Meet Anastasiia Huk, licensed esthetician, acne specialist, educator, author, and founder of H.A. Skin Lab in Roseville, California. Her work centers on acne, barrier recovery, individualized protocols, and long-term skin health, with an emphasis on written treatment plans, evidence-based care, and tracking clients through remission rather than chasing quick fixes.

Anastasiia is also a third-generation esthetician, carrying forward a family legacy in the profession while now training her own daughter in the craft. That connection between experience, education, and generational knowledge adds another layer to the way she approaches both client care and professional development.

In this episode of TSG’s Director’s Cut, Anastasiia shares what first drew her into esthetics, why acne became the area she wanted to understand more deeply, and how client experiences shaped her philosophy that clear skin is a process, not a single product or treatment.

We also talk about the importance of structured acne care, including assessment, written protocols, ongoing tracking, and adjusting the plan as the skin responds. Anastasiia shares the acne misconceptions she wishes more professionals would move beyond and why she expanded her treatment-room experience into education and authorship.

This episode also marks the beginning of a new chapter. Anastasiia is attending The Skin Games for the first time and is joining the Acne Judges Panel. She shares what made her say yes, what she hopes to bring to the judging conversation, and what she is looking forward to experiencing as a first-time Judge at TSG.

Join Brenda Hogsett, Director of Player Experience, and Kelly Wolcott, Director of Judges, for a candid conversation about complex acne, family legacy, thoughtful treatment planning, professional education, and the beginning of Anastasiia’s Skin Games journey.

Follow Anastasiia on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/huk_esthetician_/

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Learn more about Anastasiia Huk and H.A. Skin Lab:
https://www.acnehukclinic.com/

Follow Anastasiia on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/huk_esthetician_/

Learn more about The Skin Games and register:
https://www.theskingames.com/register/ref/kelly@wishesthetics.com/

Meet David Valenzuela, founder of WISH Skin Health, educator, product developer, podcast host, and Skin Games Expert Judge in the Acne category.

David brings more than two decades of executive leadership experience with some of the most recognized names in professional skincare, including Aveda, Dermalogica, CosMedix, and Face Reality. He has also overseen formulation and development for numerous professional skincare products and continues to focus heavily on cosmetic chemistry, acne education, barrier health, and the skin microbiome.

In this episode of TSG’s Director’s Cut, David shares what years of working behind the scenes with professional brands taught him about the skincare industry and what ultimately led him to build WISH Skin Health.

We talk about why the microbiome changed the way he thinks about acne, why aggressive treatment is not always better, and what he means when he says, “One size fits one.”

David also shares what working on the formulation side has taught him about products and ingredients, what he looks for when evaluating acne cases, and why understanding the reasoning behind a treatment plan matters just as much as the protocol itself.

We also explore his role as a Skin Games Judge and what he enjoys about seeing how other professionals think through complicated acne cases.

Join Brenda Hogsett, Director of Player Experience, and Kelly Wolcott, Director of Judges, for a candid conversation about acne, product development, microbiome health, professional education, and better decision-making in the treatment room.

Learn more about David Valenzuela and WISH Skin Health:
https://wishskinhealth.com/
https://www.instagram.com/wishskinhealth/

Listen to the iWISH podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/iwish/id1715388508

Learn more about The Skin Games and register:
https://www.theskingames.com/register/ref/kelly@wishesthetics.com/

Meet Genice Gonzales, licensed esthetician, educator, mentor, waxing specialist, and owner of Amora J Studios.

Genice’s career has been shaped by resilience, inclusion, and a willingness to build the kind of business she wanted to see in the industry. From starting in a room in her mother’s home to growing Amora J Studios into an award-winning Skin and Wellness Center, her journey has included business challenges, reinvention, education, and a commitment to creating space for clients of all bodies, abilities, and sensory needs.

In this episode of TSG’s Director’s Cut, Genice shares what pushed her to choose the beauty industry, what kept her going through difficult seasons in business, and why inclusion became part of the way she serves clients, not just part of her messaging.

We also talk about the creation of her Sensory Safe Standard, her work advocating for clients with disabilities and sensory needs, and why she believes estheticians can make meaningful changes in the treatment experience with more awareness and intention.

Genice also reflects on her Skin Games journey across multiple categories, including waxing and compassion-focused work, what she found in the TSG community, and what it meant to compete in the very first OG Legends competition during The Skin Games’ 10-year celebration.

Join Brenda Hogsett, Director of Player Experience, and Kelly Wolcott, Director of Judges, for another candid conversation about resilience, inclusion, competition, and the professional journey behind The Skin Games.

Learn more about Genice Gonzales:
www.amorajstudios.com
www.instagram.com/estheticmaven

Learn more about The Skin Games and register:
https://www.theskingames.com/register/ref/kelly@wishesthetics.com/