Add Row 
Add 
A New Era of Skincare Is Just a Click Away
What happens when a hands-on industry goes hands-off?
When spas across the country shut their doors during the pandemic, many estheticians were faced with a daunting question: Now what?
For some, it meant waiting it out. But for others—like Tess, a licensed esthetician with a gift for education—it became a chance to redefine the entire client experience.
“I never imagined building a skincare business over Zoom,” Tess admits with a laugh. “But it turns out, going virtual helped me go deeper with clients than ever before.”
Today, virtual skincare consults are more than a pandemic workaround—they’re a booming new model for personalized, results-driven skin coaching. Powered by platforms like Zoom, Calendly, and JaneApp, a growing number of professionals are offering holistic consultations that analyze everything from product routines to stress, sleep, and diet.
And clients are showing up—in droves.
The Unexpected Pivot to Virtual Skincare
Before 2020, virtual esthetics sounded like a contradiction.
Skin is touch. It’s hands-on. How could anyone expect a meaningful experience through a screen?
Then came the shutdowns. Spa rooms went dark. Clients still struggled with breakouts, dryness, hyperpigmentation, and confusion.
Enter: the virtual consult.
Tess, like many others, didn’t plan on building an online business.
“I always saw myself in the treatment room,” she recalls. “But I realized my strength was actually education.”
Through video calls and detailed intake forms, Tess began offering one-hour consultations that looked at everything from diet and medication history to stress levels and pillowcases.
Her approach? Holistic, meticulous, and highly personalized.
What started as a temporary pivot became a permanent part of her business.
"Virtual gave me a window into how clients actually live. That insight is priceless."
Pandemic Pressure Sparks Innovation
The shift wasn’t limited to solo estheticians.
Heyday, a well-known spa brand, pivoted online fast—and saw a 724% increase in product sales after launching virtual consults.
Deciem’s “Deciem at Home” consults were booked solid within hours, with clients praising the educational, non-salesy tone.
The takeaway? Clients weren’t just buying products—they were investing in understanding.
Estheticians who previously felt limited to a treatment bed found new freedom in consult-first care.
Tools like JaneApp (HIPAA-compliant with built-in video), Calendly (automated scheduling), and Zoom (secure virtual rooms) created seamless systems for delivering high-touch services remotely.
Even major spa booking platforms like Acuity and Vagaro integrated virtual appointment options for skincare professionals.
“It finally made product sales feel aligned with service,” said Ayana, a dual-licensed therapist.
Some pros layered in services like:
Routine check-ins via video
Skincare journaling and routine logs
Virtual group skincare classes
Monthly memberships with rotating themes (seasonal skin, barrier repair, etc.)
It’s more than consultation—it’s a skin mentorship model.
What Happens During a Virtual Skincare Consult?
Behind the Screen: A 7-Step Consult Framework
Ayana breaks her process into 7 parts:
Establish trust and rapport
Ask about lifestyle and skin goals
Review current skincare routines
Spot red flags in usage or products
Offer science-backed education
Build a personalized plan
Provide follow-up and accountability
For Tess, it’s about being a “skincare detective.”
“Sometimes people are attached to products that are actually hurting them.”
From hot water cleansing to fragrance-heavy oils, simple tweaks often bring dramatic results.
Clients are often surprised by what comes up:
Over-exfoliation habits
Poor sleep hygiene
Hidden food triggers
Stress-related breakouts
Ayana adds:
“You can’t separate the skin from the person. We’re not just clearing acne—we’re untangling overwhelm.”
Some clients cry during the consult. Others text weeks later with photos and gratitude.
Why Virtual Consults Actually Work
“The depth is what surprises people,” Tess says. “We talk about their sleep, their gut, their stress, their habits. It’s a whole-person approach.”
Benefits for Clients:
Personalized guidance
Comfort of home
Clear product usage
Long-term support
Affordable options for those unable to visit a spa
Benefits for Pros:
Flexible schedules
Lower overhead
More time per client
Scalable retail income
Increased accessibility to distant or underserved audiences
Client Tara shared:
“I felt like I had tried everything. Now I finally understand what my skin actually needs.”
Many pros also find that listening improves during virtual sessions. Without hands-on distractions, focus shifts fully to the client’s words and emotions.
“It makes people feel seen,” said Ayana. “That’s healing in itself.”
And for some clients, seeing themselves on camera during consults has been surprisingly therapeutic. They’re watching their skin while talking about it—an unexpectedly intimate and empowering experience.
What Sets Great Consults Apart
Top-tier virtual estheticians offer more than advice—they offer presence.
Tess lights a candle before each call to signal intention and calm.
She also sends follow-up PDFs using Canva, complete with:
Personalized routine
Ingredient education
Affiliate product links
Tracking tools for results
Ayana creates “minimum effective routines” for overwhelmed clients and robust multi-step protocols for enthusiasts.
Some estheticians build membership communities or offer monthly check-ins for long-term skin coaching.
Other differentiators:
Branded pre-consult kits mailed to clients
Consults bundled with sample packs
Tiered consult types: basic, advanced, ongoing
And yes—results are measurable.
Clients often track:
Reduction in breakouts
Smoother texture
Fewer product reactions
Increased skin confidence
“It’s skincare with purpose,” said Tess. “We’re not just selling steps. We’re creating routines people believe in.”
Want to Offer Virtual Services? Start Here.
For Spa Professionals:
Pick a focus: acne, aging, pigment, etc.
Use Calendly, JaneApp, or Acuity
Build a comprehensive intake form
Set up your Zoom or built-in video system
Create branded templates for plans
Charge based on value ($75–$150+)
Tip: Batch your virtual consults on set days to stay organized.
Bonus: Add email check-ins at 2 and 4 weeks post-consult. This builds loyalty and encourages retail follow-through.
For Clients:
Take clear, natural light selfies
List current products (with ingredients)
Be open and honest
Ask questions!
Take notes and follow up
“Even if it’s virtual, your energy still matters,” Tess says. “Smile. Listen. Make it feel like self-care.”
A New Way to Feel Seen, Supported & Glowing
Virtual skincare consults aren’t replacing the spa—they’re expanding it.
“When you’re lost in the skincare aisle or nothing seems to work, a consult meets you where you are,” says Ayana.
Whether you're a busy mom, a college student, or living rurally, expert skin support is now just a screen away.
And it’s not just about skin.
It’s about confidence, education, and connection.
“I want people to feel seen,” Tess says. “Even through a screen.”
Final Takeaways
Skincare is no longer just about serums—it’s about relationships.
Clients crave clarity and compassion.
Professionals thrive when they lead with education, not sales.
“Sometimes the best thing we can offer isn’t a product or a facial,” Tess says. “It’s a conversation. That’s where healing begins.”
Whether you're a spa owner, esthetician, or curious client—this movement is for you.
Virtual esthetics is here to stay. And it’s changing the game.
Write A Comment