When it comes to completely altering one’s body, most individuals often first think of surgery as their only option. With technology advancing more than ever and with tried-and-true techniques still around today, there are alternative options to body contouring that do not require surgery. 

Most aestheticians working within the medical space have been exposed to a variety of alternatives.While plastic surgeons will often tell clients that surgery is the most guaranteed way to alter their body, more specifically to remove fat, surgeons also understand that there are many reasons why someone may not want to go under the knife. Many of the treatments mentioned in this article can be performed or supervised by a licensed aesthetician working in medical aesthetics depending on which state one is in. 

FAT REDUCTION

There are two main FDA-cleared, non-surgical methods used in medical spas as alternatives to traditional liposuction for fat reduction – lipolysis and cryolipolysis. Better known as melting fat using a laser and fat freezing. These are in-office procedures that have zero downtime, and both forms of treatment should result in the apoptosis of superficial fat cells. The common areas treated include the abdomen, love handles (flanks), back, chin (submental) area, and the inner thighs and outer thighs. With each method, clients will have paddles attached to the area of fat on their body and undergo a short session of 30-minutes or less. No numbing or needles are required. Once the fat cells have been destroyed, they are flushed out of the body through the lymphatic system. The client is advised to massage lightly around the area after the treatment to induce the lymphatic system flow for proper drainage of the destroyed fat cells. 

While both forms have their pros and cons, similarly they require multiple sessions for each area treated, (generally around two to four sessions).Although this is a non-invasive treatment, the caveat to this would be the price point,as it is not so far from one traditional liposuction treatment. Clientswill see about a 24% reduction in the fat of an area after a series of treatments using this methodtypically after 12 weeks. 

MUSCLE TONING

This is a favorite solution to body contouring because with muscle toning fat loss comes as well, though minimal. There are a variety of methods in this category as well. One method that has been around for years is microcurrent, andwithin microcurrent, there are many forms as well. Depending on the areas of the body themedical spawill focus on, this may determine which microcurrent device is used. Microcurrents stimulate the muscles by sending electrical signals to targeted muscles through multiple electrodes placed on a muscle. This method works and trains muscles to tighten and tone. Microcurrent generally requires multiple sessions anywhere from six to 10 individual sessions per area treated. 

Another muscle toning device that is FDA-approveduses high-intensity focused electromagnetic energy to trigger supramaximal contractions of the targeted muscles. This treatment uses large paddles to target the abdomen or buttocks. Additionally, it may be used with other paddle attachments to treat the arms and calves. 

Muscle toning treatments have zero downtime which makes for an easy appointment to pop in and out for a quick 30-minute session. This specific device suggests four treatments per area twice a week for two consecutive weeks. The goal is to engage the muscle and work on strengthening it for maximum toning benefits. As mentioned before, the bonus side effect is that while the muscle is working out, it is using the energy supply stored in fat cells breaking them down, thus reducing fat. It should be noted that with this method one sessionproduces nearly 20,000 muscle contractions –that is like doing 20,000 sit-ups.Clients usually see a 19% reduction of fat and a 16% increase in muscle mass after completing a series of this method of muscle toning. 

LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE

This is the most common method for body contouring. Many aestheticians have performed lymphatic massage and lymphatic drainage at some point in their careers. Lymphatic drainage may not be the ultimate in body contouring, but it does help to some degree.While alone it may not yield massively significant results, adding it to a fat reduction treatment series may be the best in eliminating excess fat. This method also has zero downtime and is completely non-invasive. There is a multitude of ways lymphatic drainage can be conducted from manual, manual with tools, to suction cups and suction cups machines. 

The goal of lymphatic drainage is to eliminate waste in the body, also known as detoxification. The areas of the body that react best to lymphatic drainage for body contouring are the areas that retain the most fluid like the abdomen. With the modality of choice, the aesthetician will focus on manipulating the body’s fluid from areas of retention to the nearest lymph node. These lymph nodes are the filtering sites of the body that filter out the toxins of the fluid and are processed through the body’s waste elimination. When this treatment is performed, it is also advised to have the client drink lots of water to help flush out the waste. Lymphatic drainage a few times a month can help curb the abdominal bloat and keep the belly in check.

