Ten Years of Client Relationships
“As long as they are happy, they always come back.”
“We help people obtain what is attainable, in terms of their skin,” says Vicki Lashette, who has been the medical aesthetician at Esana Plastic Surgery Center & Medspa since it opened, 10 years ago. She oversees all care for the skin, from facials and microderms, to chemical peeling and microneedling. “I have a passion for skin care,” says Vickie, who switched to medical aesthetics after 30 years of practicing cosmetology. “Every year there is something new in skin care modalities.”
Her enthusiasm for skin care is a perfect match for her role, not only providing superior services at Esana, but also investigating the newest services and presenting them to Drs. Pan and Davila for approval. Vickie loves scouring the dermatologic websites, magazines, and specialty publications like MedEsthetics that feature the newest products and procedures.
The inside track on new trends
She’s become an expert in the latest cosmetic procedures and has the inside track on new trends. “While in the past, clients started to focus on anti-aging procedures in their 40s and 50s, now more clients in the late 20s and 30s are investigating products,” says Vickie. “Social media has played a great big role in getting the younger set in. Magazines like Allure and the many fitness blogs are all about good skin care. People often save up for services, and many clients of all ages backgrounds come in once a month.”
Vickie explains that younger people are more proactive—and want to stop the signs of aging before they start. For the 25 plus crowd, clinical facials to exfoliate the skin and light peels are popular. Many younger clients also seek microdermabrasion, a non-chemical, non-invasive procedure that uses a diamond tip wand with controlled suction to remove the outermost layer of dry, dead skin cells. The new skin that is revealed has fewer wrinkles, acne scars, or pigment discoloration.
A new trend for all ages is dermaplaning—a form of manual exfoliating or “leveling” of the skin with a sterile surgical blade that is carefully stroked over the skin in even motions to remove unwanted facial hair and peach fuzz. The process also unclogs pores, removes blackheads, and reveals smoother skin. “Make up goes on very smoothly. It’s great for high definition photography—and for weddings, whether it’s the bride or the mother of the bride,” says Vickie. “The process can be repeated every six to eight weeks.”
A skin consult with every client
According to Vickie, for clients 30 to 45, chemical peels are common to remove hyperpigmentation and sun damage. There’s even a calming peel for sensitive skin or clients with rosacea. She explains the type of peel depends on the sensitivity or resistance of the client’s skin since each individual is unique. “The skin is living organ,” says Vickie. “We always do a skin consult with every client, so we’re on the same page—and so people know what to expect and what can be accomplished.”
Clients over 40 “don’t fool around,” according to Vickie. Many chose the popular chemical peel one month and microneedling the next to maintain youthful, glowing skin. She explains that microneedling is one of the medspa’s most popular procedures because it can be done on any part of the body—from the crepey skin under the eyes, to stretch marks on the hips. The procedure is a client favorite to reduce pore size, scarring, and even to rejuvenate the back of the hands since the process stimulates the development of collagen.
In a professional setting, the practitioner can adjust the depth of the needles, from the light needling for under the eyes to deeper penetration for wrinkles and scarring. Any mild bleeding or redness usually disappear in two to three hours. A line of specially-formulated post-treatment make up is also available.
A safe environment
Vickie warns that “the microneedle devices over the counter do more damage than good—the needles go in sideways instead of perfectly straight and can damage the epidermis.” She is quick to explain that safety and always having a doctor on call is the heart of Esana’s award-winning practice. “We always err on the side of caution. A doctor is here every day, and we can always pull the doc in if a question arises,” she says. “It’s a safe environment.”
Vickie is excited about the collaboration between the staff and Drs. Pan and Davila. “A client may come in to see the doctor for an injection but is also concerned about sun spots. The docs are quick to pull me in for a consult.” She sums up, “People here don’t feel like a number. Patients tell me ‘It’s the nicest atmosphere I’ve ever been in.’”
Vickie notes that the practice has won Best Of New Haven ten years in a row. “We have the top two plastic surgeons in the area. People also like that we have a male and female doctor.” Because of their trust in receiving the highest standard of care and the warm atmosphere, many clients have formed long-term relationships with Esana and specific staff members like Vickie. She checks on her regular clients when they come in for other procedures, provides free samples, and lets them know about any packages available. “As long as they are happy, they always come back,” says Vickie. “I have known some people for 10 years. They put their appearance in my hands—it’s up to me to make them happy.”
