The Who What Wear Podcast:

Celebrity Aesthetic Provider Vanessa Lee Shares the Skin and Bodycare Treatments Worth Trying in 2026
Date: January 21, 2026
Host: Hilary Kerr
Guest: Vanessa Lee, Founder of The Things We Do

Episode Overview

In this insightful episode, Hilary Kerr sits down with Vanessa Lee—celebrity medical aesthetic provider and founder of The Things We Do—to discuss the skin and body treatments set to take center stage in 2026. Vanessa shares her unique approach centered on natural beauty, explains why she prioritizes ethical, efficacy-driven practices, and spotlights the most innovative treatments and trends emerging from both her LA clinics and cutting-edge markets abroad. Listeners can expect actionable post-holiday skin reset tips, highlights of promising new technologies, and a holistic, East-meets-West perspective on beauty and wellness.

Vanessa Lee’s Journey & Philosophy

Background and Motivation

• Vanessa describes being a first-generation Filipino American, raised by a pragmatic mother who encouraged her down the nursing path:
  • “My mom was like, you want to go to school for art?...Wrong answer. We're going to nursing school.” (03:54)
• Early exposure to beauty by doing friends’ makeup in school. Realized her “superpower [was] helping women feel confident and feel good about themselves.” (04:16)
• Experience working at several plastic surgery and dermatology offices exposed her to industry pressures to upsell and exploit insecurities:
  • On industry pressure: “I was told by one of my bosses, you should speak to women like they are extremely old and ugly...and I was like, am I going to leave this industry completely?” (05:59)

Creating “The Things We Do”

• After refusing to participate in ethically questionable practices (including denying a lip injection to a 15-year-old), Vanessa decides to start her own business:
  • “I was like, I need to talk to my boss…she was like, the mom’s signing off, it’s legal, just do it. And I was like, I’m done. This is it.” (06:45)
• Built her practice on the belief that “we’re only going to do what serves you...guide you into a place that is true to your features.” (07:37)
• Practice achieved profitability and rapid growth by prioritizing patient advocacy and authentic results.

Skin & Body Treatment Innovations for 2026

1. Platelet Rich Fibrin Matrix (PRFM)

[10:51–11:59]

• PRFM: Next-generation version of PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma), using more potent growth factors for thicker, rejuvenated skin.
• “We have not done a single PRP treatment since we've opened because it's a no brainer. You get so much more of the growth factor in your skin...without adding any kind of unwanted fullness.” (11:23)
• Used for crepey under-eyes, “smoker’s lines” and overall skin texture via micro-stamping and injections.

2. PDO Threads

[12:04–14:05]

• PDO (polydioxanone) threads: Both collagen-building and facial lifting threads.
• Highlighted careful technique, after extensive training in Korea to avoid earlier US missteps.
• On their reputation: “There's a much higher learning curve with threads than there is with filler and Botox...what I want is my gels lifted without surgery...” (12:49)
• Effective for nonsurgical facial lifting; “I was just threaded a couple months ago. Love my lift.” (14:04)

3. Picosure Pro Laser

[15:40–19:16]

• Acquired after intensive research and hands-on experience in Korea.
• Vanessa describes the process as painless and transformative for sun damage, brown spots, and safe on all skin types:
  • “After one treatment, I was like, holy moly bajoli. After two weeks, I saw a clearance of brown spots that I had tried getting rid of for over a decade.” (17:09)
• Mechanism: “It uses an acoustic sound wave that hits the skin at a trillionth of a second...breaks apart unhealthy, hyperpigmented cells...” (18:13)
• Effective for melasma, delivering textural firmness and clarity: “It works beautifully for melasma and...you are getting texturally a tightening and softening of the skin.” (19:18-19:37)

4. Onda Coolwaves – “Barbie Arms”

[20:01–23:52]

• Body treatment Vanessa first tried in Korea: simultaneous fat reduction and skin tightening for body areas like the arms.
• Noninvasive, nearly painless, no numbing required.
• “There's a warming and heating sensation...in about a week to two weeks, you're going to start seeing the tightening..." (21:31)
• Tech used for decades in physical therapy (diathermy), now adapted for aesthetics. Also effectively treats cellulite.
  • “Never been impressed by a body treatment like this.” (23:48)

Trends, Ingredients & East-West Synergy

Adoption of Eastern Techniques and Ingredients

[24:04–26:11]

• US market increasingly influenced by innovation from Korea and other Eastern countries.
• Ingredients to watch:
  • Volufiline: Plant-based ingredient encouraging localized fat cell proliferation for subtle plumping.
    • “A plant-based ingredient that works on adipose proliferation…right now there are a couple of companies in the US, but I think we’re going to see a lot more of it next year.” (24:29-24:50)
  • Prebiotics & Probiotics: Emphasis on skin barrier health, moving away from “acid washing” western routines.
    • “Prebiotics for skin that allow the healthy fauna and bacteria be able to flourish...” (25:09)

Holistic & Internal Approaches

[26:11–30:34]

• Vanessa stresses internal health: nutrition, broth-based meals, hydrating diets are foundational for glowing skin.
  • “We have to start having more broths...in China, Korea, Philippines, Thailand, there are so many soups, right?...Our western diet...is only around 19% water.” (26:38–27:10)
• Topical and internal routines must support each other—supplements and skin-supportive foods as essential as serums and SPF.
  • “My skin has never been less red, more plump...I've been eating my skin care..." (28:19)
• Recommends cleansers with fatty acids/ceramides, not just stripping cleansers, especially in winter.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Beauty Principles:
  “If people are making you feel a certain way about how you look and you feel like you need to change yourself to fit into something for somebody else, you're losing your way. And that's not it.”
  (Vanessa Lee, 08:49)

• On Picosure Pro and Ease of Treatments:
  “I was like, I don't know. This is not hurting...After one treatment, I was like, holy moly bajoli..."
  (Vanessa Lee, 17:09)

• On "Barbie Arms" and Technology’s Vatican Connection:
  “These Barbie arms are also related to Vatican art. That's crazy.”
  (Vanessa Lee, 21:55)

Key Takeaways: Skin & Self-care for 2026

Time Stamps for Actionable Tips & Emerging Trends:

• Vanessa’s holistic philosophy & ethical journey: [01:52–07:55]
• PRFM (Platelet Rich Fibrin Matrix): [10:51–11:59]
• PDO Threads & Correct Training: [12:04–14:05]
• Picosure Pro Laser for Pigmentation & Melasma: [15:40–19:58]
• Onda Fat & Cellulite Reduction: [20:01–23:52]
• Trending Ingredients (Volufiline, Pre/Probiotics): [24:04–26:11]
• Post-holiday & Winter Skin Reset Tips: [26:11–30:34]
• The future is holistic, personalized, and ethically driven: [30:34–34:42]

Final Thoughts & Advice

• Seek out providers with a philosophy aligned with your values—natural, patient-first outcomes.
• Combine topical, procedural, and internal (holistic) strategies for best results.
• Watch for the increased influence of Eastern ingredients and treatment protocols.
• Prioritize barrier-building, hydration, and foundational self-care over quick-fix trends.

“Come in. Let us help you get to know yourself a little bit more when it comes to your skin integrity, your skin type, your face shape, the thirds of your face, the things that you love in your face that draw attention to the parts of your lineage that you really love...and then you’re off to live your life.”
(Vanessa Lee, 33:19)

For more, visit The Things We Do, and follow Who What Wear for upcoming episodes on the intersection of style, science, and self-love.