Would you hire a new graduate who had...

[Rock Firestorm]

Hi all. I am seriously considering going to school for massage therapy, but I have one question that is holding me back.

Would you hire a new graduate, or perhaps any MT, who had bad acne?

I have struggled with moderate to severe acne since I was about 14 (now 25) and have been unable to find a way to get rid of it. It actually seems to be getting worse with time and spreading to more parts of my body. I am worried that this makes me appear unhygienic and people will assume I do not take care of myself. I imagine that when someone is hiring if they had to choose between me and an equally skillful female of my age who has glowing, healthy skin that almost any employer in this business, particular for someplace like a spa, would take the girl with the good skin. A healthy looking MT makes the establishment look good, right? Is there any weight to my fears?

 

[Pompal 09.]

Would you hire a new graduate who had...

Hi Moonspark and welcome to our board!

While I can't speak for all potential employers, I can say without a doubt that our clinic would not hesitate to hire someone because of their skin condition. We look for therapists with good massage skills, good people skills and a good work ethic.

That said, they may be spa type places who are looking for a certain "look" in their therapists and not hire someone fo rtheir physical appearance either for their weight, age or skin???

I would not let your acne stop you from persuing massage if that is where your heart is. I was very overweight in massage school, I'm sure that there we potential employers who would not have hired me because of that but I found a wonderful clinic that hired me and I've been there for almost 18yrs now.

There are many different types of settings for massage......chiropractor office, PT, massage clinics and so on. Spas are not the only option if you would feel uncomfortable being in that setting.

Angie

 

[sheloves_dablues]

Would you hire a new graduate who had...

Hi all. I am seriously considering going to school for massage therapy, but I have one question that is holding me back.

Would you hire a new graduate, or perhaps any MT, who had bad acne?

I have struggled with moderate to severe acne since I was about 14 (now 25) and have been unable to find a way to get rid of it. It actually seems to be getting worse with time and spreading to more parts of my body. I am worried that this makes me appear unhygienic and people will assume I do not take care of myself. I imagine that when someone is hiring if they had to choose between me and an equally skillful female of my age who has glowing, healthy skin that almost any employer in this business, particular for someplace like a spa, would take the girl with the good skin. A healthy looking MT makes the establishment look good, right? Is there any weight to my fears?

If an employer uses physical appearance as a primary decision factor in hiring, they are not really looking for skilled MTs. They are looking for... something else. If your acne does not impair your ability to safely do the work, it has no particular relevance in the hiring decision. As employers, Kelly and I have interviewed MANY prospects, but looks have never been a factor we've considered. We do expect interviewees to show up dressed appropriately and with good personal hygiene, but we are more interested in getting to know that person so we can understand how they may fit into our team.

Don't make your molehill into a mountain. You can find a good employer if you first become a good MT. Study hard, do well in school, practice more than you are required to, and get a lot of massages from people who know what they're doing. You'll be fine.

 

[Smilecahoots]

Would you hire a new graduate who had...

Don't worry about your acne, massage skills have nothing to do with physical appearance.

Go for your dreams.

Massage school can be a life changing experience. You never know, you might find something that alleviates the condition.

 

[As_It_Is]

Would you hire a new graduate who had...

In a spa setting, there are some employers who WOULD consider this.
Doesn't make it right - but some of them want to present a certain "look" to their clients.

FWIW- I am also an esthetician - there are many things that you can do to try and get a handle on your acne.
In my experience most people with acne use the wrong products entirely (harsh scrubs etc) or are not consistent with their care.
None of the people that I have seen have ever had good results from seeing a Dermatologist.

If you can find an esthetician in your area who specializes in adult acne (the good ones will even have client pictures!) this would be your best bet if you feel that you need to try something different.

BTW - this is how many people become estheticians - they are trying to improve their own acne!

 

[Maru Ramos]

Would you hire a new graduate who had...

Thank you for the support everyone. I really do want to go to school for MT! I've become really discouraged lately by my acne and it coincided with becoming serious about going to school, so I was really upsetting myself but I think like some of you had said some spa owners will want a certain "look" while others will not. I can't control that and at this point I feel like I will never find my acne "cure" after 10+ years of looking. It's really discouraging.

In a spa setting, there are some employers who WOULD consider this.
FWIW- I am also an esthetician - there are many things that you can do to try and get a handle on your acne.
In my experience most people with acne use the wrong products entirely (harsh scrubs etc) or are not consistent with their care.
None of the people that I have seen have ever had good results from seeing a Dermatologist.

