July 21, 2025 • 26 mins
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Couture Conversations Podcast
Training the Future: Diane Gillin on Aesthetic Education
www.couturemedspa.com
Ever wondered what separates a great injector from a merely good one? The answer lies in continuous education, ethical practice, and knowing when to say "no" to client requests.
Diane Gillin, founder of Couture Med Spa and National Trainer for Allergan Medical Institute, pulls back the curtain on aesthetic education in this eye-opening episode. With nearly two decades of experience, Diane reveals how drastically the field has evolved and why staying current with training makes all the difference in client outcomes.
"Everyone starts from day one," Diane reassures new practitioners, while emphasizing the importance of mastering fundamentals before attempting advanced techniques. She shares her favorite aspect of teaching—watching the excitement of new injectors as they discover how a single syringe of filler can dramatically transform a face when placed strategically.
For anyone considering aesthetic treatments, this conversation offers invaluable guidance on finding a trustworthy provider. Diane warns against practitioners who never say "no" or immediately recommend thousands in treatments. "If they quote you $8,000 worth of filler, it's probably a red flag," she cautions, advocating for the patient-centered approach that defines excellent care.
Perhaps most fascinating is Diane's insight into facial balancing—the art of assessing the entire face structurally before addressing specific concerns. "You have to build the foundation of the house before adding the windows and shutters," she explains, revealing why the most effective treatments often don't directly target the area clients initially complain about.
Whether you're a provider seeking to elevate your practice or someone curious about aesthetic treatments, this conversation delivers both practical wisdom and inspiring perspective on an industry dedicated to helping people feel their best. Subscribe to Couture Conversations for more insider knowledge about the constantly evolving world of aesthetic medicine.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:15):
Welcome back to Couture Conversations, the
podcast where we pull back thecurtain on the beauty industry
and give you an inside look atthe world of aesthetics.
Today's episode is a specialone.
I'm sitting down with DianeGillen, the founder of Couture
Med Spa and national trainer forAllergan Medical Institute.
We're talking all thingstraining why?
Continued education in theever-evolving world of
(00:38):
aesthetics, how it impacts bothproviders and clients and, of
course, diane's personalfavorite parts of being a leader
and educator in the industry.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
So welcome, Diane.
Thanks for coming.
Speaker 1 (00:51):
So I guess we'll just get right into it.
Why do you believe ongoingeducation and advanced training
is so important in the field ofaesthetics?
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Um, because it's constantly evolving.
It is insane every day.
As you know, social media hasexploded in the past decade.
Every time you go on socialmedia, there's so much stuff and
with that um, there are newtechnologies, new techniques,
new products, new procedures, um, and there's also um the new
(01:25):
products, new procedures.
And there's also the newmisconceptions, new myths that
aren't correct.
There's bad techniques.
There are, you know, productsthat are being imported and used
that shouldn't be used, and soit is important to stay up to
date on the latest trends andthe safety and using guidelines
(01:46):
and science-based medicine andscientific studies and best
practices and, you know, reallyusing science-driven and
medical-driven information tomake informed decisions and
train and, you know, just kindof stay evolved.
(02:08):
If, if we were doing now what wewere doing when I started this
15, 18 years ago, when I firstput a needle in my hands and
started injecting Botox, uh, itwouldn't be.
You know, what I used to do istotally different than than how
you do it now.
So I think it's an everevolving, especially in today's
(02:30):
world with new products andservices.
So I think it's a must tocontinue education and continue
to ensure that you're up to dateon the latest and greatest, and
you also, you know we'velearned from science and from
our mistakes on how to improveand how to get better, and we
listen to our clients and welisten to their outcomes and we,
(02:53):
you know, continue to sharethat with our peers.
That's the thing about training.
That I love is, you know, thisis a evolving, growing industry
and I want to share all myexperiences, the good ones, the
bad ones.
I want to share all myexperiences, the good ones, the
bad ones.
I want to hear from my peers.
I want to hear what they love,what they don't like, what
they've implemented in theirpractice, what they regret
implementing in their practice.
(03:13):
I like being a big, opencommunity that we can all lean
on each other and really, youknow, help each other get the
best patient outcomes and reallyhelp grow the industry and make
this a positive experience foreverybody and help everyone feel
good about themselves.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
What's one bit of advice that you would give a
brand new injector?
It's their first day and you'rejust training or just starting
out.
What's some advice that youwould give?
Speaker 2 (03:42):
Um, that, we've all been there.
Everybody starts from day one.
You can't be an experiencedinjector without being a novice
injector.
So everyone starts from thebeginning and, um, you know,
every client that you see,you're going to gain a little
bit more confidence.
Um, so I would say um to thatbeginner injector.
(04:04):
Injector you know to make surethat you just stick to the
basics, that you don't try.
You know doing anything crazyfancy.
You know, learn your anatomyand learn safe techniques.
And you know, just know thatyou have support behind you and
(04:28):
you'll get there.
And it's just one day at a time, one patient at a time.
What was one of your?
Speaker 1 (04:32):
biggest fears when you started injecting.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
I think, maybe aligning goals with my patients,
so.
So, for instance, I was alwaysafraid of that client that came
in that had huge, massive lips,or and said they want more lip
filler.
Um, I think for me, the bestthing that I've learned is the
(05:01):
art of saying no, um.
So you don't have to say yes toeverybody.
