Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Stackhouse.
Ashley, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve dealt with acne for most of my life, so getting into aesthetics was very personal for me. Being from a small town in Michigan, we didn’t really have options for med spas or acne clinics. Your options were Walgreens or the dermatologist. I had been on so many medications over the years and tried so many skincare brands. When I moved to Austin, Texas, in 2014, I met an esthetician, went to see her for SkinPen microneedling, and my whole world changed!
I’ve been in aesthetics for about eight years now and about four years into my career, I started realizing that I could only get my clients so far by focusing on skincare alone. (I was always that “but why?” kid, if you can’t tell.) That’s what pushed me to get my nutrition certification and to start learning more about the connection between the skin and everything else going on in the body.
Since then, I’ve just kept learning and adding to my toolbox! I specialize in adult acne and acne scarring. I work with treatments like SkinPen microneedling, Sciton lasers and The Face Reality Clear Skin Method, while also looking at things like nutrition, stress, lifestyle, and overall health.
I think I’ve gotten to where I am because I’m genuinely just really curious. I’m always going down a rabbit hole, asking more questions, signing up for new trainings and trying to figure out the “why” behind things.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No way! I started in a day spa and I feel like right when I finally got my groove… Covid hit. That same year I got divorced and could barely make rent! I was making like $20 per facial or something back then but I learned so much in that environment so I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Then I fell in love with a man in Denver and up and left my entire clientele to start over out here. I applied to roughly 30 spas and nobody would hire me! Things didn’t workout at the first spa I worked for in Colorado and I’m honestly so glad it didn’t. It was not for me. I applied to another 20+ spas after that and only one place gave me a chance… Purity.
Everything happens for a reason!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m the Lead Acne Specialist at Purity Skin Studio, where I specialize in adult acne and acne scarring. I’m known for being obsessed with Skinpen microneedling. (Yes, even as a treatment for acne.)
But what I’m probably best known for online are my edgy opinions around nutrition and acne.
There’s a huge stigma that you have to give up a long list of foods to stay clear. We’ve all heard the dairy one but some practitioners have their clients cutting out so many foods that eating becomes stressful. I personally think that stress can contribute to acne more than some of those foods ever will.
That doesn’t mean I’m telling people to live off fast food and candy. I’d just much rather teach my clients how to build balanced plates, time their meals better, choose better ingredients and fuel their bodies without being afraid of food. That approach is a big part of what sets me apart.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Maybe that I also do lasers just because I’m newer to them! I started at the beginning of the year and I’m loving this journey. It’s been so fun to learn something new while also being able to offer my clients more treatments! I especially love Moxi for acne scars and textural issues. Holy cow, that’s an amazing laser.
Other than that maybe people would be surprised that I’m actually kind of introverted. My work and social media probably make me seem really outgoing and outspoken but I’m happiest at home in my own little world with my dogs, my husband and a trashy reality show. I really like grandma hobbies and I’m always in bed by 9.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://purityskinstudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleyontheinside?stkn=OXdzc2VnMHF0cnly&utm_source=qr