It is important to remember that not everyone is a candidate for anyone's particular non-surgical treatment. Many of the treatments need to have realistic expectations set by the provider to ensure the client’s goal is achievable or not. Additionally, always emphasize the importance of maintaining healthy eating habits and keeping up with regular exercise in conjunction with these methods. The best results come from client compliance and consistency. It is best to not only adhere to the recommended series of treatments consistently set by the device company but also to comply with eating healthy and drinking plenty of water. These treatments would not yield results if a client did any version of these body contouring methods and continued to eat fries and drink soda. Non-surgical body contouring should be the little push a client might need on their journey to their desired shape, not to a means to an end. It is important to keep the communication channels open between the aesthetician and client regarding the extent of treatments and results, above all client commitment is a must.

Ashley Bernardi comes from a dental background where she assisted a periodontist in surgeries for over 11 years. Her background as a registered dental assistant has helped her gain immense knowledge in the healthcare industry, practicing safe and sanitary procedures, as well as exceptional client care. Bernardi received her aesthetician license in 2019 and has found a passion for providing results-driven treatments to her clients as an aesthetician. Bernardi specializes in advanced aesthetic treatments, preventative treatments, antiaging treatments, and corrective chemical peels. She is passionate about staying educated on current research in order to further advance in the skin care industry. Bernardi’s most recent achievement was her participation in the Allergan Aesthetics Advisory Board. She believes that investing in the skin is a benefit that lasts a lifetime. Her goal is to help clients by providing education and treatments for preventative care. She understands the need for her clients to be healthy and happy with themselves, both inside and out. 

Facial fillers, also known as dermal fillers, can target a multitude of areas on the face and neck and have risen considerably in popularity over the last few years. There are a variety of dermal filler products on the market, which makes picking the right option for clients of the utmost importance.

The most important question to ask before choosing a dermal filler, is “what is my client’s goal?” Once the skin care professional has a firm understanding of what it is the client is trying to accomplish, the skin care professional can examine the different categories of filler to determine which product’s capabilities align with the client’s goal. Generally speaking, there are three different categories of filler to choose from that target specific problem areas on the face: lifting, smoothing, and intermediate filler, or a combination of lifting and smoothing fillers.

LIFTING FILLER

Lifting filler is typically very firm and has a thick consistency, with the goal of lifting and tightening clients’ skin. This type of filler is designed to go deep into the tissue and sits right on the bone and muscle of the face. If a client has hollow temples, use lifting filler to bring the skin forward and address the hollowed appearance of the face. A skin care professional can also use lifting filler on a client with sallow, sagging cheeks or for someone who is looking for more definition in the jawline, but does not want a chin implant. Essentially, if looking to lift and add volume to the face, this is the go-to.

SMOOTHING FILLER

Smoothing filler is used to mitigate fine lines and wrinkles on the face. This category of injectable is much lighter and sits right underneath facial folds and lines. Use this type of filler for a client with the smoker’s lines surrounding the mouth or fine lines around the eyes.

INTERMEDIATE FILLER

The last category to choose from is a combination filler that includes both lifting and smoothing properties. This type of filler can be used for deep-set wrinkles and grooves on the face, such as the nasolabial fold, for which a mild lifting effect and smoothing effect is required to achieve the desired look. Combination fillers can also be used on the lips in some cases, in order to smooth fine lines and aging skin on and around the lips, while also enhancing the shape.

In conclusion, while there are many fillers to choose from. Navigating the options is a fairly easy task, as long as the skin care professional knows what the client wants from the treatment, and the result they are trying to achieve.

For some aestheticians or aesthetic nurses, working at a medical spa is their dream job. These types of spas provide an advanced level of clinical results for clients and in some cases higher paying salaries and commissions. The saying, “the bigger the risk the greater the reward” is true for a medical spa. Their clients expect better results than if they were just having a facial. They want a results-driven corrective treatment, not something that only feels good for an hour.

LEVEL UP

There is a time and place for feel-good treatments, but most patients in a medical spa atmosphere want something a little more corrective. This means that professionals and owners need to level up. They need to have the right equipment for the job, which means investing money in devices, that are both safe and effective. The owner takes this risk financially and by reputation. While working in a medical spa may be a skin care professional’s dream, remember it has been the dream of medical spa owners for a longer time, and they have more at risk with more to lose. Because of this, it is imperative that the owner hires individuals that have the same goal –to deliver safe and effective treatments; the same vision, to improve people’s lives by giving them confidence; and the same character for the culture, being respectful of clients, their privacy, and time. When a medical spa owner is looking to hire a new employee, they will be looking for someone that understands their business. Leveling up one’s knowledge is going to be key to landing a job in a medical spa.

