Real Beauty: Choosing integrity in aesthetics with Raquel Merlini

Todays guest is Raquel Merlini - a registered nurse, certified aesthetic nurse specalist, and founder of R Skin Aesthetics. Raquel is known not just for beautiful natural results, but for her unwavering commitment to ethics, education and integrity. 

We talk about what good aesthetic work really looks like, how to choose a provider you can trust, and why confidence - not perfection - should always be the goal. 

for more information on Raquel you can find her on instagram @rskinadmission 

if you would like to connect, reach out to me on @francenejdavidson

Transcript

0:01

Welcome to Real Beauty with fd a space where beauty goes far beyond the surface. Here we explore what beauty really means from the products we can't live without. To the stories that shape who we are from cult favorite skincare to confidence from glowing on the outside, to navigating life on the inside. But this isn't just about makeup bags and routines. We're diving into conversations that don't always get said out loud Fertility. Journeys, evolving, friendships, motherhood, and everything in between because real beauty is found in resilience and vulnerability and in the moments that change us, think of this as your space to discover your little black dress and beauty. Those go-to products, rituals, and mindsets. That make you feel like you, while also learning how to truly feel at home in your own skin. Each episode I sit down with inspiring people to talk about beauty life and the stories that define them. This is real beauty, unfiltered, honest, and yours. I'm FD and I'm so glad you're here. But before we get into say's episode, I want to start with a weekly reset. This is an opportunity to have a few honest moments from the past week, so something that filled me up. I have been a member of. Tots Houston and also Broadway on and off for the last kinda four years. So last weekend I took my daughter Luna to the theater with a friend and her daughter and some other kids to see back to the future, and it was just so amazing. I just don't think there's enough conversations about. The love of ther and you guys know how much I love the cinema, which I will go on and talk about my recommendations. But yeah, we just had so much fun and I love being able to go to plays with Luna to be able to see her appreciation of the theater now that she is doing drama. And this coming weekend, we are actually going to see six the musical. This is part of Luna's birthday and it's the Broadway and it's through Broadway. And I honestly am so excited. Something that I'm carrying forward. Let's talk about Lent. So some of you may partake in Lent this is something that I do every year. So I try and pick something something that I rely on heavily to see how long I can go without it. And I think each year it gives me a different perspective. This year I decided I would give up Coke'cause I've got into for sure bad. I mentioned in last podcast about trying to get a more balanced diet and picking the right choices. For sure I got into bad routine of just drinking. Coke on like a daily basis or every couple days, which is not the norm for me. Usually I try and kinda have soda like once a week. So anyway, I wanted to kinda have a better relationship with Coke, so tried to go cold Turkey. And then the next one, just to give myself a double challenge, was to give up shopping. So that's everything from clothing, makeup, jewelry, skincare, shoes, kinda all that jazz when it comes to me. So that does not prohibit me from buying stuff for the kids, for Aaron, for others. And I wanna give a shout out'cause Luna actually also partook in Lent for the first time she gave up candy and actually did incredibly throughout the entire duration that I know. I think it's like shy of six weeks, which is a pretty long time, especially for a child to give up candy. And she did so good. Even if her friends were eating candy. Her teacher even gave her gave like the class candy for doing really well on a test and she still declined it. So she did incredibly. Now me, on the other hand, I did well halfway through I did pick up some clothing purchases on, I know like on Sunday, apparently some people. You can, kinda make, do whatever it is. If you've given up social media, you can look at the social media on the Sunday, like Sunday's, like the free day. So for sure I took advantage a couple of times and then I did have Coke outside of that a couple of times. But all in all, for me doing this and really especially being on maternity leave and being very conscious of. How much I'm spending, what I'm spending money on. It really made me kinda take a pause, and I know that sounds ridiculous, but coming from a shopaholic, trust me, I needed this, it allowed me to take a pause and really think, okay, do I truly. Need this, will I wear this? Where will I wear this to? Is it comfortable? Is this gonna be one of my staples? Same with like skincare. Like I mentioned before, I have organized the entire house throughout this maternity leave. Every single drawer, cupboard, everything to the extent that I have my next skincare products for future use. So that also has allowed me to be like. I don't need to buy anything new right now. I have my X serum if I run out, so don't spend money on it. And it also allowed me to reflect on how often I was picking up my phone, being on Instagram, Facebook, whatever it was, and just being influenced and then immediately buying something or just being in Target and just putting stuff in the basket instead of really thinking it through, if that makes sense. So as much as for sure I did fail a couple of times it has given me a different viewpoint and I really want to continue and carry that forward, especially knowing I won't be paid. Now I'm gonna skip the something heavy because. Honestly, it's been a good week and I wanna keep in that positive mindset. I'm just gonna deep dive into the edit. So this is a few things I've been reaching for, watching or loving lately. So this is a fresh one. So today I went to see the drama, so it just came out in the movie theaters, I think a couple of days ago. It's got Senda, Robert Patterson. It was a really good movie, a very interesting topic, which I don't wanna divulge any further details because. I really don't wanna spoil it, but the ending for me was a little bit blah, but that's also coming from someone who I'm like obsessed with What happens next? Like I wanna know what happens to characters. Are they okay? What goes on next? That type of answers. And I'm like that with every movie. Like I'm just never satisfied with the ending. So I'm gonna blame how I felt about the ending on that personality's trait versus anything being wrong with the movie.'cause it was brilliant, to be honest. I highly recommend it. Now, one of the things I am loving right now is Instagram. So I say that lightheartedly as sometimes Instagram or social media can be an area that maybe doesn't make you feel good. And maybe that's through comparison or depending on what you have kinda created, curated from. Like a content standpoint, you might not be getting hit with the type of content that will benefit you at the moment, depending on your mindset. But I would say at the moment, for me. I am being sent all the great fashion advice when it probably because I just did Lent to be honest with what I'm about to say. Now I'm thinking about it. But things like, here's the type of fashion pieces. Or wardrobe pieces, staples that you should be spending your money on and buying versus X, Y, Z trends. That's very fast fashion that allows you to use this from a timeless standpoint. So I'm appreciating all of that type of videos. And then the next one is workouts. Being able to see what other people are doing from like a workout standpoint at home and not having to use any equipment, but having a variety of different ideas has been so helpful and to the extent that I have actually. I've done a couple of workouts in the house on my own, which has been awesome. So I very much appreciate that piece. Now the last thing I will say from a recommendation standpoint. Is I also just finished the book called Verity. Now it's by the same author who I now can't remember, I think it's Colleen Hoover, who also wrote the book. It starts with us and it ends with us, and I know there's a lot of controversy about that movie right now with Blake Live Lace. That's a separate subject, but I really wanted to read the book Ferra team. Due to the fact they're also making it into a movie. And for me personally, I love reading the book and hearing the characters' kinda inner thoughts and all those details that you miss from a movie. So I always like to read the book prior to seeing the film. But it was really good. I loved it. Now for today. Today's guest is Raquel Merlini, a registered nurse, certified aesthetic nurse, specialist, and founder of our skin aesthetics. She is over 14 years of experience in the aesthetics industry. Al is known not just for her beautiful natural results, but for her unwavering commitment to ethics, education, and integrity. And that is something that we dive deep into for this conversation today. So in a world where aesthetics can often feel over overdone or confusing, Raquel brings clarity, restraint, and a heart to the conversation. We're talking about what good aesthetic work really looks like, how to choose a provider you can trust, and why confidence, not perfection should always be the goal. So thank you for listening, and I hope you enjoy this week's episode.

