11 min read
In the suburbs of Philadelphia on the affluent Main Line, the name “Ilona” has come to be synonymous with holistic skin and body care. In the early 1980s when Ilona Csaky first posted the word “aesthetics” on her business sign, most people were puzzled about its meaning. Since that time when she introduced the serious holistic spa concept to the area, she has become known for offering aesthetics for the whole body, externally and internally. Born and raised in a small village in Hungary, Ilona developed her strong will and determination due to the life she had there. Because of the communist system and her family's situation, she was helping her mother care for the family by the tender age of five. As the second oldest of eight siblings, there was a lot of work to be done and children of which to take care. Yet Ilona's curious mind afforded her a way to get an education. When she was in first grade, she was in charge of caring for her one-year old brother. While the other siblings went to work in the fields, Ilona would carry her one-year old brother to and from school, just so that she could Read More
- Published in AIA Legend
13 min read
In the 30 plus years since leaving his medical practice, Pugliese has continued to dedicate himself to the wellness of the population. In 1957, just out of medical school, he purchased a 200 acre farm in the country, and established what came to be known simply as The Big House, a 1795 stone farmhouse where ... Read More
- Published in AIA Legend
7 min read
Electrologists Institute of New York where she graduated with highest honors. Later, Rosa traveled to Canada where she completed further studies at Canada Electrologists College, specializing in vascular blemish removal. Because at that time the concept of a spa was unknown in Puerto Rico, Rosa decided to further her education, and therefore proceeded to the Lady Ann Institute of Madrid, Spain, where she pursued studies in Laser Therapy and Laser Hair Removal under its Director, Dra. Avelina de Estevez. This made Rosa the first in her country to obtain advanced certification in the practice of electrolysis. She returned to Puerto Rico and purchased a vintage home in the exclusive medical sector of Hato Rey, in San Juan, which she remodeled to open an exclusive, two story, Mediterranean-style, one-day spa, as the first spa in Puerto Rico, Terry System Clinic and Spa Center. In the beautiful ambience of the center, 22 professionals of aesthetics and beauty were employed. It was truly the meeting place of high society in Puerto Rico, the largest in the Caribbean where the quality of the services offered were comparable to the services in the best European centers. This was all due to Rosa’s determination to always Read More
- Published in AIA Legend
13 min read
Christine’s professional story, however, does not begin in Utah, but in a small Concord, California home converted to a skin care clinic over 25 years ago. Her career, like many aestheticians, began as a result of her own skin condition. In her words “…I had severe grade-four acne for over a decade and out of desperation for clear skin, I sought out remedies from over-the-counter products, facialists, salons, and dermatologists without any success. Then, I began to eagerly study the skin, especially about acne, because I was so desperate to have healthy and clear skin. Once I had mastered clearing up my acne, I was motivated to treat others with similar problems and acquired my license to practice aesthetics in the state of California. My skin elective of choice was to help individuals with severe skin challenges of all ethnic backgrounds. Soon, patients from all over the San Francisco Bay area sought out my skin treatments and to this day I still maintain contact with many of these individuals.” Read More
- Published in AIA Legend
10 min read
Annette’s story is one of family values and support – of an ongoing commitment to professionalism and recognition of the importance of standards. She has spent her entire career upholding the accountability of government to consumer safety and remains a relentless figure in the world of legislation on behalf of the aesthetic industry. While down-to-earth, she has a sophisticated intelligence and possesses a high standard of conduct, honesty, and integrity in her work and life. With a tireless determination to enlighten her students, Annette developed Atelier Esthétique Institute to provide the best in skin care education. After almost 25 years in the aesthetic industry, Annette stays true to her mission that she established from day one: "Excellence in Education, One Student at a Time." Annette lies on the treatment table waiting for the flashes of beaming light to permanently zap away a few fine hairs on her brow. It is the first day of Atelier Esthétique’s 75-Hour Certificate Course in Laser Hair Removal and Skin Rejuvenation, and in Annette’s signature style, it is strictly hands-on. She volunteers not out of aspirations of cosmetic improvement, but rather out of a heartfelt desire to give her students an authentic perspective of the Read More
- Published in AIA Legend
11 min read
When Murad opened his dermatology practice in 1972, few doctors considered aesthetics an allied profession and most didn’t consider it a profession at all. But even as a young doctor, Murad saw things differently. And over the last three decades, that different view of aesthetics has helped him become one of the greatest champions of the aesthetics profession. Becoming “Doctor” Murad Like most pioneers, Murad’s path was in many ways unconventional. His story literally begins in the cradle of civilization. Born in Bagdad, Iraq, he was just seven years old when his family left the quiet of the ancient world for the modern madness of New York. The Murad family struggled to make a start in America. The first home for their multi-generational family of eight was a 600 square foot apartment. As a child Murad took odd jobs to contribute to the family’s survival and despite hardships and serious obligations, he remained a dedicated student. When the time came, he followed in the footsteps of his older brother, Henry, and put himself through college, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy from the Brooklyn College of Pharmacy in 1962. Eager for even more knowledge, he went to medical Read More
- Published in AIA Legend
