were more focused on treating skin conditions and not healing them. I found it interesting that not a single dermatologist ever asked about my diet or attempted to discover what was causing my acne in the first place. What I discovered while studying skin therapy is the direct relationship between proper nutrition and skin health. It is my purpose to educate my clients on how a raw foods diet and plant-based products can inspire true healing and real results for their skin.
BDO: What, or who, inspired you to start AirestDion Skin Therapy?
AD: My mother is the one who originally encouraged me to open my own practice. After graduation from skin therapy school I was recruited by a notable skincare brand and was working as an esthetician in one of the spa locations. I was receiving low-pay, had very little creative freedom, and on top of that my clients and I began experiencing adverse reactions to the products being used. Although I was nervous to head out on my own, I knew it had to be done. One afternoon while having lunch with my mom, she looked at me and said, “Find you a place to practice!” I found the perfect clinic space, moved in, set up and starting seeing clients within two months.
BDO: Self-care is a big deal. There are so many books and social media posts dedicated to reminding one another the importance of having a self-care routine. Can you touch on the importance of a having a self-care routine that includes skin health/care?
AD: Having a self-care routine that includes skincare offers us a boost in our confidence as well as the opportunity to infuse relaxation and well-being into our day. Adopting a regular morning and evening skincare routine provides daily opportunities for us to slow down and decompress. Instead of rushing through your facial cleansing, I recommend maybe lighting a candle, putting on some relaxing music or taking a round of deep breaths before you get started. I encourage my clients to really take advantage of this time by using it as an opportunity to either set the tone for their day or help them unwind in the evenings. Having a self-care routine that includes skincare is also important because a consistent daily skincare routine will undoubtedly improve the health and appearance of our skin. Having radiant, healthy skin will boost our self-confidence and allow us to be less reliant on make-up.
BDO: What you put into your body is just as important as what you put on it. What foods are good to consume for optimal skin health? What are some foods to avoid?
AD: Fruit is the best food to consume for optimal skin health and overall wellness. Fruits are hydrating and alkalizing. They get the kidneys filtering and lymph moving so that our body can properly cleanse its self of acids and toxins. The internal accumulation of acids clogs the kidneys, forcing our body to expel toxins through the skin. This results in all types of skin conditions including acne, psoriasis, eczema and rosacea. It is best to avoid all acid-forming foods as much as possible since they dehydrate the body, degenerate cells, and cause high levels of toxicity. Acid-forming foods include animal proteins (meat), animal by-products (eggs and dairy), cooked grains, processed foods and fast foods. Fresh fruits, leafy greens and vegetables are the best food source for the human body.