francene 12:12

Hey Raquel, thank you so much for joining us on Real Beauty with fd. How's everything going today?

raquel 12:19

I'm in cold blustery Michigan, but we are a adaptable being in the healthcare industry. It's a we haven't had heat in our building, but we're doing great and I'm super excited to be able to be on your show today.

francene 12:34

Yay. Same. And actually my next door neighbor, they recently moved down from Michigan a couple of months ago. So every time I'm outside and I'm chit-chatting with her, I always find it very interesting, her viewpoint on moving from Michigan to Texas and how. We currently have a winter storm and I put that in parenthesis knowing that our winter storm is nothing compared to what you guys go through on an annual basis. So she always chuckles to herself and she's gosh, there's no toilet paper, there's nothing in the stores. People are running crazy. And she's this is nothing.

raquel 13:13

It's all relative. We're probably a little more prepared for it.

francene 13:18

Yes.

raquel 13:18

But when you're in Texas I lived in Charlotte, North Carolina for years and it was the threat of snow shut everything down. Yes. So it's just what you're geared for.

francene 13:28

True story. We are not geared for this at all.

raquel 13:32

I would love to be in Texas though.

francene 13:34

Oh, I bet. Especially right now. Okay. So Raquel, I'd love to know more about your journey into aesthetics and what initially drew you to this field.

raquel 13:47

So I think I've always been passionate about the field. I was that girl who was at sleepovers who was making oatmeal, face masks, and putting my friends through like bootcamp exercises on the playground. So I definitely have always had a passion. I think it's just in my blood. But then, I became formally trained in 2008 in Charlotte, North Carolina. I went to aesthetic school and I became an aesthetician. And I knew in that program we would visit other practices such as dermatology or plastic surgeons practices. As, as well as salons. And I just knew that. I was geared more towards medical, the medical aspect, wanting to do the lasers that would alter pigmentation, the chemical peels, the stronger chemical peels. And then I ended up relocating back to Michigan and in my job search. I knew I wanted to be in plastics and I ended up working for the chief of plastic surgery for a prominent hospital in the Detroit Metro area. And I worked for him. And he had heard that I was going to school. I was thinking of a psychology background and he said, would you consider nursing? And I was like, I'm 38 years old. I don't really know nursing at that stage of the game. But, I did, I took a leap of faith and here I am now 18 years later and I have no regrets and I love the industry.

francene 15:12

I love that. That is awesome. Especially when it came from your kind of passion from a young age. And I am also that person that will find ingredients in my cupboard and be like, okay, we have honey, avocado, banana.

raquel 15:28

Yeah,

francene 15:28

we're gonna make a face mask and I'm also going to eat it too.

raquel 15:32

That.

francene 15:33

So tell me you also own your own company called R, skin Aesthetics. So tell me what is different about that company?

raquel 15:43

Yes, so one of the big things for me along my journey I worked at my previous location for 13 years. Learned a lot. We had a triple a HC accredited or, and I was cross-trained in all aspects of the company, meaning I would do pre-ops, post-ops, circulate in the or do aesthetic laser treatments, chemical peels, as well as injectables. And for me, my physician was getting ready to retire. I knew I was getting ready to turn 50 and I said, now is my opportunity then to create the culture that I wanted. The environment where talented injectors could be supported, have the best training tools and respect, so that they could perform at their highest levels with precision, creativity, and pride, and create a safe haven for. That staff as well as every single patient that walks through the door, that they will feel safe and heard and create aesthetic goals to achieve.

