In Spring 2024, QP shone a spotlight on 31 women who are going above and beyond to set high standards and foster growth within the industry. These Distinguished Women in Medical Aesthetics are not only driven to be the best, but they also strive to bring out the best in those around them and provide the best to every patient they see.

Read on for the full interviews with these incredible women, as we conclude this series of five blog articles.

Alexandra Rogers, NP, LexRx

Alexandra Rogers, NP, is a board-certified nurse practitioner and one of the leading ladies of LexRx. She worked at Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates in the Adult and Pediatric Urgent Care Center, and then transitioned to managing her own urgent care clinic. In these roles, Rogers was exposed to many complex medical problems and gained immense clinical insight. After graduate school, she received formal certification through AMET for injectables. Her strong foundation in urgent/emergency medicine has evolved into a flourishing career as a nurse practitioner and trusted provider. As co-founder of LexRx and Inject With Lex, Rogers was the lead instructor at Northeastern University for the nation’s first university-hosted injectables training program. As a key opinion leader in the industry, Rogers has been an invited speaker at numerous industry conferences. Rogers also co-launched an injectables program at Boston College.

Q&A

• When did you begin practicing aesthetics? I began practicing in aesthetics in 2015 immediately after graduation from nurse practitioner school.
• What do you love about medical aesthetics? I love being able to build relationships with clients and build their confidence, helping them feel better as they take care of their skin and practice self-care. I love seeing that transformation in self-confidence and how it carries them through their work and personal life. I enjoy the combination of art and science in my daily work and being able to use creativity throughout the day.
• What obstacles have you encountered because you are a woman? I can’t say I have encountered any obstacles because I am a woman. Thankfully, the industry is very supportive of female business owners and women in medicine and aesthetics.
• What kinds of support have you received from other women in the industry? Women in the industry are extremely supportive, constantly sharing resources and trainings and uplifting one another.
• What would you change about your experience in the industry if you had the chance? I wouldn’t change a thing. I am so proud of where LexRx is today, and we wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the ups and downs along the way.
• What advice would you give to other women in the industry? Stay true to yourself and stay focused on your passion. Avoid pressure from outside sources and surround yourself by supportive people.

Sarah Safa, MS, PA-C, Refined Aesthetics

With more than 18 years of plastic and reconstructive surgery experience, Sarah Safa, MS, PA-C, is a top national aesthetic specialist. She is well known for her non-surgical precision with laser treatments, advanced neuromodulator injections, and facial mapping with a wide array of soft-tissue facial fillers. Safa has successfully trained more than 5,000 aesthetic medical providers on advanced injection techniques and aesthetic business development. For more than 17 years, Safa has served as a top trainer for Allergan's National Speaker's Bureau, in addition to serving as faculty for the Academy for Injection Anatomy, Revance Therapeutics, MTF Biologics, and Sciton Inc. She has multiple publications and interviews featured in numerous industry publications, and has lectured for leading industry organizations. She is the founder of Refined Aesthetics.

Q&A

• When did you begin practicing aesthetics? 2005
• What do you love about medical aesthetics? Medical aesthetics is a form of medicine that provides licensed medical professionals the opportunity to deliver both mental and physical well-being to patients in an artistic and scientific manner.
• What obstacles have you encountered because you are a woman? Most obstacles I have encountered have been outside of the aesthetic field and more so in primary medicine. I was challenged many times if I had the ability to succeed when seeking an advanced degree versus some of my male counterparts. Becoming an educator allowed me the confidence to ignore the noise and place myself in a position in which some of my male colleagues would then call on me for guidance.
• What kinds of support have you received from other women in the industry? In the last 20 years, I have received endless support from other women helping me ground myself, strive for work-life balance, practice forgiveness and shoot for the stars.
• What would you change about your experience in the industry if you had the chance? I would have ignored the self-doubt I had early on and the struggles with imposter syndrome and replace the internal chatter with positive vibes.
• What advice would you give to other women in the industry? It is the struggle that makes us stronger. You learn far more lessons by losing than you do winning.

Rahi Sarbaziha, MD, Integrative Aesthetics

Rahi Sarbaziha, MD ("Dr. Rahi"), is a Persian-American double board-certified integrative aesthetics doctor based in Beverly Hills, California. Internationally recognized for her unique holistic and integrative approach to cosmetic rejuvenation and inner health, Dr. Rahi caters to her patients’ specific needs to help them achieve long-lasting results. With the combination of functional medicine and aesthetics, Dr. Rahi helps patients reach optimal physical beauty and health from the inside out. With A-list celebrity clientele and a waitlist for new patients, Dr. Rahi is carving out a new lane for wellness by taking a comprehensive approach that goes beyond medicine and cosmetic treatments.