You can tell a client that youdon't think that they're a good
fit.
You can tell a client that youdon't think that that treatment
is going to give them theoutcome that they that they want
.
Or you know you want fillerhere.
That's really not safe.
I'm not going to do that, likeit's okay to say no, um.
(05:22):
So for me, that's the.
The thing that I think that Ilearned that I share with
everybody is the art of sayingno, which is really hard.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
Yeah, yeah um, are there any common I don't want to
say mistakes or misconceptionsthat like come with even
experienced injectors.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
Yeah, I think there again.
In this world, social media isa frenzy.
And I think there's a lot ofmisconceptions on and myths
behind the industry and thatit's fake and makes you look
fake and the damage isreversible and when you stop
(06:03):
Botox you're going to look worsethan you did when you started.
You know there's a constantflow of misconceptions and myths
that we constantly have tocounteract and unfortunately
there are experienced injectorsthat do things that aren't safe
(06:24):
and they do procedures that theyshouldn't do.
They have not learned the artof saying no.
They're kind of in this to makemoney and that's their number
one goal and I think itunfortunately gives the rest of
the people that are reallytrying to do good and make
clients feel better aboutthemselves.
It takes us back and makes it alittle harder for us to gain
(06:50):
trust of our clients whenthey've had bad experiences
elsewhere.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
Talking about social media, because there is, there's
a ton out there.
Are there any trends thatyou've seen either, or both,
that have been a really positivetrend and it's like, man, this
is trending and this is reallygood.
We've seen really good resultswith it.
Um, are there any other trendsthat you've seen that you're
like, yeah, maybe that onewasn't wasn't the best thing to
(07:14):
be out there, um definitely.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
On all of the above, I am super excited that, um, the
lower face finally got FDAapproval for Botox doing
platysmal bands and you knowlower face and master muscles
and you know the nephrotidiliftand you know those aren't
necessarily approved but I'mglad that Microtox like using
(07:42):
Botox in the neck and the chest,um, you know, using um toxins
in the in, in off-label typeareas, um, have really been a
game changer.
Um, it's not just about focusingon the top of the face, it's
focusing on a comp, thecomprehensive assessment of the
patient.
Um, so that's been been reallycool.
(08:05):
Um, and then I have seen, umyou know, I've seen some certain
body contouring devices thatI'm like, oh, that have that
have been bad and caused, um youknow, demarcations of clients
and, um, you know, back in theday they used to do um like 24
(08:29):
karat gold PDO threadings thathad barbs that would come out
and that's terrifying.
I've seen, um you know, areawhere they've put under eye
filler or filler in the undereye that should never be put in
the under eye and, you know,disastrous things kind of happen
there.
Um, so, yeah, I've I've seen alot of of good and a lot of, uh,
(08:54):
cringy things.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
What are some of your what's your favorite like?
And you're probably liketeaching them all, but like
what's your favorite area tokind of focus on when you're
training with someone like whatdo you love seeing?
Speaker 2 (09:09):
I love training a brand new injector.
I love how excited they are.
I love being able to show themhow very, how you can use a very
you could use, how one syringeof filler can really make a huge
(09:30):
difference in a client.
Teaching them the art of facialbalancing, how, if you know,
this bothers a client.
It's not about just stickingfiller here.
It's about assessing the entireclient and seeing their
structure you know what age hasdone over time and teaching them
the anatomy of a face and um,how the aging process works and
(09:55):
what that does, and showing themhow we can reverse the signs of
aging by using toxins andfillers and replace balance.
So for me, teaching facialbalancing is the most rewarding
for both the client and the newinjector.
(10:16):
But I love training everyone.
But I really like training anew injector.
A lot of people don't.
I love it because I love howeager they are and how you know
they really want to make adifference in this industry and
they really seem to want to doright by their clients and I
(10:36):
think it's really exciting whenyou, you know, get to to give
them a little bit of confidenceand then you're their mentor.
You know I still get texts frompeople that I've trained years
and years ago, asking me likewhat do you think about this?
Or here's a picture of thisclient or I had this weird
reaction.
What would you do?
So I love it.
(10:57):
I love sharing my knowledge andI love learning from brand new
people and learning from noviceand very experienced.
You know, I learned just asmuch from a new injector as I do
from an injector that's beeninjecting for decades, and I
think for me that's the sign ofa good trainer, and a good
(11:20):
injector is always wanting newknowledge and always wanting new
education and striving tocontinue to want to learn and
learn from other people, becauseit only makes you better.
Speaker 1 (11:33):
Yeah, that was kind of leading into where I was
going to ask.
Next, going into that, is thereanything that you have learned
from, whether someone that youwere training or I know you
attend conferences all the time.
You go to trainings.
As far as like being a trainerwith um elegant.
Is there anything that hasstood out that, like you've
taken away from a training thatyou've, that you've gone to or
(11:57):
that you've done?
Speaker 2 (11:58):
Oh, yeah, I would say , with every training I go to, I
take something away.
I I love watching othertrainers, I love watching their
techniques.
I love watching how they assessclients a little differently
and they might look from adifferent angle or, you know,
they might inject a littledifferent.
And I'm like, oh my gosh, Ilove taking the pearls of of of
(12:21):
injectors and trying them in myown practice.
And you know, from from my teamand my providers, I learned
from them.
Every day I'll go in and belike, oh my gosh, that is so
awesome.