francene 16:53

I love that. And I've seen a lot on your page from videos and posts where you talk a lot about integrity and ethics. So was there a moment where you realized that would be central to your work?

raquel 17:08

I, I'd like to say that there was an aha moment, but I think oftentimes when you work in a corporation you learn and observe that there's. Certain ways to do things, and there's certain ways not to do things

francene 17:23

right.

raquel 17:24

Not necessarily meaning that's even bad, but it's just what would work for you? What would make a culture thrive better. And so there wasn't a specific moment, but I do know especially being in this industry as long as I have and seen the exponential growth, is that I. Really, whenever I come into contact, or I have a think tank group here with some other amazing injectors I think the industry needs to remember that we are practicing medicine. So I think that's very important to work within the integrity the integrity of what medicine really is.

francene 18:06

No I a hundred percent agree. And I think, for as long as you have been in this industry for, you must have seen so many changes from when you started to how it is now. What did it look like when you first started and what are the key kinda changes you've seen over the years?

raquel 18:23

Yes, so good question. You know what it looked like I did a podcast the other day and I was telling them, now everything is information highway at your fingertips between either ai, where you can Google or ask AI questions. And it gives you data. We were doing very rudimentary. Botox wasn't even approved for forehead or crow's feet, we didn't have the knowledge or the resources I would have to search for a hardcover book that I could maybe even just see anatomy and understand. And that would be more geared towards a plastic surgeon or a dermatologist. So there wasn't accessibility. Then there is now. I feel like even though I mean I only came on the scene with Instagram in 2012, but I think before that, I'm not sure when it was originally out, if it was 2009 or 10. But, with, I think the information highway, as well as I think the pandemic with people do at home. They were doing a lot of DIY and then also healthcare providers wanted to get out of the hospital. And I think we really saw a surge then of medical personnel wanting to get into the industry. Now, can that be positive? Yes. Can there be some negatives too? Yes. I think that there's a rise of injectors who are a little more transactional. They see industry as an opportunity to make money. I think that they forget that we are still. Wielding a needle. We still have to follow that. I'm a nurse, so I have a medical director, so I don't diagnose, but I go ahead and I assess put together a treatment plan for that patient in conjunction with my medical director.'cause that's how our law works here in Michigan. And then I go ahead and I treat, and then there's follow up also. It's not like I'm just gonna treat you and, run your credit card and goodbye. I think part of what. Makes or breaks a successful aesthetics clinic is relationship building. And I see it both from an injector standpoint as well as a patient. There's a lot of quick fixes, injector, hopping, that culture of unexpected, or I'm sorry, unrealistic expectations. And I think that it undermines, what the industry is for. Which is enhancement too, not caricatures of people.

francene 20:57

I a hundred percent agree. And I am now 37 and I have been doing Botox, I would say preventatively for the last, say, seven years. But I remember even when I first started doing it, I would talk about it with my friends, but not that many people were. Speaking about it out loud or in such a kind of day-to-day, like this is now normal versus how it is now. And I also wonder from like a timing perspective, as you mentioned, like COVID knowing so much of us. If you're in that kind of working environment, you are then working from home where you're using Zoom or teams and you are constantly looking at your reflection. Yeah, and we weren't doing that before. Yes, you saw yourself in the mirror, but. To the extent of I'm sitting all day nine to five looking at myself. And I noticed it with my girlfriends that's where a lot of them would be like, oh my gosh, I need to get Botox. I need to get something.'Cause I'm constantly seeing myself, so I wonder if that was also. More of an interest, from the public to look at other ways from an aesthetic standpoint or other services that can be used to, enhance to your point your appearance.

raquel 22:18

No I think you're a hundred percent correct and that's a really good point to make. I saw some of my best numbers. I, I was home for three months. Though I was a nurse, we weren't, in a hospital. I did have to stay home for an essential worker. We weren't deemed an essential worker. I remember when we first opened, and I had already been injecting at that point for 13 years, and I remember opening our doors and I was nervous. I was like, oh my goodness, am I gonna remember how to do that? There was like that moment of panic where you have that fraudulent syndrome of, oh my god, right? I remember being so nervous, like it was my first day and walking in and we had some of, and then I was like, who's gonna come? Are we gonna have patients? And I did some of my biggest numbers in those first couple of months for exactly your point.

francene 23:08

Yeah.

raquel 23:08

People e especially, I feel like. The 30 somethings, you guys are a little bit more knowledgeable on what's going on in the aesthetics industry. But my late forties, early fifties, patients who have been maybe in their careers for 15, 20 years and been doing, face-to-face. All of a sudden we're doing those Zoom and they came in and I saw a surgeon in men as well because they were like, you know what, now I'm on Zoom and I look and I've got these lines. They're like,

francene 23:39

I want some,

raquel 23:40

And. And my neck doesn't look good. And and a lot of it too, you had to learn how to position the camera, right? Nobody looks good looking down. You're gonna have

francene 23:49

a hundred percent, yeah, a hundred percent.

raquel 23:52

Looking up into the nose hairs, all of that. But I do definitely agree that people are more verbal. I still have my late fifties, sixties, who are like, I don't want anyone to know I do this. And I'm like, trust me, if you're talking to your hairdresser,

francene 24:08

yeah,

raquel 24:09

everybody's doing this.

