April 8, 2004

Taking good care of your skin can take years off your face
Esthetician Nicole DeSelle offers treatments for the young and old

By Miranda Schultz
Staff Writer

Summer is just around the corner. It’s safe to say people want healthy looking skin to bare while wearing their swimsuits and sandals. Nicole DeSelle is a licensed esthetician whose goal is to bring her clients’ skin to life. She runs her popular Utopia Skin and Body business through Coco Cabana in Almaden (near Trader Joe’s).
She is certified in all esthetician services, massage therapy, microdermabrasion, intense impulse light and is an FDA research analyst.

DeSelle became interested in skin care after her grandmother had skin cancer. “I wanted to find out what the causes were and learn more about it,” she says.

Specializing in Brazilian bikini waxing, DeSelle uses a wax that is less painful. Say goodbye to the unpleasant strip wax. The wax she uses is a hard wax that dries over oil that buffers the skin from being pulled. The wax is removed and there is no heart-stopping shock of pain that comes along with it. This procedure is used on men and women and costs $60 to $150.

“I really enjoy waxing. I know what I’m doing and I take my work very seriously. I’m constantly taking classes to keep myself informed about what is going on in the industry,” says DeSelle.

When one visits DeSelle for a service, they can expect to feel comfortable right from the beginning. “I’ve been going to her for a couple of years,” says one client, Sandy Miller. “She’s genuine and personable. You spend 15 minutes with her and you feel like you’ve known her forever. She’s confident and knowledgeable, I used to drive all the way from San Leandro for appointments with her.”

Miller has had waxing and massages and is going for a full microdermabrasion in a few weeks. Microdermabrasion is a skin-freshening technique that helps repair facial skin that takes a beating from the sun and the effects of aging. A device like a fine sandblaster is used to spray tiny crystals across the face, mixing gentle abrasion with suction to remove the dead, outer layer of skin.

For facials, DeSelle uses a skin care line that is customized to each client’s individual needs. “Facials are beneficial because it helps slough off the layer of skin that acts as protection and the skin forms a new layer,” says DeSelle. “It helps with aging and minimizes damage.”

Proper skin care knowledge is important for all ages. For younger clients, DeSelle encourages and informs them of the importance of proper cleansing. “Parents should be careful with their adolescent’s skin. Their skin is going through a lot of changes and they shouldn’t use harsh products. My youngest client is nine, and I basically clean her skin. I don’t do too much,” says DeSelle.

DeSelle, a mother of two, is often considered to be very nurturing and maternal with her clients. “Most of my clients are also very good friends of mine,” she says.

It is also important to know an esthetician’s background and training before scheduling an appointment. “California is a highly regulated state. Someone can find out if their esthetician is properly licensed through the consumer affairs department. They should have their license displayed and it should be current,” says DeSelle. “It’s a standard we’re supposed to live by. An esthetician practicing without a license is like an attorney practicing law without passing the bar exam.”

DeSelle guarantees a relaxing, rejuvenating experience in her care. “I don’t wear a white smock. It’s a very stress-free environment. I don’t try and push products. It’s a very low-key, friendly, family-type environment,” says DeSelle.

Ann Gillardo has been a regular client of DeSelle’s for four years. “She is very friendly and cares about her clients and I think she’s been doing it long enough for it to be a painless experience,” she says. Gillardo has received the microdermabrasion treatment from DeSelle. “The microdermabrasion is great, I noticed a difference after going a couple of times.”

“My clients tell me that they look forward to an appointment with me. They feel healthier, their skin looks healthier and they feel good about themselves. They are also able to deal better with daily stresses at work or at home,” says DeSelle.

Mistie Lonardo has been a client of DeSelle’s for close to five years and appreciates her attentiveness. “Nicole listens to her clients. She is very gentle and I love the products she uses. The wax is very soft and it’s completely painless. The whole experience is pleasant with her.”

DeSelle offers a wide variety of facials, massages and waxing services at an affordable price. A deep cleansing, acne controlling or peppermint rosemary scrub facial is offered at $75. A triple enzyme peel or vitamin C extreme is offered at $85. Manual microdermabrasion is $145 and intense impulse light therapy is $115, which is combined with a deep cleansing facial. Therapeutic and prenatal massages range from $70 to $110. DeSelle enjoys finding the individual treatments that will suit each of her clients. Call (408) 997-3958 for more information.