Leading with Love
- Sunny Kim
- 14 hours ago
- 7 min read
When SKin Phi was birthed in 2022 one of my very first newsletters was titled "All Good Things start with L". A tribute to the people who make life so special, and without whom this dream would never have happened. In January another dream came true for me and @lynjectables Nurse Lyne joined SKin Phi. Well well well, another L it is! It's kind of uncanny how all the L's in my life just keep rolling in....
This February newsletter is a Galentine's love letter to some awesome humans, but if you just want to skip down to the Feb Promos just scroll all the way down to the end!
Love letter to all the L's:
Dr. Laughlin was the inspiring sub-specialty Dermatologist who mentored both myself and @dermnurseLara for a combined 30+ years! I was just in my 20's when I first met this remarkable woman, who single handedly brought laser medicine to dermatology patients in the 80's. Pioneering port-wine stain birthmark treatment for babies and adults with the Pulsed Dye Laser in Canada. Laserderm was not just "another medspa", it was the mother ship of all things laser medicine and cosmetic dermatology in it's inception. There is a certain power in being the first, being innovators, pushing boundaries of what is possible, embracing the vanguard of technology. And here's the thing. She did all this while still being a wonderful human and compassionate doctor. An old fashioned doctor in the best sense, one who took more time than she had to talk to patients and care for them. She wanted to challenge me and others on her team, to give us space and nuturing to take skills and grow WITH her. I learned so many valuable LIFE lessons during my formative years at Laserderm; not just technical and expert mastery of lasers, energy, dermatology for healing and anti-ageing, injections that look beautiful not crazy. @dermnurseLara would say the same. In the end, when the corporation Victoria Park took over operations, Lara was delegated to manage the entire laser services program. Do you know what that means? SHE was the boss of everyone who was trained and delivered any laser procedure, we had about 30 laser systems at any point in time. THAT is the kind of background which forms SKin Phi level of experience, care, trust. We don't take it lightly that you TRUST us with your skin, and we hope to always care for you like the way our teacher showed us how.
Lalaine is the heart of our operations. I know 100% that I never would have started SKin Phi without this guiding and grounding force. She is the best person I know who can balance grit and Grace. I learn from watching her every day. She is the reason why when we have a patient who shares that they have been diagnosed with cancer, we do things to make life a little softer, a little kinder, because we have to take care of each other in this Tribe like we are family that doesn't share biology. She will always listen with a kind ear, lend a tender hand or pray for you if that's what is helpful for you. Our philanthropic mission is so important to us, because now we have the power to do things like that-- no one is here to tell us that profits matter more and that's the bottom line! Lalaine makes sure that we never forget who we are doing this for... for YOU. And also for our community. We love supporting local groups like Boys and Girls Club, Foodbank, womens shelters like Cornerstone and Harmony House, Salus Ottawa which advocates for adults living with mental health issues and housing insecurity. When our patients are involved in philanthropy or charitable events, we try to support them too, because we all share the load. That is a Tribe, of love.
Derm Nurse Lara is one of a kind. Truly one in a million. Because I don't know anyone else in existence like her in this city! And let me tell you, she knows almost everyone in Ottawa. Though she was an immigrant from Holland, she spent her teen years and college locally, and also worked at her brother's bar Woody's when he needed help. The fact that we bump into someone she knows (from high school, from bar tending, from nursing at the hospital or fertility clinic, or from Rugby because her family is all-things Rugby) just about anywhere we go! It's important that someone this kind and talented and fiercely golden-hearted has a sphere of influence that is far reaching. Good things need to be spread, shared, propagated. I am so happy that we can share Lara with the world. And I know our Tribe is so thankful that any laser or medical procedure they undergo in her care will be the BEST. Being a nurse's nurse cannot be underestimated. We started in this field as competent medical/surgical nurses first, and then channeled that nursing spirit into the sub-speciality field of laser and cosmetic dermatology. That's a different take than the Instagram profiles that feature glamour nurses, the ones who "go into nursing to become a cosmetic injector" kind of nurse. We are nurses first. These ARE medical procedures. And advocating for your health and wellness is the absolute prime directive, that's just the way that we roll!
