Podcast
Medical Spa Insider
Hosted by American Med Spa Association - AmSpa · EN
AmSpa Founder and CEO, Alex Thiersch, takes an in-depth look at today's aesthetic entrepreneurs and what makes them successful.
14episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Science of Skin Health in Uncertain Times
3d ago00:31:22Tap to summarizeIs your practice set up to keep running smoothly during rough times? In this episode, AmSpa founder Alex Thiersch connects with Candace Noonan, Director of Education at Derma Concepts (the exclusive U.S. distributor of Environ Skin Care). Together, they dive into the economic realities currently impacting medical aesthetics—from rising global import costs and tariffs to shifting consumer spending habits. Candace explains why discounting product prices in a results-driven practice erodes perceived value and devalues clinical outcomes. Instead, she outlines how business owners can reframe retail around comprehensive, protocol-based treatment plans and strategic bundling. 02:17 Industry sentiment about economic shifts 05:30 The dangers of discounting products 08:00 A strategy for absorbing overhead 14:24 Maintaining operational discipline 18:00 Building on the legacy of Environ 23:40 Streamlining to build long-term systems
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The Longevity Shift in Medical Aesthetics
1w ago00:43:43Tap to summarizeIn this jam-packed episode of Medical Spa Insider, AmSpa founder Alex Thiersch sits down with three leading aesthetic and wellness innovators at the Medical Spa Show to explore the massive shift toward longevity medicine, functional health, and internal wellness. First, Dr. Johnny Franco opens up about his personal 100-pound weight loss journey using GLP-1 medications and how he is pioneering treatment protocols to address "aesthetic maturity issues" like skin laxity and volume loss in younger patients. Next, Dr. Sabrina Fabi dives into hormonal optimization, sharing the fascinating neurobiology behind oxytocin receptors, topical hormone wellness, and why looking good is directly linked to how we feel. Finally, Dr. Maxwell Jen shares his journey from emergency medicine to founding Umi Anti-Aging, explaining why he runs a completely filler-free practice and how he balances cutting-edge international treatments with strict US regulatory frameworks. 01:20 The GLP-1 Patient Journey & "Aesthetic Maturity" 04:46 Proactive Treatment Protocols 10:48 The Aesthetic/Longevity Merger 17:41 The Science of Topical Oxytocin 24:56 From Emergency Medicine to Foundational Health 34:56Navigating International Innovations & Regulatory Compliance
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Innovations, Regulations, and Leadership with Sheila Barbarino
2w ago00:29:59Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Alex sits down with Sheila Barbarino, MD, FAAO, FAACS, FACS to talk about the fast-moving world of aesthetic medicine and what’s coming next. They discuss how international travel and research are helping shape new treatment options, from emerging fillers to the next generation of neurotoxins. The conversation dives into practical medical-legal safety advice, including how small daily habits can protect both patients and practices. Finally, the episode highlights the expanding leadership of women in medical aesthetics and why that shift matters for the industry’s future. 00:30 Aesthetics as a global industry 01:34 The intersection of medical safety and legal safety 05:06 How FDA regulation can create an innovation gap 16:45 Innovative new treatments and techniques for holistic treatment 23:15 The leadership role of women in aesthetics
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Med Spa Lessons from Australia featuring Inside Aesthetics
Jun 2401:05:51Tap to summarizeAesthetics is truly a global market. In this episode, we explore how Australia became a bellwether for the aesthetics industry, from the rise of Laser Clinics Australia to the impact of private equity, regulation, and changing patient behavior. Dr. Jake Sloane and David Segal, hosts of the Inside Aesthetics podcast, share hard-earned insights from navigating one of the most influential aesthetics markets in the world. If you’re a clinician, med spa owner, injector, or aesthetics business operator, this conversation offers practical lessons on compliance, business growth, patient trust, and what it takes to survive in a rapidly changing market. We break down how short-term financial pressure, consolidation, and boardroom decision-making can clash with the long-term, relationship-based nature of medical aesthetics. Discussion points include 03:08 — Jake and David's backgrounds and the origin of Inside Aesthetics 07:13 — How Laser Clinics Australia created a model for other med spas 10:02 — The impact of private equity on the business 18:58 — Why volume-driven models become harder to sustain 26:01 — Lessons for the U.S. from Australia’s regulatory experience 41:45 — Patient demand, shifting treatment preferences, and market pressure 52:39 — The importance of building a community
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The Strategies Behind Galderma and Benev
Jun 1700:33:28Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Medical Spa Insider, Alex Thiersch facilitates high-level discussions with two industry executives shaping the trajectory of the aesthetic market. Silvina Nordenstahl, President of the US organization at Galderma, discusses the operational imperatives of scaling a global aesthetic enterprise and the central role of patient-centricity in long-term strategy. Following this, Ethan Min, CEO of Benev, outlines the strategic shift required to successfully introduce global innovations into the US market, focusing on the critical nature of regulatory compliance and the future of regenerative aesthetic technologies. This conversation provides a strategic perspective on navigating the current aesthetic landscape, emphasizing organizational culture, market validation, and the pursuit of long-term sustainable growth. Discussion points include: 03:00: Shifting to patient-centric innovation and addressing specific patient needs, such as weight loss and menopause support 06:15: Scaling and pursuing innovation without sacrificing safety and quality 08:20: Defining a high-performance culture and building a team to match 17:10: Benev's shift from traditional manufacturing model to a distribution platform 22:45: Using strict regulations to encourage higher quality standards 30:30: Regenerative medicine and collagen technologies emerging from the Korean market
