We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Kay Durairaj a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Dr. Kay, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s go back in time to when you were an intern or apprentice – what’s an interesting story you can share from that stage of your career?

As a world-renowned plastic surgeon, I have always emphasized the importance of teaching and education. I look forward to opening my doors every summer to invite college pre-med interns who seek to deepen their knowledge and refine their career goals.

As a student myself, I was always aware of the idea that I was standing on the shoulders of giants. My mentors were some of the most reputable and respected leaders in the industry. Now that the tables have turned, it is one of the most rewarding experiences to facilitate a pre-med intern’s development into a competent and compassionate medical professional.

In addition, I relish the opportunity to bring in new perspectives and fresh ideas into my practice whenever possible. I am constantly reminded of the importance of research and developing cutting-edge techniques to create a thriving practice.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Dr. Kay Durairaj is an internationally renowned facial plastic surgeon and head and neck surgeon practicing in Los Angeles, CA. Specializing in both surgical and nonsurgical facial rejuvenation, Dr. Kay completed her surgical training at UCLA and has been voted one of the United States’ Top 100 Injectors 5 years in a row. After founding her education platform Modern Aesthetic Theory and Artistry, Dr. Kay was inspired to expand her reach through her iTunes and Spotify podcast, Beauty Bytes with Dr. Kay: Secrets of a Plastic Surgeon, which premiered at No. 2 on the Apple Podcasts Fashion & Beauty Charts. Vice chairman of the head and neck surgical department at Huntington Memorial Hospital, Dr. Kay also serves on multiple advisory boards to aesthetic industry organizations including Merz, Allergan, Evolus, Prollenium, and Galderma.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

My Instagram page, Beauty By Dr. Kay, has been a strong platform for me to showcase my work. I’ve gained popularity due to showing very natural results on clients who look like real women. There is a special skill involved in beautifying someone’s face while preserving their natural identity and showcasing their best facial features. I want every patient to feel that they are beautiful and the best version of themselves, no matter their age. On my Instagram, @beautybydrkay, I highlight cutting-edge techniques that I have developed, such as my Tinkerbell tip lift that I use to give an aesthetically pleasing, uplifted nasal profile, and my sharp contoured jawline injection to create a beautiful, sculpted look. I have pioneered the use of collagen biostimulators for the body including Sculptra for the butt as well as hyperdilute biostimulator treatments to help stimulate collagen growth of the buttocks and thighs. I have also used fillers in a way that is different from other injectors. I think it is so important that we avoid over-filled faces and my Instagram page showcases my philosophy of natural beauty, bringing out the best features at every age for every person. I also highlight my skincare line, KD Skin, which is a very important part of maintaining beauty to prevent sun damage and build a strong skin foundation. 

I began offering my online injector training course, Modern Aesthetic Theory and Artistry, in 2019. Well before the entire world moved online during the COVID pandemic, I had already begun diligently building and refining my online educational experience. It initially began as a method for me to share the knowledge I have collected after many years in the industry with the next generation of aesthetic practitioners. But as the course began to grow and gain popularity I realized that it presented a rare opportunity to build a community of injectors and teach all levels of experience across the globe.

By presenting cutting-edge research, best practices, and novel approaches – I positioned myself as a go-to authority for the latest advancements in the industry. As word spread about the course’s content and the positive outcomes achieved by its participants, my reputation as a leading expert in the field grew exponentially. It has positioned me as a trailblazer in the field, allowed for invaluable networking opportunities, and served as a beacon for aspiring plastic surgeons seeking to learn from the best. My willingness to actively contribute to the training of the next generation of aesthetic practitioners has been valuable and fulfilling beyond what could have ever expected. I am humbled to have contributed to the advancement of the plastic surgery discipline and aesthetic medicine.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

In my field, proper leveraging of social media can be the difference between a wildly successful practice and one that is struggling to stay afloat. Under my practice we have three different brands that are promoted across our social media channels. This has been particularly important when looking to further segment our business in hopes of creating independent revenue streams. The most important aspect of building our social media following has been consistency and the rate of meaningful engagement.

One of the most common inquiries at any plastic surgery practice will involve patients wondering what they will look like after the treatment. Before and after photos should be a cornerstone of any plastic surgeons’s social media pages. This is where you will be able to display your expertise and ability in implementing the art of beauty.

Ultimately, social media has allowed me to build a community and connect with industry peers around the globe. I cannot count how many times a patient has come into my office and led with “I feel like I know you already.” They’ll tell me how they watch every Instagram video and listen to every podcast, and in essence, build a personal relationship with myself before they even set foot in my office.

In my case, I launched an educational injector’s training course, which social media was truly invaluable for. In addition to the usual contents of an online course, I am now able to put into place systems that allow everyone from novice injectors to master injectors to be in a collaborative and teaching environment. If you do nothing else, be consistent, authentic, and focus on providing truly valuable content to your audience.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://beautybydrkay.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beautybydrkay/?hl=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BeautyByDrKay
• Other: Podcast: https://audioboom.com/channels/4952384-beauty-bytes-with-dr-kay-secrets-of-a-plastic-surgeon