Inside Prime MD Aesthetics: Safe Injectables, Smarter Skincare, And Realistic Results

Ready for a fresh start that actually feels like you? We sat down with Prime MD Aesthetics in downtown Johnson City to demystify modern, nurse-led beauty care—no scare tactics, no overdone looks, just smart planning and results you can live in. From GLP-1 weight loss support to microneedling, neuromodulators, fillers, and collagen stimulators, we walk through what each tool does, who it helps most, and how to stack treatments with skincare for real, lasting change.

We dig into the art and science of natural results: addressing the whole face instead of spot treating, respecting muscle balance, and choosing the right modality for each concern. You’ll hear how genetics can drive early lines, why medical-grade skincare multiplies your outcomes, and how collagen strategies like microneedling and Sculptra differ from volume-focused fillers. We also talk downtime, pain control, and recovery boosters like PDGF, plus where laser shines for pigment and texture. If you’re navigating Botox vs Dysport, curious about semaglutide or tirzepatide, or overwhelmed by product aisles, this conversation brings clarity.

You’ll also get practical details: the Johnson City location opened in January 2024 with a modern, elevated space, free weight-loss consultations this month, and 15% off for new clients. Booking is simple—online, by phone, or through Instagram—and the team’s nurse practitioner shares a patient-first consult process built on listening, education, and budget-aware planning. If your goal is to look rested, brighter, and confidently yourself, this is your guide to doing it safely and thoughtfully.

If you enjoyed this conversation, follow and share the show with a friend, and leave a quick review to help others find it. Subscribe for more local stories, expert insights, and practical tips to make Northeast Tennessee living even better.

To help you to navigate the home buying and mortgage process, Jonathan & Steve are currently licensed in Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia, contact us today at 423-491-5405 or visit www.jonathanandsteve.com. 

Transcript

Welcome To Benchmark Happenings

SPEAKER_00 0:01

This is Benchmark Avenue. Brought to you by Jonathan and Steve from Benchmark Home Loan. Northeast Tennessee. Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol, the Tri-City, one of the most beautiful places in the country to live. Tons of great things to do and awesome local businesses. And on this show, you'll find out why people are dying to move to Northeast Tennessee. And on the way, we'll have discussions about mortgages. And we'll interview people in the real estate industry. It's what we do. This is Benchmark Happenings, brought to you by Benchmark Home Loans. And now your host, Christine Reed.

SPEAKER_01 0:45

Happy New Year, everybody, and welcome back to another episode of Benchmark Happenings. And you know, it's the first of the year, so we always want to start off on our best foot. And I have the star of our show today. We're going to highlight one of our um great local businesses here that's downtown Johnson City, Prime MD Aesthetics. So, ladies, welcome and thank you for being here.

SPEAKER_02 1:13

Thank you for having us. Thank you for having us.

SPEAKER_01 1:15

Yes, so we have uh Christy Dunbar here, that's kind of the manager, oversees all the operations for Prime MD Aesthetics, and then Lindsay Tony, who is uh one of your top injectors here at Prime MD Aesthetics. So we're gonna talk a little bit about that, okay? Awesome. So uh Christy, uh and I know your sister Angela Williams is the one that really started Prime MD Aesthetics, and and she has a very successful business in Raleigh, and I think there's another um uh location in in North Carolina. Yes, it's in Roseville, North Carolina, and they have a little uh site also in Whithfield, North Carolina. Oh my goodness. Wow, I didn't know that. And how long has Angela been uh in this line of work?

SPEAKER_02 2:03

Um I would think that they started the first one back in 2016. 2016.

SPEAKER_01 2:09

Yeah. And Angela's also a nurse, registered nurse. And you know, that's why I always talk about nursing as one of the greatest professions in the world because you can launch from that profession to do anything that you would like. Right. And Lindsay, are you also a nurse? Uh nurse practitioner. So oh, so you went on above girlfriends.

Origins And Nursing Backgrounds

SPEAKER_03 2:28

I did. I didn't know I could do this as an RN at the time. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't went back to school, but I'm glad I did. Because I can do other things too, like prescribe medications or you know, we have the wellness program and the weight loss.

SPEAKER_01 2:40

So yes, that is wonderful. So as a nurse practitioner, so Lindsay, why don't you share a little bit of what you guys offer at Prime MD? Because it's the new year, everybody wants to get fit, we all want to look better. Um, so just what are some of the things that services that you all provide?

