Aesthetic Lead

What does it take to create aesthetic results that look effortless? For Katie Wells, BSN, RN, it starts with understanding the whole picture, from facial balance and skin health to the small details that make each person unique. We sat down with Katie, Aesthetic Lead at Cosmetic Skin & Laser Center in Chelsea, to talk about her surgical nursing background, her less-is-more approach to aesthetics, why she believes the best results are built over time, and the treatments she loves both personally and professionally.

Tell us a little about yourself. What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I live in the Saline and spend a lot of time in Ann Arbor. Outside of work, I love running and am currently training for the Chicago Marathon. I’m involved with the local running community, and I also love reading, cooking, baking, trying new recipes, hiking, and spending time outdoors. At home, there’s nothing better than curling up with a good book and my cat, Pickles.

What inspired you to pursue a career in aesthetics?
I’ve always been interested in both medicine and beauty, and aesthetics feels like the perfect fusion of the two.

My background is in surgical nursing, where being precise and detail-oriented is incredibly important. Those skills translate naturally into aesthetics because so much of what we do is about understanding anatomy, paying attention to subtle details, and thoughtfully enhancing someone’s features.

Have you personally tried any of the treatments you offer? Which are your favorites? 
Definitely! I’ve tried many of them.

One of my favorite combinations is pairing Botox with a VI Peel. By the time your skin is finished peeling and looking refreshed, your Botox has kicked in too. The timing works beautifully together.

What is your philosohy when it comes to aestheitc treatments?
Less is more, but personalization is just as important. I believe every patient should have a comprehensive treatment plan designed specifically for them rather than simply treating one isolated concern.

If someone comes in interested in lip filler, for example, I’m also considering lip-to-chin proportion, overall facial balance, skin health, and what will create the most harmonious result. It’s about choosing treatments intentionally and looking at the entire picture.

How do you create results that look natural and balanced?
It starts with a full-face assessment and really understanding what the patient sees and what they want to improve.

From there, I like to build a strong foundation with treatments such as Sculptra, Morpheus8, and other collagen-stimulating options before moving into some of the finishing touches.

I sometimes compare it to baking a cake. You want to build the cake first, then add the icing. Treatments such as filler and neuromodulators can be beautiful finishing touches when the foundation is thoughtfully addressed.

What treatments do you especially love performing?
I love treatments that allow me to create a comprehensive plan. Facial balancing is especially rewarding because I can combine dermal filler, neuromodulators, biostimulators, and skin treatments to create a result that feels balanced and natural rather than focusing on one feature in isolation.

What is one of the biggest concerns you hear from patients?
Patients are often worried about looking fake or overdone. They’ve seen aesthetic work that looks obvious, and they don’t want people to be able to tell they’ve had something done.

That’s why I focus on conservative, customized treatment plans and small adjustments over time. We’re checking in throughout the process and making sure the result continues to feel like you. The goal is undetectable work that helps you look refreshed, not different.

What is one patient experience that has stayed with you?
I recently had a patient tell me that people had been complimenting her skin all weekend and asking what she had done because she looked so good. What I loved was that no one was asking whether she had gotten injectables. They were simply telling her that her skin looked amazing and that she was glowing.

We had done Dysport, a Hydrafacial, and dermaplaning. To me, that’s exactly what a great aesthetic result should feel like. People notice that you look great without necessarily knowing why.

Is there a treatment that has especially impresses you with its results?
Morpheus8 continues to impress me because it’s incredibly versatile and customizable. We can use it to address concerns such as skin texture, acne scarring, laxity, pore appearance, fine lines around the mouth, and different areas of the face and body.

I also love microneedling with PRF. Treatments that encourage the skin to regenerate and support its own collagen are such an important part of creating results that continue to age well.

What makes the CSLC approach different?
I think CSLC really emphasizes the patient journey, and that’s incredibly important to me.

We’re not simply performing a treatment and sending someone on their way. We’re building relationships, checking in, earning trust, and creating plans designed to produce results that are long-lasting and age well.

I also love the collaborative environment. Being able to work alongside so many talented providers and learn from one another makes the entire team stronger and ultimately benefits our patients.

How have you seen aesthetics change, and where do you think it is headed?
There are more treatment options than ever, and there continues to be more research around both existing and emerging technologies. That allows us to become increasingly specific about what we recommend and create more customized plans for each patient.

I think regenerative aesthetics will continue to grow significantly. We’re going to have even more ways to support collagen, skin health, and natural-looking results rather than relying on a single type of treatment.

What is a skincare or aesthetic myth you love busting?
One misconception I hear is that if you start Botox or another neuromodulator and eventually stop, your wrinkles will somehow become worse. That isn’t the case. While you’re receiving treatment, those muscles are being relaxed, which reduces the repetitive movement that contributes to expression lines. If you stop, movement gradually returns, but you aren’t suddenly worse off because you had Botox.

What is one skincare product you can’t live without?
Skinbetter Science AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads. I use them a few times a week before bed, and I love how glowing my skin looks the next morning. They’re definitely a ride-or-die product for me.

What’s your coffee order?
I’m pretty classic. A warm cappuccino with whole milk.

And your dream destination for a little rest and recharge?
New Zealand. It just seems absolutely dreamy.