francene 24:11

Yeah,

raquel 24:11

I'm 53. I've been getting Botox since I was 28. I was one of the, very first. In my girlfriend had been dating a plastic surgeon and she's you need Botox? And I was like, what is this? I'm so glad.

francene 24:23

Sign me up.

raquel 24:24

Yeah. When you do start younger though, and you're just doing that little baby Botox or moderate treatment, you don't it's a great prevention because you don't see the lines. Those dynamic lines never have the opportunity to become a static line, so it's a great ounce of prevention. That I tell patients.

francene 24:46

Yeah I'm glad you've mentioned that.'cause that has been one of my argument points with my husband, right? I'm like, Hey, this is prevention, this is gonna be beneficial. But to your point, so do you see, you obviously do see the benefit from people start. At that preventative stage and then continue is that what you would recommend? And then how often should you be going back and getting Botox?

raquel 25:15

Yes. First lemme address the latter point is the frequency should be three months.

francene 25:21

Okay.

raquel 25:21

Oftentimes, patients wanna come in, they don't understand. You've got that two week before it's gonna set in and yes, lock into the muscle. Then you're gonna have, maybe about a good six to eight weeks where your tox looks just on point and you're like, oh my goodness. But you're already starting to decrease, and those little muscle movements are starting to come back. Just because you can maybe all of a sudden wiggle your brows just a little bit, doesn't mean, oh my goodness, I need to run back to the treatment room. I believe that we're seeing a little bit more of resistance. People are coming too soon, so you're never getting that full. That full treatment to run its course and then the product leaves your system and then you come in and get reinjected. So that's usually three to four months. I tell my patients quarterly. Okay. So I think that's a really good schedule to follow with the prevention aspect. I would see patients postoperatively who might have had a facelift or an upper blepharoplasty or lower bluff, and they've still got lines or wrinkles around their eyes. Then they're like, I thought that these were gonna be removed. Unfortunately, if we're dealing with a skin texture issue those rids, those deeper lines or creases where you can see the sun damage, perhaps your lifestyle has, anyone over 40. They were out in the sun. They weren't using protection, right? Beta oil, Betadine, whatever it was. All of a sudden that's gonna show up on the skin. And if you are not treating the skin in conjunction with what you're doing, tox fillers and lasers as well as at skincare at home, you're not gonna have an optimal result. So I guess it's kinda like the chicken or the egg. Which one comes first? I just think if you take really good care of your skin out of the gate, anything else is gonna look better.

francene 27:16

Yeah. Yeah. I completely agree and I think so often. People don't necessarily think about that. They just think about, okay, if I get Botox or filler, that is gonna solve all these problems. And then I'll continue to put on lots of makeup to hide everything else. Versus going down to the root of, okay, even like what is your skincare routine? And how are you religiously doing that? Are you doing it twice a day? Are you doing exfoliation? Are you looking at face masks? And I think a lot of that can sometimes be missed.

raquel 27:51

Yes. And I think that's probably where some of my success I can attribute is I had a good foundation with skincare and being an esthetician before I became a nurse. I think it is important again. As medical professionals to educate the patient and put together a full treatment plan, not just trying to pump up volumize, or even, I think that we're, the trend now is a little bit more full face balancing as opposed to just concentrating on one area, lips, or chin or jaw. Everything needs to be balanced, we don't wanna look like. Aliens or caricatures. We just wanna look refreshed and natural. The whole goal for me with my patients is let's get you to the point where you don't have to wear makeup. You can throw on gloss and mascara and get out the door because sometimes too wearing all of those products end up making you look older.

francene 28:55

A hundred percent. I for sure subscribe to that. How can I just be as low maintenance as possible where I can get up, put on a little something to help, kinda have my skin glowing, but I don't wanna have to wear tons and tons of makeup or have to do that contouring or anything else in, in order for me to feel good about leaving my house. So it, it sounds, just from speaking with you, you were. Looking for that kinda natural enhancing. I think so many of us, when we look online, so like Instagram, TikTok, whatever it is, I personally see so much overdone work online. So from your perspective, how does that happen and how can clients protect themselves?

raquel 29:42

Yeah. Social media has some really good perks. And a lot of detriments also. I think social media is definitely influencing patient's expectations. I think that viral trends are, pushing that trend driven requests where, there is a period of time where every girl was coming in and saying, I want this snatch jawline, they're walking out with right angle. OB two looking jawlines that are not really natural and then the constant comparison, right? It's also gonna breed dis dissatisfaction because, you're constantly wanting this pressure for these dramatic changes and it's increasing that post-treatment disappointment. And also you run the risk of encouraging body dysmorphia. Yeah. I think that, we've got a downplay. The trends because social media is downplaying the risks and the realities, and then you're looking at before and afters and you don't know how they're altered, right? Yeah. Are they using a filter? Is that immediately post injection where you're gonna get the best case scenario because you're also swollen from just getting injected? I think that. Knowledge, there's a lot of knowledge on the social media platforms, but I think with anything else, you've gotta tread down that middle and be a little skeptical. And also if you are looking for an injector, really paying attention to reviews. Making a consultation. With, because you are interviewing that injector and a couple of red flags if is if are seeing maybe not great reviews.'cause anybody can look awesome on a photo.

francene 31:26

Oh yeah.

raquel 31:27

But then you get there and maybe they cherry picked and they put five great photos out of how many patients. Maybe they've seen three, 400 patients and those other results are not so great. And then I think when you're walking in, you're interviewing that practice. I tell patients if the staff looks. Unnatural or frightening? Just pick, turn and leave.