Weight Loss Programs And Free Consults

Neuromodulators And Fillers 101

SPEAKER_03 2:59

Yeah, so as far as that goes, you know, weight loss is always big in January. Everybody has their their new year's resolutions. Um so we do offer weight loss, a weight loss program, the GLP ones. Um, so that's really popular. I'm sure we've all heard about it. Semaglutide, trzepatide are two of the big ones that we have. Um, and we're actually offering free consultations right now for weight loss. So um come see us for that in January. Um, but yeah, we do that, and then we have a lot more to the wellness side, like hormones, general wellness, things like that. But I don't really I've not really dove into that side of it. We're actually looking for somebody to do that for us full time. Um, but then I do the injectables, so I do all of the neuromodulators, so Botox and Disport to, you know, those are wrinkle relaxers um for fine lines and wrinkles, which we all like to get rid of, right?

SPEAKER_01 3:57

I need some wrinkle relaxers.

SPEAKER_03 3:59

Yeah, relax the wrinkles. And then um dermal fillers. So as we age, we lose volume in our face. Um, you know, we lose bone, collagen, elastin, um, fat. So the dermal fillers are more for volume replacement. So it's a hyaluronic acid. So I do that as well. And then biostimulators, which is our sculptra. Um, and so that just stimulates our own natural collagen. So it's really good for Okay.

SPEAKER_01 4:30

So is that an injectable sculpture? And so it does it stimulates collagen for individuals. Is there a certain age limit to these um uh products that help promote collagen if you're over a certain age? Are they effective, Lindsay?

Personalized Treatment And Genetics

SPEAKER_03 4:47

Um, I mean, you know, as far as sculpture goes, we usually recommend it starting in your 30s. Okay. Um, so 30s and on. Now, as far as like neuromodulators, there's really no technical age limit for any of these products. I think the FDA says like 21 for dermal fillers, but you know, I like to treat everybody individually. I mean, if I have, you know, a 20-year-old coming in and they've got something going on that they just don't like, then I mean I will treat them. Um, you know, I've treated people that have deep 11s, like the little line between their eyes, and they're super young and they're like, I don't like this. And I mean you can see that it's it's deeper than than average. So, you know, I just I do it very on an individual basis.

SPEAKER_01 5:31

Right. It just depends on that person. So it's it's um, you know, you customize basically you're looking at that individual holistically, and that's the one thing I love about having nurses who are injectors and work in this line of work is because as a nurse, and I'm a nurse also, we are holistic because we truly look at the whole person. You know, it's not just one thing. And you know, we can have all the injections we want, but if our lifestyle is horrible, our diet, you smoke, you drink I mean, drink a lot, I mean, those kinds of things we know it's just not gonna be as effective, right?

SPEAKER_03 6:08

And too, genetics plays a big role, especially in our face, you know, for these younger people that come in that have these deep lines, a lot of times it is genetics.

SPEAKER_01 6:17

So I've noticed a lot of the forehead wrinkles with younger, um, and you know, and it it truly is, it's not from their age, it is genetics. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 6:26

Um genetics, anatomy, a lot of different things go into play with that. I know when I was young, I I hated my forehead wrinkles, and I was like, what am I gonna do? This is before I knew about Botox. Because I feel like too, the aesthetics industry, like in the last, I don't know, seven years or so, it's just kind of taken off. And I feel like when I was younger, like you didn't hear people talk about it as much. And now I feel like it's the norm, kind of. Um, so I was like freaking out when I was little because I was like, I'm gonna have these wrinkles in my forehead forever and they were deep. And but yeah.

Spa Services And Skin Tech

SPEAKER_01 6:58

Well, you know, I always wish I looked back if I could turn back the clock. I wish I would have started Botox a long time ago. But like you said, Lindsay, that's something that nobody really talked about. It it's been around for a long time. Um, but it just now it's like it it really is kind of part of a woman's beauty routine now. It's more accepted now, I feel like. It is. And I don't think people are near as afraid to do that, you know, uh to have the Botox or the fillers or um, you know, I know it makes you feel better. It makes me feel better for sure. Yeah. Um so what are some other things that you guys provide at Prime MD?

SPEAKER_03 7:39

So we have two estheticians there. Um they do all of our facials, um, they do micro needling, uh, laser hair removal. Um we also have a I do the CO2 laser there, which is a you know, skin resurfacing. Um it's good for fine lines, elasticity, um, hyperpigmentation. Um what else do they do? The different kinds of facials, hydrofacial, geneofascial, um, custom facials if you don't want either one of those.

