Ep 410 – What the Deck: MicroRNAs
ASCP Esty Talk
What if your skin could just . . . remember how to act young again? That’s essentially the pitch behind Biocogent’s new RNActivate W, a next-generation active that doesn’t add collagen or push it as peptides do. Instead, it goes upstream and silences a tiny piece of regulatory RNA (the so-called “wrinkle miRNA”) that tells your skin cells to stop making collagen and elastin. Join Ella and Maggie for an ingredient deep dive into what microRNAs actually are, why the 2024 Nobel Prize in Medicine matters for your treatment room, what to look for on an INCI list when you see...
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Ep 409 – The Rogue Pharmacist: Why Healing Slows with Age
ASCP Esty Talk
As clients age, they often notice that cuts, irritation, and post-treatment recovery take longer than they once did. In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist, Ben Fuchs explains the changes that occur within aging skin, the factors that influence the healing process, and the ingredients and lifestyle habits that can help support recovery. Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) presents The Rogue Pharmacist with Benjamin Knight Fuchs, R.Ph. This podcast takes an enlightening approach to supporting licensed estheticians in their pursuit to achieve results-driven skin care treatments for their...
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Ep 408 – Esty Talk Mailbag: Early Career Experience
ASCP Esty Talk
Sometimes one client can shape the way you practice for the rest of your career. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella open the ASCP mailbag to share a listener’s story about an early career experience that sparked a lifelong commitment to learning and professional growth. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk Produced by Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) for licensed estheticians, ASCP Esty Talk is a weekly podcast, hosted by licensed estheticians, Ella Cressman, ASCP Skin Deep Magazine contributor, and...
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Ep 407 – ASCP’s Esty of the Year
ASCP Esty Talk
In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella are joined by Armenthia Carr, the 2026 ASCP Esty of the Year, to discuss her journey through the industry and what has shaped her success as a professional esthetician. They explore her perspective on growth, education, and what it means to stand out in today’s evolving esthetics landscape. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk Produced by Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) for licensed estheticians, ASCP Esty Talk is a weekly podcast, hosted by licensed estheticians,...
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Ep 406 – The Rogue Pharmacist: How Chronic Stress Accelerates Aging
ASCP Esty Talk
In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist, Ben explores how chronic stress impacts the body and how those physiological changes present in the skin. He breaks down how stress can influence collagen breakdown, barrier function, and the skin’s ability to repair itself, plus common misunderstandings in skin care conversations around stress. Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) presents The Rogue Pharmacist with Benjamin Knight Fuchs, R.Ph. This podcast takes an enlightening approach to supporting licensed estheticians in their pursuit to achieve results-driven skin care treatments for...
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Ep 405 – The First Facial
ASCP Esty Talk
Through a surprising story about a prison barber who offered facials, Maggie and Ella explore how a first experience with skin care can completely reshape a client’s perspective. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, they discuss “The First Facial” and why clients often don’t reject skin care, they simply don’t have a reference point for its value until they experience it. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk Produced by Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) for licensed estheticians, ASCP Esty Talk is a weekly...
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Ep 404 – Gray Market Peptides
ASCP Esty Talk
Peptides in skin care span everything from well-researched cosmetic ingredients to highly unregulated compounds circulating in the “research” market. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella break down a quick peptide primer, explore the difference between cosmetic and bioactive peptides, and unpack the legal and regulatory gray areas behind “research only” compounds, including how they entered the market and why oversight matters. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk Produced by Associated Skin Care...
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Ep 403 – The Invisible Revenue Stream with Shannon Erley
ASCP Esty Talk
In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella are joined by Shannon Erley, CEO and founder of Pomp, to talk about the invisible revenue stream many estheticians overlook in their businesses. They explore where missed opportunities arise in the client journey, why retail and home care often get deprioritized, and small shifts that can help estheticians better support both results and revenue. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk Produced by Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) for licensed estheticians, ASCP Esty Talk...
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Ep 402 – Command Prompting for AI
ASCP Esty Talk
In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella talk about command prompting and how the way you communicate with AI shapes the results you get. They break down why vague prompts fall flat, how specificity changes outcomes, and how best to use it in your esthetics practice. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk Produced by Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) for licensed estheticians, ASCP Esty Talk is a weekly podcast, hosted by licensed estheticians, Ella Cressman, ASCP Skin Deep Magazine contributor, and Maggie...
