Aesthetic Visionaries

Aesthetic Controversies Of 2025 And Trends For 2026

Aesthetics in 2025 was loud, opinionated, and full of pressure to keep up. For many providers, it raised hard questions about growth, burnout, and what actually matters moving forward. In this episode of Aesthetic Visionaries, Brandi Eppolito [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandiyoungeppolito] closes out the year with the Moxie Advisory Board, Erika Barry [https://www.instagram.com/injectorbunny/], Olivia Salmen [https://www.instagram.com/oliviasalmen_aesthetics/], Dr. David Saadat [https://www.instagram.com/drdavidsaadat/], and Jonathan LeSuer [https://www.instagram.com/injectorjon/]. Together, they get into the controversies that shaped 2025 and share their hot takes and predictions for 2026. They look back on the wins, the missteps, and what they are intentionally taking with them into the year ahead. In this episode, you’ll learn: * How to assess controversy: Decide what deserves your energy and what does not * What 2025 revealed about burnout: Spot the warning signs before growth stalls * How to prepare for 2026: Focus on trends that support sustainable practices Episode chapters: (00:00) Introduction (05:18) Meeting the Moxie Advisory Board (11:16) Chaos and controversies of 2025 (16:07) Why collaboration matters more than public callouts (22:41) What success really looked like in 2025 (33:07) 2026 predictions for smarter beautification (37:34) The shift toward regenerative care and specialization (40:44) When device purchases become expensive mistakes (45:39) Balancing patient care with business reality

Beyond the Hype: How to Evaluate Aesthetic Devices Like a Pro

One provider’s “next big thing” is another’s $100K paperweight. So how do you know what’s actually worth the hype? In this episode of Aesthetic Visionaries, industry educator and NP David Weir [https://www.instagram.com/ultimateskinsource/?hl=en] joins Mikyla Race [https://www.instagram.com/scaleitbabe/?g=5] to discuss what really matters when it comes to capital equipment. From lasers to RF microneedling, he shares the clinical truths, business math, and red flags you won’t hear from your device rep. In this episode, you’ll learn: * How to choose devices wisely: Let strategy and data guide your next buy * Why skill beats specs: Great results come from experience, not hype * What reps don’t say: Spot red flags before you sign on the dotted line Episode chapters: (00:00) Introduction (02:14) Meet David Weir: NP-C with 24 years of aesthetic experience (04:55) The real reason the device market is booming (06:59) What energy-based devices actually include (14:03) RF microneedling: clinical uses and limitations (20:10) Lasers vs. RF vs. ultrasound: what’s the difference? (29:23) What David wishes he knew before buying devices (31:23) 3 key questions to ask before any equipment purchase (36:46) Does your pricing match the patient outcome? (42:36) How to pre-test demand before investing (44:32) Patient psychology: pricing, pain, and perceived value (48:39) The formula: how David pays off devices in weeks

How Erika Barry, NP-C and Libby Dysart Built Brands That Convert

Social media for aesthetic providers is no longer about chasing likes. The practices that grow are the ones that build connection, show up consistently, and share content that earns trust. In this episode of Aesthetic Visionaries, Erika Barry [https://www.instagram.com/injectorbunny/?hl=en], NP-C, known as Injector Bunny, and content strategist Libby Dysart [https://www.instagram.com/libbydysart/?hl=en] join Moxie’s Mikyla Race [https://www.instagram.com/scaleitbabe/?g=5] to talk about what makes social media work for medspas today. They share how to use authenticity, education, and grit to build a personal brand that attracts the right patients and keeps your calendar full. In this episode, you’ll learn: * What consistency and grit look like: Build daily habits that turn posting into lasting growth * Why authenticity matters: Create real engagement through honest, imperfect content * Ways to position yourself as an expert: Blend education, entertainment, and personality to turn followers into patients Episode chapters: (00:00) Introduction (05:24) Owning the awkward in your brand (08:47) Turning authenticity into connection (13:16) Why buying likes & followers don’t work (17:20) Niche authority and storytelling in 2025 (24:01) The truth about your first 100 posts (31:00) CTAs that drive real conversions (42:15) Easy ways to plan and batch content (46:36) Turning Q&As into content gold (47:16) Final takeaways and next steps

Scaling Your Medspa with Ultrasound and Strong Business Systems

More medspa owners are embracing ultrasound as a way to elevate patient care and strengthen their clinical skills. For Dr. Gretchen [https://www.instagram.com/gfacemd], it has become a core part of scaling her multi-location aesthetic practice while keeping results consistent and patients safe. In this episode of Aesthetic Visionaries, Dr. Gretchen joins Brittany Bureski [https://www.instagram.com/brittanyb.aesthetics/?hl=en] to share how she built GFaceMD from a single rented room to three thriving locations, and why ultrasound is central to her training, procedures, and business systems. From anatomy mapping to complication management, she explains how this technology supports precision and trust. With real examples and lessons learned from expansion, you’ll hear what it takes to grow a medspa without sacrificing culture or quality. In this episode, you’ll learn: * How ultrasound improves injector accuracy and confidence: Visualize anatomy, confirm placement, and manage complications with clarity. * When to make the leap from one location to many: Use systems, trust, and mentorship to guide the process. * Ways to bring ultrasound into your practice: Start with select procedures, then build patient awareness and adoption. Episode chapters: (00:00) Introduction (02:27) From a pathology to an aesthetics career shift (05:11) Starting GFaceMD in a nail salon (10:11) Hiring lessons that shaped practice growth (15:18) Why ultrasound is essential for injectors (18:17) Building systems to scale without burnout (22:13) Key procedures best suited for ultrasound (24:47) Advice for medspa owners ready to expand

Why Pure PDGF Is a Game Changer for Skin Rejuvenation

Experienced providers know PRP. But a growing number of providers are also adding Pure PDGF to their toolkit to help deliver results their patients can count on. In this episode of Aesthetic Visionaries, regenerative medicine pioneer Dr. Sam Lynch [https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-lynch-71456317/] and aesthetic nurse practitioner David Weir [https://www.instagram.com/ultimateskinsource/?hl=en] explain the science behind Platelet-Derived Growth Factor and its use in aesthetics. Backed by FDA approvals and more than 5 million treatments, PDGF offers a pharmaceutical-grade solution to stimulate collagen, reduce inflammation, and speed recovery post-procedure. Through case studies and clinical insight, you’ll hear how practitioners are using PDGF to improve outcomes across microneedling, lasers, scalp treatments, and more. In this episode, you’ll learn: * Why PRP and PRF may fall short: Variability in blood quality can limit results, especially for older patients. * How PDGF can improve healing and consistency: Get faster recovery times and more predictable outcomes without needing a blood draw. * Ways to integrate PDGF into your practice: Pair with lasers, RF microneedling, or micro-coring to maximize results. Episode chapters: (00:00) Introduction (02:37) What PDGF is and how it works (09:03) Why PRP and PRF are inconsistent (11:26) How ariessence delivers predictable treatment results (16:14) Stem cell attraction and healing response (24:58) Real-time inflammation reduction after microneedling (28:00) Increasing hair density with PDGF microneedling (34:35) Faster recovery from aggressive combination treatments (40:43) PRP vs. PDGF for hair restoration