They'll send me before andafters and be like, look what I
did with this chin and thisjawline and I'm like that's
amazing, how did you do that?
And um, so, yeah, I think I'mconstantly learning.
(12:44):
Um, I definitely have somefundamental um things that I've
learned from the AllerganMedical Institute that I feel
like I'll never not use, likethem decodes and certain things
like that, but they're everevolving as well.
So, yeah, I love there's a ton,but, um, you know, just for
(13:09):
instance, allergen, um, you know, the average amount of units in
the face now is 64 units and um, so it used to be.
When I started, it was just theglabella that had FDA approval.
Now it's, you know, down toplatysmal bands and now it's a
recommended 64 units plus Um, soit's really come a long way.
(13:32):
And, um, I think you knowtemples there's new temple
indications, there's or newertemple indications, and you know
jawline and I don't know.
I I learned something every day.
I feel like a day is a good daywhen I learn something new, and
if it's a day I don't learnsomething new, I'm looking to
(13:53):
learn two new things the nextday.
Speaker 1 (13:56):
Have you ever this one's more just a fun question.
Have you ever had any likeunexpected questions come up
from injectors or something thatyou're like oh, I haven't
thought of that, or somethingthat kind of caught.
Oh, I haven't thought of that,or haven't something that kind
of caught you off guard,Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (14:10):
I've had people ask me about, like, injecting filler
in areas I would never expectto inject filler and I and yeah,
um, that's a really goodquestion.
I would say, um, like, uh,filler in the in the butt.
(14:42):
People ask me if you can putfiller in the butt?
That's a question, and um youknow, there is certain um
products that you can put fillerin the butt.
That's a question, and um youknow, there is certain um
products that you can use for,um you know, an augmentation in
that area.
um so, it wouldn't necessarilyput filler there not necessarily
filler, but I know people havetried and um yeah interesting
(15:05):
yeah what is what's?
Speaker 1 (15:11):
is there a specific like and you don't have to say
exactly which specific productyou want to, but there's
specific like if someone comesin and they are just wanting
like a full facial, like refresh, like what's kind of like your,
your, do you have a go-to or isit?
Speaker 2 (15:27):
obviously, you know, sometimes it's very dependent on
client, um, but like what'slike some of your like tried and
true treatments that you loveto give clients I would say, um,
that I always start with facialbalancing and I sound like a
broken record, but the firstthing I always look at with a
client is their structure.
So I look at their cheeks,their jawline and their chin and
(15:52):
I feel like that's thefoundation of the house.
And then after that is when youcan put in the windows and the
shutters and the blinds, akalook at mesolabial folds and
lips and marionette lines.
But I feel like you have tohave the structure first.
So you need to have thestructure first, so you need to
do that facial balancing.
You need to make sure that theyhave their fullness and their
(16:13):
foundation in their cheeks andtheir jawline and their chin
before we do any refining there.
So my go-to products are, um,you know, voluma is tried and
true and true in the temples andcheeks.
I love the Luxe in the jawlineand the chin, a combo of those
(16:38):
two temples Voluma in thetemples.
So for Allergan products, thoseare my go-to to start products.
Those are my go-to to start.
And then, you know, I there areother brands and other
companies that I use products onas well, but for Allergan
specifically, those are my triedand true go-tos for the
(17:00):
foundation and for facialbalancing.
Speaker 1 (17:02):
Yeah, I think one thing that stuck out with me is
we you were, we were doing a, a,just like a little huddle in
the morning in Ocoee and youwere sitting up there with us
and we were talking to the girlsabout, um, like facial symmetry
and kind of breaking up theface as far as like the upper,
the middle and the lower andreally making sure you know with
.
We were talking about facialbalancing, um, and kind of
(17:24):
balancing everything out.
And I feel like one thing I'venoticed from watching you,
watching all of our injectors,that so many people come in and
their main issue is like this,or they always say like these
right here, but you've beenfocusing more on like okay,
we're gonna do cheeks to kind ofpull that back.
Um, I think one of the mostunderrated fillers that people
(17:45):
get nervous about when ourinjectors recommend is chin
filler.
And then I'll see a chin fillerlike before and after and it's
amazing, like it really justbalances the face.
People come in and they thinkthey want lips.
You give them a good chin andit balances everything out and
it changes.
I don't want to say it changestheir face, because it doesn't,
(18:06):
it just it makes it look so likeproportionate, and it's one of
the coolest things that I'velearned from watching you and
watching our injectors that Iknow that you have trained and
worked with is really knowinghow to.
When a client comes in andthey'd say this is what what
bothers them.
It might not be that specificarea that you're putting filler
in or that you're injecting, butyou guys are very good at
(18:28):
educating them on.
Okay, this is what your mainconcern is.
This is what I would do tocorrect, Correct and it's all
about knowing what caused thatconcern.
Speaker 2 (18:38):
So, what has happened through the aging process and,
um, you know, to make that areabe their area of concern and
you're right, because this is myarea of concern doesn't mean
I'm going to go in here solearning the techniques and it
is.
It's a journey, it's anevolution and I love, um, you
know, obviously I'm biased, butI love couture because we I know
(19:02):
that my backyard has notsprouted a money tree yet.
I look every morning and it'snot there.
Backyard has not sprouted amoney tree yet.
I look every morning and it'snot there.
But, um, I like giving them ajourney.
Like, I know that this is yourend goal and in doing that, I'm
going to do that.
