Welcome And Guest Introduction

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So my name is Venera, and I'm a founder of DermApproach Skincare Clinic in Reston. And aesthetics has been always part of my life. And I'm originally from Central Asia, uh, where I began practicing aesthetics long ago before I moved to United States. Mm-hmm. And also, I have been an educator as well, teaching and sharing my skills and knowledge and passion for skincare and advanced techniques. Our clients, I would say, different genders. We have women, we have male, we have female, we have teenagers, a lot, to help them to clear up their acne, and definitely might be different skin concerns. So we s- as I always say, skin has no gender, so we truly serve everyone who walks into DermApproach. Awesome. Yeah, skincare is universal. Yes. Yeah. And for those meeting you for the first time, can you share a little bit about your background and what first inspired your journey into skincare and aesthetics? Yes. As I have mentioned earlier, I'm from Central Asia. And while I was pursuing my aesthetics journey I... We've been taught mainly European approach. And when I came to US, definitely I would have to, I brought all my values, my knowledge, my skills, my purpose here. And I think I wanted to truly build my own brand at some point, but I didn't know where to start and how to put it together. But I think one day shift happened and I told myself,"Okay, this is the time where you can start building your brand." Uh, but I realized that I don't wanna just- See that from treatment perspective. I just wanted to bring my values, my purpose, my touch, my personal approach to beauty industry. So this is how it starts, um, six, uh, 10 years ago. And a word itself, DermApproach came from merging two worlds where I would say Eastern European techniques meet wor- uh, more of a Western, uh, approach, where I truly put my personal approach and intention to what I've created and brought into, uh, beauty industry. I would say that was the background of how DermApproach journey started 10 years ago. Yeah. And congratulations on 10 years. That's amazing. Thank you. Yeah, it's actually, uh, being a decade, and it marks, um, 10 years of DermApproach, um, being out there, which I'm incredibly, um, happy and proud of. Yeah. And so you r- you originally began your career in Central Asia before bringing your experience and philosophy to the United States. How did that kind of transition shape the vision behind DermApproach? So I think as you know, as many of you probably know, um, European approach, it's mainly about about using very, um, natural ingredients. Um, the, the best tool that we can use is our hands, and it's mainly hands as a main tool where we help, uh, to sculpt the facial muscles, where we help with the lymphatic flow, and overall help our people, uh, who we serve to feel their best inside and outside. While here, I would say it's more about resurfacing. It's more about using, um, chemicals to, um, kind of impair a little bit of skin barrier, uh, to use more advanced modalities like HydraFacials and, um, microcurrent and other laser treatments. And here I would say we, we always expect more quick and fast result versus taking a little more of a conservative approach, baby steps to achieve, um, you know, a long-term skincare goals. And I think trends and technology evolves, but the only thing- That can never be replaced. It's the human hands, and this is my greatest tool that I have, um, to make sure that my clients feel their best when they leave the treatment room. Yeah. That's amazing, working with what you have already. Exactly. Yeah. And you shared such a beautiful story behind the name Derm Approach. Can you explain how you combine Eastern European skincare philosophy with modern Western techniques to create your own unique approach? Yes. So, as I have mentioned prior Eastern European philosophy led by France and Germany, uh, they truly focus more helping to serve that little microbiome, uh, of the skin of the surface. It's all about holistic, uh, therapeutic approach, uh, manual lymphatic drainage, sculpting. So again, the, the only tool that they use mainly, it's hands, right? Um, and here I truly like to combine it together, which we do offer HydraFacials. We have a lot of different modalities where I can, uh, truly combine and give my clients a truly best, um, outcome that they, um, that they're looking for. And, um, I think this is the beauty of it, where you can truly implement and see what a treatment plan you can customize based on their skin type and skin concerns. So, uh, that's how I came up with that word of derm itself, which is skin, and approach, my own approach that I put into my philosophy, my values, my purpose, my intention, my vision into beauty industry. Yeah. And I love that you were able to bring what you learned in, from Eastern Europe to America and then kind of, you know, mix the two together. That's great. Yes, absolutely. People, love that, uh, a little mix and combo or I would say hybrid sometimes, uh, type of facials. Yeah. Um, so yeah, absolutely. Yeah. Derm Approach is celebrating 10 years this year, which is such an incredible milestone. When you reflect on that journey, what feels the most rewarding to you? I think the most rewarding is our clients. They truly trust us with their skin, and every skin tells you a story. And within the past 20 years since I've been working with the different skin types and concerns, um, I've been touching so many skins, now you truly feel the story behind that. And imagine when client trusts you, when they feel seen, um, and genuinely cared for- Everything else naturally