Creating a change means being a bit uncomfortable. I get it, the last thing you want to do with your discomfort about your outward appearance is to immortalize it in a photograph. You spend hours primping your hair, wearing clothes that make your body look perfect AND you cake on concealer to hide your uneven skin tones. The concept of taking a photo of the raw and real truth underneath seems absurd.
Why would you want to remember something you dislike so much?
Because, it is the first step to improvement!
Creating a change is not easy. You’ve heard the phrase “you can’t create change until you accept that there is a problem”. The alcoholic will never take steps towards sobriety, the overweight individual will never begin their health journey, and the acne-prone adult will never begin their quest for clear skin until they first acknowledge that there is a problem.
Things will never change until you acknowledge that they must, for you to enjoy a happier, healthier way of living.
Many, if not most of my clients forget to take a photo before beginning their skincare journey and it makes sense. They don’t want to be reminded of how “bad” their skin was, they just want to see improvement. Sometimes they fleetingly remind themselves but come up with excuses .“I have all my makeup on” or “I just got into bed.” The inevitable I will do it in the morning never happens.
Five days later, their new skincare regimen arrives and with excitement, they rip open the box and begin their new treatment …without the photo.
Why is this such a problem?
People are like a frog in hot water. Remember that fable from elementary school? A scientist puts a frog in boiling hot water. Naturally, the frog jumps out and ribbits “YIKES.” Another scientist puts another frog in a pot of cool water and slowly heats it up. The frog does not realize its environment is changing and eventually, he croaks out his last ribbit.
When it comes to your skin, change can be subtle and seem slow. You didn’t wake up one morning and suddenly you had crows feet. Of course not, they slowly appeared over time. So, you didn’t notice them on a daily basis. The same is true with skincare. The daily changes may be subtle so without a “before” photo you may not believe a change is occurring at all.
Early on in their skincare journey , many clients call me upset because their skincare products are” not doing what they want them to”. However, because I insisted that they took a “before” photo, we can look at it and compare. Lo-and-behold the proof is in the picture and often the change has been dramatic!
So, before you begin your next “journey” whip out your camera to document the process. Anything from hair changes and makeovers, to a skincare adventure, selfies are always a good place to start and it is the best way to decipher and track whether a change is actually happening!
Change is good!
I can help you make those changes. Connect with me here!
Alexis Simmons is the CEO of Alexis Simmons-Rodan + Fields. Within the world of Clinical Dermatology; Rodan + Fields is the #1 brand across all price points, while also owning the #1 spots in both acne and anti-aging in premium skincare. No matter your age, gender, skin tone or ethnicity, Rodan + Fields® products can help you to achieve healthier, younger-looking skin. Alexis loves helping people live better in their skin and become more empowered in their lives.