Medical Spa Insider

How does a medical aesthetic practice scale to a nation-wide brand without sacrificing quality or values? In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, Alex Thiersch sits down with Jen Seisler, COO of SkinSpirit and George Baxter-Holder, VP of Talent Development, for a conversation about growth, training and leadership in medical aesthetics. Recorded at AmSpa’s new training center ahead of a hands-on cadaver lab with the Academy for Injection Anatomy, the discussion explores how SkinSpirit has grown from a single clinic in Palo Alto to more than 60 locations while maintaining a strong culture of safety, education and provider-first leadership. Discussion points include: Why cadaver anatomy training should become a minimum standard for injectors The provider-first strategy behind SkinSpirit’s expansion How culture and training reduce turnover in aesthetic practices Why responsible growth matters more than rapid scaling How corporate partnerships are helping legitimize medical aesthetics Why safety and trust remain the industry’s true North Star

In this episode of Compliance is Cool, AmSpa founder Alex Thiersch and General Counsel Patrick O'Brien dive deep into the legislative "flurry" currently sweeping through the medical spa industry. Focusing on Indiana's Senate Bill 282, the duo explores how a seemingly benign licensing bill evolved into a restrictive piece of legislation targeting both medical spas and compounding pharmacies. They pull back the curtain on the "Big Pharma" influence—specifically Eli Lilly’s presence in Indianapolis—and explain why the sudden push to track compounded GLP-1 medications has created a "death by paperwork" scenario for med spa owners. This episode serves as a wake-up call for the industry as similar legislative language begins to surface in states like Florida, Iowa, and Arizona. Discussion points include: An overview of the path Indiana SB 282 took from draft to law An explanation of the bill's provisions and how they would adversely affect medical providers The connection between SB 282 and big pharma's battle with compounding medications How Alex, Patrick, and their lobbyist worked with legislators to improve the bill and what it still includes The national trends that practitioners should stay aware of, and how AmSpa and its members can be proactive in leading the conversation

AmSpa founder Alex Thiersch introduces a brand-new segment of the Medical Spa Insider podcast: Compliance is Cool. As the medical spa industry reaches a critical inflection point, Alex discusses his transition from CEO to Chairman, allowing him to focus full-time on the legal advocacy and legislative "battles" currently bubbling beneath the surface. From the importance of data-backed safety research to a deep dive into the recent legislative "kerfuffle" in Indiana involving Eli Lilly and GLP-1 compounding, this episode sets the stage for a more vocal, protected, and compliant industry. Email your compliance questions to alex@AmericanMedSpa.org to be answered on future episodes. Key points include: The Launch of "Compliance is Cool" Leadership Evolution at AmSpa and Alex's new projects The legislative challenges looming for med spas The Indiana GLP-1 bill and Eli Lilly Why the industry must invest in scientific studies AmSpa’s New Chicago Home

With Alex Thiersch on the ground in Indiana lobbying against pivotal new legislation, AmSpa Digital Marketing Supervisor Derek steps in to break down a whirlwind of 2026 legislative moves. From Big Pharma’s influence on GLP-1 regulations to shifting MSO scrutiny and expanding autonomy for practitioners, this episode explores how new bills in states like Indiana, Florida, and Arizona are reshaping the industry. Learn why "information is power" and how these national trends might be coming to your state next. Key points include: The Battle Over GLP-1s Stricter State Oversight MSOs Under the Microscope Expanding Autonomy Rising Professional Standards New Practice Permissions Next Steps for Practitioners and AmSpa

Did you know the average medical spa is juggling FOURTEEN separate vendor deals? With that many balls in the air, it’s easy for something to get dropped. In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, Alex Thiersch talks with Keri Concannon, co-founder and CEO of Beauty Rep, about why ordering, onboarding, and managing aesthetic brand partnership is still far more fragmented than it should be—and how the Beauty Rep B2B platform was designed to make vendor management faster, clearer, and easier for practices of every size. Listen to learn: The unique challenges that large brands and smaller brands each face when it comes to selling How BeautyRep opens up conversations by making B2B materials readily available The way that brands are using the portal to support their sales teams The benefits for practitioners and owners of any size when it comes to finding products and managing inventory Keri’s journey from sales rep to entrepreneur and plans for expanding the platform

