According to Potter Stewart, “Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do.”

In school, ethics is taught as a moral code for a professional to abide by while they are in practice. It teaches the importance of doing each client that is treated “right” by act and verbiage. This is not anything that can be seen, for it is a conscience compass; each professional chooses the direction to take while treating a client. It is this conscience guide that communicates with each professional, letting them know when something is out of their scope of practice.

Amra Lear, licensed massage therapist and aesthetician, NCBTMB provider, trainer, and co-creator of world-renowned treatments such as the Nobu Go, recently relocated to Pallavi Luxury Spa in Clearwater, Florida after spending the last 22 years of her career on the Las Vegas strip at two prestigious spas. As a spa spokesperson, she appeared internationally on various media platforms sharing her knowledge on spa treatments and wellness. 

At some point, many people will look in the mirror and see that dreaded tiny red line or a cluster of red lines that resemble a spider web somewhere on their face or body. Broken capillaries, or telangiectasia, are typically found in places where skin is exposed to daily environmental stressors. They can appear anywhere on the body but are most likely found on the face, neck, and chest. Broken capillaries are not a cause for concern but can be frustrating for an individual, as they will not go away on their own and are generally hard to camouflage with makeup.

Holly Sheppard has been involved with the medical field for over 13 years – five of those years as a licensed aesthetician and laser technician. She also holds certifications in oncology aesthetics and eyelash lift services. She enjoys continuously expanding her knowledge and skills with advanced training. Sheppard takes pride in creating unique customized treatments with the latest technology that are both corrective and relaxing. She sees beauty in every individual and believes that taking the time to invest in skin is a decision that lasts a lifetime. Sheppard performs various aesthetic treatments; some popular treatments include IPL, laser resurfacing, peels and facials, microneedling, Emsculpt Body Toning, Hydrafacial, and more.

For years, clients have focused on receiving facial fillers for the upper half of their face and have often neglected other areas that reflect the signs of aging, such as the lower half of the face and hands. With hyaluronic acid fillers becoming a game changer in terms of available injection sites, a stronger look in the areas that represent strength and youth has made a major impact in the aesthetic industry. However, with newer available injection sites and widespread availability of injection techniques throughout social media, injectors need to further their education now more than ever.

Allison Brewer is a certified nurse practitioner who has spent over 13 years in the aesthetic industry, working in surgery and with hands-on patient care. Her passion is using the industry’s latest injectable techniques to reverse the aging process while keeping clients looking natural and not overdone. She implements her one-of-a-kind smoothing technique to give her patients a natural, polished look. Brewer sets herself apart from other injectors with her gentle touch and her standard of care that she follows with each client’s injection.

With the constant video calls, less-than-ideal lighting, and Zoom filters, clients have been critiquing their facial features and appearance more than ever this past year. The focus on the face and empty social calendars caused body sculpting treatments to take a bit of a backseat. Thankfully, vaccination rates are growing, mandates are lifting, and in-person life is resuming, and with it, clients are thinking about more than their usual facial filler and toxin touch-ups – the body is officially back in focus.

Often, regardless of a healthy diet and active lifestyle, clients are left with stubborn pockets of fat that do not respond to their efforts. The great news is that there are more noninvasive body sculpting and fat reduction modalities than ever.  

Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD, FAAD, is a fellowship-trained, board-certified dermatologist based in CT. A leader in the field, she is the chief medical officer of Ideal Image, the nation’s largest aesthetic provider. She is also president and co-founder of Modern Dermatology of Connecticut. As an authoritative voice in aesthetics, she is intimately involved with clinical research, speaking, and teaching. 

Many clients are afraid of getting botulinum toxin treatments because of common myths. They may believe that antiwrinkle injections will freeze their facial expressions (leaving them unable to lift their eyebrows naturally), neurotoxin injections are extremely painful, or if they stop receiving injections, their face may look more wrinkled than before they started. These myths have been debunked time and again.

What is rarely acknowledged is that even clients who choose to get botulinum toxin treatments often harbor misunderstandings about it. Therefore, it is an injector’s responsibility and even moral duty to ensure that their clients fully understand the treatments they give them, so they can make fully informed choices about their own faces, skin, and bodies. This is also in a medical spa’s interests, as they can prevent their clients from feeling disappointment, unhappiness, and even anger down the road.

There are two popular misunderstandings about injectable neurotoxins from clients who are new to injectable treatments and more seasoned aesthetic clients as well. They both have the common theme of expecting too much from these treatments.

Dr. Moses established Parfaire in 2015 to deliver world-class quality cosmetic treatments synonymous with Beverly Hills, California to the San Gabriel Valley and Southern California at affordable prices. Prior to entering the beauty world, she earned a master’s degree in biochemistry from the Colorado School of Mines where she graduated second in her class with honors. Dr. Moses received her medical degree and completed her residency training at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She graduated with honors and was awarded the prestigious Janet M. Glasgow Award for being the top student in her class and was recognized as an outstanding woman at the threshold of her medical career. Dr. Moses served as an American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) physician in one of the nation’s top hospitals for more than a decade.

