Why I Started Modern Aesthetics
The honest story behind a boutique med spa in San Jose — and the philosophy that drives everything we do.
I didn't start Modern Aesthetics because it was the easy path.
I started it because I was done compromising.
The Industry Has a Problem
After nearly 9 years in dermatology and medical aesthetics, I've seen a lot. I've seen patients who came in looking for subtle refinement and left looking like someone else entirely. I've seen providers chase trends without understanding the anatomy underneath them. I've seen practices where the pressure to upsell was louder than the commitment to actual patient outcomes.
And I've seen what happens when a patient sits across from a provider who is more focused on volume than on the person in front of them.
I wanted no part of it.
What I Actually Wanted
I wanted to walk into a treatment room and focus on exactly one thing: the person in front of me.
Not the revenue target for the month. Not the new product the rep was pushing. Not the treatment trend blowing up on TikTok that week. Just the patient — their face, their goals, their long-term skin health, and the most honest recommendation I could give them.
That sounds simple. In practice it's surprisingly hard to find a environment that actually supports it.
So I built one.
The Dermatology Training Difference
Before aesthetics I spent years in dermatology. And that background shapes everything about how I practice.
Most aesthetic injectors don't have derm training. Many come from nursing backgrounds with aesthetics-specific certifications layered on top. That's not inherently a problem — there are excellent injectors from every background. But dermatology training gives you something specific: a clinical understanding of skin at a level that goes far beyond surface-level aesthetics.
It means I understand how skin ages — not just visually, but structurally. I understand how different skin tones respond to different treatments. I understand when something on a patient's skin warrants a referral to a dermatologist rather than a cosmetic treatment. And I understand facial anatomy in a way that makes every injection decision more precise and more informed.
That foundation is not something I take for granted. It's something I built intentionally — and something I keep building through continuing education, cadaver anatomy courses, and advanced training programs that most providers at my experience level don't bother with anymore.
Nearly 9 years in and I'm still in the lab. That's not going to change.
What Modern Aesthetics Is — And Isn’t
Modern Aesthetics is a boutique solo practice. That means every treatment is performed personally by me — no hand-offs, no assistants performing injections, no surprises.
It also means no office drama. No boss pushing me to upsell you on something you don't need. No incentive structure that rewards volume over outcomes. No "treatment of the month" that I'm pushing because a rep offered a discount.
Just me, my training, and your goals.
Every patient at Modern Aesthetics feels personal to me — because you're not just another appointment on a schedule. You're someone's family. And I treat you like it.
The Philosophy Behind Every Treatment
If I had to distill everything I believe about aesthetic medicine into a few principles, it would be these:
Less is more — always. The best aesthetic work is the kind no one can quite put their finger on. You look rested, refreshed, and like the best version of yourself. Not different. Not done. Just better.
Honesty over revenue — every time. I will tell you when you don't need something. I will tell you when you have too much filler already. I will tell you when a different provider or a surgical option is a better fit for what you're trying to achieve. That kind of honesty costs me appointments sometimes. I'm fine with that.
Education over pressure — always. You should never leave a consultation feeling confused, overwhelmed, or pressured. You should leave understanding exactly what was recommended, why, and what to expect. An informed patient makes better decisions — and has better results.
Long-term over quick fixes — every time. Chasing trends and overcorrecting might produce dramatic before-and-afters. It doesn't produce patients who look great for years. I'm interested in the long game — supporting your facial structure, your skin health, and your confidence over time.
What I Hope Modern Aesthetics Feels Like
I hope it feels like coming to see someone who actually knows you.
Someone who remembers what you talked about last time. Who follows up after your treatment to make sure everything looks right. Who tells you the truth even when it's not what you were hoping to hear. Who is as invested in your outcome as you are — because your results are a direct reflection of my work and my values.
Aesthetic medicine at its best is deeply personal. It's about trust, continuity, and a relationship between provider and patient that builds over time.
That's what I set out to create when I opened Modern Aesthetics. And every day in the treatment room, it's what I'm still working toward.
If You’ve Been Looking for That Kind of Practice
I'd love to meet you.
Whether you're exploring aesthetic treatments for the first time or you've been burned by a bad experience somewhere else and you're looking for a provider you can actually trust — come in for a consultation. No pressure, no commitment, just an honest conversation about what's right for your skin.
Not sure where to start? Take our free Treatment Match Quiz for personalized recommendations in 2 minutes.