Medical Spa Insider

In this episode, AmSpa’s Alex R. Thiersch, JD, and Cathy Christensen join Dr. Kay Durairaj, internationally recognized facial plastic surgeon and founder of Beauty by Dr. Kay live from Las Vegas at the Medical Spa Show 2025 to talk about Biohacking Beauty: The science shaping the future of biohacking and regenerative aesthetics. From GLP-1s and “Ozempic face” to collagen stimulation, exosomes, polynucleotides and peptide stacks, Dr. Kay demystifies the research-backed tools med spa professionals can use to optimize skin regeneration and enhance cellular health for their aesthetic patients. They talk about: The authentic energy of community and growth at MSS; Building the Biohacking Beauty track with credible specialists; The rise of GLP-1s in aesthetic care and why it’s here to stay; How collagen stimulators are redefining injectables post-filler fear; Top-tier peptides, exosomes and supplements that fight cell aging; Why salmon sperm is being used off-label for facial rejuvenation; How to earn trust with credentialing and educational standards; Dr. Kay’s personal wellness stack, collagen techniques and more! --- Music by Ghost Score

In this special MSS edition of Medical Spa Insider, Michela Bailey sits down with the Tennessee, Georgia and Florida state chapter leaders, recorded live at Medical Spa Show 2025! Meet Tennessee chair Courtney D. Walker, Esq., of Smiley Aesthetics; Georgia chair Martina Kolovich, NP, of Altera Aesthetix; Florida co-chair Michael Zanetti of Erasable Med Spa, and Florida secretary Adrienne Lloyd, MHA, FACHE, of Med Spa Optimization. They talk about taking a proactive approach to med spa regulations, the importance of following the rules for patient safety, the training and networking that keeps them coming back to Medical Spa Show every year, and their plans to bring med spas together to elevate the industry. Get involved at the local level when you join your State Chapter. Learn more at americanmedspa.org/state-chapters. --- Music by Ghost Score

“All medical providers just aren't taught the skills to own and operate a business successfully.” This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Mary Smiley Ford, MSN, APRN, CRNA, and Carla Pierson, DNP, MBA, RN, identical twins and co-founders of Smiley Aesthetics in Nashville, Tennessee. They explore how their mission to empower med spa providers through compliance, clinical training and business support has fueled the growth of a platform powering over 140 independent med spas. In this conversation, you will hear: How Smiley Aesthetics supports med spa owners with compliance, clinical training and business tools; Why regulatory compliance is the foundation of their franchise-like platform; The importance of structure with medical directors and prescribing protocols; How collaboration and community-building have elevated them all; The unique factor of being identical twins and how it fuels their success; How Mary’s journey highlights aesthetics as an avenue for providers in recovery; Building their dream package: a training facility, surgery center and med spa. Plans for future expansion, a men-focused med spa, and more! --- Music by Ghost Score

In this special MSS edition of Medical Spa Insider, Michela Bailey sits down with the leaders of the Texas State Chapter, recorded live at Medical Spa Show 2025! Meet Texas co-chairs S. Alexis Gordon, MD, FACS, of Renew MD Facial Aesthetics, and Celeste Cisneros, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, of Solas Health and Wellness; and secretary Tammy Pendygraft, CLHRP, of Revive Aesthetics and Regenerative Medicine. They share what motivated them to lead, how they’re championing safe practices in medical aesthetics, and the importance of compliance education in building a safer, stronger med spa community. Make a difference in your local med spa community by joining your state chapter today. --- Music by Ghost Score

This week on the podcast, AmSpa Membership Advocacy and Engagement Coordinator, Michela Bailey, speaks with Victoria “Vicki” Senyk, MSN, AGNP-C, LE, founder of Aesthetics Temple in Northbrook, Illinois. They talk about centering patient wellbeing in this conversation that includes: How she found AmSpa’s compliance education; Teaching kids skin care with community outreach; What motivates her “make it happen” mindset; Safety first with comprehensive patient care; Regenerative skin care, her aesthetic treatments and more! --- Music by Ghost Score

This week, AmSpa President and CSO, Cathy Christensen, speaks with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jennifer Linder, founder of Linder Health and former owner and chief scientific officer of PCA Skin. They chat about her entrepreneurship journey with skin care science, the benefits of noninflammatory chemical peels and hot topics in longevity medicine. Listen for more on: How melasma skin care sparked her entrepreneur journey; Embracing longevity medicine to target the 12 hallmarks of aging; Educating your med spa teams about the science of skin care; How to use chemical peels with your med spa treatments; Empathy as a key component of the treatment plan; What GLP1s are doing to your patients’ skin; And much more! Save the date for the Women in Aesthetics Leadership Conference, October 3 – 5, 2025 at Terranea Resort in Southern California. --- Music by Ghost Score.

