This Charlotte skincare expert has a 4-year waitlist. Here's her best advice for glowing skin
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Blair Hayes is the owner of Skin By Blair in Dilworth and the creator of skincare line, Blair Skincare. Photo on left: Courtesy of Rusty Williams
Skin By Blair in Dilworth has a four-year waitlist and 3,000 people trying to book time with founder Blair Hayes.
Why it matters: Hayes, a cosmetic dermatology physician assistant, is a homegrown small business success story. She shared her top skincare tips for those who can't get an appointment.
Context: Hayes opened Skin By Blair in a restored Dilworth house in 2019, specializing in skincare consultations and aesthetic injections. Within six months of opening, she was no longer accepting new clients, and the waitlist has been growing ever since.
- She's also built a massive online following for her straightforward, evidence-based skincare tips.
- Shortly after opening, Hayes co-developed a skincare line with a chemist called Blair Skincare, for people who want professional-grade results from home.
Between the lines: Skincare advice can feel overwhelming with countless dos and don'ts, tons of product recommendations, and opinions on injectables like Botox and fillers.
- To cut through the noise, I sat down with Hayes for her best skincare tips, tricks and hacks.
The big picture: As Charlotte's health and wellness industry expands, more residents are turning to pros for younger-looking skin.
- Hayes' high-end products and long waitlist may put her out of reach for some, but her practical advice can work for anyone.
Here's what she shared.
Skincare doesn't have to be complicated.
Those dozen-step routines popular on TikTok? Fun to watch, but not necessary. Hayes says a complete routine needs four core products.
- Vitamin C
- Exfoliating acid
- Retinoid
- Sunscreen
"Everything else is just icing on the cake," says Hayes.
- If she had to narrow it down to two, it would be sunscreen and a retinoid.
The biggest side effect of Botox? Addiction.
Hayes has performed over 10,000 Botox treatments. She says it's perfectly safe, but there are a few caveats.
- If you're Botox curious, the goal of these injections, she adds, is to prevent creasing without freezing your expressions. It should look natural, not like you've "had work done."
- "The real 'side effect' is addiction," she jokes. Botox usually lasts three to four months, and people tend to return for more.
- It can take up to two weeks for results to fully show.
Skincare at home matters just as much.
If you're not taking care of your skin at home, treatments can only do so much. No amount of Botox or filler will make up for bad skincare habits, Hayes says.
- This is why she created her own line, she says. Her signature Tonic, for example, is a blend of exfoliating acids that stimulate collagen and combat the signs of aging. She calls it a "facial in a bottle."
- The line also includes a vitamin C serum (for brightening and collagen support), an eye cream (for dark circles and puffiness), RET+ (a retinoid) and "Bakuchiol," (a retinoid-alternative safe for those pregnant or nursing) and Crème de la Blair (a moisturizer).
Wear SPF — even indoors.
- UV rays can still penetrate windows and cause skin damage and aging effects, even when you're inside.
- Hayes shared an example of a longtime truck driver who accumulated significant skin damage from years of sun exposure through his car window.
- "You may not be burning, but the collagen breakdown that can go through windows is way more than we think it is," she says.
Retinol is overrated, but retinoids are essential.
Retinoid is the umbrella term for a variety of vitamin A compounds that treat wrinkles and skin texture, which includes retinol — but not all retinoids are created equal.
- Hayes is critical of retinol and considers it too mild to produce significant results. While it's a common ingredient in over-the-counter products, it's often ineffective.
- Instead, she recommends retinaldehyde, a stronger and less irritating retinoid.
Think of your skincare as a recipe.
Skincare isn't one-size-fits-all, Hayes says.
- You may need time to figure out what works for your skin, whether it's tweaking your routine or adjusting your Botox dosage.
- Hayes also recommends skincare consultations to create a personalized plan that works for you.
The bottom line: A consistent routine and daily SPF matter more than trending products or pricey treatments.
Stop by: Skin By Blair is at 512 East Blvd in Dilworth.
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