The Future of Beauty: Kristin Gunn of Beaux Medspa On How Their Technological Innovation Will Shake Up The Beauty Industry
Express Yourself Creatively: Engage in creative activities that allow you to express yourself, whether it’s through art, writing, or any form of self-expression. Connecting with your creative side can enhance feelings of beauty and fulfillment. I started painting last summer and I simply lose track of time. It’s wonderful and calming.
As a part of our series about how technology will be changing the beauty industry over the next five years I had the pleasure of interviewing Kristin Gunn.
Kristin Gunn, an esteemed expert in beauty and skincare, possesses a diverse portfolio of licenses across Colorado, New York, and primarily Austin, Texas. With a career marked by innovation and excellence, Gunn founded Beaux Medspa in 2021. This establishment quickly rose to prominence, becoming known as the leading medical spa in Texas and drawing the attention of beauty aficionados statewide. Kristin’s entrepreneurial flair expanded with the launch of her exclusive skincare line, Halcyon Skincare, further cementing her reputation as a foremost authority in skin health. Gunn’s profound expertise and commitment to excellence have garnered her a diverse and high-profile clientele, including numerous celebrities. They rely on her for their skincare needs, a testament to her credibility and influence in the beauty industry. Her unwavering dedication to achieving impeccable skin results, coupled with her adoption of cutting-edge treatments, has unequivocally established her as a vanguard in the dynamic realm of beauty and skincare.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn a bit more about you. Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
Thank you for inviting me to share my story! My journey into this career was born from a personal struggle with skin issues during my younger years. I remember the frustration of tirelessly searching for skincare products, only to find that most would aggravate my skin further. This challenge ignited a spark in me — a blend of my inner science nerd and a deep-seated desire to find solutions.
I was working in an operating room at the time, a role that, while important, left me feeling unfulfilled. It was this yearning for something more that led me to pivot my career towards skincare and beauty. Now, with over 15 years in the field, I’ve realized that this path was my true calling.
Owning a successful medspa has been a fulfilling journey. More than anything, it’s the opportunity to help women feel confident and empowered that brings me the most joy. Every day, I get to combine my love for science with my passion for beauty, creating a space where women can find solutions that truly work for them. It’s a privilege to be a part of their journey towards feeling their best.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
Absolutely, one of the most fascinating experiences I’ve had since beginning my career occurred a few years ago. It was a regular day at the medspa when a woman walked in, visibly distressed. She shared with me that she was about to attend her daughter’s wedding in a week but was feeling incredibly self-conscious about her appearance. She had never tried any professional skincare or aesthetic treatments before and was skeptical yet desperate for a transformation.
Taking on the challenge, my team and I devised a custom, rapid skincare plan that combined gentle yet effective treatments, ensuring no downtime or adverse reactions. Over the week, we saw her almost daily, applying a mix of targeted therapies and nurturing her skin back to health.
After the wedding, she returned to thank us, and the change was not just physical. She walked in glowing, radiating confidence. Her gratitude was immense, and she shared photos from the wedding where she looked and felt fabulous. This experience was a powerful reminder of the profound impact our work can have on people’s lives, going beyond skin deep to boost confidence and happiness. It reinforced my belief in the transformative power of skincare and self-care.
Are you able to identify a “tipping point” in your career when you started to see success? Did you start doing anything different? Are there takeaways or lessons that others can learn from that?
The pivotal moment in my career was the opening of my own medspa in February 2021. Before this, I had dedicated my career to working diligently for others. Despite my hard work, I often felt underappreciated and experienced burnout. However, establishing my own space was a game-changer. It allowed me to cultivate an environment where both my staff and I could thrive. I’m fortunate to work with an incredibly talented team, and together we’ve built a welcoming and successful medspa.
This venture brought significant milestones, including a burgeoning celebrity clientele and a growing following. I’ve also been recognized as an authoritative voice in beauty on NBC. Excitingly, we’re expanding with a second location opening soon.
From this journey, the key lessons I’ve learned are the importance of believing in oneself and the value of listening to your heart. The pandemic was a crucial period for introspection, helping me realize my unhappiness in my previous job. Stepping out of your comfort zone and taking a leap of faith can be daunting, but it’s often necessary for growth and fulfillment. These experiences have taught me that taking chances, especially on yourself, can lead to remarkable achievements and personal satisfaction.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person to whom you are grateful who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I am grateful for a doctor I worked for in Dallas who mentored me when I was a broke, single parent. I remember telling him I wanted to learn how to do skin care, Botox and lasers. I told him I felt like I was too old to change careers at 34 because I would be almost 37 by the time I finished school. He looked at me over his glasses and said “really? How old will you be if you DON’T go to school?” That small change in perspective changed everything about my mindset moving forward.
Ok super. Let’s now shift to the main part of our discussion. The beauty industry today has access to technology that was inconceivable only a short time ago. Can you tell us about the “cutting edge” technologies that you are working with or introducing? How do you think that will help people?
Indeed, the beauty industry is rapidly evolving with technological advancements that were once unimaginable. In my practice, I’m excited to be at the forefront of integrating these cutting-edge technologies to enhance our treatments and services.
One of the most revolutionary technologies we’re utilizing is exosome therapy. Exosomes are tiny vesicles that play a critical role in cellular communication. In skincare, they have shown remarkable potential in promoting skin regeneration and repair. By applying exosome therapy, we’re able to target various skin concerns more effectively, from aging and wrinkles to more complex skin conditions. This approach harnesses the body’s own healing mechanisms, offering a natural yet powerful way to rejuvenate and restore skin health.
