Meet Emma
Tacoma's Esthetician Guru
Stronger skin by Emma
When I was deciding what to name my business, I knew I wanted something that would not only tell my client who I am as an esthetician, but who I am as a person. I chose “Stronger Skin By Emma” because it both illustrates my intention as a skin therapist and pays tribute to one of my biggest passions- lifting weights!
who am i
I’ve been lifting casually on and off for about 5 years. Currently, I train as a strongwoman at my gym Dungeon Strength Rx, located in Auburn, WA (although most of my experience has been spent dabbling in powerlifting). In the short 2 years I’ve been at this gym, the community has embraced me and helped usher in opportunities I never would’ve imagined were possible. While it’s amazing to be able to say that some of the strongest humans on the planet are my clients, it’s even better to say they’re my friends. I’ve been able to travel the world watching them compete, and without their support, I wouldn’t have been able to start my business. 2 of my clients who you may havemay’ve heard of are Erin Murray (U73 + U82 KG World’s Strongest Woman) and Angelica Jardine (America’s Strongest Woman and winner of the 2024 US Arnold Pro Strongwoman competition).
That being said, while I love ALL of my clients, I am extremely enthusiastic about catering to the uniquely nuanced needs of people who are working to reach their fitness goals. Whether you work out at home once or twice a week, are trying to be the best in the world, or anything in between, I want to work with YOU!
why it matters
What you do in the gym affects what’s going on with your skin, for better or for worse, and that’s just a fact. Because of the stress we put our bodies under with our training, coupled with factors such as sweat, heat, bacteria, etc that we encounter while working out, it’s not uncommon to experience undesirable side effects on our skin when we engage in fitness.
Why I’m Different
Lots of people go to the gym, and estheticians are no strangers to clients who feel as though their skincare goals are at odds with their fitness goals. However, most estheticians have no reason to understand training concepts, and are therefore unable to use a wealth of valuable information contained in what the client is doing in the gym in order to fully interpret skin analyses and create well-rounded treatment protocols.
That’s where I come in- I do have a reason to have that vocabulary, because I use it every day as a lifter. When treating athletes (even in the loosest of terms), it is imperative that we ask ourselves questions such as “How intense is this person’s routine, and how will it change over time?”, “What are they training for?”, “Are they eating in a calorie deficit or surplus?”, and
so on and so forth. Physical and mental fatigue don’t exist in a vacuum. In fact, they affect all organ systems and bodily processes, including the health of someone’s skin!
So, in other words if you’re a science nerd: I want to hear about your macro/meso/micro cycle, your current volume/intensity, what kind of progression you’re using (linear, conjugate, etc), how specific your training is…you get the idea. I’ll even go over your program with you if you want! Bring that spreadsheet in and let’s get after it!
A Safe Space for Enhanced Athletes
Let’s face it- steroids are illegal, but that doesn’t keep people from using them. Despite PED use being extremely common in the fitness industry, it is a highly stigmatized topic, and divulging personal information puts people in an inherently vulnerable and legally precarious position. I acknowledge this, and view it as a privilege every time a client feels safe enough to discuss their drug use with me.
Not only can these substances have MAJOR impacts on skin health, but they pose a threat to the client’s safety if the esthetician is unaware that the client is using them. Furthermore, most estheticians have a very limited understanding (if any) of pharmacology and are unfamiliar with the vast majority of substances that athletes are using. For example, in the unlikely event that a client notes they’re using “Primo” on their intake form, the vast majority of providers wouldn’t know what that is in the first place and may not ask, let alone how to assist someone who’s taking it. I am not a doctor, nor am I a pharmacist. But, I am someone who knows what these substances are and who understands the hormonal implications of using anabolics, growth hormone, etc- which is what matters when it comes to crafting skincare-related treatment protocols.