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The Gap Between Marketing Strategy and Execution
Jun 1000:51:36Tap to summarizeAre you staying ahead of trends or falling behind? In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, Alex Thiersch sits down with Rob Pickell, CEO of Growth99, to analyze the shifting landscape of the aesthetic and wellness industry. The conversation examines the growing divergence between thriving, scalable practices and those struggling to navigate an increasingly competitive market. Pickell, utilizing his background in technology and SaaS, outlines why traditional healthcare business models are insufficient for modern med spas and details the critical necessity for precise market segmentation, operational efficiency, and the strategic integration of AI to drive sustainable, long-term growth. Discussion points include 03:13: Shifting from traditional insurance-based healthcare to the recurring revenue model 08:50: The evolution of integrated aesthetic marketing services 13:25: A widening gap between high-performing practices and those failing to adapt 23:28: Establishing marketing spend benchmarks 30:03: Market segmentation and differentiation; defining a specific target demographic 41:21: Evaluating the rapid adoption of AI and its practical applications
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Innovation, Ethics, and the Future of Aesthetic Medicine
Jun 301:19:24Tap to summarizeThe world of medical aesthetics changes every day. This episode of Medical Spa Insider features AmSpa founder Alex Thiersch at the Medical Spa Show, hosting four insightful interviews that explore the evolving landscape of aesthetic medicine, the necessity of rigorous standards, and the importance of professional mentorship. 00:00:34: Leslie Fletcher, NP-BC discusses the critical need for establishing standards and best practices for PDGF, navigating the balance between innovation and compliance. 00:23:14: Sonya Ellis, APRN, CPSN, CANS, ISPAN-F shares her extensive experience in the industry and details her successful mentorship program designed to foster the next generation of aesthetic nurses. 00:38:03: Saami Khalifian, MD, FAAD explores his work with Allergan training centers, the intersection of dermatology and plastic surgery, and the power of educational synergy. 00:58:15: Kate Dee, MD introduces the Med Spa Board Certification program, aimed at setting national safety standards to distinguish legitimate practices from illegal actors.
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Building Sustainable Growth in Aesthetics
May 2700:46:31Tap to summarizeFrom navigating private equity roll-ups to mastering the operational complexity of peptide therapy and wellness, the aesthetic landscape is evolving faster than ever. In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, recorded live at the Medical Spa Show, AmSpa founder Alex Thiersch sits down for three conversations about partnership, private equity, and preparing for the future of medical aesthetics. Featuring interviews with: Audrey Neff (0:26) The importance of community building in the med spa industry. The role of mentorship and community in Audrey’s career. Focus on purpose and impact over profit and quality over quantity Fresh Clinics (14:41) Navigating the complex regulatory landscape in the US. Importance of compliance and governance in med spa operations. The role of med spas in wellness and longevity. Julie Davis (31:17) Experiences with private equity partnerships. Challenges of operational inefficiencies post-acquisition. Balancing change with maintaining high performance.
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The Missing Piece in Aesthetic Training
May 2000:39:17Tap to summarizeWhat happens when a successful med spa owner realizes the industry’s biggest challenge isn’t competition—it’s education? In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, AmSpa founder Alex Thiersch sits down with Tracy Olson, owner of Youthtopia Med Spa and founder of Aesthetic Injector Academy, to discuss her unconventional journey from banking and finance into medical aesthetics—and why she chose to build an educational platform instead of expanding into multiple locations. Drawing from years of hiring, training, and managing injectors, Tracy shares the gaps she repeatedly saw in foundational education for new providers: limited anatomy training, inconsistent safety education, and a lack of standardized preparation before hands-on injecting. The conversation explores the realities of growing a med spa in an increasingly competitive market, why more locations don’t always equal greater success, and how strong metrics—from utilization rates to retention and KPIs—can guide better business decisions. Discussion points include: Introduction and Background (0:40) Industry Growth and Challenges (2:33) Creation of Aesthetic Injector Academy (5:09) Business Decisions and Expansion (8:30) Educational Approach and Accreditation (10:17) Need for Basic Training in the Industry (17:37) Marketing and Outreach Efforts (24:14) Legal Challenges and Future Plans (29:54)
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Compliance is Cool: Oversight and Legal Precedents with ByrdAdatto
May 1500:51:16Tap to summarizeIn this special "Compliance is Cool" edition of Medical Spa Insider, AmSpa founder Alex Thiersch is joined by Brad Adatto and Jeff Segal, MD, JD. Together, they dissect the unprecedented criminal indictments that have sent shockwaves across the entire medical spa industry. Following a tragic IV therapy death at a Texas facility a couple of years ago, a grand jury took the extraordinary step of indicting both the medical spa owner and the medical director on felony charges of murder and manslaughter. Discussion points include: 01:32 Details of the Jennifer Cleveland Incident 04:37 Surprise at Criminal Charges and Legal Implications 06:12 Precedents in Medical and Criminal Law 11:47 Case Comparisons: Dr. Death and Surgical Errors 22:48 Medical and Legal Failures in the Case 38:43 Industry Impact and Future Outlook 43:54 Summary and Final Thoughts
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