I'm going to do this in a, in athree-step process.
(19:22):
So we're going to start withcheeks and then we're going to
do chin and jawline and thenwe'll do the lips and nasolabial
folds, if they can't afford allof it at once.
So I love how conscious as acompany we are on that.
What bothers you, right?
I'm not going in and saying youneed this and this and this and
this and this.
The first thing we do is handthem the mirror and have them
(19:44):
tell us what bothers them andthen we help, um, show them what
we can do to help solve thatproblem.
Right, if a client has, youknow, terrible acne and that's
what bothers them, then why am Igoing to point out, you know a
weak chin?
If that's not what's botheringthem, like they're, they're
(20:07):
concerned about their acne, likeI don't want to point out
things that I see that doesn'tbother them, and then have them
look at that every single timethey look in the mirror and and
then see it, cause I pointed itout.
So I think, gaining a client'strust and saying you know, I
know this is what bothers you,um, this is, this is the
longterm plan, but let's startwith step one.
(20:27):
You know, and it might be,let's start with a good skincare
regimen, because that's whatyou can afford, and then, when
we see you back, then we can,you know, do some skin weave and
then we can do some toxin, andthen we can do some sculpture,
and you know, whatever thatjourney is and being able to
build it based on their budgetand know that you know, this is
(20:49):
this is a marathon, it's not asprint, and we can get you to
the end goal, whether it beeverything right now, or you
know us breaking it up andmaking it so that you're
comfortable with, with yourprocess and with your journey
and with you know your injectors.
Speaker 1 (21:03):
What advice would you give um any clients or the
public the public looking fortrying to find their injector.
What advice would you give?
Speaker 2 (21:14):
I would say that to me.
You want to find someone thatyou really feel comfortable with
, that you can go in and talk toand you don't just feel like
another number.
You feel like that you can havea journey with this person and
they understand what bothers youand they're they're listening
(21:38):
to your needs and they're um,not just taking your money.
So if someone says no, that'sprobably a good sign and if they
quote you $8,000 worth offiller, it's probably a red flag
.
So, knowing that, you know it'sokay to just start with toxins
to make sure you're comfortablewith that provider and come back
(22:00):
and just, you know, really feelgood about that person.
So, doing research, looking atreviews, talking to other
clients, um, looking at at theirsocial media and their before
and afters, and you know, kindof seeing their work and and if
it's something that that youthink, um, yeah, is something
(22:21):
you like and I think that that'sI love that we do so.
Speaker 1 (22:24):
At couture we do free complimentary consultations,
which I think kind of goes handin hand with what you're saying
about.
You know, we we don't put anyprice on coming in and just
meeting the provider, seeing ourfacility, talking to them,
seeing what they recommend, um,I think is is really important,
um, and just goes to you knowthe of finding that, that place
(22:46):
that you feel comfortable with.
We don't want to put anypressure on you know, because
you paid a certain amount ofmoney just to come in and talk
to the provider.
You feel like you have to getsomething done.
We just want to show you, youknow, give you, give you the
advice and what we think wouldbe would be best for you?
Speaker 2 (23:03):
Yeah, and we do those complimentary skin visia skin
analysis which you know someplaces charge a couple hundred
dollars to get Um, and that kindof just shows you your.
You know we'll probably go intothis in a totally different
episode, but it it shows you,you know your skin and where
you're at and what we can do tohelp improve it.
Speaker 1 (23:22):
Yeah, Well, that's awesome.
So I think, um, yeah, justtakeaway is that you, continuing
education is super importantand having Diane with us at
Couture is obviously veryamazing because she is a
national trainer.
So you know, all of ourproviders are trained constantly
and consistently gettingupdated training.
(23:44):
So, yeah, think there are anyother.
Speaker 2 (23:48):
Any other takeaways or I think listening to your,
your client's feedback is alwaysgreat too.
As a trainer, um being open tofeedback, constructive criticism
, you know I like to hear thegood, the bad, the ugly, you
know.
Tell me, you know what youliked, what you didn't like, and
I'm constantly learning andevolving.
So for me, just kind ofcomprehensive overview on
(24:13):
everything is really helpful.
But just knowing, if you're outthere and you're starting, know
that everybody was in yourshoes, everybody had a day one
and a client one and everyonehad an outcome that wasn't
exactly perfect.
I've been doing this for 18years now and I still look at my
(24:33):
patients sometimes and be like,oh, I wish I would have done
this a little different, I wishI would have done this or what.
I wonder if it would have been alittle better if I did this.
And that's okay.
You know you're always strivingto better yourself and nobody's
perfect and everybody's on theconstant, constant journey of
education.
Every single one of us, whetherwe're day one or we've been
(24:53):
doing this for a long time,we're always learning.
So we should all be in thatthat same category together of
of learning from each other andgrowing and just knowing like
again, you're not alone.
And just knowing like again,you're not alone, it's a fun
journey and it's a super awesomeindustry to get in.
And, you know, just changingthe culture of the industry and
(25:16):
people having this negativeconnotation, I feel like in this
day and age we can just behappy and smile and be positive
and really strive to giveclients the best outcome,
without being pushy and justshowing like that you know we're
here to help people and I thinkthat's just a beautiful thing.
Speaker 1 (25:35):
Yeah Well, you've helped a ton of clients, thank,
you, they love you.
I hear them all the time so well.