Growing a practice goes far beyond clinical skills; it requires intentional strategy around hiring, retention, operations, and leadership. AmSpa founder Alex Thiersch sits down with Ashley James of DermAesthetic Consulting to discuss why owners often struggle to get their team aligned with their vision — and how they can fix it. Smart recruiting is a practical solution that will strengthen your clinic’s foundation and boost long-term success. Whether you’re onboarding your first hire or preparing for a major growth phase, these insights will help you build a practice that thrives without you being “on the clock” all the time. Discussion points include: Why hiring right saves more money in the long run than hiring cheap The role of your team in establishing your brand and reputation Establishing onboarding procedures and timelines that lead to productivity Hiring with culture in mind How owners benefit from delegating leadership and operations Using strategic people management to boost revenue and patient experience

Are you acting on data or just collecting it? In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, host Alex Tiersch is joined by Alex Lirtsman (CorralData) and Tyler Weinberg (Aviva Aesthetics) to explore how med spa owners can "hire" AI-driven data collaboration to achieve operational excellence. You’ll learn how Aviva Aesthetics utilized CorralData to move beyond fragmented spreadsheets and EMR silos, turning their scattered databases into a central source of truth. Their partnership acts as a case study for turning messy data into a strategic growth engine. Discussion points: Avoiding Data Fragmentation While Scaling Why Pivot to Automated Reporting Adding a Human Face to Data The Need to Include Data in Decision-Making The Definition of Data Hygiene

MSS is the biggest show of the year, every year. It's not easy to tame a beast of that size, but attendees will let you know that it is worth it.  This week, AmSpa founder Alex R. Thiersch, JD, sits down with AmSpa Director of Education Kirstie Jackson to preview what’s coming at Medical Spa Show 2026 (April 9–12 at Wynn Las Vegas)—and how the agenda is built to serve everyone from newcomers to advanced operators. Kirstie breaks down how she uses data and problem-solving to sift through over 450 presentation submissions, the brand-new learning formats attendees have been asking for, and the can't miss learning opportunities—including an AI summit, our industry-defining cadaver course, and live injections making their debut at MSS. For more information, visit https://www.medicalspashow.com/ Discussion Points Include The size and scope of the Medical Spa Show, spanning eight tracks of education How the AmSpa team creates an elevated immersive experience  Creating a speaker lineup that balances the biggest names with exciting new voices New features of the MSS App that attendees will love A preview of the MSS agenda, from returning favorites to bold new topics including regenerative medicine and artificial intelligence Turning MSS into a four-day experience The exciting news about MSS featuring live injections

This week, AmSpa founder Alex R. Thiersch, JD, sits down with Lina Colleli, MSN, FNP-C, founder of Artmedica Aesthetics in Northern Virginia. Lina shares her journey from fashion and beauty into aesthetic medicine, what it has been like launching her own medical spa, and why she believes the pretreatment consultation is one of the most overlooked yet powerful tools in the industry. She breaks down her signature approach to building trust, educating patients, and creating treatment plans that drive both satisfaction and retention. Lina also reflects on social media’s role in her rapid growth, the realities of business ownership, and her long-term vision for teaching and empowering the next generation of injectors. Key Moments in the Conversation Lina’s background and journey from fashion editing and freelance makeup artistry to aesthetic medicine; What inspired her to open ArtMedica Aesthetics and the emotions of launching the practice; The surprising challenges of business ownership, including inventory management and onboarding staff; How social media built her patient base and continues to drive 90 percent of new inquiries; Why the pretreatment consult is an essential yet undervalued aspect of patient care; How she structures a consult to uncover true concerns, educate clearly, and build long-term trust; Strategies for setting expectations, discussing pricing, and guiding patients without feeling sales focused; Navigating patient information overload from social media and correcting misconceptions with biology and science; Managing a four to five month waitlist and her plans to grow a clinical team to better serve patients; Her long-term goal of building an educational academy and stepping into a larger teaching role; What she is looking forward to at Medical Spa Show 2026.   -- Music by Ghost Score

This week, AmSpa founder Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Jennifer Orechwa, founder and CEO of Salt Marketing, a boutique agency helping medical spas and aesthetic practices turn their story into strategy. Orechwa shares why Salt Marketing chose to focus on aesthetics, how StoryBrand became her go-to approach (she’s a certified coach!), and the proven strategies med spas need to build with authenticity. Listen to learn: The five-part framework for a marketing system that attracts, converts and scales; How StoryBrand positions the patient as the hero, and why that matters; Common marketing mistakes med spas make and how to fix them; Affordable resources for small med spa or solo practitioners; AI and how to keep your brand authenticity as you grow. Find more insights at saltmarketing.co and check out the Worth Your Salt podcast. -- Music by Ghost Score

