The Language Of Lasers With Kimberlee Smith

Kimberlee Smith will be presenting “The Language of Lasers,” on May 7, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. at Modern Beauty Con.

Kimberlee Smith opened her practice, Coastal Aesthetics in Cape Neddick, Maine five years ago after working as a board-certified nurse practitioner. Her trademark as a practitioner is her conservative and natural approach with a focus on using lasers. 

Her presentation at Modern Beauty Con this year is “The Language of Lasers”  – it is a language she speaks well. In our interview with Kim, she walks us through why lasers are so important to her practice, and why they should be for yours too. 

What was your aha moment about the importance of lasers in your practice?

Kimberlee Smith: During COVID I watched a ton of webinars and some fantastic injectors who I look up to. They consistently talked about injectables, but I never saw anyone discussing skin.

It is almost like going to your cardiologist and never having your blood pressure taken. The skin is a huge part of the overall aesthetic appearance so why are we not talking about or addressing this prior to starting injectables? The interdisciplinary approach of skin health, injectables, at home skincare, that’s what makes the final reveal impactful. Address the causative issue, not just the symptoms.

Does the cost of lasers scare some clinic owners? 

Kimberlee Smith: When I purchased my first laser the cost terrified me. But then I saw how happy my patients were. They were happy with the job we did, and I realized before I was only meeting 25% to 50% of their needs. Lasers made the difference. I don’t just go after a particular device just because it is all over TV or used by someone famous like the Kardashians. I have to keep my audience in mind. I’m in Maine, not Beverly Hills. I do what is going to be best for my patients’ skin. 

How does your medical background dovetail with your use of lasers?

Kimberlee Smith: Even though this is aesthetics, we’re still medical providers. We want to make sure everyone is still addressing skin health because it is our largest organ. The medical background in me is that we have to give the patient the full experience. The better we can get their skin, the quicker we can turn those cells over, and the faster we can remove discoloration, the better their skin will be. We can help prevent some skin cancers. I’m not saying this is a cure, but the healthier your skin, the less likely you are to have some of the adverse effects. 

Social media doesn’t always focus on skin health. Do you get a lot of patients asking for looks they see on TikTok or other platforms? Is it an issue?

Kimberlee Smith:I think social media is a necessary evil. I am thankful it has brought awareness and more acceptance of the aesthetics industry. But filters and TikTok videos can be deceiving. I compare it to the hair industry.

I remember going to my hairdresser wanting the “Rachel” hair made popular by Jennifer Aniston. And she said… your hair is thick and wavy. We did try it and it was horrible on me. When I talk to my patients, whether it is lips or cheeks, I tell them their face is fantastic, but you are not twins [with the image they show]. This is where education comes into play, and I keep anatomy posters on my wall to compare facial structures. 

I have them look in the mirror and show them what can be done and what they can expect because I can’t change bone structure. I will turn patients away. If they push and they’re like “this is really what I want,” I say that perhaps I’m not the injector for you. I’m happy to refer you to somebody else for a second opinion.  If we can’t meet realistic goals I’m never going to live up to what you want, and you’re never going to live up to what I want because it means you’re never going to be happy. And that’s going to be really discouraging to me as a provider. 

What are you most excited about when you come to the conference this year?

Kimberlee Smith: They have such great topics. My staff and I learned so much last year. It’s just a really good way to bring together like-minded people that have such different walks of life and such different practices from around the country. There is so much brainstorming and it is the best way to achieve higher patient safety and satisfaction rates. 

I look forward to the pearls I can take back to my practice.

Catch Kimberlee Smith at Modern Beauty Con where she’ll be presenting “The Language of Lasers,” on May 7, 2023, at 11:30 a.m.