Q&A

• When did you begin practicing aesthetics? I started my journey in aesthetics during my residency in 2012, initially exploring the field on a personal level. However, my official engagement with patients and formal training commenced the first summer after completing my residency in 2014. As I reflect on my career, I realize that it's approaching the remarkable milestone of 10 years. Throughout this time, I've been immersed in continuous learning, personal growth and a strong desire to share my knowledge with others. I have developed a profound love for this field that encompasses wellness, beauty and health.
• What do you love about medical aesthetics? My passion for medical aesthetics revolves around the transformative impact we can have on patients' lives. Engaging in a fusion of integrative aesthetics, I find joy in helping patients both look and feel better. Being deeply involved in an industry that is focused on holistic well-being is immensely fulfilling. I appreciate the opportunity to contribute as a physician by treating patients and also playing roles as an instructor and a perpetual student in this dynamic field.
• What obstacles have you encountered because you are a woman? Undoubtedly, being a woman in the field of medical aesthetics has presented its challenges. One notable obstacle has been the initial struggle to be taken seriously. In a landscape still predominantly dominated by male doctors, breaking through stereotypes and establishing credibility as a female physician has been a journey filled with resilience and determination. Despite these challenges, I am hopeful for a future where more women physicians can thrive in the industry.
• What kinds of support have you received from other women in the industry? I've found solace and encouragement in the support provided by organizations like AmSpa, which actively promotes and supports women in the field of aesthetics. Attending the Women in Aesthetics Leadership Conference in Miami in 2023 was a transformative experience, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to all women in the industry. Connecting with like-minded individuals and sharing experiences has been invaluable in navigating the challenges unique to women in this field.
• What would you change about your experience in the industry if you had the chance? If given the opportunity, I would have appreciated a program during my residency that facilitated connections with other doctors running businesses. Such a program could have provided valuable insights and mentorship, potentially easing the transition into the business aspects of the medical aesthetics field.
• What advice would you give to other women in the industry? To my fellow women in the industry, I would offer the following advice: Keep going, don't stop and never give up. Hard work pays off and having a coach can be invaluable. Embrace the journey, stay resilient and contribute to the collective empowerment of women in medical aesthetics.

Taylor Siemens, NP-C, My Aesthetic Training

Taylor Siemens, NP-C, a board-certified nurse practitioner recognized by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, is a dynamic force in the world of aesthetic medicine. As the vice president of operations at Vitalyc Medspa and the founder of My Aesthetic Training, she seamlessly marries the expertise of a practitioner of medicine with that of a multi-site business operator. Siemens's journey into aesthetic medicine commenced as an operating room nurse specializing in facial plastic surgery. Through her diverse patient interactions, Siemens has honed a profound understanding of the aging process, fueling her skillset in crafting comprehensive, multi-modality treatment solutions that align seamlessly with patients' aesthetic objectives.

Q&A

• When did you begin practicing aesthetics? I started as a nurse in facial plastics about 9 years ago.
• What do you love about medical aesthetics? I love helping clients and clinicians find their confidence and feel more like themselves.
• What obstacles have you encountered because you are a woman? I came from plastic surgery, and women in that field are not always as respected as male counterparts. Most people assume you are working the front desk or only answering phone calls for the surgeon.
• What kinds of support have you received from other women in the industry? I have many mentors in the industry who are women who have been meeting with me from the beginning to celebrate my successes and offer advice based on their experience in the industry.
• What would you change about your experience in the industry if you had the chance? Given the chance, I would have put effort in creating community in the industry from the beginning—it took me about four years to recognize this was needed.
• What advice would you give to other women in the industry? Find the people who move like you and have similar goals, then make a commitment to meet regularly and hold one another accountable to the practices you want to build.

La-Tasha Walker, RN, La-Mon'e Aesthetics

La-Tasha Walker, RN, started her career as a cosmetologist at Elizabeth Arden Salons, focusing on hair and skin care. After nine years, she returned to school to pursue a nursing degree. Walker has been a registered nurse for more than 11 years. She has worked in various fields, from pediatrics to the operating room. Combining her love of aesthetics and medicine, she became an aesthetics nurse injector in 2020. Walker strives to bring education and safe aesthetics treatments to all skin tones at every stage of life.