Thank you so much for joiningus today.
Thank you for all of yourinsights.
Um.
That is a wrap on today's umconversation with diane.
Thank you so much for listening.
Um, I hope you're feelinginspired and um, just knowing
(25:59):
that couture has the commitmentto growth and education that is
not only changing couture buthelping change, change the
entire industry of keepingeveryone, you know, like you
said, supporting each other anduplifting each other and
continuing to share.
You know the struggles and thechallenges and, hey, this helped
me, and so I think that that'sreally important.
(26:19):
So don't forget to subscribe tocouture conversations for more
behind the scene insights If youwant to check us out at
wwwcouturemedspacom you can findall kinds of information on
there how to get in contact withus.
set up one of those freeconsultations.
You can also find us on YouTube, instagram, tiktok, and thank
(26:41):
you so much for listening.
Rejoin us next time.
Bye.
Welcome back to Couture Conversations, the
podcast where we pull back thecurtain on the beauty industry
and give you an inside look atthe world of aesthetics.
Today's episode is a specialone.
I'm sitting down with DianeGillen, the founder of Couture
Med Spa and national trainer forAllergan Medical Institute.
We're talking all thingstraining why?
Continued education in theever-evolving world of
(00:38):
aesthetics, how it impacts bothproviders and clients and, of
course, diane's personalfavorite parts of being a leader
and educator in the industry.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
So welcome, Diane.
Thanks for coming.
Speaker 1 (00:51):
So I guess we'll just get right into it.
Why do you believe ongoingeducation and advanced training
is so important in the field ofaesthetics?
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Um, because it's constantly evolving.
It is insane every day.
As you know, social media hasexploded in the past decade.
Every time you go on socialmedia, there's so much stuff and
with that um, there are newtechnologies, new techniques,
new products, new procedures, um, and there's also um the new
(01:25):
products, new procedures.
And there's also the newmisconceptions, new myths that
aren't correct.
There's bad techniques.
There are, you know, productsthat are being imported and used
that shouldn't be used, and soit is important to stay up to
date on the latest trends andthe safety and using guidelines
(01:46):
and science-based medicine andscientific studies and best
practices and, you know, reallyusing science-driven and
medical-driven information tomake informed decisions and
train and, you know, just kindof stay evolved.
(02:08):
If, if we were doing now what wewere doing when I started this
15, 18 years ago, when I firstput a needle in my hands and
started injecting Botox, uh, itwouldn't be.
You know, what I used to do istotally different than than how
you do it now.
So I think it's an everevolving, especially in today's
(02:30):
world with new products andservices.
So I think it's a must tocontinue education and continue
to ensure that you're up to dateon the latest and greatest, and
you also, you know we'velearned from science and from
our mistakes on how to improveand how to get better, and we
listen to our clients and welisten to their outcomes and we,
(02:53):
you know, continue to sharethat with our peers.
That's the thing about training.
That I love is, you know, thisis a evolving, growing industry
and I want to share all myexperiences, the good ones, the
bad ones.
I want to share all myexperiences, the good ones, the
bad ones.
I want to hear from my peers.
I want to hear what they love,what they don't like, what
they've implemented in theirpractice, what they regret
implementing in their practice.
(03:13):
I like being a big, opencommunity that we can all lean
on each other and really, youknow, help each other get the
best patient outcomes and reallyhelp grow the industry and make
this a positive experience foreverybody and help everyone feel
good about themselves.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
What's one bit of advice that you would give a
brand new injector?
It's their first day and you'rejust training or just starting
out.
What's some advice that youwould give?
Speaker 2 (03:42):
Um, that, we've all been there.
Everybody starts from day one.
You can't be an experiencedinjector without being a novice
injector.
So everyone starts from thebeginning and, um, you know,
every client that you see,you're going to gain a little
bit more confidence.
Um, so I would say um to thatbeginner injector.
(04:04):
Injector you know to make surethat you just stick to the
basics, that you don't try.
You know doing anything crazyfancy.
You know, learn your anatomyand learn safe techniques.
And you know, just know thatyou have support behind you and
(04:28):
you'll get there.
And it's just one day at a time, one patient at a time.
What was one of your?
Speaker 1 (04:32):
biggest fears when you started injecting.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
I think, maybe aligning goals with my patients,
so.
So, for instance, I was alwaysafraid of that client that came
in that had huge, massive lips,or and said they want more lip
filler.
Um, I think for me, the bestthing that I've learned is the
(05:01):
art of saying no, um.
So you don't have to say yes toeverybody.
You can tell a client that youdon't think that they're a good
fit.
You can tell a client that youdon't think that that treatment
is going to give them theoutcome that they that they want
.
Or you know you want fillerhere.
That's really not safe.
I'm not going to do that, likeit's okay to say no, um.
(05:22):
So for me, that's the.
The thing that I think that Ilearned that I share with
everybody is the art of sayingno, which is really hard.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
Yeah, yeah um, are there any common I don't want to
say mistakes or misconceptionsthat like come with even
experienced injectors.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
Yeah, I think there again.
In this world, social media isa frenzy.
And I think there's a lot ofmisconceptions on and myths
behind the industry and thatit's fake and makes you look
fake and the damage isreversible and when you stop
(06:03):
Botox you're going to look worsethan you did when you started.
You know there's a constantflow of misconceptions and myths
that we constantly have tocounteract and unfortunately
there are experienced injectorsthat do things that aren't safe
(06:24):
and they do procedures that theyshouldn't do.