This week AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Bobbi Bullock, NP-C, founder of Bobbi Bullock Medical Esthetics. They talk about how she got her start in medical aesthetics, the unique health challenge that led her to groundbreaking research on facial asymmetry, and how she builds community to grow stronger together. Listen to hear more about: How she got into aesthetic medicine from corporate health care; Going from one room in a salon to growing a fully booked business; Prosopagnosia: overcoming the challenge to detect and correct asymmetries; Identifying asymmetry in the nasolabial folds, lips, cheeks, jawline and temple; How her network saved the day when she experienced a vascular occlusion; Promoting community and collaboration with a network of med spas; And more! Hear more about Bullock’s experiences in the All-Star Injectors Panel on Friday, April 11 at Medical Spa Show. --- Music by Ghost Score

This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, sits down with Tyler Weinberg, CEO of Aviva Aesthetics, and Dan Hosler, chairman of the board at Aviva and managing partner of DuneGlass Capital. They discuss how Aviva is implementing an innovative approach to business growth that provides med spa owners a pathway to long-term success—offering a unique alternative to traditional private equity. Learn how their model empowers growth-minded med spa owners to scale, retain control and prepare for long-term success and potential sale. This conversation includes: The reality of private equity: how it works and trade-offs for med spa owners; How Aviva’s alternative model help you grow without losing ownership or control; Key operational benefits of partnering with an MSO that supports autonomy; How Aviva’s fully aligned incentives help increase your business value; Steps to improve your financials and prepare your med spa for a sale; Building a long-term, sustainable business that attracts investors. --- Music by Ghost Score

In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from Sara Cole, AGACNP-BC, CANS, Siren Medical Spa; Chakika Williams, DNP-L, MBA/HCM, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, FPA, SkyRose Rejuvenation Clinic & Spa; Alexander Rivkin, MD, Westside Aesthetics; Alyssa Rapp, Empower Aesthetics; Georgia Cirese, RN, CANS, CLT, Gorgeous Aesthetic Bar; Jenna Hilton, PA-C, Vibrant Skin Bar. They share their biggest wins, lessons learned, and must-know insights for conference attendees. Don’t miss their sessions at Medical Spa Show 2025, from April 10 - 13, 2025!   Sara Cole, AGACNP-BC, CANS Saturday, April 12: 10:10 - 10:35 a.m. | The Psychology Behind Your Best Consultation Sunday, April 13: 9 - 10:30 a.m. | When Is It Right to Say “No” Sunday, April 13: 11:15 - 11:45 a.m. | Addressing Lower Face Laxity Chakika Williams, DNP-L, MBA/HCM, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, FPA Saturday, April 12: 10:35 - 11 a.m. | Diversity in Aesthetics: All Faces Are Not Created Equal Alexander Rivkin, MD Friday, April 11: 3:50 - 4:15 p.m. | Nonsurgical Rhinoplasty: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Alyssa Rapp Friday, April 11: 1:05 - 1:30 p.m. | Leadership and Life Hacks: Insights from a Mom, Wife, Entrepreneur and Executive Georgia Cirese, RN, CANS, CLT Friday, April 11: 3:50 - 4:15 p.m. | Sell It Like a Scholar: Leveraging Knowledge as a Strategic Sales Tool Jenna Hilton, PA-C Saturday, April 12: 3:50 - 4:50 p.m. | Panel: The Worst I Ever Had: Complications and How to Overcome Them --- Music By Ghost Score

Would you learn another fine injection technique to access a patient population of 30 million? This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Keetha Hanlin, RN, LME, senior clinical advisor at Methapharm, distributor of sclerosing agent Asclera. Drawing on her 20 years of experience, Hanlin discusses sclerotherapy as a treatment for spider and reticular veins in the lower extremity, and how to incorporate cosmetic vein treatment in your aesthetic practice. Listen to hear more about: Sclerotherapy vs. laser for spider and reticular veins; The “HASTI” algorithm process to screen patient candidates; Partnering with specialists to treat underlying venous disease; Potential complications of sclerotherapy and how to avoid them; How to package sclerotherapy with your membership program; When to inject, profitability, hands-on training, and more! --- Music By Ghost Score