The male aesthetic market is growing, so we spoke to the expert to find out how to get them in your med spa’s door. This week, AmSpa founder Alex R. Thiersch, JD, sits down with Terrence Keaney, MD, board-certified dermatologist, co-founder of SkinDC, and clinical associate professor at George Washington University, to explore what drives men into aesthetic practices and how providers can meet their unique needs. From seasonality trends and internal marketing strategies to the impact of GLP-1 medications and the rise of hair restoration, Dr. Keaney shares data-driven insights and practical tips for attracting and retaining male patients while delivering natural, confidence-boosting results. Listen for insights on: Why men remain an underappreciated demographic and how to change that; The treatments men want most: neurotoxins, jawline contouring, and hair restoration; How internal marketing and re-consults increase male patient engagement; The role of social media and word-of-mouth in influencing men’s decisions; Addressing fears of “looking unnatural” and combating filler misinformation; GLP-1 users: five aesthetic concerns and how to treat them; Why regenerative medicine is the next frontier in aesthetics. -- Music by Ghost Score

Adding longevity services doesn’t have to mean massive overhead. In this episode, AmSpa founder Alex R. Thiersch, JD, talks with Jaclyn Kawwas, Head of Commercial at Peak Health, about how her team built a platform that makes launching or expanding longevity medicine simple and profitable for aesthetic practices. Learn how Peak combines personalized protocols with advanced diagnostics, including comprehensive lab panels and imaging to metabolic monitoring, wearables, and performance testing. This conversation covers: Kawwas' career path and why she pivoted to longevity health; What “longevity medicine” means and how it differs from functional medicine; The biggest barriers for patients and providers in accessing longevity care; How Peak Health’s infrastructure and telemedicine platform work for med spas; Practical steps to launch longevity services without heavy investment; Driving revenue and retention while expanding your audience; and Marketing support and early access partnership opportunities. Learn more and apply for early access at getpeakhealth.com. -- Music by Ghost Score

“How can you make sure that you feel as good about your face as you do about your body?” AmSpa founder Alex R. Thiersch, JD, sits down with Tara Capalbo, MBA, General Manager and VP, Head of U.S. Aesthetics at Galderma, for a live conversation at AmSpa headquarters. They talk about how millions of GLP‑1 users are reshaping aesthetic patient demand, Galderma’s phase IV clinical study on facial changes after medication-driven weight loss, and the new Sculpt & Lift injection paradigm designed to help patients restore their appearance with natural-looking results. Listen for insights on: Her transition from pharma and first six months leading U.S. Aesthetics at Galderma; The GLP‑1 phenomenon, declining visit frequency among traditional aesthetic patients, and why Galderma invested early in a phase IV study; What the research found about “Ozempic face,” facial volume loss, and skin laxity, and new restorative combination treatment options with Sculptra and Restylane; Expert consensus on when to start treatment during the weight-loss journey and how to package care with share-of-wallet in mind; Launching a direct-to-consumer campaign that reframes filler language for patient confidence; Provider tools: in-office pamphlets and digital assets to bring up aesthetics earlier in the patient journey; What’s next at Galderma: 2026 launches, GAIN training, and global trends. -- Music by Ghost Score

Are missed calls and slow responses costing your med spa business? In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, AmSpa founder Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Yan Lee, Head of Sales and Partnerships at Zidy, an AI-powered communication platform designed to help aesthetic practices book more appointments, increase Google reviews, and streamline client communication. Lee shares how Zidy consolidates messages from text, phone, social media, and web chat into one intuitive dashboard, enabling med spas to respond faster, schedule appointments after hours, and attract more clients. Listen to learn: How Zidy started in real estate and evolved to serve med spas. Why AI phone answering can boost revenue for small practices that miss calls during treatments. How Zidy’s unified inbox improves response times and client satisfaction. Why Google reviews matter for search visibility—and how Zidy automates requests. How a California med spa tripled reviews and booked extra appointments after hours using Zidy. Pricing options, AmSpa member discounts, and what’s next for AI in aesthetics. -- Music by Ghost Score

This week on Medical Spa Insider, we revisit a conversation with Michael Olson, sales manager at MyAdvice. Together, he and AmSpa’s Alex Thiersch discuss the changes in marketing strategy that medical spas need to make as they grow. Their conversation includes: Marketing needs specific to the aesthetic industry; How partnerships with marketing firms should work; What to look for when choosing a digital marketing company; Changing your marketing strategy as your practice grows; How your online presence gets people in the door; Big changes that would require you to rethink your marketing; Marketing to retain your top providers; And more! -- Music by Ghost Score