There are four major areas to focus on when applying for a job in a medical spa. These are the professional’s education, training or certifications, references, and portfolio. Having an aesthetician license or nursing license is number one. Make sure the license is up-to-date and be familiar with the physiology of the four most common skin conditions – aging, acne, pigmentation, and sensitive skin. Have a firm grasp on what these skin conditions look like, how they occur, and what ingredients are used to treat them. Many aesthetic and nursing programs do not focus or have any information on medical aesthetics, which is unfortunate, but there are several training programs to help get the training. However, these cost money, so do research to determine which one will be most beneficial. Depending on the state, some will require a laser certification in order to perform laser hair removal, while other states do not. In that case, it might not be necessary for an aesthetician to attend a laser certification course, but it would look better on a resume and give clients peace of mind that the practitioner has knowledge in performing the treatments.

The most popular treatments in a medical spa are neurotoxins and fillers, laser hair removal, body contouring, intense pulsed light, and facial exfoliation, which includes microdermabrasion and chemical peels. Becoming familiar with these modalities and how they work is imperative. Whether or not a skin care professional can perform them will depend on their license, the state board, and their employer. Again, there are several companies and independent professionals that provide continuing education on these specific topics. When hired for a job, the employer will typically train the new professional on the laser machine or device that they own. Major device brands will have a representative come in and do the training. If not, the owner or someone more advanced will provide the training. This keeps the staff on the same page and ensures the clients are getting the same treatment every time regardless of who is performing them. Remember, the overall goal is to provide safe and effective treatments.

FAMILIARITY

If not familiar with the list mentioned above about neurotoxins and fillers, laser hair removal, body contouring, intense pulsed light, and facial exfoliation, then it is time to get familiar. Look into getting additional training or certificates for each treatment. Neurotoxin or neuromodulators are a class of medications that act as muscle relaxers to prevent wrinkles. Filler or dermal fillers, on the other hand, are gel-like substances that deliver volume to the face reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles as well. They work differently from neurotoxins but both work to improve aging skin. The next most important thing to understand is light-based treatments and the electromagnetic spectrum. The electromagnetic spectrum is a range of energy or radiation that is used to deliver heat or light to the skin to create a response and induce change. Laser (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation), LED (light emitting diode), and IPL (intense pulsed light) are all aesthetic modalities based on the electromagnetic spectrum, as well as radio frequency treatments, such as skin tightening and body contouring. Body contouring can be accomplished in many ways – through devices that deliver heat, cold, or even chemicals to destroy fat cells and create a more sculpted silhouette. And lastly, both physical exfoliation like dermaplaning or microdermabrasion or chemical exfoliation with alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids to trichloroacetic acids. Knowing the difference between alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids, and trichloroacetic, how they function, and who they are beneficial for will help a skin care professional understand peel selection. But, do not expect someone to be familiar with a particular brand so know the basics of the treatments listed above.

REFERENCES

Next, choose references wisely. References are people who can talk not only about one’s work habits and skills but also the professional’s character. In a medical spa, people expect a higher level of results, as well as professionalism. Be respectful of other people’s time. Not only the time of the client that is in the chair but also respect the owner’s time. Having someone that can speak about one’s work ethic and character will be a make or break conversation that the owner will have. And it does not have to be with a previous spa if this is a skin care professional’s first job in aesthetics. This type of general information is valued across the board for all industries.

PORTFOLIO

The last piece of the puzzle is the skin care professional’s portfolio. In aesthetics, these are usually images of clients’ before and after photos. If the professional has a social media page or a book they can print photos of clients before and after images, bring those in, and be able to eloquently talk about what was done to accomplish that desired outcome. For example, what the client’s concern was and how it was fixed. This will show the interviewer that the skin care professional is a problem solver and has the same vision of improving people’s lives because they resolved a client’s problem.

