Aesthetic PCP

We sat down with Rita J. Altman, PA-C, Aesthetic PCP at Cosmetic Skin & Laser Center in Sarasota, to talk about four decades in medicine, how aesthetic medicine has evolved, why “slow and steady” creates the best results, and why helping patients feel confident has always been her greatest reward.

Tell us a little about yourself. What do enjoy outside of work?
I live in paradise on Siesta Key, and honestly, it feels like I’m on vacation every time I go home. Watching sunsets, seeing dolphins, and being near the water never gets old.

I also teach yoga, something I’ve been passionate about for more than 40 years, and I love taking yoga classes myself, especially sunset beach yoga and hot yoga. I also enjoy playing pickleball. Those are definitely my happy places outside of work.

What inspired you to pursue a career in aesthetic medicine?
I’ve been a physician assistant for more than 40 years, and my background was originally in surgery, where I developed a lot of my technical skills. When Botox Cosmetic first became available for cosmetic use, I took a training course almost out of curiosity. At the time, I actually thought I was too young for it.

Once I experienced it myself and started learning the artistry behind injectables, everything clicked. Aesthetic medicine combines technical precision with creativity, and that made perfect sense to me. It became a natural evolution of my surgical background.

Have you personally tried the treatments you offer?
Absolutely. I believe in experiencing treatments myself whenever possible. Since I primarily focus on Botox Cosmetic and dermal fillers, those remain some of my favorite treatments because the results are noticeable, rewarding, and can make a meaningful difference very quickly.

That said, I’m incredibly excited about regenerative aesthetics. Building collagen and improving skin health over time is where I believe the future of aesthetic medicine is headed.

What’s your philosophy when it comes to aesthetic treatments?
Slow and steady.

You can always add more, but you can’t take away. I’ve always believed that consistent maintenance creates better, more natural-looking results than trying to do everything at once.

I often compare it to filling your gas tank. The first visit fills an empty tank, but after that, you’re simply topping it off. That’s how you maintain beautiful, natural results over time instead of constantly starting over.

What concerns do patients most commonly come to you with?
Most people tell me, “My face is falling.”

They often feel like they woke up one day and suddenly everything changed. Sometimes that happens during menopause, sometimes later in life, but almost everyone remembers that moment when aging suddenly seemed accelerated.

My role is helping them understand what’s happening and creating a personalized plan that helps them look refreshed while feeling more confident.

What’s your favorite treatment combination for natural-looking results?
Botox Cosmetic and dermal fillers remain one of my favorite starting points because they create noticeable results that build trust.

From there, I love incorporating treatments like Morpheus8 and collagen-stimulating therapies. I always tell patients these treatments are synergistic. One plus one doesn’t equal two. It equals four. When treatments work together consistently, the long-term results become even better.

What’s one patient success story you’ll never forget?
One of my longtime patients is now in her 80s.

She laughs because whenever she visits a new doctor’s office, they often think they have the wrong chart because she looks much younger than her age.

My favorite story, though, is when her husband told her, “You’re so lucky. You don’t have to do all those things your friends do. You just naturally look beautiful.”

He had no idea she’d been seeing me for years.

That’s probably one of the greatest compliments I can receive because the best aesthetic work should never be obvious.

Many people worry about looking overdone. What do you tell them?
Ironically, celebrity overfilled faces have actually made my job easier.

Years ago, people often wanted everything corrected in one appointment. Today, most patients specifically tell me they don’t want that look.

That allows me to explain why we always start conservatively. A little today, evaluate the results, then add only if needed. Patients appreciate that approach because it builds trust, and the results always look more natural.

What do patient misunderstand most about Botox and fillers?
Many people don’t actually know what each treatment does.

Someone may come in asking for Botox in a specific area when what they’re really need is a different approach altogether.

Rather than treating what patients ask for, I focus on understanding what they’re trying to achieve. Then I recommend the right treatment. Botox Cosmetic relaxes muscles. Fillers restore structure. Once patients understand that difference, everything starts to make sense.

Has there been a treatment or technology that has surprised you with its results?
Without question, Plated™ skincare.

I’ve watched it dramatically improve healing after laser procedures, soften scars, and noticeably improve overall skin quality. When patients start asking what you’ve been doing differently, you know you’ve found something special.

How has aesthetic medicine changed over the last 5 years?
Regenerative aesthetics has completely changed the conversation.

We’re moving away from simply replacing volume and toward helping the body regenerate itself by stimulating collagen and improving overall skin health. I truly believe that’s where aesthetic medicine is heading.

Where do you see the industry going over the next 5-10 years?
I think regenerative medicine will become part of everyday healthcare.

We’re shifting away from treating illness and moving toward optimizing health and wellness. Whether it’s peptides, hormone optimization, regenerative therapies, or collagen stimulation, the future is about helping the body do what it was designed to do.

That’s incredibly exciting.

What makes CSLC different from other med spas?
CSLC treats the whole person, not just the concern they booked for that day.

We believe feeling your best starts from the inside out. That means combining regenerative medicine, wellness, hormone optimization, advanced aesthetic treatments, and education into one personalized plan.

We’re not interested in quick fixes or chasing trends. We invest in long-term relationships, comprehensive care, and helping patients feel healthier, more confident, and supported throughout their journey.

What does confidence mean to you?
Confidence is feeling good about yourself so you can accomplish whatever you set out to do.

When you feel healthy and you feel good in your own skin, everything becomes a little easier. Whether someone is recovering from illness, raising a family, building a career, or simply entering a new chapter of life, confidence helps them move forward.

What skincare products can you not live without?
Plated™ skincare, prescription tretinoin, sunscreen with zinc oxide, and Botox Cosmetic are my lifelong essentials. Those four things have made the biggest difference in maintaining healthy, youthful skin.

What’s your coffee order?
I actually make my own coffee every morning. I grind Costco beans extra fine, almost Turkish-style. That’s my perfect cup.

Favorite place to rest and recharge?
Living on Siesta Key already feels like a dream vacation, but whenever I really want to reset, I love attending yoga retreats. They’re the perfect way for me to recharge both mentally and physically.