Micaela Bartash Of Contour Aesthetics + Wellness On 5 Things Anyone Can Do to Have Healthy, Radiant, Flawless Skin
An Interview With Athalia Monae
Always use a good moisturizer as your last step at nighttime to keep your skin hydrated.
Each day, millions strive to unlock the secrets of blemish-free, luminous skin, yet many find this goal frustratingly out of reach. In a market saturated with quick fixes and fad trends, it’s vital to cut through the noise and understand what truly works. Our skin is our largest organ and the shield between our bodies and the outside world; it deserves more than just a superficial approach. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Micaela Bartash.
With over a decade of experience as a Physician Assistant, Micaela combines her aesthetic eye and facial rejuvenation skills with her medical knowledge, creativity and critical thinking skills from emergency medicine. Micaela founded Contour with a plan to offer mobile botox and fillers, but in just one month, realized that she needed more tools to achieve the natural results that she wanted to deliver for her patients. Contour has since invested in multiple skin rejuvenating devices, traveled around the country to train, expanded the team, and opened an office.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion about networking, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?
I had always been intrigued by skincare, having dealt with acne and melasma since early adulthood. While earning my masters degree in Physician Assistant Studies, I rotated with a dermatology clinic but I just could not get into medical dermatology. I fell in love with the fast pace of the Emergency Department, and was a PA-C there for about 8 years. Then covid hit and I was laid off. My heart was no longer in ER and it was time for a change. Drawn again to skincare, I started taking dermatology classes but still felt like it wasn’t the right fit. I applied for several jobs in cosmetic dermatology but was repeatedly turned down due to a lack of experience in the field. I mentioned to my friend and former Supervising MD in the ER that I was taking Botox classes for fun and he asked if I was ready to start our company. I used to come to work with my face fried off from various treatments and he had developed a skincare line in the past. We had always joked that we’d get into aesthetics one day, and then we did!
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
I think what is interesting about my story is that my business partner, Dr. Graf, and I met when I was sort of dumped on him during a last minute scramble to secure a rotation during my Physician Assistant training back in 2013. Little did I know that he would become a lifelong mentor and friend, and that my pitch for “Botox in a bag” would evolve into a fully loaded medspa with support staff.
You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
- Passion. I am genuinely interested and excited to bring the best of the best to my patients and I think that it shows in my care and continuing education.
- Grit. Being a CEO is a 24/7 job. But when you love what you do, it’s a little easier to find the time to go the extra mile.
- Honesty. It is a privilege to be entrusted with treating someone’s face. I believe my patients trust that I will always act in their best interests, and I am committed to doing so.
Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. What are your “ 5 Things Anyone Can Do to Have Healthy, Radiant, Flawless Skin”?
- Wear spf 30+ every day, rain or shine.
- Apply tretinoin nightly for its anti aging properties.
- Wear medical grade vitamin C serum every morning to make your sunscreen work even better to protect your skin.
- Exfoliate every week or two with products such as a glycolic acid wash or a chemical peel once every three months.
- Always use a good moisturizer as your last step at nighttime to keep your skin hydrated.
What are the most common misconceptions about daily skincare routines that prevent people from achieving radiant skin?
I think a common misconception about daily skincare is that you need to have lots of steps and products. It is more important to be consistent with a few daily key products (ie spf, tretinoin, vitamin C) than it is to have a 7 step routine.
Could you share your insights on how diet and nutrition directly affect skin health, and perhaps suggest some superfoods for skin radiance?
We are what we eat. Sugar and processed foods may lead to dull skin, breakouts and inflammation. A diet focused on protein, fiber, healthy oils, fruits and vegetables will promote radiant skin.
How do you recommend individuals tailor their skincare routine to address the unique needs of their skin type and environment?
While there are some basic products that work for all skin types, the best way to build a no-fail skin care regimen is with the guidance of your dermatologist or practitioner. After all, they are experts in skincare!
What advances in skincare science or new ingredients are you most excited about that promise to enhance skin health and radiance?
Exosomes are pretty hot in skincare right now. Exosomes are messengers that carry essential information and factors from one cell to another. When applied to the skin post procedure, exosomes expedite recovery and optimize collagen production in the skin. We’ve seen healing times cut in half and swear that a patient’s skin looks airbrushed after adding on exosomes to treatments like microneedling RF or laser.
Can you describe a holistic approach to skincare that encompasses not just topical treatments but also lifestyle and wellness practices?
Healthy habits like daily movement, drinking water, clean eating and prioritizing sleep make you not only feel better but also look better.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
I think that if we all could practice more kindness the world would be a better place.
How can our readers further follow you online?
They can follow along at our instagram @contourcharleston or facebook “Contour Aesthetics + Wellness”
They can also visit our website at www.contourlook.com
Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
About the Interviewer: Athalia Monae is a product creator, published author, entrepreneur, advocate for Feed Our Starving Children, contributing writer for Entrepreneur Media, and founder of Pouches By Alahta.