Now when should one apply to have the best chance? The busiest time of year in the medical spa industry is the fall going into winter and the new year. This is not the time to look for a job in a medical spa. There are probably no aesthetician’s that are leaving their jobs at this time because they are making all their commissions and tips that will get them through the slower summer months. The same situation or the owner because they will not be taking time away from patients and treatments to do training or use a bed for a discounted procedure as a model for training when there are full price patients waiting for a spot. The best time would be after January and into the spring and summer, maybe even in early fall, so that the prospective professional can be properly trained and ready for the holiday season. Be willing to work hard and be motivated as medical spas can become very competitive. Sometimes it is hard to get clients in the door, and it is just as much a skin care professional’s responsibility as it is the owners to help get those clients there.

Start a professional social media following immediately to help build relationships and a reputation with the spa community. Even if the account is just about fun facts and tidbits of information, this will start to build trust with the engaging audience. There can be a lot of unpaid hours building clientele, following up with clients, and tracking down leads, but it is worth it in the end. Level up with education, training, references, and a stellar portfolio to easily land a job at a medical spa. Working in a medical spa is a dream job as it allows professionals to help clients on a whole new level.

Erin Lucie, an Oklahoma native, is family nurse practitioner and licensed cosmetologist with over 15 years of experience in the aesthetics industry. Known in Tulsa, Oklahoma as an expert cosmetic injector, she completed her Botox and filler training in Beverly Hills, California in 2011 and has attended many advanced trainings since. Lucie has further specialized in optimizing and balancing the hormone dysfunction created by stress and the overwhelming life management issues relating to all professionals by providing clients with integrative options in health, lifestyle, medication, and appearance enhancement. She is a member of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.

One of the most popular treatment areas for dermal fillers is the lips. Why is this? Perhaps it is images from social media influencers, celebrities, and photo filters. Has this changed the societal images of what beauty really is? Or maybe it is because injectables are becoming more popular and mainstream. They are not something that everyone is keeping as a secret. It is normal for people to openly talk about their Botox or filler appointment. Beauty enhancement or youth preservation has become the norm in society.

REALITY VERSUS PHOTO

In addition to lip augmentation being an injectable trend, there are always different lip filler “styles” that many patients request,although it is not as simple as that. One cannot show a picture of what they want their lips to look like because that is unrealistic. The patient should ask themselves, “What are my lip goals?” For example, some people want larger and more voluminous lips, while others want more of a mild plump or hydrated look. Or perhaps one’s top lip has always been very thin, and the goal is to build the top lip. Whatever the goal, a plan can be devised with a professional aesthetic injector.

QUICK FIX

Lips are a popular injectable area because people of all ages are seeking lip augmentation, whether in their 20s and have always wanted plumper lips or in their 60s and wanted to restore their lips back to their previous life when they were younger.Lip filler is a quick go-to. Additionally, while some areas on the face may take multiple syringes, the lips can show a subtle but noticeable difference with just one syringe. Although, those with naturally thin lips will need more than one syringe to attain a full, yet natural pout.

EDUCATIN CLIENTS ON STYLES

Recently, popular lip filler style that has been going around on social media platforms is the full Russian lip. This is a large lip that usually requires more than one syringe of lip filler. Depending on the provider, more filler may be broken up at subsequent appointments or one milliliter to two milliliters of filler at the same appointment.

As a provider, one must educate patients requesting the Russian lip filler style. There is a fine balance because not every individual’s face can accommodate large lips. Depending on facial structure and ethnicity, a larger lip may look natural. For example, typically Caucasians have thinner lips, as well as different lip ratios compared to African Americans or Asians.

RATIOS

While beauty is easily identified, it is has been attempted to quantify for thousands of years. In fact, various lip proportion measurements have been dated back from 300 B.C. The golden ratio, seen with da Vinci, has been used to describe classic proportions of the lips. In youthful Caucasians, the ideal ratio is 1:1.6, describing the vertical height of the upper lip compared to that of the lower lip. Again, this is very individualized as there are Caucasians that naturally have different lip ratios, such as more of a 1:1 ratio or various other ratios.

Other ethnicities tend to have more of a 1:1 ratio naturally. African Americans genetically have a greater lip volume, so a fuller lip may look more natural. While people with lighter skin obviously lose lip volume with age, people of darker skin tend to retain most their volume with aging. This is due to increased melanin that makes them less prone to solar elastosis.

In addition to taking into consideration different lip ratios, another measure to perhaps quantify beauty is the rule of horizontal thirds. Different ethnicities make up different proportions of these facial thirds, which divides the face into three equal parts horizontally. Furthermore, the lower third is also divided into thirds. This extends from the end of the nose to the chin. These represent the upper lip, lower lip, and chin. This rule can be helpful in harmonizing the facial aesthetics of an individual.