Lisa, Magic Hands, Peacock is gifted in the art of touch. A very loyal and longterm patient found her for us a couple years ago, she said "she is the best esthetician" in all of Ottawa. So of course we invited her to come into our zen clinic and help care for our patients. And it did not disappoint. Her calming energy adds a level of healing to the microneedling, BelaMD medical facials, and the trademark "Take me Beyond" Indian Head Massage, otherwise known as champissage. Champissage not only works on relieving achy muscles and general tension, but the calming effect for the central nervous system is incredibly therapeutic for stress, tension and pain. The mental and emotional (and sometimes even spiritual) benefits of vagus nerve stimulation that occurs with champissage are so wonderful, we watch patients walk out of her room looking lighter, kind of floating. Best thing to do for our patients at this point is to go home, take a bath or nap. It's that relaxing. Having a treatment with Lisa and Beyond is more than therapeutic, it is kindness to yourself.
Lyne Fenton, RN, is my sister in arms. I met her at a Nurse Injector MasterLevel meeting about 15 yrs ago. A nurse's nurse, who is as passionate about excellence in injectables as I am, as careful and intentional about laser treatments as Lara is, and brings her own flare so this new SYNERGY is just a delight to work in everyday. She cares for her patients like a true nurse should, thinking only of their best interest and what is likely to bring joy to your life. I know countless stories of how she has helped patients achieve confidence, health, beauty, and all with the caring heart of an expert and ethical NURSE. She is not a tech, not just another cosmetic injector who attended weekend training courses as a side hustle. She aligns with our philosophy of saying "No" when something is not safe or tasteful or just not necessary for a patient. SHE is the only one I trust to inject my face, by the way. And for the first time in 52 years I allowed a needle into my lip! I sometimes do my own Botox injections in a mirror, but lip filler must be done in the hands of someone you trust your life with. Lyne gave me my 40 yr old lips back, and I am so so so grateful. So is my partner, who doesn't even know I did it👄 . He just thinks I'm sooooo beautiful naturally. Hahha. I'm not, I'm really not. As the Queen Ms. Dolly Parton said "it takes a lot of of work to look like this" 😉
And finally, I would like to introduce you to Kim Kelsey. Kim started with us in Sept 2025, and while everyone misses our Kelly (she will make an occasional appearance, as she is still our casual on-call administrator), we can't believe we hit the jackpot again!! When you find people who align with your values and they just flow into the ebb of the work culture. She welcomes you to the space as though she has been here for years. That's how we know she belongs with us, and she is here to serve you with gentleness and a smile. We love to say that we hire only terribly over-qualified professionals. Kim is no exception, she has spent a career in case management, dealt with high stress and high volume workloads helping community care patients, post secondary students at Algonquin College, and is an avid bird watcher! It's so fun to tune into her live camera watching for birds coming to the backyard feeder🐦🦅🕊️
Kim, you are not an "L" but I am happy we share the kim!
February Love Yourself or Love Valentine/Galentine!
If this scene of our reception area calms and soothes your nerves, you're not alone. Many patients say they just feel a sense of calm or zen as soon as they step in.
Magic Hands for a Valentines treat! Come in for a BelaMD or Bela and Beyond, Lisa is now also receiving patients for full Indian Head Massage (60 mins of head, neck, chest and arms therapy for calming the nervous system). Gift cards can be purchased for your beloved (Each $200 gets you 25 credit applicable to service or skincare!)
We welcome any of past @lynjectables patients to SKin Phi. You will receive complementary gifts for sharing space with her in her new home. Valued up to $410. Ask about this when calling to schedule an appointment for laser or injections with Lyne.
New Feb Skincare specials are going to be featured weekly, where a product will be reviewed by our staff. Favourite picks and why they love this product will be shared on our Instagram @skinphiottawa
10% off this weekly promotion. In clinic or call us to order and reserve for you.
Injectables that are Undetectable with Botox gift
Any 3 syringes or vial of injectable therapy qualifies you for a gift of $130 complementary Botox.
Injectable options are: Juvederm, Restylane, Sculptra, Radiesse, Belkyra (min $1200 treatment),
**Skinvive syringes must be 4 in total to qualify as "3 syringes". Our Skinvive syringe is $500/each, a savings of about $300 compared to most other medical clinics offering this skin quality boosting injectable.
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