Holly Tanella isn’t into band-aids, as least when it comes to truly treating the skin, she’s about uncovering the root issue.
When a little skin sibling rivalry came into play, Holly focused on creating solutions.
Her skincare philosophy is about treating the whole person, extending beyond the physical, and addressing the mental and emotional aspects that could potentially be behind challenging skin conditions.
As winner of the Holistic category, at The Skin Games, Holly Tanella has an alternative perspective on botox and believes we should never sacrifice health for beauty.
Learn what she has in the works for estheticians and the franchising opportunities she’s developing.
So, how long have you been practicing?
Six years.
And, what inspired you to become an esthetician?
Seeing both my sisters struggle with acne all over their face, back and chest. They would see dermatologist after dermatologist; they both have been on every acne medication with no change in their skin.
I never struggled with acne and I was the hated sibling for my clear skin. After years of seeing them struggle with their skin, I decided I was going to find a way to help them. I would always wonder why they broke out and I didn’t.
After tons of research, I discovered it was a diet issue. I always ate pretty healthy and they did not. After helping them fix their acne, I went on to solve other’s skin issues by becoming an esthetician.
Where do you practice? Clinic, spa, studio, solo, etc.?
I own a MedSpa in Dallas, Texas.
How do you achieve the best skin results for your clients?
Getting my clients on an anti-inflammatory diet, addressing their stress by healing their adrenals, repairing their gut, and getting them on a professional, corrective non-toxic skincare regimen.
How do you approach skincare in a holistic manner?
If you want good skin, you have to look within. Our skin is just a reflection of what is going on inside of our body. Our body is one unit, you cannot treat just the face and expect true long-lasting results.
I always start treatments by looking at the whole picture. I address their diet, hormones, current skincare regimen and lifestyle. From there, I make their customized treatment plan to correct their skin.
How do you encourage your clients to incorporate holistic self-care into their at-home skincare regimen?
Education is power. The more information I give them, the more they understand the why behind it. From there, they see the importance of maintaining a healthy diet, meditation and supplements.
What is your personal philosophy for holistic skincare?
I personally don’t think there is holistic skincare. Holistic is treating the whole person, including their physical, mental and emotional health. Holistic does not mean organic. I think a lot of people get confused by that. However, I think it’s really important to use a skincare line that is free from synthetic fragrances and dyes, phthalates, parabens, sulfates, phenoxyethanol and ceteareth-20. These ingredients disrupt our hormones, cause cancer and create a toxic overload in our bodies.
What new products or services are you interested in trying in your practice?
Babyface XO Face Lift-PRP with MSC exosomes and class IV laser therapy. I am also looking into German technology, a THERA bioresonance device. This is a frequency device that is used on your own body’s energy for healing. THERA addresses anxiety and depression, repairs the gut and adrenals, eliminates candida and so much more. This device will fix the causes of aging, rosacea and acne!
How do you stay up-to-date in this industry and what new techniques are you currently learning about?
I’m always reading. Dermascope magazine is great! Staying in touch with other estheticians and seeing what they are doing and bouncing ideas off of one another. Continuing education is really important to me as well. I’m always bringing in continuing education classes to my MedSpa.
What industry trends do you think will have the most impact this year?
Using fewer toxic ingredients in skincare and using CBD.
What industry trends do you think we as professionals should push back?
I believe we need to stop using botox as a band-aid and actually fix the wrinkle. Botox is a drug and every drug has side effects. Many people don’t know that botox is a neurotoxin called botulinum toxin that hurts your brain stem, destroys nerves, and deteriorates muscles.
The FDA only approved botox, because at the time, they proved botox did not migrate to other areas of your body. Since then, the University of Michigan has proved them otherwise. There are nontoxic, corrective treatments we can do to address our wrinkles. I do not believe we should sacrifice our health for beauty.
What would you say is your signature technique and approach to skincare?
Treating the whole person, including their physical, mental and emotional health.
Who do you allow to treat your skin as your personal esthetician?
My estheticians on staff, I allow to treat my skin. I have to always make sure their technique and knowledge of skin is good. In order for me to be the best teacher I can be for them, I have to know and feel what they are doing.
What is your proudest accomplishment in this industry?
Franchising BOHO Alternative MedSpa and winning Holistic Skin Games!
Can you name a person who has had a significant impact on you as an esthetician? Why and how did this person impact your life?
Beth Gaspard is my esthetic mentor and has believed in me since the very being. She was even at my esthetic graduation! Words have significant power. Beth has told me since the first day she met me that I was going to be great and that she couldn’t wait to see what I would do in the industry.
Beth spoke this over me almost every time I have spoken to her. Looking back on the first day I met her, I would not believe her if she told me all that I would accomplish today. Thank you, Beth, for always believing in me and speaking powerful words over me!
What are your current goals?
Launch my own skincare line January 2020. My long-term goal is to have 500 BOHO Alternative Med Spa locations around the world.
What do you hope to contribute to the world of esthetics? What do you want to be known for?
I want to revolutionize the beauty industry to use non-toxic treatment and to look at the skin in a holistic way. I would also like to be known for creating a workplace where estheticians are trained to be master estheticians and are paid 3xs more than what is industry standard today. I want estheticians to graduate school and hope to work at BOHO.
How did you first hear about The Skin Games?
Through Facebook
And, why did you decide to compete?
The Skin Games is the only skin competition out there for skin. I’m extremely competitive and I wanted a trophy to set me apart from my competitors.