Andrea Castro – Unveiling The SkinBarre Medical's Personalized Skincare Approach
Apr 25, 2024
Alimond Studio
Embark on an intimate exploration of transformation and healing as Andrea Natasha Castro, a visionary artist turned skincare maven, recounts the evolution of her passion project, The SkinBarre Medical. Our conversation unveils Andrea's personal metamorphosis, tracing her path from the creative realms of art and design to mastering the art of personalized skincare. You'll be captivated by her story of resilience, born from her mother's health struggles, driving her to create a sanctuary in McLean, Virginia, that celebrates the uniqueness of each individual's skin, especially diverse skin tones. Andrea's commitment to offering a spectrum of treatments, from the latest in skin rejuvenation to holistic weight loss programs, ensures that every client's journey to self-care is as bespoke as the artwork she once crafted.
As we sift through the hype and unveil the truths of popular skincare trends, Andrea sheds light on the myths surrounding Morpheus 8—a treatment as revolutionary as it is misunderstood. This episode peels back the layers of skincare misconceptions, providing you with the wisdom to navigate the complex landscape of beauty treatments. Meanwhile, the serene ambiance of Skidmore Medical Spa, which Andrea discusses, illustrates their philosophy of nurturing not just the skin but the soul within. Discover how this unique spa experience transcends the typical beauty service, offering a haven where emotional well-being blends with aesthetic aspirations. Tune in for a heartfelt and informative session with Andrea, whose expertise will leave you inspired to embrace the beauty of personalized skincare.
Embark on an intimate exploration of transformation and healing as Andrea Natasha Castro, a visionary artist turned skincare maven, recounts the evolution of her passion project, The SkinBarre Medical. Our conversation unveils Andrea's personal metamorphosis, tracing her path from the creative realms of art and design to mastering the art of personalized skincare. You'll be captivated by her story of resilience, born from her mother's health struggles, driving her to create a sanctuary in McLean, Virginia, that celebrates the uniqueness of each individual's skin, especially diverse skin tones. Andrea's commitment to offering a spectrum of treatments, from the latest in skin rejuvenation to holistic weight loss programs, ensures that every client's journey to self-care is as bespoke as the artwork she once crafted.
As we sift through the hype and unveil the truths of popular skincare trends, Andrea sheds light on the myths surrounding Morpheus 8—a treatment as revolutionary as it is misunderstood. This episode peels back the layers of skincare misconceptions, providing you with the wisdom to navigate the complex landscape of beauty treatments. Meanwhile, the serene ambiance of Skidmore Medical Spa, which Andrea discusses, illustrates their philosophy of nurturing not just the skin but the soul within. Discover how this unique spa experience transcends the typical beauty service, offering a haven where emotional well-being blends with aesthetic aspirations. Tune in for a heartfelt and informative session with Andrea, whose expertise will leave you inspired to embrace the beauty of personalized skincare.
Speaker 1:
So my name is Andrea Natasha Castro. My business is the Skin Bar Medical. It's been opened for about 12 years at the location that we're at. It's 1320 Vincent Place, mclean, virginia. We've been there about seven years and what we offer is in-depth skin care treatments, consultations on just about every different concern that you might have when it comes to acne, anti-aging, just giving a little bit of a fluff to your skin to wake it up. Also, we do the Botox and the fillers and all that stuff. Body treatments after surgery. Or if you don't want to do surgery and you want to have an alternative, we have alternative mommy makeovers. That we do as well. Wow, you guys have a one-stop shop there.
Speaker 1:
I also saw some weight loss on there, some stuff yes, so that's part of the skin bar med fits um. So we have a trainer um, we have, uh, we do the semi-glutide um. But my program is pretty strict to make sure that you lose the weight, keep the weight off and you understand what your body did, so that you can keep the weight off as well. So it's not just your typical hey go get a shot, or here's the bottle, and we don't do that.
Speaker 2:
That's amazing, though Tell me your story a little bit about how you started this. I know you said it's been around for 12 years, so did you always know that this was the direction you wanted to go? Tell us a little bit.
