Today, as Director of Judges for The Skin Games, I understand the work that goes into a case study from both sides of the judging table. I also remember what it feels like to be the Player: making decisions, documenting progress, and hoping the final submission communicates the care behind every appointment. My 2020 Age Management entry is a meaningful part of that story.
Looking back, I see the results we worked toward. I also see how much competing contributed to the professional I have become.
My 43-year-old model had concerns about tone, texture, and firmness, alongside hormonal breakouts and lingering pigmentation. Over eight weeks, I combined microcurrent, LED, and targeted facial treatments with consistent home care, adjusting the plan as her skin’s needs changed. My notes documented improvements in hydration, clarity, texture, and the appearance of firmness.
She was encouraged by her progress. Toward the end of the study, however, she became ill and experienced additional breakouts. With final photographs approaching, she was frustrated about both how she felt and how her skin looked.
That is where one of my most valuable lessons came from.
In my closing reflection, I acknowledged that I had become so focused on helping clear her breakouts that I had not fully recognized her frustration about being ill, her skin, and how the final photographs would look. When we connected afterward, she thanked me for listening and allowing her to express what she was feeling. As she recovered, she could more fully appreciate the improvements we had achieved.
I left that experience committed to asking better questions about how clients perceive their progress. Their experience deserves attention throughout the process, alongside what I observe and document.
From my Director of Judges perspective, the Age Management category asks Players to demonstrate visible improvement, thoughtful treatment and home-care planning, ingredient and modality knowledge, and professional compliance. We encourage Players to share the names of the products they use. People are curious and want to know! Equally important is understanding what is in each product, why it was selected, and how it supports the model’s skin needs. Players should also clearly explain how modalities are incorporated into the treatment plan, including their purpose, sequencing, and any adjustments made in response to the skin. Clear documentation helps judges understand both the results and the decisions behind them.
Competing helped me become more deliberate about observing, explaining, and reflecting on my work. Those habits have stayed with me as I have grown into judging, education, and my role as Director of Judges. My knowledge and approach have continued to evolve, and I can look back at this entry with both pride and a more experienced perspective.
For anyone considering Age Management, I encourage you to see the case study as an opportunity to examine your own practice closely. Document the decisions. Pay attention when the skin changes. Keep listening to the person on your treatment table. The growth that begins during those eight weeks can continue long after the competition ends.
Explore the Age Management category and be sure to review the current rules before beginning your case study.
Age Management category: https://www.theskingames.com/skincare-competition/age-management-category/
Competition rules: https://www.theskingames.com/rules-and-regulations/