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

April, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory of how you established your own practice.

In aesthetics, I love that I am able to develop a personal, long-standing relationship with my patients. I get to know about them, their families, and many become friends. I wanted a practice that reflected the same.

I started practicing dermatology at MD Anderson Cancer Center in the Dermatology and Melanoma Clinic in 2005. I worked alongside dermatology residents and attending physicians and helped manage the most serious skin diseases. It was an intensive learning experience. After almost 4 years, I joined Houston’s largest cosmetic dermatology practice, SBA Dermatology. There I honed and perfected my aesthetic medicine skills, focusing much of my practice on injectables like Botox and filler.

After 18 years, I wanted to open a smaller, boutique practice that catered to the patient relationships I had built over the years. I enjoy the slower pace of running a smaller practice and the extra time it allows me to spend with my patients. I’m thrilled to be able to offer all of the injectables, skincare, lasers and devices I trust to give my patients the most beautiful results possible.

My advice to a new injector/aesthetic provider looking to open their own practice is to hone your skill first. Don’t jump out on your own from the beginning without a patient following. Build your brand and your reputation first. When people start coming to you for the work you do for them, then they will follow you anywhere.

April, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I love the artistry of aesthetics and helping patients enhance and restore their unique beauty. I specialize in facial balancing with dermal fillers and neuromodulators. Facial balancing uses dermal fillers and neuromodulators to improve facial symmetry and proportions. It’s analyzing the face as a whole to achieve natural, transformative results.

Even after practicing aesthetics for 18 years, I still attend advanced courses to learn from global experts in facial aesthetics. Aesthetics is a relatively new field with advancements developing constantly. I have learned techniques for facial ultrasound in filler safety from the top experts in the field and trained with international experts on facial balancing with fillers, regenerative filler medicine, and non-surgical rhinoplasty in the U.K. I’m traveling back to the U.K. this Fall to attend further advanced trainings in injectables from global experts.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

I have been in aesthetics long before social media was popular. In 2017, I started an Instagram account to show my aesthetic results, educate patients and followers on procedures I offered, demystify aesthetic procedures, and post the occasional funny post because we all like to laugh. It has grown since then to over 70k followers. You can find my account at @april_harrison_pa

Since then, social media has been my primary source of new patient referrals. The beauty of Instagram is it allows me to show prospective patients the type of results I produce. I don’t hop on trends and my aesthetic is a natural one. Patients know they will leave my chair looking like the best version of themselves.

Beyond social media though is my relationship with my patients. They entrust me with their care and I take that very seriously. I genuinely, truly care for them and I want them to be happy with their results. This is my best advice for patient retention. Treat your patients as you would your own family. Listen to them. Do your absolute best for each person. They will appreciate care you give them and that fosters loyalty.

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

I think it’s my ability to produce consistent, restorative, and natural results for each patient. I analyze each person individually and customize a treatment plan specifically for them. Potential patients and followers see my results on social media and like that everyone still looks like themselves, just an enhanced and even more attractive one! My followers know I am constantly training, learning, and perfecting my skills in a never-ending quest to be the best I can be.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://faceiqaesthetics.com
• Instagram: @april_harrison_pa
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AprilHarrisonPAC
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/april-harrison-17ba8b54/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/face-iq-aesthetics-houston?osq=April+Harrison
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@aprilharrisonpa?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Image Credits
My photo taken by Ashley Patronella, Painted Peacock Photography