follows. So for me, treatments itself never... So behind the treatment or treatment itself never being my only one goal and purpose in, uh, my career, I always feel and think how my clients feel after they leave a treatment room. Do they feel restored? Do they feel relaxed? Do they feel more connected to themselves? So yeah, I think it's not only about treatments and skincare. At this point, within 10 years, I would say DermApproach, it's more than philosophy. It's my space of healing, my art of touch, and overall my purpose of helping people to feel them- feel their best inside and outside. Yeah. So focusing on the whole experience. Whole, exactly. Amazing. Yes. Yeah. And you mentioned that your clinic was never built around trends, but instead around purpose, honesty, and human connection. Why has that philosophy been so important to you throughout your career? Because every client who comes and steps into DermApproach community, I would say, um... I would always speak from my heart, and honesty would be the first thing,'cause it's a win-win situation for us and for the clients, right? And as I said, when they feel seen and heard and carried genuinely this changes the whole perspective of them being seen, being really, uh, carried for. And something that I, I always say, uh, to my client when they come first, I'll try to plant a very gentle seed first saying, uh,"Let's try something very, uh, natural before jumping into something aggressive." So this is a thing, again, I've always been honest with them. If something will not fit their skin type and concerns, I would never suggest something that will not appropriately be a great treatment for them. So I would always try to m- kind of navigate their little skin journey with something more... Like, we're taking baby steps here. We're not jumping into aggressive treatments right away. So it's truly, it's a process. It's a process, uh, where everything follows after naturally. Yeah. Yeah. So building connection so that you can kind of cater toward their specific skin type. Skin type. Yeah. Yeah, and skin goals and skincare needs. Yeah. Amazing. And a big part of your current work focuses on deep fascia release and buccal intraoral massage. For someone unfamiliar with those treatments, can you explain what they are and how they benefit the skin and body? Absolutely. So, our practice has been, um, specializing on different corrective and resurfacing treatments. We do offer laser hair removal. We offer a rejuvenating, um, laser skin treatment, scalp treatment. But recently, I've been really diving deep into, uh, more of a sculpting restorative myosculpt deep fascia release and buccal, um, sessions or treatments, I would say. And this is truly I would say a kinda new trend here, um, and it came from Europe. Um, so beautiful treatment where we can not only give or bring a nice glow, like surface or superficial glow, um, intentionally we wanna work on major systems like nervous system, fascia system, circulatory, and lymphatic system. Uh, they're deeply connected. And imagine if we- if a person comes to us very stressed and their nervous system dysregulated, they have puffiness, um, a poor circulation that gives them a little dark circles around the- their eyes they have like, I don't know, shoulder pain or TMJ disorder the list goes on and on and on. So working with those systems are truly beneficial for the entire body, for, um, just the entire well-being, and then it reflects on your surface. And truly, they have that long-lasting glow after that treatment. Because imagine if person comes and requests, um, HydraFacial, for example, or any treatments that will lighten and brighten their skin. Yes, but would that last if they go back to their flight and fight mode? Not really. So calming their nervous system, taking inflammation down, helping with the proper flow of, uh, lymphatic flow system truly will give them potentially, as a long-term result, a beautiful glow. So I think nowadays the new chic and the new luxury, it's a nervous system regulation. Yeah. So kind of setting them up for success in the future and not just doing something that, you know, they'll have to come back and get treated again. Yes. Right. Yes. And what are some physi- what are some of the physical signs you see in clients when stress, tension, or nervous system dysregulation start showing up through the skin? It could be anything. I would say any suppressed emotions we have, our body tries to convert into physical pain, right? So anything, if you come with a little shoulder pain or muscle pain, neck pain, it might be fascia restrictions, which is either it's dehydration, either you got for the past several years are really in a not great shape and your nervous system has been always, as I've said, on a flight and fight mode. So typically most of the clients who comes, uh, to inquire about myofascia, Myosculpt deep fascia buccal massage are either with a pain shoulder, uh, on the, uh, having or experiencing pain on the neck or shoulders, or it's more of, um, clenching of their jaws, jawlines, and definitely more of like a grinding more of a tension, more of, um, TMJ disorder uh, inquiries. So typically, those are the clientele who really wanna work on their nervous system, fascia, lymphatic, and their circulatory system. Mm. So this is a great, believe it or not, treatment that can help with all of these. Yeah. And it's amazing to see how when one thing is off in the body, it can show up in so many different places that we wouldn't expect. Absolutely. And you mentioned something really powerful, that luxury is the new... the new luxury is nervous system regulation. Can you expand on what