Medical Aesthetician, MA

We sat down with Kendra Langham, LA, MA, Medical Aesthetician at Cosmetic Skin & Laser Center in Traverse City and Suttons Bay, to talk about her journey from hospitality and event planning into aesthetics, why she believes great skin is built through consistency, and the treatments she finds herself recommending again and again. A Northern Michigan native who loves being outdoors, Kendra brings a warm, approachable perspective to aesthetics and believes the best results happen when treatments are personalized to fit each patient’s goals, lifestyle, and comfort level.

Tell us a little about yourself. Where do you live, and what do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I’ve lived in Traverse City my entire life and genuinely love living here.

Outside of work, you’ll usually find me outdoors, especially during the summer. I love hiking, spending time at the beach, exploring the dunes, golfing, walking my dog, and spending time with friends. Northern Michigan summers are too beautiful to spend indoors, so I try to make the most of them.

What inspired you to pursue a career in aesthetics?
My career path actually started in a completely different direction.

I earned a degree focused on hospitality and business and spent time working in event planning. Throughout college, though, I completed internships at a spa and quickly realized how much I enjoyed that environment.

I loved working with people, helping them feel their best, and creating positive experiences. Eventually, I realized I was more passionate about aesthetics than event planning, and it felt like the perfect fit.

Have you personally tried any of the treatments you offer? If so, which ones have been your favorites? 
I’ve tried just about all of them.

Hydrafacial will always be a favorite because it’s relaxing, effective, and leaves your skin feeling amazing. But if I had to choose my favorite results-driven treatment, it would be microneedling.

I love the collagen stimulation aspect of microneedling and how it improves overall skin health over time.

What’s your philosophy when it comes to aesthetic treatments?
I believe treatments should help you feel like the best version of yourself.

Aesthetics is a journey, not a one-time event. The best results happen when patients commit to a plan, stay consistent, and understand that meaningful improvements happen over time.

It’s about investing in yourself and allowing the process to work.

What types of treatments do you specialize in or love performing the most?
I perform a lot of facials, chemical peels, microneedling, and Morpheus8 treatments.

If I had to choose favorites, it would probably be facials and peels. I love helping patients improve their skin health while creating treatment plans that are tailored specifically to their concerns and goals.

What are some of the most common concerns patients come to you with?
One of the biggest concerns I see is the early signs of aging.

Patients often come in noticing fine lines, skin laxity, texture changes, or loss of collagen. A lot of what I do involves helping them understand how collagen production changes over time and what we can do to support healthier, stronger skin moving forward.

What’s your favorite combination treatment or treatment plan to create noticeable yet natural skin transformations?
One of my favorite combinations is alternating microneedling and Hydrafacial treatments.

Microneedling helps stimulate collagen production and improve texture, while Hydrafacial helps replenish hydration and support overall skin health during the healing process.

Together, they create a really balanced approach that keeps skin healthy, glowing, and resilient.

What do you think patients often misunderstand about aesthetics?
I think many people assume aesthetics is one-size-fits-all.

In reality, it’s incredibly customizable.

Every patient has different goals, budgets, lifestyles, timelines, and comfort levels. A good treatment plan should reflect those individual factors rather than following a standard formula.

That’s one of the things I love most about aesthetics. There are so many ways to personalize care.

Is there a treatment or technology that has surprised you most with its results?
IPL continues to impress me.

Whether we’re treating pigmentation, redness, visible vessels, or signs of sun damage, the improvements can be dramatic. Patients are often amazed by how much brighter, clearer, and healthier their skin looks after treatment.

It’s one of those treatments that consistently delivers a “wow” moment.

How is CSLC different than other med spas?
Before joining CSLC, I worked in a more traditional spa environment where the focus was largely on relaxation and self-care experiences.

What I love about CSLC is that we focus heavily on results while still maintaining a welcoming and supportive environment.

Patients come to us because they have specific goals, and we work together to create personalized treatment plans that help them achieve those goals without overdoing it.

It’s a very thoughtful, individualized approach.

What do you think the next 5-10 years will look like in aesthetic medicine?
One of the things I love most about aesthetics is that it’s constantly evolving.

New technologies, treatments, and research are always emerging, and I think we’ll continue seeing advancements that help patients achieve even better results with greater comfort and efficiency.

It’s exciting to be part of an industry that is always learning and improving.

What’s your favorite part about being part of the CSLC team?
The team, without question.

Everyone says they work with great people, but I genuinely feel like we have something special here. We support each other, learn from each other, and spend so much time together that it truly feels like working with family.

It’s one of the reasons I enjoy coming to work every day.

What does confidence mean to you?
Confidence means showing up as your best self.

It’s trusting yourself, putting your best foot forward, and knowing you’re doing your best, even on days when things aren’t perfect.

Confidence isn’t about perfection. It’s about feeling comfortable enough to keep showing up and being yourself.

What’s your skincare trifecta?
If I had to choose three essentials, it would be:

• Retinol at night
• Vitamin C in the morning
• Daily SPF

When patients are consistent with those three things, they can make a tremendous difference in the health and appearance of the skin.

What skincare products are always in your bathroom?
Alastin moisturizers and the Skinbetter Science AlphaRet line.

Those are two product lines I consistently find myself reaching for.

What’s your go-to treatment?
Microneedling.

If I could only keep one treatment in my routine, that’s the one I’d choose. It improves overall skin health, supports collagen production, and helps address a wide range of concerns over time.

What’s your coffee order?
A hot dirty chai with an extra shot of espresso.

There’s just something about a warm drink that feels cozy year-round.

And your dream destination for rest and recharge?
Anywhere tropical.

Give me sunshine, warm weather, a great drink, and a beautiful view, and I’m happy.