We’re looking forward to introducing you to Pamela Springer. Check out our conversation below.
Pamela, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What battle are you avoiding?
AGING!
I am at the age that all my friends are retired. I just can’t seem to retire! I love what I’ve created which is clinical Skin of Color (SOC) certification trainings for MedSpas, clinicians, medical providers and nurses. Can’t believe I finally found my joy late in life. After 30 years, I’m still joyful. I will say, it keeps me feeling young, and embracing the journey that I have created. The best part? I’ve learned those mistakes were only lessons to carry me to the next level of wisdom.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Let’s dive into her story.
Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP), the leading national association supporting licensed estheticians, proudly names Pamela R. Springer as the 2025 recipient of the distinguished ASCP Industry Icon Award. ASCP is home to over 35,000 members nationwide and is the only organization offering estheticians comprehensive, industry-specific benefits tailored to every stage of their career. This celebrates individuals who have made lasting contributions to professional skin care through education, innovation, and leadership. Pamela is the second recipient of this esteemed title.
She is a nationally recognized educator and speaker whose expertise has been featured on local Fox, NBC, and ABC networks, and across major aesthetic and medical conferences. She began her journey in the beauty industry as a National Training Director for Edgar Morris, a leading skin care company, before identifying a critical need for inclusive education in pigmentation science.
Her founding of The Skin & Makeup Institute of Arizona in 2000 followed a rigorous preceptorship with a board-certified dermatologist and professor of Ethno Dermatology—an experience that shaped her specialized focus in the treatment of multi-ethnic skins.
Her company, Global Skin Solutions, is an approved Continuing Professional Education Provider for the California Board of Registered Nursing. The curriculum is rooted in Ethno-Dermatology and evidence-based modalities, equipping medical providers with the knowledge and cultural sensitivity needed to confidently treat pigmented skin. Pamela recently launched the Skin of Color Certification, a comprehensive 3-day master course designed for skincare professionals, medical practitioners, and medspa providers.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
This is an interesting question and I had to really give it some thought.
The power within me was nurtured in my mid-40s. I was always an over-weight child, teenager and adult. A clothing store owner reached out to me to model some of their clothing. I immediately thought they were making fun of my weight. The salesperson seeing my anger, immediately showed me a magazine that showcased plus-size models. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing and agreed to do the show.
The show was a success, with the audience giving me a standing ovations when I walked out on the runway. Because of that show, I was called about 2 weeks later and was asked to model for “Essence Magazine” making me the first plus-size model to be featured in their magazine. I went on to appear on numerous local and national shows, even Oprah, which led me to my own show on the Fashion Channel which is now QVC. That open the door to me being on the cover of magazines and on the front page of newspapers. Nordstrom’s, Sak’s Fifth Ave, Bullock’s, Dillards and other big box stores began hiring me to hold in-store fashion events and workshops.
The power within was realized when I was able to show other plus-size women their beauty, self worth and quietly awaken the power within them.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
I never showed my suffering. I was Pagliaci, which translates to “clown” in English. The clown who cried on the inside but was cheerful on the outside. Years went by but one day I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. In other words I was fed up and ready to release the pain inside. The journey to become joyful led to me realizing the pain was cause by the choices I made – void of any self-love, being voiceless by never wanting to rock the boat when it came to standing up for myself in various situations, anxiety about what others thought of me and carefully orchestrating to avoid hurting anyone feelings, even though mine would be hurt.
I finally made the choice to dig deep within. I knew if I was really ready the questions and answers would come to the surface. Lots of tears, screaming and pain during this process. It was an 8-month journey. When I finished, I had lost about 50-60 pounds. I found out later. overeating or emotional eating is a way to suppress feelings, resentment, anger and anxiety. Today, when seek comfort with overeating, I know it’s emotional eating and it’s time to explore the “why.”
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
This generation is getting into the skincare business because they believe they can make lots of money. They follow many influencers who claim to be making 6 and 7 figure incomes. Influences are their to make money, whether they know what they are talking about or not. It’s about racking up subscribers to get paid!
Five or six figure incomes can be attained but most of the younger generation of licensed aestheticians are:
#1 – only willing to secure their knowledge if it is “FREE” which generally is about the company’s product knowledge –
#2 – on YouTube for knowledge. The information is not always accurate. They monetize the videos with ads, memberships, fan funding, and through YouTube shopping .
#3 – requesting answers in social media groups, where everyone has their two cents to contribute. which many times are incorrect.
#4 – allowing their clients to tell them what they want. When the client doesn’t see any change in their skin, they don’t return.
#5 – winging it because the client isn’t require to fill out an intake form. For any service you need to know the cause of the problem and how to fix it. Instead most clients get the same protocol over and over again. No two skins are alike, therefore the treatment should be different; Let’s say dry skins – if the client had filled out an intake form you would know the primary and secondary causes. Is it dry because of medication – is it dry because of the climate – Is it dry because of the weather (winter) – Is it dry because of a health issue – Is it dry because of a skin condition. Each dry skin mentioned, the protocol used would be different or the dryness may be out of your scope of practice and you need a dermatologist referral.
I like to say – if you can read skin, the skin will tell you what it needs! The only way to read skin is to understand the structure and function of all skin types and all skin tones!
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
I bridge the gap between clinical content, the hands on experience and how to treat multi-ethnic skin safely and confidently.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.globalskincareproducts.com
- Instagram: @globalskincareproducts.com
- Linkedin: @globalskin-solutions
- Facebook: @globalskincareproducts.com