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Ep 401 – The Rogue Pharmacist: Allergies, Histamine, and Mast Cells
ASCP Esty Talk
In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist, Ben discusses how histamine, mast cells, and allergic responses impact the skin beyond sinus symptoms. With allergy season in full swing, Ben breaks down what mast cells are doing during an allergic response, why histamine can visibly affect the skin, and why some people experience skin flares even without classic respiratory allergies. Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) presents The Rogue Pharmacist with Benjamin Knight Fuchs, R.Ph. This podcast takes an enlightening approach to supporting licensed estheticians in their pursuit to achieve...
info_outlineFrom cutting their own bangs to spacing out appointments, clients are changing how they engage with beauty. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Ella and Maggie unpack the DIY beauty boom and what it means for estheticians in the treatment room.
ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk
Produced by Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) for licensed estheticians, ASCP Esty Talk is a weekly podcast, hosted by licensed estheticians, Ella Cressman, ASCP Skin Deep Magazine contributor, and Maggie Staszcuk, ASCP Program Director. We see your passion, innovation, and hard work and are here to support you by providing a platform for networking, advocacy, camaraderie, and education. We aim to inspire you to ask the right questions, find your motivation, and give you the courage to have the professional skin care career you desire.
About Ella Cressman:
Ella Cressman is a licensed esthetician, certified organic formulator, business owner, ingredient junkie, and esthetic cheerleader! As an educator, she enjoys empowering other estheticians and industry professionals to understand skin care from an ingredient standpoint rather than a product-specific view.
In addition to running a skin care practice, Cressman founded a comprehensive consulting group, the HHP Collective, and has consulted for several successful skin care brands.
Connect with Ella Cressman:
Website: www.hhpcollective.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ella-cressman-62aa46a
About Maggie Staszcuk:
Maggie Staszcuk serves as the Program Director for ASCP and is the cohost of ASCP Esty Talk podcast. With over 18 years’ experience in the esthetics industry, her diverse background includes roles in spa management, spa and med-spa services, and esthetics education. Since becoming a licensed esthetician in 2006, she carries a range of certifications in basic and advanced esthetics. Maggie is dedicated to equipping estheticians with the knowledge and resources they need to thrive in their careers.
Connect with Maggie Staszcuk:
P: 800.789.0411 EXT 1636
About our Sponsors:
Comfort Zone – The Italian, multi-awarded science-led, longevity-focused skincare trusted by professionals worldwide. Founded by Dr Bollati, a pharmacist, and powered by over 60 in-house chemists and skin care experts. Clinically tested formulations blend clinical precision, regenerative botanicals, and biotechnology research to transform skin with intention. Part of The Davines Group, certified B Corp since 2016.
Website: https://us.comfortzoneskin.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comfortzoneskin_official/
Massage Envy is a national franchisor and does not independently own or operate any of the Massage Envy franchised locations nationwide. The Massage Envy franchise network, through its franchise locations, is the leading provider of massage services. Founded in 2002, Massage Envy now has approximately 1,100 franchise locations in 49 states that have together delivered more than 200 million massages and skin care services.
Website: www.massageenvy.com/careers/career-areas/esthetician
Facebook: @MassageEnvyCareers
LinkedIn: @MassageEnvy
TiZO Mineral Sunscreens set the standard for aesthetic elegance with tinted and non-tinted formulas for use on virtually all skin types and tones. Our name reflects our commitment: TIZO = Titanium dioxide + Zinc Oxides. All TiZO products are reef-friendly and 100% free of chemical sunscreens, dyes, fragrances, gluten, phthalates, and parabens. TiZO Photoceutical Skincare is the perfect partner to our sunscreens in the fight against photoaging. These silky, elegant products address tone, texture and hydration while helping to prevent further damage. From our flagship TiZO3 Primer/Sunscreen SPF 40 to our gentle Ultra Zinc formulations to our NEW Advanced Vitamin C+E Serum with Bakuchiol, TIZO has the ideal selection of products to Protect, Repair, and Revitalize skin.
Website: https://tizoskin.com/
Facebook: @tizoskin
Pinterest: @tizoskin
Instagram: @tizoskin
YouTube: @tizoskin
About Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP):
Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) is the nation’s largest association for skin care professionals and your ONLY all-inclusive source for professional liability insurance, education, community, and career support. For estheticians at every stage of the journey, ASCP is your essential partner. Get in touch with us today if you have any questions or would like to join and become an ASCP member.
Connect with ASCP:
Website: www.ascpskincare.com
Email: getconnected@ascpskincare.com
Phone: 800-789-0411
Facebook: facebook.com/ASCPskincare
Instagram: @ascpskincare