We recently connected with Aubrey Phillips PA-C and have shared our conversation below.
Aubrey, appreciate you joining us today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.
During the final stretch of PA school, majority of the females wanted to specialize in aesthetics upon graduation. I was the opposite. Young Aubrey viewed the specialty as vain and from the perspective that it doesn’t make a true difference in the world. With that mentality, it’s not a surprise that I never saw myself in the aesthetics industry.
Days before my final clinical rotation, which happened to be my elective (the one you’re most excited about and get to choose the specialty), I was contacted by the school and notified that the surgical preceptor cancelled and I was being reassigned to dermatology.
I felt blindsided. The hundreds of thousands of dollars I was spending on my education to make my career aspirations a reality felt disregarded as an inconvenience.
That disregard became one of my biggest blessings!! It took just ONE day under the mentorship of the globally acclaimed dermatologist, Dr. Nardo Zaias. He opened my eyes to the art and science of injectable aesthetics and the trajectory of my career was forever changed.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m Aubrey Phillips, nice to meet you! I am a mother of four boys, wife and a physician assistant with over 12 years of experience specializing in aesthetic medicine.
Beyond the realm of aesthetics, my heart beats for my family. Married to my husband since 2016, our lives are joyfully hectic with four boys – Johnny, Brayden and twins Jayden and Landen. We love our quality time together, whether it’s hitting the Pier in downtown St. Pete or staying in for a snuggle-fest.
My Vision, Mission & Goal:
As a 38-year-old thriving mother and woman, I’m so grateful to use this platform to share valuable insights, advice and inspiration for aging fiercely.
While “Beauty” appears to be the foundation of what I do, it goes far beyond and astronomically deeper than that. There’s a common misconception that this industry is all about vanity, but I see it differently. At a young age, I struggled with my self image, enabling me to understand this – it’s the intention behind each treatment that truly matters. Whether it’s choosing injectables to enhance what you already love about yourself, or feeling pressure to change your appearance to fit in, the mindset makes all the difference. I am passionate about genuinely helping people. My approach comes from a place of authenticity – I want to empower everyone to feel confident, let their inner light shine and share their unique gifts with the world.
Beauty On Your Terms.
Now that I have addressed the psychological standpoint of what I do, let’s address the other elephant in the room: Botox and Filler will make me look … Over-done. Unnatural. Like I’m trying too hard to over-compensate the aging process. Alien-like. Fill in the blank …
Many people are afraid of Botox and filler, thinking that they will look weird, have stiff facial expressions, exaggerated features or will no longer even look like themselves.
I am passionate about changing the stigma that exists around the aesthetic industry in regards to ‘duck lips’ and facial distortion. Yes, we have all seen it and I agree, it is not cute. The stigma exists for a reason.
However, when reversing the signs of aging with Botox and fillers, the results should look just like the words sound … reversing the signs of aging. You should still look like the same beautiful person, just a more refreshed and youthful version. I don’t want to change what you look like, just refresh what your mama gave ya! 😉
Fillers are 20% science and 80% art. l believe, that almost any practitioner can learn the basic techniques of injecting, but some people are naturally more creative and artistic, and the end result is proof. My patient’s faces definitely benefit from my meticulous attention to detail, but it is also why I dread cleaning the bathrooms. 😂🤣
One Size Fits None!
No two faces are the same, so it’s only right that no two treatment plans are the same. I’m all about individualized, bespoke, result-oriented treatment plans – No cookie-cutter approaches on my watch. Even my medical assistant jokes, “Aubrey never treats any two faces the same.”
It is a Journey. Not a Quick Fix.
Understanding the intricate layers of facial anatomy, and the art of aging gracefully is crucial to achieving stellar results – and not just burning through your budget. Since aging is influenced by a variety of factors, a tailored approach is key. That’s why I love to partner with my patients and turn every session into a mini masterclass. We’re in this together, every step of the way. I’m here to ensure you know exactly why I recommend what I do, making you a proactive player in your anti-aging journey. It requires patience, some homework, consistency and investment, but trust me, the payoff is absolutely worth it.
My Signature Treatments: Lip Filler and Facial Balancing.
Within my industry I’m recognized for my expertise in enhancing lips and creating facial harmony using injectables. I tailor these treatments to complement, not change, how you look. I believe beauty comes in many forms. I want to help my patient feel empowered and to be the best version of themselves, while always staying true to themselves.
Your Ally in Aesthetics.
At the start of this year, I joined Elase and am the lead practitioner for their brand-new St. Petersburg location in Florida. Elase, a female-owned business, transcends the typical med spa. Renowned for its luxurious experience, Elase believes that there is no single standard for beauty – you define what beauty means to you. We combine cutting-edge technology and lasers with top-notch aesthetic treatments, all centered around your unique needs and vision. Under my care, you will experience a level of specialization that is truly unmatched.
One of my most favorite quotes is “I do not need to be perfect to be confident or beautiful.” ~By yours truly 😉
Be confident. Be beautiful. Be bold. Be sexy. Be strong. Be authentic. Be the best version of you. Be unapologetically YOU.
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
Network. Just as our large world, is at times so small, the same goes for the aesthetic specialty. Creating colleague rapport and having a positive reputation will be an asset to your professional future.
If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?
Yes. 1000%. There are few things in life, that if I were able to go back and get a second try, utilizing the life lessons and wisdom I gained, would I do the same. Yet, my career as a physician assistant is definitely one of them.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @injector_beautybyaubrey