In addition to exosomes, we’re also exploring the potential of AI-driven skin analysis tools. These tools use artificial intelligence to analyze skin conditions with incredible precision, far beyond what the naked eye can perceive. This allows for highly personalized skincare recommendations and treatments, tailored to each client’s unique skin needs.
These technologies not only elevate the level of care we provide but also empower our clients with knowledge and treatments that are specifically suited for them. I believe that by embracing these innovations, we can offer more effective, efficient, and personalized skincare solutions, ultimately enhancing the overall wellbeing and confidence of our clients.
Keeping the “Law of Unintended Consequences” in mind, can you see any potential drawbacks about this technology that people should think more deeply about?
Absolutely, it’s crucial to consider the potential drawbacks of these advanced technologies in skincare, in line with the “Law of Unintended Consequences.”
Regarding exosome therapy, while it represents a significant advancement in regenerative medicine and skincare, there are aspects to be mindful of. There’s the question of standardization and regulation in exosome therapy, which is vital to ensure consistent and safe practices across the industry. You must choose a provider that uses regulated products for safety.
With AI-driven skin analysis tools, privacy and data security are major concerns. These tools collect and analyze personal health data, which must be handled with the utmost care to protect client confidentiality. Additionally, over-reliance on AI for skin assessments could potentially overlook the nuanced understanding and natural approach that our practitioners offer.
It’s important for both practitioners and clients to stay informed about these technologies, understanding not just their benefits but also their limitations and potential risks. Thoughtful and responsible integration of these technologies, along with continuous research and regulation, will be key in harnessing their full potential while safeguarding against unintended consequences.
Can you share 3 things that most excite you about the “beauty-tech” industry?
1. Personalized Skincare Solutions: The beauty-tech industry offers exciting possibilities for personalized skincare, tailoring products and routines to individual needs, enhancing the effectiveness of beauty regimens backed by science. It’s so cool!
2. Advanced Face Scanners: The integration of face scanners for pigment analysis and detection of skin cancers is a groundbreaking development, combining beauty-tech with health monitoring for enhanced well-being.
3. Holistic Beauty and Health: The intersection of beauty-tech with healthcare applications signifies a holistic approach, addressing both cosmetic and health aspects, contributing to overall well-rounded beauty solutions.
You are an expert about beauty. Can you share 5 ideas that anyone can use “to feel beautiful”? (Please share a story or example for each.)
1. Self-Care Rituals: Incorporate regular self-care practices into your routine, such as skincare routines, soothing baths, or mindfulness exercises, to nurture both your body and mind. As women especially, we are always taking care of other people and sometimes forget that we need attention too!
2. Dress for Confidence: Wear outfits that make you feel confident and comfortable. Dressing well can positively impact your self-perception and contribute to a sense of beauty. I try to go through my closet regularly and donate things that I would not buy again today. And definitely get rid of the stuff that doesn’t spark joy when you look at it!
3. Positive Affirmations: Practice self-love by affirming positive aspects about yourself. Recognize and celebrate your strengths, fostering a positive mindset that enhances your self-perceived beauty. Sometimes if we pay attention, the little voice in our head is not being as nice to ourselves as we are to other people. You have to change that!
4. Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Adopting a balanced diet, staying hydrated, and engaging in regular physical activity contribute not only to your physical health but also to a radiant and healthy appearance, boosting your sense of beauty. There is no antidepressant that is better than just moving!
5. Express Yourself Creatively: Engage in creative activities that allow you to express yourself, whether it’s through art, writing, or any form of self-expression. Connecting with your creative side can enhance feelings of beauty and fulfillment. I started painting last summer and I simply lose track of time. It’s wonderful and calming.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire 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. :-)
If I could inspire a movement, it would be “Women Uplifting Women.” This movement would center around fostering a culture of support, encouragement, and empowerment among women, transcending all areas of life, including personal, professional, and societal aspects.
The essence of “Women Uplifting Women” is to create an environment where competition is replaced with collaboration and support. It’s about recognizing that one woman’s success does not diminish another’s but rather contributes to the collective strength and progress of all women.
This movement would encourage mentorship, where more experienced women share their knowledge and guidance with those starting their journeys, whether in careers, personal development, or health and wellness. It’s about creating networks of support that help women to grow, learn, and thrive.
Additionally, “Women Uplifting Women” would advocate for inclusivity and diversity, celebrating the unique experiences and backgrounds of all women. It’s about building a community where every woman feels valued and heard, regardless of her age, race, profession, or lifestyle choices.
The goal would be to see this ethos extend beyond individual interactions and permeate society at large — influencing policies, workplace cultures, and community dynamics. By championing this movement, the aim is to create a world where women feel empowered to pursue their goals, support each other, and collectively work towards a more equitable and compassionate society.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
My favorite life lesson quote is, “The more you practice the art of thankfulness, the more you have to be thankful for.” This quote resonates deeply with me as it encapsulates the transformative power of gratitude in life.
Throughout my journey, both personally and professionally, I’ve learned that focusing on the positive aspects of any situation can profoundly impact my outlook and experiences. It’s about recognizing and appreciating the good, even in challenging times. This mindset shift has taught me to see the abundance in my life, rather than fixating on what’s lacking.
Reflecting on where I am today, I realize it’s a culmination of dreams I had just a few years ago. Acknowledging this progress instills a deep sense of gratitude and accomplishment. It’s a reminder that even the smallest steps forward are worth celebrating.
This quote also reminds me to stay grounded. Being aware that there are many who are less fortunate brings a sense of perspective and responsibility. It fuels my desire to give back, whether through my work or personal endeavors, and to contribute positively to the lives of others.
How can our readers follow you online?
Thank you so much for joining us. This was very inspirational.