francene 31:50

Yeah,

raquel 31:51

true. That

francene 31:52

true.

raquel 31:53

cause that's their ideal beauty. Yes. Is what we're seeing in in the practice. The other thing is you know, you're come with questions. I'm always like, listen, you wanna bring a list of questions? That's great. If I don't have the answer, I'll seek the answer for you. Because again, you're creating a relationship. You're not just going in and buying a pair of shoes, you're buying a philosophy, you're buying a result, and you wanna make sure it's safe practice.

francene 32:22

Yeah, a hundred percent. I think that is great advice when it comes to red flags and doing your research. The other piece I'm interested in your thoughts on is I know with me, and I will give a comparison when it comes to me and my hairdresser, I will send her inspiration pictures like a couple of weeks before I go in, and she for sure manages my expectations. She's firstly. You have a different, shape of face. Yeah. Your hair texture isn't like that. Okay, we can do this, but we're unable to do this. And she always sets those realistic expectations for me and trust me, I need that sometimes. So how do you balance what a client wants, especially with all the noise on social media versus what is actually right for their face?

raquel 33:09

Yeah, so that's a really good point. Matter of fact, I was online last night sending my hairdresser photos.

francene 33:15

I'm glad it's not just me.

raquel 33:17

God, it's not just you. Yeah. You know it between a client coming in with photos and saying, I want Angelina Jolie lip,

francene 33:24

right? Yeah.

raquel 33:25

I'm sure they do that. More like the Muppets. Okay. You are not gonna get that. I will refer you to a plastic surgeon. Let's talk about getting a surgical lip lift. Okay. Shortening that rum column and then discussing the possibility of some filler, but giving that expectation that you are not gonna look like Angelina Jolie. It's. Happen gonna happen'cause of your structure. And the other thing is, it depends. Those might not, even if you've already got large eyes and a and, a more prominent ethnic nose, we, we've got a very wide diverse clientele here in Michigan. Having these big lips may not be the fit for you. I think that definitely explaining. The golden ratio to clients is important. Of, how the face is supposed to be mapped out. And again, if I don't think that it's something that I can do in a treatment room, such as if they come in and they've been on a GLP one and they've got a redundant skin laxity, and a textural issue, I'm like, listen, you need to consider surgery because I can put filler in and that may help with some volume. If you have lost that skin laxity underneath your neck. You may need to consider surgery. So I try to always lay out a plan with some different options. If surgery is not an option for them, then we put together the best possible plan for them. But I think you have to, like your hairdresser, she seems like an honest, ethical

francene 34:56

Yeah.

raquel 34:57

Hairdresser that she's gonna say, listen, I'm not gonna take you Kim Kardashian platinum blonde. Exactly. Fall out. It's not gonna look good on me.

francene 35:03

How do you know? That was a picture I sent her. Trust me. I sent her stuff and she's Francine, you gotta keep your hair. Like she's very much of the opinion where no, we are gonna care for what we have and we're gonna make it better, but we are not gonna ruin it. And I feel you're the same way when it comes to skin.

raquel 35:24

Yeah. Yeah. Which

francene 35:25

is awesome

raquel 35:25

Need. You need those people and then you're always, I'm sure your hairdresser will tell you she's had that client sit there and they were level 10 and they wanna be a zero and have that platinum blonde.

francene 35:37

Yeah.

raquel 35:38

And that's when, if somebody comes in and requests something that I'm not comfortable with, I will say to them, I'm not your injector. I'm not the injector for you. We've got one, there's three in my building alone. You can go down the street to any of the other ones like their coffee shops and maybe they'll treat you. But I just, I. That's also my work. So when you're walking around and you know it's less than flattering or not enhanced, and someone asks you, where did you go? And then they,

francene 36:06

yeah, that's your name.

raquel 36:08

Oh goodness. I don't wanna go there because I don't wanna look like that. So it's your reputation a hundred percent also.

francene 36:13

A hundred percent. So knowing that you actually just touched on, the kind of weight loss injections that I also feel is. So big right now, like when I tell you about 90% of my friends are on them. And to be honest, most of them don't need to. But that is a whole other conversation that is not needed for today. But I'm curious, as you probably see more clients coming in and having that issue where, their face has changed their skin is looking different. What would you recommend for those individuals, either in that journey or beginning that journey when it comes to something that they should be doing or having a conversation with someone like yourself in advance?

raquel 37:01

Yes, I have a personal training background. I was a professional bodybuilder and I understand what weight loss can do to your body and your face. I'm not gonna give my opinion one way or the other. I think that there are benefits. I'm also still old school that I think that yes, you can have an injectable GLP one, but if you also don't learn some self-discipline with. Gym and nutrition, you're actually doing your body a detriment because you're gonna have osteoarthritis. Osteopenia, penia as well as, I'm looking more at longevity at the age that I am. And I also think when you lose responsibly, one to two pounds a week. It allows your skin that snap back the elasticity and the collagen fibers, because also a lot of those GLP ones, you're not just losing fat, you're losing muscle. That's a big problem. But with regards to the aesthetics room, the big thing is facial volume restoration and balancing. It's driving that rapid weight loss and patients are increasingly starting to ask for biostimulatory fillers such as s Sculptra or your radius, which is kaha a kaha product, which is a bio stimulator in a gel carrier. So that will help to replenish a lot of that lost midface and cheek volume. It'll help reduce some of the hollowing that we see and support that more youthful. Appearance without overfilling. I still feel that you have to I, so one of my dear friends Ashley, she'll use your biostimulators are your 401k, your banking on your collagens future. And your, ha's your Juvederms, restylane's, those products are gonna be a little more instant gratification. So I do think though, if you put together a treatment plan with your provider and say, Hey, listen, I am gonna be going on one of these GLP one injections, I am gonna experience some volume loss. What can we do? And maybe in the beginning when you're not losing as much so rapidly, maybe you just concentrate on. Skin as opposed to worrying about the stimulators and that's where it's gonna be. Your medical grade, skincare products, your rease, your growth factors. I love gentle lasers to make sure that you're stimulating that collagen. I've got my big fractional CO2 laser that I love. I love microneedling'cause it's a great correction and prevention. So you wanna pair those in. Treatment room to your personalized at-home regimens with your retinols peptides, vitamin Cs, hyaluronic, all that barrier supporting products. So I think being mindful, enough knowledge is out there now that people will see, oh my goodness, my friend lost. You don't see fat wrinkled people. Because their skin's Volumized.

