A Quick Hack To Improve Every Beauty & Healthcare Appointment Forever

I started doing this thing recently that has totally improved every salon, spa, beauty and healthcare appointment I have. It’s a simple thing, but one that requires a bit of pre-planning.

Wellness appointments are enhanced with a little forethought.

It all started last fall when I went to my new dermatologist. My previous derm had done not so neat a job excising skin cancer from my neck and shoulder. I was left with some gruesome scars and I wasn’t keen to go under his knife again. Unfortunately, more results had just come back and he was recommending I get more surgery to treat these new areas.

Healthcare appointment

As luck would have it, I switched dermatologists and at my next healthcare appointment, my new derm didn’t think surgery was necessary. “I don’t want to hack you up again,” she said, confirming my suspicion that my previous derm’s knife wielding skills were not the tightest.

Instead, this new derm recommended I use a chemotherapy drug in cream form. Trouble was, this drug was completely out of stock in Alberta.

“Oh, I think I have that cream!” I explained. I fumbled the name of it. She shook her head.

“It’s unlikely you have it,” she countered. “Nobody’s been able to access it for months and you’re probably thinking of a different one.”

But just before leaving the house for this appointment, I decided to throw all my skin cancer supplies into my purse. I’d forgotten I packed them, but I remembered then. Triumphantly, I pulled out a ratty ziplock containing my various creams and medications. My Dermatologist gave a sigh of relief.

“That little tube of cream you have is worth gold right now,” she avowed.

And with that little bit of forethought, I was able to treat the new cancer spots without going back under the knife. I had the right chemotherapy cream after all. Fast forward six months and the cream totally did it’s job. No more surgery needed for me!

Ziplock to the rescue!

Emboldened by this easy I action, I started toting around all my supplies to whatever beauty or healthcare appointment I had. I find some beauty practitioners are always trying to push their product line on you, as if only their products can treat your condition.

What I put on my face pretty much every day.

At a recent facial, I was told I could get better mileage out of my home skincare routine if I added some medical grade products to it. “Like this?” I said, waving a tube of Glycogent, my exfoliation accelerator.

“Yes, exactly,” said the aesthetician. “But you need to use it more regularly.” She also nodded in approval at my Pixi Glow Tonic toner. I don’t think she thought much of my drugstore moisturizer though.

Comb through your bathroom before leaving for your appointment. (Credit: Pexels/Karolina Grabowska)

What else improves your appointment?

But it’s not just bringing your arsenal of beauty products with you that’ll improve your experience. I’ve found how you look also affects your appointments – especially when you’re with someone new.

If you’ve been going to the same person for years, you’re probably fine. But when a practitioner doesn’t know you, all they’re going off is how you look. First impressions do count in these situations. Big time.

I may look like a mousey mom most of the time at home, but I sure don’t want to look like that in public (sorry Huz!). So I make sure I wear clothes to my appointment that reflect how I want to be seen in this world.

Thankfully I haven’t switched hairdressers in awhile, so I can show up in my sweats. But if I were going to a new salon, you better believe I’d be wearing the same clothes (and shoes!) that I’d wear for a smart dinner out with my girlfriends.

I also found I was a better judge of my haircuts and colour if I wore make up, which I rarely do unless I’m going out to socialize. (You won’t find me wearing make up at the grocery store!)

I’ve noticed I feel so much better and like the look of my hair when I’m not peering at my blotchy skin at the same time. For this reason, I’ll always wear foundation and a swipe of lipstick. For certain I’ll put on a full face if it’s a new stylist I’m going to.

You want your stylist to know your style. (Credit: Unsplash/Toa Heftiba)

And because I hate, hate, hate getting water in my ears when I’m not expecting it, I’ve really enjoyed being able to dry my ears with Q-Tips immediately after getting my hair shampooed. Just slip a few in a ziplock and you won’t feel as awkward when you’re getting your tangles combed out.

When it comes to waxing, facials, etc… Sometimes you put on their robe, sometimes it’s just a smock from the waist up. Most of the time, however, my feet are poking out the end of the treatment table I’m laying upon.

I found these experiences to be so much more pleasant if I’m warm. My feet seem to be perpetually cold, so I’ll tote fuzzy sox to wear – especially in summer when I’ve turned up in sandals.

I’m sure you’ve also noticed that waiting rooms during COVID times are a pretty grim experience. To pass the time more pleasantly, you’ll want to bring your own magazines as I can’t see those coming back anytime soon.

These are all small things, many of which make me feel like my mother, but with age comes wisdom. Beauty and healthcare appointments are all about you, so why not do what it takes to make the most of them?