If you can find an esthetician in your area who specializes in adult acne (the good ones will even have client pictures!) this would be your best bet if you feel that you need to try something different.

BTW - this is how many people become estheticians - they are trying to improve their own acne!

I have never gone to a dermatologist because I watched my mom go to one without ANY results and many of the other adult acne sufferers I've seen did not get results from one either. I've also been developing a lack of faith in medical community as a whole lately, since other health problems have been dragging by without any results from multiple doctors. I REALLY don't want antibiotics thrown at me nor do I want to go on Accutane.

I was looking into going to something like an esthetician but was having trouble finding someone in my area. The closest I found was a woman who specialized in age reduction which doesn't help me. I'll look again, though. But honestly, I feel like my acne's root cause is something internal so I've been looking into diet changes and such as well.

 

[Gloryuh]

Would you hire a new graduate who had...

regarding acne. I have a chiropractor who does nutritional testing. recently I had her look at food items that may be affecting my stomach. She found that dairy and chocolate were 2 things that showed up. I stopped ingesting those items and have noticed in the last 2 weeks that my rosacea, although not completely gone, is so much less noticeable! So you may be right to take a look at diet.

go to school and enjoy!

 

[Pompal 09.]

Would you hire a new graduate who had...

Sounds like you may be exploring this, but have you looked into either a naturopathic doctor or possibly acupuncture? Diet can play a huge factor in skin health- not just acne, but also dry skin, etc.

And, yes, if you want to go to school, go. No one is "perfect" (whatever "perfect" is).

 

[Issy]

Would you hire a new graduate who had...

I concur with others suggesting seeing an esthetician who specializes in adult acne. I had it for a while in my mid-20's, and traded regularly with a couple of estheticians, used great products on my face, cleaned up my diet, etc. It helped so much. I agree that most of the time skin disturbances are the result of internal issues, and homeopathy can be a great way to clear these issues and support your overall health and well-being. Considering your mom has had serious acne, there is a family pattern component that could be explored. If you need help finding a quality homeopath in your area, PM me. You'll want one with excellent training, there's a lot to it.

If MT school is calling you, go for it, no matter what. Sometimes it's our "imperfections" that make us compassionate and great at what we do. You'll have a lot of support here!

 

[jenna - TBraaays fan!xo]

Would you hire a new graduate who had...

don't know where you are located, but
here is an esthetician that I know from an on-line board that I used to participate on...
She recently wrote an article in one of the trade magazines.

http://facerealityacneclinic.com/about/index.php

 

[Preschool Donna]

Would you hire a new graduate who had...

Thank you all for your encouragement!

I've come to a crossroads in my life where I know I need to make a change. I HATE my current job and I dread going to work every day. I started thinking about going to school to be an MT, and I got excited, then I remembered my acne and it hit me like a ton of bricks when I guess it shouldn't have. I'd like to think I will eventually find a way to have clear skin, or at least something close to it, but after 10+ years of thinking "this will be the key, this will work" nothing has. I'm coming to the point where I am telling myself I may have acne for a long time to come not matter what I do, and I just have to live with it. I can't pretend it's not there and sadly sometimes it will come into play.

I have begun looking into some more alternative solutions that some of you have already suggested such as acupuncture or a naturopath. I've looked around a little and haven't found much in my area that seemed to click, but maybe I just don't know what to look for. I'm in the Southern New Hampshire area, so if anyone has any suggestions I am open to trying anything that won't cost an arm and a leg. I've always kind of had an alternative view on health, and my recent struggles with the medical institution has lead me to look even further. Until recently I had never even set foot into a spa because I grew up in a family that couldn't afford those things, and I couldn't afford them myself until now. I had my first professional massage a week ago, and another a few days after, and plan to continue with them when I can. My last massage was with a man, and he was just wonderful. I have no weirdness about what gender massages me, but I know you male MTs out there are struggling and I want to give you all props! I felt like he paid more attention to my body just massaging it then all my doctors ever have in all their invasive tests (and I have had many!). It seems to me like the medical profession has gotten really out of touch with the human body as a whole, individual person. It's like the body is just a bunch of pieces of easy to diagnose parts instead of a functioning whole. Just throw some pills at the problem and cover it up, case closed. I'd like to think that, as an MT, I could help people without covering their problems up with pills but by helping them feel whole again.

/end sappy rant

Disclaimer: Yes, I generalized about doctor's. It's my personal experience thus far. I know there are good ones out there, I just haven't been fortunate enough to find one.