 During the busy morning and bustling workday hours, skin is subjected to a barrage of intrinsic and extrinsic factors that are determined to destroy the delicate balance of naturally beautiful complexions. These factors include sun exposure, unfavorable climate conditions, pollution, bacteria, as well as lifestyle choices like poor diet and water intake. While skin is an incredible organ that is prepared to protect against many of these stressors on a biological level, if this crucial function is disrupted, it leaves skin vulnerable.

For decades, one of the great challenges of working with clients in the skin care realm has always been homecare compliance. Clients and professionals alike find difficulty in the maintenance of simple, clean skin care regimens designed to protect and support skin, especially when the newest marketing advertisements vow to provide countless new magic and miracles in a bottle. The promise and allure of instantaneous results is enticing for anyone. However, the effect of these poorly formulated products is often overly sensitized, chronically dry, damaged, and under-nourished skin.

Kristen N.M. Johnson is an award-winning registered nurse, licensed aesthetician, and co-owner of The Eclipse Spa in Westminster, Maryland. With over 10 years of experience in the luxury spa industry, Johnson is passionate about creating an incredibly unique and indulgent experience for each client. She specializes in the development, education, and implementation of innovative treatment protocols. She holds advanced training and certifications in holistic and integrative health, microneedling, clinical skin care and treatments, nutrition, facial cupping, gua sha, hot stone therapy, advanced chemical peels, cosmetic injectables, facial reflexology, and is an usui reiki master and teacher. 

As medical spa treatments become more innovative and inviting, the potential client market is growing with every passing day. More individuals are discovering the value of aesthetic medical spa services after having spent the past year or so by themselves. Treatments like body sculpting, once deemed supplemental and superficial, are now being reexamined with a self-care lens. Muscle toning and fat reduction have their obvious, visible body benefits, but how exactly does body sculpting equipment further along a client’s health and beauty journey? 

The global medical spa industry is expected to grow by 14.1% by 2027. With the allure of such a flourishing industry, many practitioners are leaning towards starting a medical spa business. No doubt that having a medical spa can bring in substantial income if done correctly; however, not knowing how to execute it successfully can cause severe financial loss and heartache. With some forethought and planning, it is possible to thrive in this industry and make a remarkable brand. Every state has its own rules and regulations when it comes to owning a medical spa, but it is helpful to have some general guidelines before jumping into this industry. There are some steps to consider before opening a medical spa effectively and avoiding major pitfalls.

Razia Mirza is a licensed medical aesthetician, a United States Army surgical nurse and the co-owner of Razi Medical Aesthetics in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, with over 10 years of experience in advanced skin care therapies. She is passionate about customizing a unique treatment modality for each client suitable to their needs. She specializes in clinical skin care treatments, hyperpigmentation, grade 1 to 4 acne, acne scarring, and age management. Mirza has also established a sizeable online presence on multiple social media platforms, where she educates her followers on evidence-based treatments. She holds certifications in microneedling, advanced chemical peels, IV infusion, and permanent makeup.

The neurotoxin and filler facial treatment is the latest, innovative skin care treatment. It enables the practitioner to fully customize and individualize the treatment of each client, providing optimal antiaging benefits while achieving the client’s skin care goals.

Emily Rockwell graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Science in nursing in 2010, and she received a Master of Science in nursing from the University of Pennsylvania in 2015, graduating as an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner. In 2017, Rockwell opened The Emily Rockwell Skin Clinic in Wilmington, Delaware. This clinic specializes in high-quality skin treatments from Botox, fillers, and customized medical skin care regimens to medical Hydrafacials and peels. She is one of the top 100 injectors in the country, has been a top 10 account for ZO Skin Health for the past three years, and is a sought-after source for the media.

Psychodermatology is a branch of therapeutic care based on the interactions between the neurological, immunological, cutaneous, and endocrine systems, known as the NICE network. It recognizes the complex interrelationships between skin and the neuroimmune cutaneous system and integrates psychological therapies along with dermatological intervention. A great deal of scientific discovery has been realized regarding the connection between the brain and skin as they share an intricate, complex relationship influenced by several body systems. Research has confirmed that skin functions as a primary stress receiver and is capable of stress-initiated responses. The increasing prevalence of external and emotional stress has contributed to a rise in inflammatory related skin conditions and in particular, those connected to neuro-dermatological origins. This has perpetuated an increasing awareness of relationships involving dermatology and psychology that have previously remained somewhat obscure.

Dr. Erin Madigan-Fleck is a naturopathic medical doctor, licensed master cosmetologist, aesthetician, and licensed aesthetics instructor. She received her naturopathic doctoral degree from the University of Science, Arts & Technology College of Medicine and her naturopathic clinical studies at Progressive Medical Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Madigan-Fleck is a member of The American Society for Nutrition, International Association for Applied Corneotherapy and The Society of Dermatological Skin Care Specialists. She is also the CEO and owner of Naturophoria, a naturopathic skin care clinic in Atlanta, Georgia.