They have not learned the artof saying no.
They're kind of in this to makemoney and that's their number
one goal and I think itunfortunately gives the rest of
the people that are reallytrying to do good and make
clients feel better aboutthemselves.
It takes us back and makes it alittle harder for us to gain
(06:50):
trust of our clients whenthey've had bad experiences
elsewhere.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
Talking about social media, because there is, there's
a ton out there.
Are there any trends thatyou've seen either, or both,
that have been a really positivetrend and it's like, man, this
is trending and this is reallygood.
We've seen really good resultswith it.
Um, are there any other trendsthat you've seen that you're
like, yeah, maybe that onewasn't wasn't the best thing to
(07:14):
be out there, um definitely.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
On all of the above, I am super excited that, um, the
lower face finally got FDAapproval for Botox doing
platysmal bands and you knowlower face and master muscles
and you know the nephrotidiliftand you know those aren't
necessarily approved but I'mglad that Microtox like using
(07:42):
Botox in the neck and the chest,um, you know, using um toxins
in the in, in off-label typeareas, um, have really been a
game changer.
Um, it's not just about focusingon the top of the face, it's
focusing on a comp, thecomprehensive assessment of the
patient.
Um, so that's been been reallycool.
(08:05):
Um, and then I have seen, umyou know, I've seen some certain
body contouring devices thatI'm like, oh, that have that
have been bad and caused, um youknow, demarcations of clients
and, um, you know, back in theday they used to do um like 24
(08:29):
karat gold PDO threadings thathad barbs that would come out
and that's terrifying.
I've seen, um you know, areawhere they've put under eye
filler or filler in the undereye that should never be put in
the under eye and, you know,disastrous things kind of happen
there.
Um, so, yeah, I've I've seen alot of of good and a lot of, uh,
(08:54):
cringy things.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
What are some of your what's your favorite like?
And you're probably liketeaching them all, but like
what's your favorite area tokind of focus on when you're
training with someone like whatdo you love seeing?
Speaker 2 (09:09):
I love training a brand new injector.
I love how excited they are.
I love being able to show themhow very, how you can use a very
you could use, how one syringeof filler can really make a huge
(09:30):
difference in a client.
Teaching them the art of facialbalancing, how, if you know,
this bothers a client.
It's not about just stickingfiller here.
It's about assessing the entireclient and seeing their
structure you know what age hasdone over time and teaching them
the anatomy of a face and um,how the aging process works and
(09:55):
what that does, and showing themhow we can reverse the signs of
aging by using toxins andfillers and replace balance.
So for me, teaching facialbalancing is the most rewarding
for both the client and the newinjector.
(10:16):
But I love training everyone.
But I really like training anew injector.
A lot of people don't.
I love it because I love howeager they are and how you know
they really want to make adifference in this industry and
they really seem to want to doright by their clients and I
(10:36):
think it's really exciting whenyou, you know, get to to give
them a little bit of confidenceand then you're their mentor.
You know I still get texts frompeople that I've trained years
and years ago, asking me likewhat do you think about this?
Or here's a picture of thisclient or I had this weird
reaction.
What would you do?
So I love it.
(10:57):
I love sharing my knowledge andI love learning from brand new
people and learning from noviceand very experienced.
You know, I learned just asmuch from a new injector as I do
from an injector that's beeninjecting for decades, and I
think for me that's the sign ofa good trainer, and a good
(11:20):
injector is always wanting newknowledge and always wanting new
education and striving tocontinue to want to learn and
learn from other people, becauseit only makes you better.
Speaker 1 (11:33):
Yeah, that was kind of leading into where I was
going to ask.
Next, going into that, is thereanything that you have learned
from, whether someone that youwere training or I know you
attend conferences all the time.
You go to trainings.
As far as like being a trainerwith um elegant.
Is there anything that hasstood out that, like you've
taken away from a training thatyou've, that you've gone to or
(11:57):
that you've done?
Speaker 2 (11:58):
Oh, yeah, I would say , with every training I go to, I
take something away.
I I love watching othertrainers, I love watching their
techniques.
I love watching how they assessclients a little differently
and they might look from adifferent angle or, you know,
they might inject a littledifferent.
And I'm like, oh my gosh, Ilove taking the pearls of of of
(12:21):
injectors and trying them in myown practice.
And you know, from from my teamand my providers, I learned
from them.
Every day I'll go in and belike, oh my gosh, that is so
awesome.
They'll send me before andafters and be like, look what I
did with this chin and thisjawline and I'm like that's
amazing, how did you do that?
And um, so, yeah, I think I'mconstantly learning.
(12:44):
Um, I definitely have somefundamental um things that I've
learned from the AllerganMedical Institute that I feel
like I'll never not use, likethem decodes and certain things
like that, but they're everevolving as well.
So, yeah, I love there's a ton,but, um, you know, just for
(13:09):
instance, allergen, um, you know, the average amount of units in
the face now is 64 units and um, so it used to be.
When I started, it was just theglabella that had FDA approval.
Now it's, you know, down toplatysmal bands and now it's a
recommended 64 units plus Um, soit's really come a long way.
(13:32):
And, um, I think you knowtemples there's new temple
indications, there's or newertemple indications, and you know
jawline and I don't know.
I I learned something every day.