francene 40:00

Yeah.

raquel 40:00

So you will get, and I think that's an unfortunate unfortunate side effect that a lot of people don't take into consideration.

francene 40:08

Yeah.

raquel 40:09

When they do go on'em. Yeah. Because now you're super skinny, but. You look like a leather satchel. I know.

francene 40:16

It's so true. It's isn't it? Yeah. It's so interesting. It's like the balance of, yeah, you've got super skinny, you can fit into all the clothes you want to, but then I just feel with some of these, it ages you and

raquel 40:30

Oh

francene 40:30

yeah. I think with the individuals it's unexpected aging.

raquel 40:34

Yeah, it is. It is.

francene 40:37

So you mentioned, being a kind of formal former athletic athlete. Do you think that discipline has helped shape how you run your business? I.

raquel 40:50

I do, I definitely learned some tools, everything is temporary, so temporary pain or discomfort can definitely be overcome. I think even being a business owner, I have to be mindful. We've only been we're two and a half years, open. We'll be celebrating three in May. There's moments where I think, oh, we need to be so much farther ahead. And then there's moments where I think, oh my goodness, like we've only been open two and a half years. So

francene 41:19

yeah.

raquel 41:20

That discipline of just being business minded, definitely. I learned a lot in not having instant gratification, let's put it that way.

francene 41:32

Yeah, no that's I can imagine having that discipline makes such a difference. But also I think having that attitude where you have to have that reflection when you're like, whoa, look what we've created. And yes, of course there's always, room for growth, but it's pretty incredible. And you're very knowledgeable. So I wish I lived closer, to be honest.

raquel 41:54

Oh, I wish I lived closer to you. You're a little more appealing.

francene 42:00

So as part of your business, you also mentor medical assistance and you offer training. So tell me why is education so important to you?

raquel 42:11

Oh, education's huge. My education came a little later in life. I got married young. I didn't have a formal education. And I was a stay at home mom, and I don't take anything away from being a stay at home mom. I think it is one of the most underrated jobs ever. You are raising a tiny human that you're gonna turn into the world that hopefully is gonna make it a better place. But we were business owners and in the crash of 2008, I didn't have an education and I couldn't help. Dig us out of the hole that we were facing. My ex-husband was a builder and, I felt I couldn't contribute, I believe no matter what, and it doesn't have to be a four year education, I don't care if it's a trade school or anything that you're passionate about. I think education is freedom. It's the key to opportunities, and I don't think you can ever have enough. So I've been very fortunate. My team, I have four other injectors here and all four of those injectors were. My medical assistants. Oh, nice. And they came to me after working with me for a couple of months and they said, Hey, if I wanted to do what you do, what would I have to do? And I said, go to nursing school and if you get that education, I promise you when you're on the other side, I will take you and I'll teach you everything that I know just like my previous physician did for me.

francene 43:38

That's

raquel 43:38

awesome. I think that, and I always try to encourage them with continuing education, sending them to classes and conferences or if there's any, my reps are amazing to me. I have great relationships with them, and I'm always like, listen, we don't even have to inject, but if we can come and observe, and even for myself, I've been injecting for, many years. I still walk away learning some pearl of wisdom

francene 44:07

Along

raquel 44:07

that, that, experience. And then because I didn't have an education and I found myself faced with a divorce at 38 and starting this nursing career, I created a scholarship for, single mothers or fathers who have children and are entering the workplace either after a domestic violence or an unhealthy situation, and they're searching for an education so that they can provide a better life for themself as well as their children. I created that Rael, Meni Pay it Forward Scholarship because I, again it's freedom and it's empowering.

francene 44:44

Wow, that's amazing that you did that and you pay that back to others in that situation.'Cause yeah, I think I can't even imagine being in that situation. You're like, okay, now I need to restart my life again. And what does that look like? And, especially when you're trying to raise a child and knowing how expansive the world is, that's amazing that you do that.

raquel 45:11

Thank you. I just I want good for everybody and opportunity.

francene 45:16

Yeah. That's awesome. So if someone is listening to this and maybe they're looking to start their career, maybe they're looking to pivot and maybe this is a space that they're interested in, outside of your recommendation on, going and get that kind of nursing education as a foundation, what other advice would you give to someone wanting to enter this space?

