Women in Aesthetics: Laura Ellis, MD

HOW AND WHEN DID YOU GET STARTED IN THE AESTHETICS FIELD?

As a medical school student at UNC Chapel Hill, no matter what clinical rotation I was on, whenever I had a moment, I would sneak over to the ENT and plastic surgery departments to ask the fellows if they needed help. They appreciated the extra hands, and I received mentoring. They often allowed me to participate in and even lead many cases. I did the same during my community general surgery residency, hanging around the OR after hours and asking to assist with facial and hand trauma cases. The attendings were thrilled to have help and I got to fill my “procedure cards” early in my training.

WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR MENTORS AND HOW HAVE THEY INFLUENCED YOUR CAREER?

Dr. Don Brenner and Dr. Arnie Steigerwalt, both researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), led me to love benchwork in molecular biology during my Guest Scientist position there. Dr. Tom Roberts taught me the value of scientific research and supported my publishing as a resident. I truly value general surgeon Dr. DC Hull’s gentle but firm teaching method, which took much of the stress out of learning complicated surgical techniques. Finally, Dr. Hans Keirstead introduced me, 8 years ago, to the breakthrough technology I am bringing to our industry today, PROVOQUE. PROVOQUE represents a new frontier in medical-grade skincare—one rooted in the science of human regeneration. At the core of PROVOQUE’s efficacy is a proprietary technology derived from human skin progenitor cell secretomes. Unlike products that rely solely on isolated growth factors or exosomes, PROVOQUE delivers the complete skin-specific secretome—a rich, naturally balanced matrix of peptides, cytokines, microRNA, and regenerative molecules. What truly sets PROVOQUE apart is the presence of Fetuin-A, a powerful glycoprotein that plays a critical role in cellular renewal, inflammation regulation, and tissue repair. Remarkably, PROVOQUE is the only topical skincare product known to contain Fetuin-A, making it a singular advancement in the field of regenerative aesthetics. PROVOQUE will replace current products that claim to be regenerative, not only for skin but also for hair regeneration. As regenerative medicine reshapes the future of aesthetics, PROVOQUE stands at the intersection of innovation, evidence, and elegance.

WHAT DO SUCCESSFUL PRACTICES NEED TO DO NOW TO THRIVE IN THIS COMPLETIVE MARKET?

I’ve seen aesthetics change a lot over the past few decades. Patients want more natural ways of improving their appearance and appreciate the inside-out approach of addressing their health and wellness needs, which reflects positively in their appearance. To be competitive, practices need to offer more than good results; they must offer more comprehensive care.

My suggestions:

1. Educate; don’t just sell. Patients are very savvy today. They want to understand the why, not just the what. Use science to differentiate, and just gauge their ability to absorb and understand.

2. Build a regenerative foundation. The future is not surgery, lasers, and fillers alone. It's about cellular signaling, skin longevity, and true renewal. Offer products and protocols that reflect this shift.

3. Cultivate a culture. Great outcomes plus great energy equal loyalty. Your team, your brand voice, and your patient experience must all reflect authentic care and clear expertise. In short: marry clinical excellence with visionary leadership.

WHAT SAGE ADVICE CAN YOU OFFER WOMEN WHO ARE RISING STARS IN AESTHETICS?

Own your expertise and lead with science. Protect your boundaries; invest in mentorship and offer it in return. Aesthetic medicine is better when women lift one another. Run your practice like a business. Learn to read a P&L as confidently as you read a face. Charge what you are worth and don’t discount your value. Low pricing doesn’t build loyalty; results do.

WHERE ARE MEDICAL AESTHETICS GOING IN THE SHORT/LONG TERM?

In the short term, we’ll continue to see demand surge and not just for looking younger, but for looking well. Patients are increasingly seeking personalized, science-driven solutions that reflect a more holistic definition of beauty.

In the long term, aesthetics will fully merge with longevity and regenerative medicine. The future is not just injectables vs lasers. Rather, it is bioactive serums, secretomes, cellular reprogramming, and epigenetic interventions working alongside traditional modalities.

Start learning now about biologics, senescence, and skin’s molecular aging pathways—these are the next frontier.

Position yourself as an educator, not just a provider. Patients are overwhelmed. The practitioners who win trust will be those who simplify science, speak transparently, and deliver outcomes, not just treatments. The most successful aesthetic practices of the future will look a lot like wellness clinics—but with better clinical data to back it up.