Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Macomber
Hi Michelle, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am the owner, chief esthetician, and skin care educator at Surface Esthetics. I am always striving to help individuals feel their best by helping their outsides match their beauty on the inside. Confidence comes from feeling great, and confident people change the world. That’s what I am here for.
I first attended college at University of California at Santa Barbara, and then went on to pursue my Master’s of Education at California State University San Marcos. I went to work as a teacher, and loved it for a number of years, but when I had my son is 2003, I decided that I needed a job that was going to be more manageable for a mom schedule. I decided to redirect my career and received my Esthetics license in 2005.
After graduation, I received the prestigious Legacy Award from the International Dermal Institute. I went on to receive my Post-Graduate Certification in Esthetics due to the scholarship awarded by the Legacy program. I started Surface Esthetics in 2005, and I have been passionate about helping people ever since. I feel like I am in a unique position with my background as a teacher and a professor to educate my clients on how they can best care for their skin.
I now have almost 19 years of experience in skin, and 30+ years experience in education. 7 different San Diego physicians refer patients to me for solution based skin care. I absolutely love the diagnostic process, and I look forward to a new challenge every day of solving skin problems one mystery at a time.
I received the Channel 10 A-List Award for Best Facials in San Diego for five consecutive years for continued excellence in finding strategy-based solutions to long and short-term skin care issues. In addition, this year I received the Best Of North Coast award 2023 Reader’s Poll for Best Facial in San Diego. I have been asked to consult on a number of different projects throughout my career, most recently an interview with The Pause national newsletter highlighting skin care tips for women after 50.
With my background as both as a middle school teacher and a college professor, I spent countless hours studying skin care products and skin treatments. Solution based treatments are not just for women, but also men’s solutions, pregnancy solutions, and teen solutions.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road, especially working in the aesthetics field where you’re constantly dealing with different client expectations. One time, early on, I had a client who wasn’t totally happy with the results of a treatment. Everything had gone as planned, but she just wasn’t seeing the results she’d hoped for, and that was tough for me because I really care about making sure every client walks away happy.
I knew I needed to handle it carefully, so I took the time to listen to her concerns and reassured her that we could find a solution. We went over the treatment details together, and I made sure she felt heard. I also reached out to on of the physician’s I work with for a second opinion, just to be sure we were doing everything we could. After we came up with a follow-up plan, the client ended up feeling much better about everything, and it was a win for both of us.
It was a great learning experience for me. It taught me how important it is to communicate clearly with clients and to manage expectations upfront. Now, I always make sure to double-check everything with them before the treatment, and I’m a lot more proactive if any issues come up during or after.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Surface Esthetics?
Surface Esthetics was founded on the notion that there is no such thing as “perfect skin” but rather “your most perfect skin”. As the owner I have made it my mission in life to find everyone’s most perfect skin one treatment at a time.
I am the owner, chief esthetician, and skin care educator at Surface Esthetics. I am always striving to help individuals feel their best by helping their outsides match their beauty on the inside. Confidence comes from feeling great, and confident people change the world. That’s what I am here for.
A medical esthetician is a skincare professional who specializes in non-invasive cosmetic treatments to improve the appearance and health of the skin, often working in medical settings like dermatology offices, plastic surgery clinics, or medspas. While traditional estheticians focus on general skincare, medical estheticians have additional training and expertise to perform advanced procedures, often in collaboration with doctors or other medical professionals.
Being able to balance customized and medical esthetics practices is what makes my business truly unique.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I believe risk is a natural part of both personal and professional growth. Whether it’s stepping out of your comfort zone, trying something new, or making a decision with uncertain outcomes, risk is often the driving force behind progress. That said, I don’t see risk as something reckless; I prefer to approach it with a sense of calculation and preparation.
One example of a risk I took was when I decided to leave a stable position to pursue a role in a new field—medical aesthetics. It was a big leap, as it meant I had to go back to school for additional certification and training, and there was no guarantee that the investment would pay off immediately. However, I was passionate about the industry and felt that my background in customer service and skincare would allow me to make an impact. Despite the uncertainty, I took the plunge, and looking back, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. I’m now in a field I’m truly passionate about, and my career has evolved in ways I hadn’t imagined.
Taking that risk taught me a lot about resilience and adaptability. It wasn’t easy at first—there were moments of self-doubt, and the learning curve was steep. But it also reinforced the importance of staying focused on your goals, even when the path forward isn’t clear. I’ve learned to embrace uncertainty, knowing that calculated risks can lead to greater rewards and personal growth.
Nowadays, I take a more calculated approach to risk. I evaluate the potential outcomes, consider what I can learn from both success and failure, and ensure I’m making an informed decision. In the aesthetics field, for example, I regularly take on new challenges, such as trying advanced treatments or learning new techniques, but I always do so after thorough research and preparation. In essence, I think risk is best when it’s balanced with strategy, foresight, and a willingness to learn.
Pricing:
- New Client Consultation and Treatment, 30 Minute Consult, 60 Minute Treatment 220
- Prices based on time for future appointments, no upcharges for specific procedures
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sdfacial.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/surfaceesthetics
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Surface-Esthetics/116848491659114?ref=hl
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/surface-esthetics-del-mar