raquel 45:43

Gosh, it is such a difficult industry. I feel like it's very easy to go and open up with Salon Suites now and have that space, but, If you don't have a medical director who's knowledgeable, you can't just go and get some run of the mill person to hang their license, you've gotta know that you can count on that medical director for their knowledge as well. I would tell them to find somebody who does have ethics and integrity and a good relationship and takes this industry seriously, that you could maybe go and train under or glean some knowledge or at least even use as a resource if you're on your own. I'm very fortunate. My medical director's amazing. We work together. She was a doctor at my previous location. But I think that, again, I can't stress enough that this is medicine. Yeah. And there's some danger that, comes along with it. And if you're not knowledgeable, I had somebody reach out to me, her medical director didn't know how to handle a vascular occlusion, and they didn't even have Linx and her medical director told her to refer the patient to the emergency room. And I'm like, the emergency room isn't gonna know how to treat. That vascular compromise. I told her she could come over and have some of our Linx, I've got a protocol typed up, I screenshot that and sent that to her. But, it's also I don't want the responsibility

francene 47:10

Yeah.

raquel 47:10

For taking the patient.'cause once you take them on, that becomes then your responsibility. I said she was so upset and she says, I don't even know if I ever wanna do this again. And I was really sad because that one experience gave. It wasn't a good experience for her, and that made my heart break. So if anybody, I have an open door. If anybody ever needs help, they can always reach out to me. But I think that you need to make sure that you do your homework and align yourself with somebody who has the same culture in the same belief. System as you do.

francene 47:44

Yeah, I think that's key. And also know why you're going into this industry, right? Like I think you mentioned near, the beginning that. I think there's a lot out there and, it shouldn't just be about, okay, that quick fix or, what's the quickest way I can make money? Versus you are here to ensure that, again, you're practicing medicine essentially and ensuring that you are doing it for the right reasons.

raquel 48:16

A lot of people are like, oh, I wanna go into aesthetics. I'm gonna make so much money. Again, you wanna make sure that you're working within that, that prioritizing patient safety, natural results, education over volume and trends and, starting conservatively, you know it because it's also dangerous if you're in that chair and you're trying to overfill in one setting. Yeah. Definitely I'm hoping that there's gonna be some improvements in the industry with more knowledge and education. I don't wanna see more restrictions happen with the industry. I'm just hoping that we can get on board with a little bit more safe practice. And I don't even know. How do you feel? I'm watching people. It's as injectors, we wanna impart our knowledge, but then now people are buying syringes and injecting themselves at home doing DIY, and I'm just horrified.

francene 49:11

As someone who like, for sure, I will give stuff a go at home. And I know I keep on bringing it back to like my hairdresser, but trust me, in the past I've been all different colors of my hair. Yeah. I've learned, i've, and I learned. The hard way when it comes to hair. I am not the expert. I am not trained in this space. What am I doing? And I love doing research into skincare and ensuring I pick the best products. But again, when it comes to anything in addition to that, whether it's appeal or. Like Botox or anything else that, that I do not wanna ruin my skin. Why would you even risk it? I don't, that doesn't make sense to me.

raquel 49:55

No, I'll do my own Botox, I not injecting my lips, I'm not injecting my cheeks. I watched someone do temple filler on themselves and I was like. I had to turn it off. I was like, oh my God.

francene 50:10

Yeah. I think that's and you mentioned this point with regards to something else, but that these are like the good and bad things about social media and YouTube and. It's like there are certain things that you shouldn't be, you shouldn't be using YouTube on. Like, how can I inject filler into my lips? No. Go pay the money and make sure you get it done right.'Cause that I just dunno why people would risk it. So I guess. On maybe that point when it comes to, some of our listeners in their twenties, thirties, forties, and beyond, how should aesthetic goals change?

raquel 50:54

Not following trends, being more realistic also knowing it doesn't have to be a sprint.

francene 51:01

It

raquel 51:01

can be a marathon, right? Slow grow. And doing your research.

francene 51:09

Yeah.

raquel 51:09

Making sure that they're licensed. Let's just start with the basics. Let's make sure that you're going to a provider that's not a group on unlicensed.

francene 51:17

Yes.

raquel 51:18

Who doesn't even have the right to even be buying neurotoxin is a prescription medication. Fillers are actually identified as an implant. When we start thinking about it, like from that aspect, it's, it puts a different spin on it.

francene 51:36

Yeah, cheapest is not good in this space. No run. That is not something I'm like, oh good. Let me get a bargain and something that's gonna be injected into my face. No. We do not need bargain.

raquel 51:49

Sweater maybe, but your face.

francene 51:52

No. Everyone can see my face. What treatments, in your opinion, are often overlooked, but make the biggest difference?

raquel 52:01

And just at home skincare, making sure you're putting your retinol on at night. How about just simply washing your face? Yeah. Bed. That's a good start. I really believe that microneedling, and I'm not talking radio frequency, I'm just saying old school microneedling is just such a good. Collagen stimulation. It covers so many things, pigmentation, correction, prevention, fine lines a glow. I just love that as a good basic treatment. And, the line you never get is, the best practice there is. So starting with a little bit of a neurotoxin because then you. Might not need filler. Certain areas.

francene 52:47

Yeah. Preventive is everything. Yeah. In, in your opinion, what's a trend you wish would just disappear?

raquel 52:59

I can't stand the eyebrows. The eyebrows that were tattooed or microbladed on and they look like Bur and Ernie from

francene 53:09

yes.

raquel 53:11

I don't know if that's necessarily an aesthetics treatment, but I just wish that, it was such a nice thing of filling in sparse hairs or people who might have alopecia and don't even have eyebrows, but why people? Have black sharpie marker eyebrows is, those are Groucho mark eyeglasses. So that, and I think the big lips are on the way out too. So those were trends that, yeah, let's get rid of.