SPEAKER_01 8:13

Yeah, custom facials. Um I know that when Taylor uh I went and had a mini facial. Thank you, Christy. Um, and she had a new product. It was an oil that she was talking about. She actually used that on my face, but I can't remember the name of that. Um that was probably the plated. Yeah, she used that. It was it felt wonderful, and it was talking about what a clean product it is to use on your face, and it could replace a lot of the other, you know, products that I've used. I know that uh because I've been to Prime MD. Angela's done some injections for me, and um, I don't mind saying that. Um you know, it's all good. Um, but it is beautiful, it's beautiful. Um, I was so when you guys had your grand opening, when was the opening of in Johnson City?

Product Lines And Skincare Basics

SPEAKER_02 9:04

It was January 2024.

SPEAKER_01 9:06

Yeah, I was shocked, literally shocked when I walked in. It's beautiful. Um, if you've not been there to Prime MD aesthetics, you need to go just to just to see. It it looks like you've stepped in to an aesthetics place in Miami. I mean, kudos to whoever designed that. Thank you for saying that. It's it is beautiful. The chandeliers, the glass, uh, it's um it truly is. You feel like you are walking into a luxury aesthetics salon.

SPEAKER_02 9:39

Yeah, that's what we were trying to make it feel like something different when you walked in than the normal things here in Johnson City. We just try to elevate that.

SPEAKER_01 9:46

It is elevate. That's a good word. I think you know, that truly does describe uh it is elevated. It's an elevated experience. I felt a little intimidated when I walked in there. No way. Uh but uh and also one thing I do like about your salon is you have such a wide array of products that you offer. We do. Uh that's it's a little overwhelming. I know there's just so many products out there, and I'm always like, what do I use? How do I use it? Um, and I know Lindsay, that's kind of not your thing, but I think it's important to get with a uh use a line of a medical grade product on your face. Yeah.

Holistic Consults And Full-Face Planning

SPEAKER_03 10:29

Um and we encourage that even to like our younger clients, you know, start now. Um, but yeah, we carry hydrinity, um, epicutis, ZO, Skin Better. Skin Better. Yeah, that's one of my favorites. Um and then we've got a little bit of revision, I think. Um, but yeah, we have a lot of options there. Which, like you said, it can be overwhelming, but that's why we are there to help you. That's right.

SPEAKER_01 10:57

And I think some products work better on some people's skin than others. So you just have to kind of try things out to see what's really gonna work for you. Um, so what would you suggest, Lindsay, is if someone come came into you for a consult, um, like, you know, how they would start. If they're like, oh no, I just want you to do some Botox here or there. I mean, you kind of like looking at their face and thinking, huh, you probably need a little filler here.

SPEAKER_03 11:25

Uh so I like to address the face as a whole. Of course, I ask them what their main concern is, like to hand you a mirror when you sit down in my chair and I'm like, tell me what you love about yourself and tell me what you dislike about yourself or what you notice when you look at yourself in the mirror. And so that's kind of how I start it. And then, you know, they'll tell me what their concerns are and we'll address that. But then I do like to address the face as a whole because I think when you when you just spot treat, that's kind of when we get imbalanced in our face, especially with fillers. Um, and also, you know, with our neuromodulators, I like to treat the face as a whole instead of spot treating because the anatomy, the way the muscles work together, sometimes it can look kind of off if you just do one like one spot opposed to treating the whole face. So I like to I like to address it as a whole. Um, and then of course I give my recommendations. And then I don't, I'm not pushy, I don't make anybody do anything, obviously. Um, and I know budget's important, especially in this industry. So I take that into consideration and we just come up with a plan together.

Microneedling Results, Pain, And Downtime

SPEAKER_01 12:31

Yeah, I love that. Well, I'm looking at both of you, and and you both are beautiful, you look so natural. Thank you. But I think that's the goal is to look natural. Yes, for sure. And uh I'll have to tell you a funny story. We are uh we started watching, I'm almost I probably shouldn't say this. But Palm Beach. Have y'all seen that on Netflix? No, I have not. I've not watched that. Well, okay, you're not missing anything. But uh I don't think I think we're I think we're in episode three or four, and I think we might have to stop watching it because these ladies are just they're talking at the same time and arguing so much. But it's all about, you know, Palm Beach is like the echelon of of wealth and uh But the women on that show, I'm like, could they have not found prettier women? I mean, you can tell that it's bad facelifts, bad lip jobs. I mean, just go on there and look.

SPEAKER_02 13:33

I'm like we'll have to check it out now. I know.

