MEET KIMBERLY SCHANZER – NYC LASER ESTHETICIAN
Although Kimberly Schanzer practiced law for over a decade, her ultimate ambition was always to start her own business—a goal that came to fruition in 2009 when she co-founded Pulse Laser and Skincare Center after receiving training and certification as an esthetician. Pulse—one of New York City’s elite upscale boutique laser and skincare centers—offers personalized, tailored treatments for laser hair removal, skin tightening, anti-aging, acne, vessel removal, and chemical peels. Kimberly considers her legal expertise an asset to her business endeavors, as she oversees the business initiatives at Pulse while also treating patients daily. Since its founding, Pulse has grown to a seven-room, five-laser facility, serving more than 6,000 clients, and delivering the gold standard in laser technology.
Tell us a little bit about your history, and how you came to open your own beauty business and practice as an esthetician.
Before opening Pulse, I was an attorney for 12 years, but I always harbored a love of skin care and dreamed of opening my own beauty business. In 2007, the subprime crisis hit and I decided shortly thereafter that it was time to pursue a new career. After much research, I enrolled in a top licensing program at Atelier Esthetique in New York City, to become a New York State licensed esthetician, with the mindset of eventually starting my own business. After graduating in May 2009, I worked for a small spa for a year while setting up my current laser practice, Pulse Laser and Skincare Center, which opened in October 2009.
What treatments and skin issues do you specialize in?
I specialize in laser hair removal, skin rejuvenation, and acne and acne scar removal. My skin rejuvenation and acne removal techniques include both laser treatments and chemical peels, the combination of which achieves amazing results. With the lasers we have at Pulse Laser and Skincare Center, we can also tackle issues such as facial and spider vessels and pigmented lesions caused by the sun. We are lucky enough to have lasers to treat all skin tones and ethnicities.
How do you feel attitudes toward laser treatments have changed during your career?
More and more clients want laser as an alternative to other beauty treatments, such as waxing or threading, and more importantly, surgery. A few years ago, the perception among many men and women was that laser treatments were unattainable or out of the ordinary. Today, laser treatments are revered as the gold standard for achieving permanent improvement in the health of one’s skin. And they are accessible, quick, and easy.
What treatments do you find are most popular at Pulse Laser and Skincare Center?
Laser hair removal, hands down! It is our top selling service. Most of our clients start with a smaller area like the bikini zone or underarms, and once they see the results, they move on to larger body parts, like legs.
What should all clients discuss with their estheticians prior to having a treatment?
Clients need to feel empowered to do their research. There is a wealth of knowledge available with respect to different lasers, and a client should be well informed about what services they are receiving and by whom before they book an appointment. At Pulse, we always offer complementary consultations to explain clients’ options. Clients should also make their esthetician aware of any medications or medical conditions that could compromise their treatments.
What do you think the future holds for laser treatments and the consumer?
I think that more and more consumers will continue choosing laser treatments over other beauty treatments, especially as the technology improves and the treatments become more aggressive. Today’s lasers are so advanced—the experience can be virtually pain free and usually has zero downtime. Consumers have recognized laser treatments are something they can stop in and receive on their lunch break, or in between errands. Over the next few years, I think we’ll see laser treatments become part of most everyone’s regular skin care routines.
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