I feel like a day is a good daywhen I learn something new, and
if it's a day I don't learnsomething new, I'm looking to
(13:53):
learn two new things the nextday.
Speaker 1 (13:56):
Have you ever this one's more just a fun question.
Have you ever had any likeunexpected questions come up
from injectors or something thatyou're like oh, I haven't
thought of that, or somethingthat kind of caught.
Oh, I haven't thought of that,or haven't something that kind
of caught you off guard,Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (14:10):
I've had people ask me about, like, injecting filler
in areas I would never expectto inject filler and I and yeah,
um, that's a really goodquestion.
I would say, um, like, uh,filler in the in the butt.
(14:42):
People ask me if you can putfiller in the butt?
That's a question, and um youknow, there is certain um
products that you can put fillerin the butt.
That's a question, and um youknow, there is certain um
products that you can use for,um you know, an augmentation in
that area.
um so, it wouldn't necessarilyput filler there not necessarily
filler, but I know people havetried and um yeah interesting
(15:05):
yeah what is what's?
Speaker 1 (15:11):
is there a specific like and you don't have to say
exactly which specific productyou want to, but there's
specific like if someone comesin and they are just wanting
like a full facial, like refresh, like what's kind of like your,
your, do you have a go-to or isit?
Speaker 2 (15:27):
obviously, you know, sometimes it's very dependent on
client, um, but like what'slike some of your like tried and
true treatments that you loveto give clients I would say, um,
that I always start with facialbalancing and I sound like a
broken record, but the firstthing I always look at with a
client is their structure.
So I look at their cheeks,their jawline and their chin and
(15:52):
I feel like that's thefoundation of the house.
And then after that is when youcan put in the windows and the
shutters and the blinds, akalook at mesolabial folds and
lips and marionette lines.
But I feel like you have tohave the structure first.
So you need to have thestructure first, so you need to
do that facial balancing.
You need to make sure that theyhave their fullness and their
(16:13):
foundation in their cheeks andtheir jawline and their chin
before we do any refining there.
So my go-to products are, um,you know, voluma is tried and
true and true in the temples andcheeks.
I love the Luxe in the jawlineand the chin, a combo of those
(16:38):
two temples Voluma in thetemples.
So for Allergan products, thoseare my go-to to start products.
Those are my go-to to start.
And then, you know, I there areother brands and other
companies that I use products onas well, but for Allergan
specifically, those are my triedand true go-tos for the
(17:00):
foundation and for facialbalancing.
Speaker 1 (17:02):
Yeah, I think one thing that stuck out with me is
we you were, we were doing a, a,just like a little huddle in
the morning in Ocoee and youwere sitting up there with us
and we were talking to the girlsabout, um, like facial symmetry
and kind of breaking up theface as far as like the upper,
the middle and the lower andreally making sure you know with
.
We were talking about facialbalancing, um, and kind of
(17:24):
balancing everything out.
And I feel like one thing I'venoticed from watching you,
watching all of our injectors,that so many people come in and
their main issue is like this,or they always say like these
right here, but you've beenfocusing more on like okay,
we're gonna do cheeks to kind ofpull that back.
Um, I think one of the mostunderrated fillers that people
(17:45):
get nervous about when ourinjectors recommend is chin
filler.
And then I'll see a chin fillerlike before and after and it's
amazing, like it really justbalances the face.
People come in and they thinkthey want lips.
You give them a good chin andit balances everything out and
it changes.
I don't want to say it changestheir face, because it doesn't,
(18:06):
it just it makes it look so likeproportionate, and it's one of
the coolest things that I'velearned from watching you and
watching our injectors that Iknow that you have trained and
worked with is really knowinghow to.
When a client comes in andthey'd say this is what what
bothers them.
It might not be that specificarea that you're putting filler
in or that you're injecting, butyou guys are very good at
(18:28):
educating them on.
Okay, this is what your mainconcern is.
This is what I would do tocorrect, Correct and it's all
about knowing what caused thatconcern.
Speaker 2 (18:38):
So, what has happened through the aging process and,
um, you know, to make that areabe their area of concern and
you're right, because this is myarea of concern doesn't mean
I'm going to go in here solearning the techniques and it
is.
It's a journey, it's anevolution and I love, um, you
know, obviously I'm biased, butI love couture because we I know
(19:02):
that my backyard has notsprouted a money tree yet.
I look every morning and it'snot there.
Backyard has not sprouted amoney tree yet.
I look every morning and it'snot there.
But, um, I like giving them ajourney.
Like, I know that this is yourend goal and in doing that, I'm
going to do that.
I'm going to do this in a, in athree-step process.
(19:22):
So we're going to start withcheeks and then we're going to
do chin and jawline and thenwe'll do the lips and nasolabial
folds, if they can't afford allof it at once.
So I love how conscious as acompany we are on that.
What bothers you, right?
I'm not going in and saying youneed this and this and this and
this and this.
The first thing we do is handthem the mirror and have them
(19:44):
tell us what bothers them andthen we help, um, show them what
we can do to help solve thatproblem.
Right, if a client has, youknow, terrible acne and that's
what bothers them, then why am Igoing to point out, you know a
weak chin?
If that's not what's botheringthem, like they're, they're
(20:07):
concerned about their acne, likeI don't want to point out
things that I see that doesn'tbother them, and then have them
look at that every single timethey look in the mirror and and
then see it, cause I pointed itout.
