Medical Aesthetician, MA

With more than a decade of experience in aesthetics, Hillary Ellis, LA, MA, has built her career around helping patients achieve healthier, more confident skin through personalized treatment plans and honest guidance. As one of CSLC’s experienced laser specialists, she combines advanced technology with thoughtful skincare recommendations to create natural, long-lasting results. We sat down with Hillary to talk about her passion for laser treatments, the importance of building healthy skin from the inside out, and why consistency always wins when it comes to aging well.

Tell us a little about yourself. Where do you live and what do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I live in Linden, Michigan, and have called this area home for more than 20 years. I have three children who keep me very busy with travel soccer, college life, and family activities.

When I have a little free time, I enjoy reading, listening to audiobooks, golfing, and spending time with family.

What inspired you to puruse a career in aesthetics?
I originally attended cosmetology school planning to do hair, but I quickly realized skincare was where my passion truly was.

I’ve always loved learning about skincare products, anti-aging treatments, and helping people feel confident in their skin. I’ve now been in aesthetics for more than 10 years, and I still love learning and helping patients every day.

Have you personally tried the treatments you offer? Which ones are your favorites?
Absolutely. I believe it’s important to personally experience the treatments I recommend.

My favorites are microneedling for collagen stimulation, Moxi laser treatments for maintaining healthy skin, and Hydrafacial.

Those are my personal go-to treatments.

What’s your philosophy when it comes to aesthetic treatments?
I encourage patients to stay open to different treatments because your skin changes over time.

What worked five years ago may not be the best option today.

I also believe medical-grade skincare at home is just as important as the treatments we perform in the office. The combination of professional treatments and consistent home care delivers the best results.

What treatments do you specialize in or enjoy performing the most?
I’m definitely a laser girl.

Before joining CSLC, I focused almost exclusively on laser treatments, and they’re still my favorite. I love performing BBL, Moxi, Halo, and microneedling because they create meaningful improvements in skin health and appearance.

What are some of the most common concerns patients come to you with?
The biggest concerns are usually fine lines, pigmentation, melasma, and overall signs of aging. Since I personally deal with melasma, I understand how frustrating it can be.

I enjoy creating customized treatment plans that combine safe, effective treatments with the right skincare to help patients manage those concerns.

What’s your favorite combination treatment for creating natural-looking skin transformations? 
One of my favorite long-term plans is doing a Halo treatment once a year for deep resurfacing, then maintaining those results with Moxi or microneedling throughout the year.

I also love pairing those treatments with Hydrafacial or DiamondGlow to keep skin healthy, glowing, and refreshed.

Can you share a patient success story that stands out to you?
One patient had incredible results after a Halo and BBL combination treatment.

Another that always stands out was a young man in his early twenties who struggled with acne. Together we created a customized treatment plan, and watching his skin improve, and seeing how much more confident he became, was incredibly rewarding.

Many patients worry about looking unnatural. What do you tell them?
I hear that every day, especially from patients considering injectables for the first time.

I always remind them that our goal is never to make someone look different. It’s about helping them look like themselves, just more refreshed.

Most people are surprised when they learn I’ve had treatments because everything is done conservatively and naturally. That’s exactly how we approach every patient.

How have you seen aesthetics evolve over the last 5 years?
I’ve noticed younger generations are becoming much more educated about skincare, sunscreen, and prevention than we were years ago.

Preventative Botox, daily sunscreen, and healthy skincare routines have become much more common, and I think that’s a really positive shift.

What excites you most about the future of aesthetics?
The industry is constantly evolving with new technologies and regenerative treatments.

It’s exciting to see how much innovation continues to happen, and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next.

What does confidence mean to you?
Confidence is beauty.

When you feel confident, the best version of yourself naturally comes through.

What’s a skincare myth you love busting?
One of the biggest myths is that Botox and filler automatically make people look fake or overdone.

When performed thoughtfully and conservatively, aesthetic treatments should simply help you look refreshed and well-rested.

What’s one skincare product you can’t live without?
Alastin Even & Correct Intensive Brightening Serum. It helps keep my melasma under control while giving my skin a healthy glow.

What’s your favorite coffee order?
A hot oat milk latte with two pumps of brown sugar and cinnamon.

What’s your dream destination for rest and recharge?
Italy. I recently visited Positano, Rome, Tuscany, and Florence, and I’d love to go back to explore even more of the country.