CREATING HARMONY

So, no matter what specific trend of lip filler a patient may request, if it is a larger lip they are hoping to achieve, it is important to assess the patient’s natural lip shape, as well as facial features. Some patients may want overly filled lips that can easily look disproportionate. Bigger is not always better. In fact, an overly large lip can make a patient look overdone and age their facial features.

DISPLACED FILLERS & TECHNIQUES TO UTILIZE

Overfilled lips can have a duck-like or Marge Simpson appearance due to filler migration. This is when the lip filler is outside the vermillion boarder. Sometimes this occurs due to the type of filler chosen, the injection technique, patients’ anatomy, or just the muscle of the mouth moving, which eventually can cause the filler to migrate. The orbicularis oris – the muscle around the lips is a sphincter muscle, so with repetitive movement, the filler will sometimes migrate. No matter what the cause, it is important as a provider to point this out to the patient during consultation. The great thing about hyaluronic acid filler is that it can be dissolved with hyaluronidase. Many patients may have built up to their current lip size, so when the discussion of dissolving them comes into play, they can be turned off. But adding filler to this type of lip can make the lip filler look even more displaced.

CONSULTATION & COMMUNICATION

For patients seeking a more natural lip augmentation look, hyaluronic acid fillers are great because they draw in moisture. Therefore, they help moisturize the lips. It is especially important to discuss the patients natural lip shape and volume. Many patients will say, “I just want my lips a little plumper.” If you do not ask more questions, the patient may end up with lips that they were not envisioning. When in turn, a few more questions asked by the injector would have given the patient exactly what they had in mind. Question lip ratios and what the patient seeks regarding this. Do they want a fuller top lip? Do they want the top lip to be the same size as the bottom lip? Asymmetries should be pointed out and targeted for correction.

A TRAINED EYE

The aging lip is inevitable. The vermilion body decreases in size, the cutaneous portion of the upper lip starts to elongate, the cupids bow becomes less defined, the development of upper and lower rhytids, and volume loss at the oral commissures cause the corners of the lips to turn down creating a frown appearance. From the age of 25,collagen production decreases by about 1% per year, including the lips. The aging lip can be targeted with hyaluronic fillers. Fuller lips are associated with youth, so when a natural volume is restored in the aging patient, it can add youthfulness. Many patients are pleased and think they immediately look a decade younger.

Is there an ideal lip? The answer is yes, there is an ideal lip shape for each patient based on their natural lip shape, facial features, ethnicity, and sexual identity. Lips are a focus of symmetry of the face. Lips create a state of harmony.They aide in balancing other facial features. Whilst different filler trends and societal ideals will come and go, a trained aesthetic eye will always take into consideration other facial features to balance one’s face and create unity and beauty.

Leigh Reese is a board-certified nurse practitioner and certified nurse injector. She earned her bachelor of science in nursing from Texas Women’s University in 2013 and her master of science in nursing from The University of Texas at Arlington in 2019. Her background in the medical field has been in emergency room medicine and aesthetic medicine. Her goal is to create a natural and youthful appearance for her patients and help devise a plan for their aesthetic journey. She has a passion for continuing education, and her position at SkinRXSpa allows her to attend monthly advanced trainings. 

Many injectors, especially when new to the industry, question which dermal filler is the best filler for the specific targeted area on the face. However, other considerations also come into play when making this decision, such as the client’s anatomy and age. It is important to realize that not all dermal fillers are created equal. The most common type of filler is one comprised of hyaluronic acid.

Leigh Reese is a board-certified nurse practitioner and certified nurse injector. She earned her bachelor of science in nursing from Texas Women’s University in 2013 and her master of science in nursing from The University of Texas at Arlington in 2019. Her background in the medical field has been in emergency room medicine and aesthetic medicine. Her goal is to create a natural and youthful appearance for her patients and help devise a plan for their aesthetic journey. She has a passion for continuing education, and her position at SkinRX Spa allows her to attend monthly advanced trainings.

The trendy vampire facial refers to an aesthetic procedure involving microneedling and platelet-rich plasma. The procedure gained attention in 2013 when Kim Kardashian appeared to struggle through a bloody-looking facial treatment on her reality television show. This example of a vampire facial is hardly the reality that most providers and clients experience. The vampire facial is a staple in aesthetic medicine due to its extraordinary results and minimal downtime. The treatment covers a wide scope of concerns including overall skin rejuvenation, fine lines and wrinkles, large pores, acne scarring, dull skin, lax skin, sun damage, uneven skin tone, and hair loss.