So I think, gaining a client'strust and saying you know, I
know this is what bothers you,um, this is, this is the
longterm plan, but let's startwith step one.
(20:27):
You know, and it might be,let's start with a good skincare
regimen, because that's whatyou can afford, and then, when
we see you back, then we can,you know, do some skin weave and
then we can do some toxin, andthen we can do some sculpture,
and you know, whatever thatjourney is and being able to
build it based on their budgetand know that you know, this is
(20:49):
this is a marathon, it's not asprint, and we can get you to
the end goal, whether it beeverything right now, or you
know us breaking it up andmaking it so that you're
comfortable with, with yourprocess and with your journey
and with you know your injectors.
Speaker 1 (21:03):
What advice would you give um any clients or the
public the public looking fortrying to find their injector.
What advice would you give?
Speaker 2 (21:14):
I would say that to me.
You want to find someone thatyou really feel comfortable with
, that you can go in and talk toand you don't just feel like
another number.
You feel like that you can havea journey with this person and
they understand what bothers youand they're they're listening
(21:38):
to your needs and they're um,not just taking your money.
So if someone says no, that'sprobably a good sign and if they
quote you $8,000 worth offiller, it's probably a red flag
.
So, knowing that, you know it'sokay to just start with toxins
to make sure you're comfortablewith that provider and come back
(22:00):
and just, you know, really feelgood about that person.
So, doing research, looking atreviews, talking to other
clients, um, looking at at theirsocial media and their before
and afters, and you know, kindof seeing their work and and if
it's something that that youthink, um, yeah, is something
(22:21):
you like and I think that that'sI love that we do so.
Speaker 1 (22:24):
At couture we do free complimentary consultations,
which I think kind of goes handin hand with what you're saying
about.
You know, we we don't put anyprice on coming in and just
meeting the provider, seeing ourfacility, talking to them,
seeing what they recommend, um,I think is is really important,
um, and just goes to you knowthe of finding that, that place
(22:46):
that you feel comfortable with.
We don't want to put anypressure on you know, because
you paid a certain amount ofmoney just to come in and talk
to the provider.
You feel like you have to getsomething done.
We just want to show you, youknow, give you, give you the
advice and what we think wouldbe would be best for you?
Speaker 2 (23:03):
Yeah, and we do those complimentary skin visia skin
analysis which you know someplaces charge a couple hundred
dollars to get Um, and that kindof just shows you your.
You know we'll probably go intothis in a totally different
episode, but it it shows you,you know your skin and where
you're at and what we can do tohelp improve it.
Speaker 1 (23:22):
Yeah, Well, that's awesome.
So I think, um, yeah, justtakeaway is that you, continuing
education is super importantand having Diane with us at
Couture is obviously veryamazing because she is a
national trainer.
So you know, all of ourproviders are trained constantly
and consistently gettingupdated training.
(23:44):
So, yeah, think there are anyother.
Speaker 2 (23:48):
Any other takeaways or I think listening to your,
your client's feedback is alwaysgreat too.
As a trainer, um being open tofeedback, constructive criticism
, you know I like to hear thegood, the bad, the ugly, you
know.
Tell me, you know what youliked, what you didn't like, and
I'm constantly learning andevolving.
So for me, just kind ofcomprehensive overview on
(24:13):
everything is really helpful.
But just knowing, if you're outthere and you're starting, know
that everybody was in yourshoes, everybody had a day one
and a client one and everyonehad an outcome that wasn't
exactly perfect.
I've been doing this for 18years now and I still look at my
(24:33):
patients sometimes and be like,oh, I wish I would have done
this a little different, I wishI would have done this or what.
I wonder if it would have been alittle better if I did this.
And that's okay.
You know you're always strivingto better yourself and nobody's
perfect and everybody's on theconstant, constant journey of
education.
Every single one of us, whetherwe're day one or we've been
(24:53):
doing this for a long time,we're always learning.
So we should all be in thatthat same category together of
of learning from each other andgrowing and just knowing like
again, you're not alone.
And just knowing like again,you're not alone, it's a fun
journey and it's a super awesomeindustry to get in.
And, you know, just changingthe culture of the industry and
(25:16):
people having this negativeconnotation, I feel like in this
day and age we can just behappy and smile and be positive
and really strive to giveclients the best outcome,
without being pushy and justshowing like that you know we're
here to help people and I thinkthat's just a beautiful thing.
Speaker 1 (25:35):
Yeah Well, you've helped a ton of clients, thank,
you, they love you.
I hear them all the time so well.
Thank you so much for joiningus today.
Thank you for all of yourinsights.
Um.
That is a wrap on today's umconversation with diane.
Thank you so much for listening.
Um, I hope you're feelinginspired and um, just knowing
(25:59):
that couture has the commitmentto growth and education that is
not only changing couture buthelping change, change the
entire industry of keepingeveryone, you know, like you
said, supporting each other anduplifting each other and
continuing to share.
You know the struggles and thechallenges and, hey, this helped
me, and so I think that that'sreally important.
(26:19):
So don't forget to subscribe tocouture conversations for more
behind the scene insights If youwant to check us out at
wwwcouturemedspacom you can findall kinds of information on
there how to get in contact withus.
set up one of those freeconsultations.
You can also find us on YouTube, instagram, tiktok, and thank
(26:41):
you so much for listening.
Rejoin us next time.
Bye.
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