that means to you? Yes. It's a simple example. I would give you a simple example. So it's, um, uh, one of my clients, she supposed to have a wedding, and then she requested a facial where she can get a nice glow and facial where her makeup can be applied evenly and nicely, so her texture and complexion, uh, will be much smoother. And once we start consultation and I was trying to explain her what are the best fit for her skin based on her request, I mentioned something about, uh, fascia, uh, treatment. And I told her,"Once you out of this door and going back to your wedding preparation, you automatically will be stressed again." So and she was like,"Yes, I'll be stressed again, and I'll be again on my flight and fight mode," which- Potentially will cause a lot of complications, uh, with inflammation and puffiness. So in that case, when we can combine, uh, treatments like myofascia, uh, deep fascia release and HydraFacials, certainly she could be completely reset, I would say, and restored'cause we truly activate a parasympathetic system that is responsible for your nervous system regulation. Along with that, she could certainly get her beautiful, brighter complexion and a glow. So this is something that truly... that, that was a great example of, um, me explaining my clients what truly matters while they get a facial done as a long-term result. Yeah. And I love that you explain that to them- Yes so that they're also learning. Always. Always. Sometimes consultations might take more than it should be, but I really, I enjoy educating my clients, and again, this has been part of me for a long time, so I enjoy educate them. Yes. Yeah. And what is something meaningful a client has shared with you over the years that has reminded you why you do this work? I think, again, when you hear from your clients that they feel better, they feel themself more than they did previously before they entered the DermaApproach community, this truly so meaningful to me because I... When you realize that you can leave some footprint on this earth by helping someone to feel their best, I think this complete my mission and purpose in general. So I think when you feel and you see how clients truly appreciate you, just, y- you see how they feel after. This is, like, very r- rewarding at the end. Yeah. Yeah. And I bet it's also rewarding for them too, you know? Absolutely, yes. Yeah, addressing their skincare concerns and then feeling like somebody is truly hearing them. Absolutely. You're also expanding into education and mentoring the next generation of aestheticians here in the United States. What excites you the most about stepping into that educator role again? That I can truly share my knowledge, my skills, my- personal approach, my touch I can pass it over new, um, generations of aestheticians. So this is, again, has been always a part of me, and I truly enjoy when I see new generations are, you know, being more involved into different techniques, different modalities, and different phos- philosophies behind that. Yeah. And I bet it feels, it feels rewarding that you're able to, you know, bring your approach and then teach it to people here too. Yes. Yeah. As someone with over 20 years of hands-on experience, what do you hope young aestheticians understand about touch, intention, and truly caring for people? I would say when client comes to you, they book a session, they book a service, and they book your heart. It's not only treatment. It's not only applying products or giving them home care recommendations. This is something I would always, um, give that example from quantum physics standpoint. We all have energies, we have frequencies, we have vibrations. The moment you touch your clients, they truly feel that healing process, I would say, and no AI can replace that down the road.'Cause again, they book your heart, your honesty, and everything that comes along with that. So every treatment we perform, we perform with intention. Every touch has a purpose, and every recommendation comes from honesty. This is something that I would love to pass to, again, the new, uh, generations of aestheticians. Yeah. Amazing. And you're moving into a larger space in Reston this year. What are you most excited about as DermApproach enters this next chapter? Started my training career and yes, we're approaching 10 years, a decade for DermApproach, which is super exciting. And I'm very thankful for all my loyal clients who has been seeing me for the past 10 years at DermApproach community. Yeah. And congrats again on 10 years. Thank you. That's amazing. Thank you very much. For anyone listening who wants to learn more about your services, experience, your approach to skincare, or connect with DermApproach Skin Care Clinic, where can they find you? They can find us on Facebook, across the, uh, social media platforms Instagram, Facebook Google, and Yelp pages. And, You can see our phone numbers below. So yeah, we can share all information if you'd like to come in and explore our services. Awesome. Yeah, so many different places to find you guys. Yes. And as we wrap up, is there anything you'd like to add that I haven't touched on today? I think we've covered everything, and again my mission here is always try to do my best to f- to bring that intention, precision, and, um, h- little bit of healing moment, and make sure I help my clients to feel their best inside and outside. Thank you so much, Venera, for joining me on the podcast and sharing your knowledge, creative passion, and inspiring story with us. I wish you the very best in all that comes your way in the future. Thank you very much for having me today. It was re-really pleasure talking to you.