Remember when we used to mix our own peels in the back room?

Three years ago at the old spa in Tempe, my boss had us mixing our own 20% glycolic acid solutions from powder every Tuesday morning (which was a whole thing, let me tell you). Last month, I was unpacking a new client's order and it was all these pre-mixed, single-use vials with exact pH levels printed right on the label. Just last week, a student I was mentoring asked me what a 'mixing spatula' was even for, and I felt like a museum piece explaining it. The control was fun, but honestly, I don't miss the stress of wondering if my math was right before putting it on someone's face. It's wild how much the tools have gotten safer and simpler, even if we lose a bit of that mad scientist vibe. Has anyone else had to explain a totally standard practice from five years ago that just doesn't happen anymore?

2 comments

2 Comments

ryanburns1mo ago

Man, that reminds me of jury-rigging toner bottles with straws.

patricia9051mo ago

Honestly, the safety thing is huge, but I kinda miss the problem solving. Like when a pump on a big bottle of cleanser would break, and you had to rig up some weird transfer system with an old serum dropper to get through the day. Now everything is sealed for good. Tbh, the new tech is better, but it made you feel smart to fix stuff on the fly.