We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tama Tran a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Tama thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?

Ten years ago, aesthetic medicine was often considered a novelty and was not as mainstream as it is today. Then, patients would seek out injectables from plastic surgeons or dermatologists. Laser treatments were also not readily available (other than laser hair removal). With that knowledge, I wanted to be in the forefront of this area of medicine, so I rented a small room and started offering botox and dermal fillers. The following year, I purchased a Sciton laser device, which I still love and use today.

Since it was such a new area of practice, I feel like my biggest challenge was to educate consumers on the benefits of these cutting-edge treatments. I eventually moved to a bigger space, where I still practice today. Starting out small and growing gradually worked out well for me. But today there is greater demand for these treatments, so starting small is less of a necessity. In fact, the demand for aesthetic-medicine treatments is projected to be on the rise for the next several years.

Young medical professionals who want to enter the aesthetic arena should plan to invest in training, marketing and leadership before venturing out on their own. Although the demand for aesthetic treatments remains strong, the need to continue honing one’s knowledge, skill and education is never-ending.

Tama , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Although I am a board-certified nurse practitioner with a focus in adult/gerontology, I have over ten years of experience and knowledge in cosmetic and non-surgical aesthetic procedures. This includes injectables, ablative/non-ablative laser treatments and body contouring treatments. Recently, I have become a national trainer for Endo Aesthetics, the manufacturer for the FDA-approved cellulite injectable QWO. I am also a top 1% provider of Galderma injectable products, such as Restylane and Dysport, as well as one of the country’s most accomplished Sculptra Aesthetics specialists. In addition, I have also been recognized by Galderma as a top provider of pan-facial rejuvenations (liquid facelifts) using Sculptra.

I find that listening to clients and understanding their goals is equally important as analyzing and subscribing solutions for clients. For example, patients often come in seeking to enhance their cheeks or lips; however, they may be in need of a more comprehensive or global treatment. Combining treatments may provide a more effective outcome than a single stand-alone treatment.

The greatest compliment (at least for me) is when clients see themselves in the mirror after a treatment and begin to shed tears of joy. I am so happy that I can make a difference in helping boost their confidence. Seeing my patients’ reactions are some of my most proud moments. At Lily, we know that not every face is the same, and we strive to enhance the natural beauty that resides within all of us.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

In building a business reputation, it is crucial to stand behind your work, have the latest products and treatments, make sure your work is consistent, and to treat all your patients equally. Having a network of professionals in your field for support is also important. Attending national training seminars not only provides an avenue for staying abreast of the latest techniques and practices, but also provides an opportunity to network on a broad scale.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

If I could board a time capsule and begin again, I would not change one thing. This may sound cliche, but I am loving what I do and doing what I love. And I think my patients would agree. When you have the opportunity to be in a profession that you enjoy, it does not seem like work at all. It’s just pure joy!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lilymedspa.com
• Instagram: @dallas.np.injector @lilymedspa
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/Dallas.NP.Injector www.facebook.com/lilymedspa.aesthetics
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/dallasnpinjector
• Yelp: www.yelp.com/biz/lily-med-spa-dallas

Image Credits
First photo by Nate Johnson @shotwithnate The following photos by Ledina Esserman Photography @ledsgetpics