Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Shepherd.
Hi Samantha, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I struggled. My skin was constantly breaking out and getting freckled and in my teens I was already getting microdermabrasion and good skin care from a nurse in town. The confidence I felt when I was leaving my appointments made me realize that I wanted to make people feel that way. As soon as I finished nursing school in 2005, I got certified through the National Laser institute and began offering chemical peels, Botox and laser treatments out of a local doctors office. Over the years, I was hired by some of the largest laser and skin care companies to educate other nurses, doctors and estheticians on skin care and safe delivery of treatments. I loved it! Then. Bam. I started struggling with skin flares, an autoimmune condition of the gut and OCD. My stress load (and childhood trauma) was destroying me, and everything that used to work for me, chemical peels, strong skin care formulas, and lasers started making my skin freak out even worse. Nothing that I knew worked any more. Nothing. I couldn’t really get help from the dermatologist because I had inflammatory skin and my gut was already trigger happy so prescriptions were not an option. They told me to use Cetaphil and sunscreen. No guidance was given what so ever. I had to figure out this dumpster fire of inflammatory skin all alone. So I spent years studying, taking integrative medicine courses, putting together the clinical patterns of my self and the patients I was treating in medspas where I was working during this. It dawned on me. No one is helping people like me with complex skin conditions, sensitivities and nervous system dysregulation. DermaDarling is my Skin Integrity Studio. I have been open for 3 years really focusing on nothing but perimenopausal skin, menopausal skin and inflammatory skin disorders like acne, rosacea, eczema, and pigmentation.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Running a busy and successful practice with a high touch model has its challenges. I have had to really get to know myself. Look myself right in the eyes. My body and nervous system is sensitive. I have flare ups of the autoimmune disorder that would make me bed ridden. I had to learn how to manage my stress levels and work in my natural rhythms. For instance, my hours are 11-6pm. I see no more than 9 patients a day. I work 3-4 days a week. I take vacations when needed. I have an assistant that keeps my practice humming and makes my work so much more enjoyable. She helps manage my patient relationships and manages their whole experience with me so I can focus on healing their skin.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a nurse practitioner that specializes in integrative skin care. I take care of skin that is reacting to hormones, immune stimulation, weather, diet, stress and chronic inflammation which takes a lot of support and deep clinical intuition. My clients are struggling with acne, rosacea and aging skin. My OCD has been a blessing here. I catch every pattern. I can tell when someone is on the verge of a flare up in 2 seconds. I can tell how their hormones are going to be running amok on their healing time and make adjustments to the treatment and routine. I use treatments and protocols that are low risk and proven to improve the health and function of the skin. Our practice was designed to calm your nervous system from the lighting, to the treatment rooms and the soft scent. We aren’t a medspa, we are a boutique skin care practice with a strong medical backbone.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My husband helps me on the back end of the business and is an amazing book keeper and finance guy. My assistant Kami is the glue of my practice. I could not do it without either one of them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dermadarling.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dermadarling
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dermadarling