Terri Wojak is a highly sought-after professional with over 20 years of experience in the aesthetic industry. Wojak is the education director of GlycoAla and runs her own education company – Aesthetics Exposed Education. She is a respected authority on skin care in a medical setting, education, and business development on multiple levels. Wojak has built 50 individual courses based on skin care in a medical setting. More than 100 articles by Wojak have appeared in a multitude of industry magazines, and she has published two books, “Aesthetics Exposed: Mastering Skin Care in a Medical Setting & Beyond,” in May 2014, and “Mastering Medical Esthetics,” debuted in 2009. Wojak has trained over 5,000 aestheticians and medical professionals on the importance of incorporating skin care into cosmetic medicine, ultimately helping patients and medical providers alike.

Social media has quickly become one of the biggest platforms used by aesthetic providers everywhere.  Sites like Instagram showcase their most popular before and after images like a highlight reel. Prospective clients are left in awe of treatments they may never have known existed if it were not for them being posted. One such treatment that has frequented everyone’s newsfeed lately has been the non-surgical rhinoplasty, or termed “liquid nose job.” These images can be so impressive that most clients and some professionals could easily confuse them for a traditional surgical rhinoplasty.

Heather Finks APRN FNP-C is a board-certified nurse practitioner specializing in non-surgical medical aesthetics at OrangeTwist in Fort Worth, Texas. She also founded The Browtini Bar which offers a wide range of “soft” skin care services including aesthetic treatments and cosmetic tattooing. Finks believes in enhancing her patient’s natural beauty and achieves this by using the latest in aesthetic medicine. She has trained under several of the industry’s leading aesthetic providers throughout the country. She believes beauty is more than a “look” or a “trend” but that it is a feeling. Her mission is to give her patients a refreshed and rejuvenated look by enhancing what already makes them beautiful.

As women go through the process of aging and childbirth, they may experience changes in their genitalia. The most common changes that can impact a woman’s quality of life are vaginal laxity, stress urinary incontinence, loss of vaginal lubrication, loss of tone of labia majora, stretching of labia minora, and a decrease in sensation. Although surgical vaginal tightening procedures are not new, historically they have been performed for repairs after obstetrical delivery, rather than for sexual or aesthetic concerns. The number of aesthetic treatments, as well as corrective surgical procedures, are on the rise and these treatments are now becoming more and more common. As women become more comfortable discussing these issues with their physicians, the number of treatments available is increasing.

Dasha Saian Marchese is the co-founder and CEO of Saian Skincare and has over 18 years of experience in the spa industry. In addition to her business/marketing degree, she is a licensed aesthetician, certified nutrition and wellness consultant, official ambassador of the Aesthetics International Association (AIA), and certified family herbalist. Marchese gives lectures and classes internationally and regularly contributes to global trade publications.

Platelet-rich plasmatreatments are the latest injectable-based procedures to be used as a sort of “catch-all” for a seemingly endless slew of aesthetic problems. The combined elements of celebrity endorsement, efficacy doubts, and an increasingly experimental industry have made platelet-rich plasma a hot topic this past year. This procedure has seen an ongoing rise of off-label usage, with some outstanding results, ranging from breast lifts to hair restoration, to vaginal rejuvenation, and more. 

Perhaps one of the most perplexing anomalies impacting the skin is the development and management of acne scars. To the aesthetic professional, they represent a challenge in devising the most appropriate pathway for treatment, as the final outcome of wound healing is variable and often unpredictable. One factor that remains constant is that the development of scars, no matter their source of injury, represents a complex configuration of events leading to their final stage of healing. The most common types of scars encountered in the aesthetic setting are those that are connected with or are a direct result of acne lesions. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, acne vulgaris affects up to 50 million Americans annually with many experiencing some degree of scarring.¹ Although there have been numerous theories presented regarding the development of acne scars, and several approaches for treatment, a concise understanding as to acne scarring and repair in all skin types and ethnicities is not fully understood. The socioeconomic impact of acne scarring is globally observed for its influence on self-esteem and potential disfigurement and requires a multi-faceted approach in its management.