francene 53:42

I always obviously I'm not a medical professional nor trained, but I always think it's like interesting when you see someone and you can immediately tell they've had, whether it's like their eyelashes or the lash eyebrows Yes. Or. They've had so much filler or so much Botox, and I'm like, I always want someone to walk away from me and be like, wow, she has like really good skin without immediately being like she's said work done. That's my goal.

raquel 54:13

Yeah.

francene 54:13

Like how can I go under the radar?

raquel 54:16

Yeah. But that's exactly what it's supposed to be. It's an enhancement so that you walk away and people look at you and say, oh my goodness, Francine, did you go on vacation? What has changed good night's sleep? Like, why are you glowing? It's not that. Your lips enter the room before the rush is open. Even enters right?

francene 54:36

A hundred. Oh my gosh. A hundred percent.

raquel 54:38

Yeah.

francene 54:38

We should all be going for that natural like look.

raquel 54:42

Yeah.

francene 54:43

The enhancing. I like that we're, we keep on saying that'cause that really should be the case. Yeah. So what I typically ask everyone that comes on my podcast is, what does real beauty mean to you?

raquel 55:00

I think it's confidence. Real beauty to me is a confident person, male or female that walks into the room and, they may not have what. Society will call that standard of beauty, but they radiate something that it's just that it, where you're like, oh my gosh, I want whatever it is that they're eating, drinking or taking. Yeah. So I really think if you feel good, you look good. And if you look good, you feel even better. So I confidence.

francene 55:34

I love it. Yeah, I definitely think that is key. And Raquel, where can people find you and learn more about the work that you do?

raquel 55:43

Yes, so I'm located Birmingham, Michigan. It's a suburb about 30 minutes north of Detroit. Our website is r skin.net, and our social media handles would be R Skin. Aesthetics and my personal one, which is our skin admission. And if you're ever in Michigan, come on out and check us out.

francene 56:09

Oh, I a hundred, I'm there. I a hundred percent will come. I hope that's part of my future. But hey I just wanna say, I feel like I could literally speak to you all day, like in this space. I have so many questions and I just find it. Just such a fascinating area. Like I love skincare. I'm, as I mentioned, I do Botox, like I am not that person. Where in the future I'd be like, okay, what else can I continue to do to ensure that, I have that preventive measure, but I'm not as extreme as, have you ever seen the movie The Substance?

raquel 56:47

Oh my gosh, yes. Horrifying.

francene 56:50

I like horrifying, but there was something, I was just so intrigued. And if anyone hasn't seen this, who's listening, please go watch it. It is definitely a WTF movie. Yeah. But you have to watch it because the way we think in this space when it comes to beauty and we're constantly striving for more and more that you I just worry that people just get to a point where they do too much and there's no going back from it. Now this movie is an extreme version of that, but it's I dabble in this space, but in that natural enhancing, and I think that is so important is, you mentioned what beauty means to you and it's confidence. It is truly like loving yourself first. Yeah. And then you're doing little tweaks, right? Versus I need to change how I look and how I am. And I think that's what I. I advocate for the natural and inner confidence.

raquel 57:51

Yes. I'm sitting across from a screen from you and you're gorgeous, and I know you're not sleeping and you're waiting, so I

francene 58:00

appreciate

raquel 58:01

it. You're the goal that everybody should be striving to have

francene 58:04

Aw, I appreciate that as my little special guest is staying with me, and I'm like that she's being great. I appreciate it.

raquel 58:15

She knows we're talking about beauty.

francene 58:18

Exactly. She's learning this now. But hey, I really appreciate your time and your knowledge and I think it's amazing what you were doing, not just in the beauty space, but also, lifting people up in. With your program that you have for, single parents out there and advocating for education, like even just having those values and promoting that is something that I think everyone needs to hear, especially our younger generation. You can never, education doesn't just stop after you get a degree or, whatever it is, the course that you've done, this space. Every space continues to evolve. So I think that's a great message.

raquel 59:03

Thank you very much. And keep empowering also on your end and encouraging women to have that natural beauty.

francene 59:12

Thank you. I appreciate you. Yeah, thank you. So much. It has been so interesting getting to hear from you today. And I'll give you a heads up once the podcast is live, but yeah, I really appreciate everything that you're about.

raquel 59:27

Oh, thank you so much Francine, and good luck with your little one.

francene 59:31

Thank you.

raquel 59:31

What a blessing.

francene 59:32

I know she is. There she is.

raquel 59:35

And she's three months.

francene 59:37

She is five weeks.

raquel 59:39

Oh my God. Five weeks.

francene 59:41

Yeah.

raquel 59:42

Oh, she's gorgeous.

francene 59:44

Yeah, she's a good girl. She really is. Hopefully that continues.

raquel 59:48

Yeah. They'll put you through the ringer, but not for a while. This right here is so manageable.

francene 59:53

It really is. It really is.

raquel 59:56

It seems that when you are not having to sleep and everything, you're like, oh my goodness. But again, they're contained and they're not driving. Yeah. And they're within your reach. So

francene 1:00:06

yeah. She's not saying no to me. She's like slamming the door in my face. So this is great. Oh,

raquel 1:00:12

she's beautiful.

francene 1:00:14

Thank you so much. But hey, keep warm and we'll talk soon.

raquel 1:00:18

Okay, perfect. Thank you, Francine. Have a blessed day.