SPEAKER_01 13:35

Yeah, the only thing I like about it is the the some of the outfits and the purses, you know, things like that. I imagine it's similar to like the housewives, like the housewives kinda. Okay, yeah. It's all Palm Beach. But you know, most of those housewives shows, and I I mean, they don't really look good either.

SPEAKER_03 13:55

I feel like they unnatural. Like they don't look natural, you know. Yeah.

PDGF, PRP, And Safety Considerations

SPEAKER_01 13:59

And I think that's what a lot of women are afraid of. Um they don't want to look like what they've seen on TV or the movies or these housewife shows and stuff. Oh, I don't want to look like that. But you know, I think with with you, Lindsay and and uh the other ladies there and with Christy, um I'm really comfortable knowing that I'm never gonna look unnatural or it's never gonna look like um you've had something what what have you had done? Or or you know, you want to hear the things like, wow, you look great.

SPEAKER_02 14:35

Yes, yes, you look rested.

SPEAKER_01 14:37

You look yeah, glowy and happy and yes, rested and and glowing with your skin, and I think that's you know, that's so important. Yeah, the goal. So Lindsay, would you s what would you suggest for someone that's you know, they're they're just kind of thinking about it, um, maybe they're a little fearful. What would be a good place for them to start if they come to see you?

Lindsay’s Nursing Journey To Aesthetics

SPEAKER_03 15:01

Um, a consultation for one, um, just to kind of talk about everything. And and you know, usually people for their first visit, they are scared, they are nervous. And that's normal. Like it's more nor it's more not normal to not be nervous, you know. Um, so I'm like, it's totally normal to be nervous, and then we just kind of I would talk through things and I mean it's it's you're gonna be nervous until you do something. And then once they do that first step, they're like, Oh, it wasn't that bad. And then once they start to see the results, they're even happier. Um, so then that's when they start coming back. So that's right.

SPEAKER_01 15:40

And in any age, really, I mean, I don't think you're too old or really too young to do things and start, you know, like even with a good skincare routine. Yeah, you know, when you're young, I think that's important.

SPEAKER_03 15:54

Microneedling, I recommend that for all ages, you know, for our younger, all the way through our older clients. I mean, that's one of the best ones, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 16:01

It's one of my favorite. And tell us, like, some people may not know what does what is micro needling?

SPEAKER_03 16:07

So it's it's a collagen stimulator. So basically it's a little handheld device, it's got little needles on the end, and so it creates these little micro channels in the skin. When we use a like a topical serum with that, so like a HA hyaluronic acid. Okay. Um, but it it stimulates collagen, so fine lines, um, acne scarring, it's really good for that. Um, so it's yeah, it's I love it. I recommend it to all my patients. Does it help with pigmentation? Um, it can a little bit, okay, but more so laser for that.

SPEAKER_01 16:40

Gotcha. And how often would you recommend microneedling for someone?

SPEAKER_03 16:45

So if you've never done it, I always recommend a series of three, four weeks apart. And then for maintenance after that, I tell people twice a year, two to three times a year. Nice. Just for maintenance. Is that painful to have microneedling? It's not bad. So everybody has a different pain tolerance. Um, but we do numb you. We have a lot of cane topical numbing cream that we want. I have a very low pain.

SPEAKER_02 17:10

So with the numbing cream, you do not feel like that. But honestly, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 17:13

It's good. It's it's one of our yeah, it's not, it's not bad. I to me it feels kind of like sandpaper on my face. Like scrubbing sandpaper on your face.

SPEAKER_01 17:22

What about the downtime for like if I come in, have microneedling? What can I expect to like when to put makeup on or when to I can go back to work or what what about the You can go back to work the next day.

SPEAKER_03 17:36

Um see that's great. I tell people though, you'll have you may have a little bit of redness for a day or two. Um, you know, everybody's skin reacts differently. But on average, you know, a little bit of redness for a day or two, then your skin might feel a little bit dry and kind of flaky for a few days. But I mean, 24 hours you can wear makeup is what I tell people. Um, you can go back to work the next day.

SPEAKER_02 17:58

If you get it with the PDGF too, that really helps with the downtime. Like I didn't have any redness maybe an hour afterwards, and that's about it.

SPEAKER_03 18:06

So we have a new product, it's called PDGF. It's platelet derived growth factors. Yeah. So it's basically lab-made like PRP, um, which I don't know if you're familiar with PRP, but that's where we draw our blood and pull out the platelets, and then you can re-inject it or you can micro needle it. It's also really good for micro-needling. But PDGF, it's a newer product in the industry. Um, and so you can do it topically after your micro needling procedure, um, and it helps reduce the downtime. So reduce redness. I think I did it last time with PDGF and I wasn't even red for like a day. Um, but it's amazing. That's great. And now can that also be injected?

