Aesthetic Lead

We sat down with Jozlynne Cross, RN, Aesthetic Lead at Cosmetic Skin & Laser Center in Petoskey, to talk about the surprising science behind aesthetic medicine, why some of her favorite treatments challenge the biggest misconceptions in the industry, and how helping patients feel comfortable in their own skin often starts with changing the conversation. Known for her artistic eye, passion for regenerative aesthetics, and expertise in lip enhancement, Jozlynne believes the best results don’t make people look different. They help them look and feel more like themselves.

Tell us a little about yourself. Where do you live, and what do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I live in Petoskey, and outside of work, my biggest passion is cooking and baking.

My coworkers jokingly say that my goal is to give everyone Type 2 diabetes because I’m always bringing in baked goods. But honestly, I love creating food, sharing it with people, and spending time in the kitchen whenever I can.

What inspired you to pursue a career in aesthetics?
What surprised me most about aesthetics was the blend of art and science.

Before entering the field, I assumed aesthetics was purely cosmetic. What I didn’t realize was how much anatomy, physiology, and medical science are involved in creating beautiful outcomes.

As a nurse, I knew I wanted to use my nursing degree in a different way, and aesthetics became the perfect combination of science, creativity, and patient care.

Have you personally tried any of the treatments you offer? If so, which ones have been your favorites?
It’s hard to choose because I’ve tried many of them.

Some of my favorites are neuromodulators, PRF injections, microneedling, and IPL. I tend to gravitate toward treatments that improve skin quality and support long-term skin health.

I also love preventative treatments because they help patients maintain healthy, youthful-looking skin over time.

What’s your philosophy when it comes to aesthetic treatments?
My philosophy is simple: enhance, don’t change.

I never want patients to feel like they’re becoming someone else. My goal is to help elevate their confidence and address concerns that may be bothering them while preserving everything that makes them uniquely themselves.

The best aesthetic outcomes happen when patients still look completely natural, just refreshed and more confident.

What types of treatments do you specialize in or love performing the most?
I love performing lip filler.

One of the reasons I enjoy it so much is because of the challenge. There are so many misconceptions about lip filler, and many patients come in worried they’re going to end up with oversized or unnatural-looking lips.

I love helping people understand that lip enhancement can be subtle, balanced, and beautiful. Some of my favorite results are the ones where patients simply look refreshed and proportionate without anyone realizing they’ve had anything done.

I’ve also become incredibly passionate about Sculptra and regenerative aesthetics. Lately, I’ve found myself reaching for regenerative treatments more and more because I love the long-term collagen-building benefits they provide.

How do you approach creating results that look natural and balanced?
Sculptra is definitely one of my favorite tools for creating natural-looking results because it works by stimulating your body’s own collagen production.

Beyond that, I rely heavily on anatomy, facial balance, and symmetry. No face is perfectly symmetrical, but understanding those natural variations helps me create results that feel harmonious and authentic.

Natural results come from respecting the features a patient already has and enhancing them thoughtfully.

What are some of the most common concerns patients come to you with?
By far the most common concern is:

“I don’t want to look fake.”

Patients are often nervous because their perception of aesthetics comes from celebrity culture or extreme examples they’ve seen online. I actually enjoy those conversations because they give me the opportunity to show patients that aesthetics doesn’t have to look overdone.

There is an entire world of aesthetic medicine focused on subtle, natural-looking enhancements.

What’s your favorite combination treatment or treatment plan to create noticeable yet natural transformations?
One of my favorite combinations is Sculptra paired with microneedling.

Sculptra helps stimulate deeper collagen remodeling, while microneedling improves collagen production closer to the surface. I love combining different modalities that work toward the same goal because the results tend to be more comprehensive and natural-looking.

What’s your favorite patient success stories?
One patient came to me because she felt like she constantly looked angry due to deep lines between her brows.

She told me that her young daughter had even asked if she was upset because of the expression those lines created. She wasn’t interested in aesthetics and had never imagined herself pursuing cosmetic treatments.

After treating her with neuromodulators and eventually introducing her to regenerative skincare, she completely changed her perspective. She realized aesthetics wasn’t about looking different. It was about looking like how she felt.

Today she’s one of my most consistent regenerative skincare patients, and seeing that transformation in both her appearance and her mindset has been incredibly rewarding.

Celebrities and “bad plastic surgery” often make clients nervous about treatments. What do you say to assure them that results can still look natural?
I remind patients that many celebrities are actively trying to achieve a dramatic look.

Most of my patients are asking for the exact opposite.

When someone tells me they want natural results, we’ve already established a completely different goal from the beginning. We also spend a lot of time reviewing before-and-after photos and discussing realistic outcomes so patients understand exactly what to expect.

I also explain how little product is actually in a syringe. Most people are shocked when they realize a syringe contains roughly the volume of a blueberry. Strategic placement makes a huge difference, but the amount itself is much smaller than people imagine.

What do you think patients often misunderstand about aesthetics?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that aesthetic medicine is a magic wand.

Patients often hope that one treatment will solve every concern. In reality, aesthetics is a journey that requires consistency, realistic expectations, and a personalized treatment plan.

The best outcomes happen over time, not overnight.

Is there a treatment or technology that has surprised you most with its results? 
Regenerative treatments continue to surprise me.

Whether it’s PRF, Sculptra, or regenerative skincare, I’m constantly amazed by what the body can accomplish when we support its natural healing and collagen-producing processes.

The science behind regenerative medicine is one of the most exciting parts of aesthetics right now.

How is CSLC different than other med spas?
We prioritize relationships and outcomes.

There are many places that will continue performing treatments simply because a patient asks for them. At CSLC, we take a different approach. We focus on what’s actually in the patient’s best interest.

We value education, honesty, long-term relationships, and helping patients achieve healthy, natural-looking results rather than simply selling treatments.

How have you seen the field of aesthetics evolve over the last 5 years?
The biggest shift has absolutely been regenerative medicine.

Patients are moving away from the idea that more is always better and embracing the philosophy that less can actually be more. There’s a greater focus on collagen stimulation, skin health, and long-term results rather than dramatic changes.

I think it’s a very positive evolution for the industry.

What do you think the next 5-10 years will look like in aesthetic medicine?
I think we’ll continue seeing advancements in technology that allow us to create better outcomes with less downtime and greater comfort.

I also think we’ll continue moving toward treatments that help patients look effortlessly healthy and natural rather than obviously treated.

What does confidence mean to you?
Confidence is a sense of comfort and peace with yourself.

It’s feeling comfortable in your skin, comfortable in the room you’re standing in, and comfortable being exactly who you are.

To me, confidence isn’t loud. It’s a sense of calm and self-assurance.

What’s a beauty or skincare myth you love busting?
That aesthetic treatments are a magic wand.

I hear it all the time. People assume a laser or a single treatment will fix everything overnight. While treatments can absolutely create incredible results, there is no substitute for consistency, realistic expectations, and a long-term plan.

What’s your favorite skincare product and go-to treatment?
If I could only choose one treatment, I’d probably choose neuromodulators.

For skincare, I’m currently obsessed with Alastin Regenerating Skin Nectar and Skin Ceuticals P-Tiox. If you buried me with those products, I’d be perfectly happy.

What’s your coffee order?
An iced brown sugar shaken espresso.

It’s my go-to every time.

And what is your dream destination for rest and recharge?
Anywhere with incredible food, rich culture, and a new experience waiting around every corner. I love to travel, so for me it’s less about a specific destination and more about the opportunity to explore somewhere new.