Q & A With Dermal Therapist Calista
What inspired you to become a Dermal Therapist?
I have always had a deep passion for skin and beauty, it interested me that a person’s appearance could have such an impact on how confident they feel. From a young age I have always been quite creative, so I knew I wanted to go into a career where I could express my creative side and have fun. This natural curiosity, combined with my desire to help others, led me to pursue a career in Dermal Therapy. I want to empower people by passing on my knowledge in skincare and treatments they need to help them feel confident in their own skin. Seeing the positive impact I can have on someone’s self esteem is what motivates me every day. As a Dermal Therapist, I can combine my love for skin and beauty with my passion for making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
What is your approach to skin treatments?
My approach to skin treatments is all about individuality and understanding that everyone’s skin is unique. It is not a one size fits all, so I believe in taking the time to understand each individual’s skin and tailoring treatments and skincare routines specifically for them.
I view every treatment plan as part of a journey, where together my patient and I take small, thoughtful steps to reach their skin goals. By creating a customised treatment plan, I can ensure that not only the patient achieves their dream skin, but feels confident and educated throughout the process.
What do you love the most about being a Dermal Therapist?
My favourite part about being a Dermal Therapist is building a close rapport with my patients and witnessing the positive impact on their self esteem by helping them achieve their dream skin. It is incredibly rewarding to be able to connect with my patients on a personal level and build trust with them. I live for the moments where I get to freely joke with my patients and it feels like a friendship rather than a ‘come and go’ business interaction.
One of the most fulfilling parts of being a Dermal Therapist is witnessing the transformation in my patients confidence as their skin improves. Seeing them leave more confident and assured is what makes it all worthwhile. Being able to assist others to feel good about themselves is one of the greatest rewards and what drives me to continue delivering exceptional care.
What is your favourite concern to treat and why?
I am very passionate about treating sensitive skin types and those who have Rosacea, as I have first hand experience with both. I understand the challenges these skin types present and this gives me a unique perspective when working with patients who have similar concerns. I have had Rosacea from a young age and understand exactly how negative the impact can be on your self esteem. Rosacea is a vascular condition, this aspect also makes it very satisfying to treat as I get to use our amazing BBL machine and ClearSilk laser to zap away vessels.
Rosacea goes hand in hand with sensitivity, so it is something that I like to assist in treating as I have learnt the best methods to improve the integrity of the skin. Sensitive skin requires a delicate and simple approach which is something I enjoy guiding and educating my patients through when developing their treatment plan. Having gone through the frustration of skin sensitivity and reactions myself, I can empathise with the need for tailored skin care and treatments that won’t irritate. There is nothing more satisfying than receiving feedback that my patient’s skin sensitivity is improving and they are reassured that their skin is in good hands.
What are your favourite products to use on your skin?
My current must have skincare products are the Phyto Corrective Gel and Blemish + Age Defense serum by Skinceuticals. The soothing botanicals such as cucumber, thyme and olive leaf in the Phyto Corrective Gel assist with my Rosacea flare ups and help my skin appear more calm. What I love about this serum is that it is green in colour, this helps to colour correct and neutralise redness. I am obsessed with this product!
The Blemish + Age Defense serum is another product that needs to be in my skincare bag at all times. This serum contains a blend of Alpha and Beta Hydroxy acids such as Glycolic, Citric, Dioic and Salicylic acid, to help reduce blemishes and target excess oil. I absolutely love the way it smooths my skin’s texture and I wake up looking like a glazed donut – no bumps in sight!
What treatments have you had this year? How can we get skin just like yours?
This year I seem to have stuck to one particular treatment – the HydraSilk. This treatment is a combination of the popular Hydrafacial + Healite LED and the ClearSilk laser. The Hydrafacial gives me an all in one deep exfoliation, extraction and infusion of hydration back into the skin, whilst the ClearSilk diminishes redness/facial flushing and gives me an instant skin-tight appearance. These two treatments are the perfect pair – no downtime, instant results and glowy, glass-like skin. The key is consistency, which explains why I have been having this treatment every month.
What is your favourite thing to do outside of work?
I am a bit of a gym-junkie, so outside of work you can find me at the gym. I enjoy pushing myself and the feel good rush of endorphins you get post gym session. I believe it is super important to keep active for both physical and mental health benefits. When I am not at the gym, you can find me out socialising with my friends… or I have my head stuck in a book.
Outside of work I love spending time with my closest friends. Whether it is catching up for a coffee and some food or simply just hanging out and relaxing – these moments help me stay grounded and remind me of the importance of connection, laughter and cherished memories. This in turn enhances the energy I bring to my work each day.
What is your favourite part of working at Youth Lab?
An entire shopping list of reasons comes to mind when I think about why I love working at Youth Lab, but if I had to pick one it would easily be the team. I started working at Youth Lab only 6 months ago and when I first walked through the door I was treated as if I had been a part of the team for years. The team at Youth Lab are the most welcoming, caring and supportive group of women that I have come across. It is an absolute delight getting to work with such an amazing group of women and I am beyond grateful. They make coming into work 10x more enjoyable.
What treatment do you see becoming popular in 2025?
In 2025 I predict that Exosomes will become the most popular treatment. News of this treatment has just started to catch wind and there is a reason why we are already seeing a rise in the demand for appointments for it. Exomide Exosomes are a new technology delivering stem cell-derived exosomes. These nano-sized vesicles, with their intercellular message properties, have been proven to not only repair the skin but rejuvenate skin and hair. Exosomes can be gently needled into the skin or applied topically. Exosome therapy can directly contribute to increased skin elasticity, heightened collagen production, reduced wrinkles and pores, improved pigment and enhanced skin texture. Need I say more? Sign me up!
What is the one piece of skin advice you wish all of your clients would follow?
Less is more! Whether I am talking about skin treatments or skin care products, you do not need to over do it. It is a common misconception that people need to come in every week, or peel off their face with treatments in order to fix their concerns. Less is more – a gently exfoliating and/or light based treatment once a month will do the trick.
In regards to skincare, I am always preaching less is more to my patients. You do not need to complicate things with a 1000 step routine… unless you like the feel of lathering your face in products, which I totally understand. But they need to be the right products. The most important products everyone should have in their skincare routine are the basics: cleanser, moisturiser and SPF50+ broad spectrum, and your vitamins: A, B and C. It’s really that simple.
