ALEXANDRA Trait could take out a worldwide skincare competition this week, even if she does not call herself a "typical beauty therapist".
"I was never really a girly-girl," she said.
The Castlemaine specialist is in Las Vegas to compete against the best in the industry and the world during The Skin Games.
The 26-year-old is the youngest in the competition and the only Australian competing this year.
"There's only been one other Aussie who has won it and I hope to take after her, if I can," Ms Trait said.
Ms Trait spent two months treating someone with acne scarring during the competition, posting videos back to competition organisers every week.
Story continues below competition video (more of which can be found here)
She is competing in the open medical category, where specialists work under medical supervision using treatments for conditions like acne scarring and cellulite reduction.
Her day to day work is varied. It includes people being treated for skin issues caused by gut health challenges through to hormones post-pregnancy.
The number of people coming through the door of her business Pearl Skin and Beauty means she can never relent on her education.
"It's learning everyday to stay up to speed," Ms Trait said.
"Our skin is our last line of excretion so I see a lot of dysfunctions, if you will, bubbling up. People sometimes can't control what comes to the surface, so they come to me," Ms Trait said said.
Getting to the Skin Game's top-10 has taken six months of preparation and hard work, she said.
"It's been a huge learning curve, and I've come out of my shell," Ms Trait said.
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That knowledge will be put to the test this week when she sits down with 12 judges, including bio-chemists, cosmetic chemists and company founders, who will quiz her on her knowledge.
The interview rounds take place Friday afternoon, Las Vegas local time, with award winners revealed on Saturday night.
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Tom O'Callaghan
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