Can artificial intelligence drive the ability to be more human? This week on Medical Spa Insider, AmSpa founder Alex Thiersch sits down with Rachel Sanders, MBA, Chief Marketing Officer of Rhodium Software (Rhodium.is.beauty). Sanders, whose career evolved from investment banking to wellness entrepreneurship, describes how Rhodium uses AI to help clinics drive growth so they can focus on the human connection at the heart of every patient interaction. Listen for: What Rhodium is and how it makes your EMR smarter; Five core areas Rhodium automates: retention, loyalty, analytics, workflows, and communications; How Rhodium simplifies scheduling and campaign building; Why ease of use is critical for med spa tech adoption; Why AI-native platforms outperform retrofitted tech; Rhodium’s growth and its mission to support human-first care; Using trained AI to answer aesthetic questions after hours; The future of aesthetics, women’s health and the client experience. -- Music by Ghost Score

For Boxed Warning and full Prescribing Information, see https://www.rxabbvie.com/pdf/botox-cosmetic_pi.pdf Celebrate the excitement of BOTOX® Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) Day with AmSpa founder Alex Thiersch, JD, who is joined by Dr. Lisa Espinoza of La Chelé Medical Aesthetics and Leslie Fletcher, AGNP-BC, of InjectAbility Clinic. In this special episode, we dive into how practices nationwide prepare for one of the biggest days for BOTOX® Cosmetic, with actionable insights to help you make the most of BOTOX® Cosmetic Day. Listen to hear: The origins and official recognition of BOTOX® Cosmetic Day Exclusive offers for Allē Members, including the popular BOGO gift card Proven strategies for marketing, patient engagement, and team training How this annual event drives patient loyalty and boosts practice performance --- Music by Ghost Score

This week on Medical Spa Insider, AmSpa founder Alex R. Thiersch, JD, sits down with Lana Kerr, founder and CEO of Lumisque Skincare, the company behind the CO2Lift brand. They talk about her journey from entrepreneurial beginnings in Jamaica to pioneering regenerative skincare solutions that are transforming women’s health and wellness worldwide. In this inspiring conversation, Kerr opens up about her passion for empowering women, the science behind carboxytherapy, and how CO2Lift is redefining intimacy and aging. Key topics covered: Lana’s entrepreneurial roots: From dairy and pig farming to launching beauty businesses; How personal health experiences led her into wellness and aesthetics; Discovering carboxytherapy and bringing CO2Lift to the U.S. market; The science and clinical journey behind CO2Lift’s launch; Why CO2Lift is a powerful complement to biostimulators like Sculptra; Shifting the conversation from sexual wellness to female health and quality of life; What’s next for Lumisque: global expansion, documentary on women’s health. -- Music by Ghost Score

What if your med spa already had all the data it needed to grow? This week on Medical Spa Insider, host Alex Thiersch, JD, founder of AmSpa, speaks with Ben Wolber, MBA, co-founder and CEO of InsightX, an AI-powered analytics platform built specifically for med spas and aesthetic practices. Wolber shares how InsightX evolved from a consulting side hustle into a full-fledged SaaS platform that helps med spa owners visualize, understand, and act on their data. Listen to learn: How InsightX helps med spas turn raw data into strategic growth; The story behind InsightX’s stealth launch and how early users shaped the platform; Why traditional data visualization tools fall short for aesthetic practices; How strategic recommendations and predictive analytics set InsightX apart; What systems InsightX integrates with: EMRs, QuickBooks, marketing platforms, and more; The entrepreneurial mindset that makes med spas unique; How data can drive scalable growth and prepare you for acquisition; What’s next for InsightX, including new partnerships and the November launch campaign. -- Visit https://www.wellreceived.com/amspa to learn more about your exclusive offer as an AmSpa Member. -- Music by Ghost Score

This week, AmSpa CEO Alex Thiersch speaks with Carrie Caulkins, PhD, MBA, Chief Marketing Officer at BeautyHealth, the parent company behind Hydrafacial. Carrie shares how Hydrafacial has become a foundational treatment for med spas through clinical efficacy, education, and brand power. How Hydrafacial grows med spas with immediate, lasting results and brand-driven patient acquisition; The 7-in-1 treatment protocol, including lymphatic drainage, extractions, LED therapy, and personalized skin boosters; The science behind Hydrafacial’s patented Vortex-Fusion technology and its clinical benefits; Personalization options for all skin types, tones, and concerns; The rise of treatment stacking and Hydrafacial’s role in combination protocols; Training and education programs, support and scholarships; Hydrafacial’s brand power and consumer loyalty. -- Visit https://www.wellreceived.com/amspa to learn more about your exclusive offer as an AmSpa Member. -- Music by Ghost Score