SPEAKER_01 18:47

No. Okay. Yeah. Okay. Is there a new because Angela was telling me about a new injectable under your eye? What is that?

SPEAKER_02 18:56

That that one is, I mean, people do that off-label injecting with the PDGF. I gotcha. I gotcha.

SPEAKER_03 19:02

There's a lot of big controversy right now on that.

SPEAKER_02 19:06

Um big injectors, big cities are doing the injecting with that. Yeah. But it is off-label.

SPEAKER_01 19:12

Oh, gotcha. Okay. All right. Well, uh, so Lindsay, so how you said you were a nurse, then you became a nurse practitioner. So where did you practice nursing?

SPEAKER_03 19:23

So as an RN, so I started, gosh, as an RN, I graduated in 2013 and I worked at the Johnson City Medical Center. Um, I was there for six years. I worked on a trauma step-down unit. So there were two sides. There was a trauma step down, and then there was like a post operative, a lot of GYN surgeries. Um and then kind of a hodgepodge of everything. So I did that for six years. And then um I got I just bedside wasn't for me. Um, so I went back to school and got my MP and I graduated in 2017 with that. And I actually started out in psychiatry.

SPEAKER_01 20:00

Mm-hmm.

SPEAKER_03 20:00

Um, had no idea really what I wanted to do. Wow, I wish I'd have known that.

SPEAKER_01 20:05

Have you been analyzing me this whole time? No. Don't worry.

SPEAKER_03 20:10

No, I did inpatient psychiatry, but I did the medical side of things. So I didn't actually do psych, I just worked with psych patients. And so, you know, it was inpatient. So I would manage like diabetes, hypertension, chronic conditions, things like that. Or if something happened, if somebody got sick while they were there, then I would treat that. So I did that for a little while. Um, and I was just like, this isn't it, you know, there's gotta be something more enjoyable for me out there. Um, and I had no idea what that was. But then I started getting Botox myself, and I was like, oh, this seems kind of fun. So I actually convinced one of my friends, I was like, let's dive more into this, let's take a class and like learn more about it. And so we did, and I just I loved it from the start. Yeah. And I was like, I moved to Charlotte, North Carolina for you know, a few years um and really got into it there. And I was just, I loved it, loved learning about it, you know, doing it the hands-on part of it. Um, whereas in psychiatry, it was just more paperwork and you know, not a lot of hands-on things. Um, and I missed that part of nursing. So I really enjoyed that part. Um, but yeah, and then I worked in Charlotte for a couple years, and then my husband and I, we had a baby, and I was like, I want to be closer to family. So that's what brought us back to Johnson City. Okay. And uh Prime MD opened up as soon as I moved back, so it was like it was meant to be. That's wonderful.

Location, Specials, And How To Book

SPEAKER_01 21:44

Well, that's one well, you've got just an amazing experience, a great background in nursing, Lindsay. And um I want to just thank both of you for being here today. Thank you for the you're welcome. And Prime MD Aesthetics, what's your address? 121 North Commerce Street, suite 100. Okay, and then also uh website PrimeMdcenter.com. Okay. And you also have things on Instagram.

SPEAKER_02 22:12

Yes. All the specials go on Instagram. If you want to look and see what January specials are, hop on the Instagram. It's Prime MDJC. Prime MDJ. And we're offering a 15% off for all new clients.

SPEAKER_03 22:25

So very good. Yep. You can book online, you can call to book. Um DM us on Instagram. Yep, Instagram.

SPEAKER_01 22:34

Okay, awesome. Well, thank you both, Lindsay Tony and Christy Dunbar from Prime MD Aesthetics for being on today. And um looking forward to a great new year, and I'm sure I'll probably see you girls soon. Thank you. Thank you.

SPEAKER_00 22:51

This has been Benchmark Happenings, brought to you by Jonathan Tipton and Steve Reed from Benchmark Home Loans. Jonathan and Steve are residential mortgage lenders. They do home loans in Northeast Tennessee, and they're not only licensed in Tennessee, but Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia. We hope you've enjoyed the show. If you did, make sure to like, rate, and review. Our passion is Northeast Tennessee. So if you have questions about mortgages, call us at 423 491 5405. And the website is www.jonathansteve.com. Thanks for being with us, and we'll see you next time on Benchmark Happenings.