 

[iiinycboi]

Would you hire a new graduate who had...

Moonspark, I feel for you. Really, I do. I have had acne for... well, all my life, it seems. All my adolescent/adult life, anyway- and I'm 40! It's not nearly so bad as it once was, though I suppose I must attribute that at least in part to my hormones changing, LOL!

I remember vividly going with my Mom to... I don't know if it was a dermatologist, or who, rally... I was getting my ears pierced, and she was getting zits popped. Ick. Ew. I remember her lamenting "Gray hair and zits- what a cruel joke!". Haha- I know exactly what she meant now. LOL!

I know that my breakouts are very related to my hormonal cycles now, though. Twice a month, as the various female hormones wax and wane. All the pastes, cleansers, oils, lotions, soaps, etc., I have ever tried have not helped.

What has helped: I remember when I was pregnant with our first child. I went to see my midwife for one of the scheduled visits, and she said "I knew as soon as you came in that you've been drinking more water this month. How did I know?" When I could not guess, she said it was because my skin was clearer. Hum. Proper hydration = fewer/no zits. Who knew? At least, in my experience it has helped tremendously. Other than "those times of the month", dehydration is a killer for my face, even still. And even at "those times", hydration still makes a HUGE difference.

Another thing I've been striving for is to have a "cleaner" body, overall. I don't mean showering- naturally, that is a daily (at least!) activity already! What I mean is that I'm trying to lower the amount of toxins I'm exposed to- like the stuff I use to clean my house, clothes, dishes, etc.. Fewer toxins within the body means fewer toxins to find their way out of the body- at least, in theory.

But yeah- please don't let that stop you from going to massage school and getting your license (if that is required in your state). Any person who is going to get massage because of what the MT looks like... well, they're not REALLY looking for a REAL massage, now are they? Sad, but unfortunately....

 

[Bubblez]

Would you hire a new graduate who had...

Well moonspark - these are the things that enable us to be empathetic...our challenges and searches.

And I am totally there with regard the the traditional medical community. They never seem to have any answers. I have done FAR better with alternative healers and counselors.

There are many advanced modalities that are within the realm of massage therapists that are so amazing!

The MT's I know who do myofascial release and orthopedic massage help more people than physical therapists. And personally I have seen practitioners who have been trained in cranio-sacral therapy, somato-emotional release, lymphatic drainage, visceral manipulation, zero balancing, naturopathy and many other wonderful approaches.
If I HAD to see a doctor, I suppose I will - but if I have a choice my body and my heart respond better to alternative methods.

So - being a massage therapist can give you the opportunity to be of great service. It takes awhile to get those "magic hands", but if it is meant to be, you will get there!
And the benefits that you will gain in the process - physically and spiritually - will be great!

 

[sevenmoreminutes7]

Would you hire a new graduate who had...

regarding acne. I have a chiropractor who does nutritional testing. recently I had her look at food items that may be affecting my stomach. She found that dairy and chocolate were 2 things that showed up. I stopped ingesting those items and have noticed in the last 2 weeks that my rosacea, although not completely gone, is so much less noticeable! So you may be right to take a look at diet.

go to school and enjoy!

That's AWESOME!

That's exactly what I do. I had acne till I was 25, too. Then I changed my diet and my depression AND my acne cleared up. Now I am a DC who does nutritional, food sensitivity, and other testing to identify underlying issues people may not be aware of. They're tough to uncover because the symptoms vary so much. Most MDs don't have the time or knowledge to investigate things in this area; their schooling focused primarily on bacteria, viruses, bone fractures, emergency intervention, bleeding, documented disease conditions, etc; if you don't have one of those, you're "fine" and they look no further. Meanwhile, you know you have signs of poor health, even if they seem minor, and you're right to trust your gut and get it taken care of. Yes, it can be done, and usually without prescriptions. Kudos to you!

 

[emperoryt]

Would you hire a new graduate who had...

Here are some products I swear by to control my acne. I have had break out since I was 12 and I am 30 now so I now how your feel

http://www.luckyvitamin.com/p-21907-nelsons-pure-clear-acne-treatment-gel-1-oz
http://www.luckyvitamin.com/p-28655-nelsons-pure-clear-purifying-cleaning-wash-42-oz
http://www.luckyvitamin.com/p-3529-natra-bio-acne-relief-1-oz

I have done all the tradition acne treatments with not much luck just very irritated skin. Homeopathic remedies have worked the best for me so far