Q&A

• When did you begin practicing aesthetics? 2020
• What do you love about medical aesthetics? I love that I’m able to combine my background in cosmetology and aesthetics with my nursing education. I love that I can not only make people feel more confident in their skin, but also educate them in treating their skin and the aging process. I love making them feel empowered and in control of their aesthetics journey.
• What obstacles have you encountered because you are a woman? The biggest obstacle that I have faced as a woman is the work-life balance. Managing the demands of a business while maintaining balance with personal life and family responsibilities can be very challenging as a woman.
• What kinds of support have you received from other women in the industry? I have talked to many women that have been business owners much longer than I have and have gained great guidance and support. That support has come in many forms and for numerous different reasons. Whether it’s just a phone call to see how everything is going, advice on marketing, clinical expertise and sometimes just the listening ear of someone who understands where I am in my business journey.
• What would you change about your experience in the industry if you had the chance? The one major thing that I would change about my experience in the industry is not getting a mentor/coach and joining an aesthetics community sooner. Having support and guidance early on in my career would have provided me the resources I needed to have to best navigate the aesthetics industry, which would have saved me a lot of money in expenses.
• What advice would you give to other women in the industry? I would advise women in the industry to build a strong community with experienced providers and peers to lean on for support. I would also advise women to fully support one another, pay it forward and help guide the newcomers in the industry.

Hermine Warren, DNP, APRN, CANS, Facialogy

Hermine Warren, DNP, APRN, CANS, has been in nursing since 1974, with an advanced practice degree since 1980. She is an educational/clinical GAIN trainer for Galderma, is a PALETTE faculty member, is co-faculty for the Academy of Injection Anatomy with Chris Surek, DO, FACS, and has maintained a clinical practice in the non-surgical cosmetic subspecialty field since 2004. Warren graduated with her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Colorado in 1979 and her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Walden University in 2014. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau since 1979 and a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society since 2013.

Q&A

• When did you begin practicing aesthetics? I started practicing in 2004, so I am in my 20th year.
• What do you love about medical aesthetics? What I love about medical aesthetics is that it’s not only the practice of aesthetic medicine, but it is the mixture of medicine with artistry.
• What obstacles have you encountered because you are a woman? I haven’t really encountered many obstacles because I refuse to let obstacles stand in my way.
• What kinds of support have you received from other women in the industry? In terms of support, not all women providers are sharers, but I do have a small circle of women within the industry who I really trust and have been the foundation of my growth within aesthetics.
• What would you change about your experience in the industry if you had the chance? I’d prefer that new injectors would be reliant upon experience, classes and diligence rather than Instagram or Patreon videos as a guiding benchmark for aesthetics.
• What advice would you give to other women in the industry? Seek out partners who are like-minded, and network. This will help you to continue to grow your brand both aesthetically and educationally within the industry. Don’t stay isolated. There are certain organizations like ISPAN and AmSpa, as well as conferences where you have the opportunity to grow your network and to expand your knowledge within the field.

Limor Weinberg, FNP-BC, The Clinic USA

Limor Weinberg, FNP-BC, is a girl boss and aesthetic mastermind with more than 20 years of experience as a board-certified nurse practitioner. She founded The Clinic USA, an intimate training destination for aspiring aesthetic providers. Weinberg's renowned "lip mapping" technique has made her a sought-after mentor in the industry. Recently, Weinberg launched Fillers Anonymous, a merch and apparel brand that adds a humorous twist to the art of aesthetics. With cheeky slogans and stylish designs, Fillers Anonymous is a go-to for beauty enthusiasts to express their love for aesthetics.

Q&A

• When did you begin practicing aesthetics? My career in aesthetics began in 2005 when I became a licensed aesthetician. In 2016, I graduated with my nurse practitioner degree and began a new journey as an aesthetic injector.
• What do you love about medical aesthetics? What I love most about medical aesthetics is that I can express my artistic side while still being backed by scientific research.
• What obstacles have you encountered because you are a woman? The biggest obstacle I have faced is the wage gap. There is definitely a double standard for men and women in the medical field.
• What kinds of support have you received from other women in the industry? The women in this industry are absolutely amazing. Everyone is always looking out for each other and support each other's ventures and projects. About a year ago, I started a merch and apparel line catering to injectors. I received so much love and support from women I didn't even know! It’s truly humbling when others embrace a project you worked so tirelessly on.
• What would you change about your experience in the industry if you had the chance? Even with all the comradery mentioned above, there is still a lot of negativity and jealousy. I have not experienced too much of this myself, but I have witnessed it. I'm a huge proponent of community over competition. We can get so much further as an industry if we work together.
• What advice would you give to other women in the industry? If you truly feel passionate about what you do, have patience with yourself and do not let anyone stop you. I know this advice may sound cliché, but I got into this industry before it was "cool." It wasn't easy to become successful in a field that was often overshadowed and even frowned upon by its male-dominated counterparts in plastic surgery and dermatology. All I can say is that it was worth all the blood, sweat and tears. The best part is that since aesthetics is still a relatively new field, there is no limit to what you can do and no glass ceiling to shatter.

This concludes the five-part series celebrating AmSpa’s Distinguished Women in Medical Aesthetics! Catch up with Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 & Part 4.

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