Speaker 1:
No, so my degree is in art and design and so I wanted to decorate and stuff like that and like build stuff. And I was going to go to Corcoran in DC but I had a scholarship to a art school in Switzerland. I was 16 and my mom called me and said that she had a brain tumor, so so everything changed and then after that I was in New York, I came back and you only have one mom, so you take care of your mom, and she was bedridden for about two years and then after that I went to a community college and did the art and design still. But at that point I was like I need to get a job and so my job was.
Speaker 1:
My first job was with a plastic surgeon. And when I got to start working with a plastic surgeon, it's you know, it's skin care. It's like what happens to the skin and like surgeries and you know breast augmentation, tummy tugs, lipo and all these things. And during this time my mom was complaining, after all the medication and the radiation and all these things. And during this time my mom was complaining, after all the medication and the radiation and all that stuff, she always complained about her skin being dry. And then I started to understand that her skin was dry and leather-like because of the tumor it was 99, so it wasn't cancerous. So then, working with the plastic surgeon that I started work with, I started to learn about skin and also with taking care of my mom and learning about lymphatic drainage, because she needed a lot of that. I just knew that I wanted to take care of people and through the plastic surgeon, like I said, I started learning about skin care lines, and actually this one is the first one that I learned about, which was great, and it started to help my mom.
Speaker 1:
And then this one kind of like was the deal break her on everything and it helped her out a lot, so it calmed her skin and made her feel a little bit better. And then my journey just kind of started from there and just kept on pushing and I worked with cancer patients for many, many years. I worked with acne patients for many, many years. I also dedicated myself to learn about different skin types and different origins, meaning, like you know, if you're from Africa to South America and stuff like that, like your skin just acts a little bit differently. And so I really wanted to know about darker skin tones and how do you treat those and what's like the deal breakers or like what's the click that just makes it work. And I learned a lot, a lot, in many years. And then when I decided to open up the spa, it just was with one room and then it went to two rooms, then to four rooms in a lobby, to seven treatment rooms and actually finally have an office yes, and three floors.
Speaker 2:
So, um, yeah, that's pretty much my that's amazing though, like the little come up and all that and finding your way and journey through all the trials and tribulations you went through. That's incredible. Thank you for sharing that with us and thank you for bringing these products, and can you tell me a little bit about each of them? What? What can you share?
Speaker 1:
so I actually picked the certain ones just because they're one of the ones that I like the most. So this cleanser is the cleansing complex form, is clinical. Is clinical is kind of like my, my baseline, my back bar, what I use on everybody's face when I'm doing a facial. Um, because I can use this on anybody and I can get the results that I'm looking for. Whether you have oily, dry skin or whatever, I can give you this cleanser and it's going to do what it needs to do. Um, this line. Also, it doesn't need need a toner, so it's pH balanced for your skin. It's just an all-around great cleanser. Then the I'll Shoot Forever line. Love this line. I've known the owner for about 20 years and they celebrated their 20-year anniversary. I just love this line. It's it's made for people who have very, uh, sensitive skin, like rosacea and just super sensitive to anything. Um, lots of allergies or anything like that, but it's I use it for everything, for everybody. Um, so is that one like a sunscreen? This is a sunscreen. Specifically, it's a day cream, um, and it doesn't feel like you have anything on. So I I hate wearing makeup, like literally right now, I just have powder on. Because I just hate wearing makeup, um, so anything that I use just has to be very light. It just go in straight to to the point.
Speaker 1:
The serums from the Is Clinical line they're very water-like, so they go right in. There isn't any like fluff to it. It's not like you're going to put their cream on and be like, ooh, it smells so good. No, you put it on your skin, sucks it in. If it has a smell, it's because of an ingredient that's in there, like cucumber or something like that. Like smells because of an ingredient that's in there, like cucumber or something like that. Like, this one has a cucumber type of smell, um, but it maybe it'll last, like, yeah, 10 seconds or something. So, yeah, this is a day cream. Uh, with svf. Um, this one is one of my favorite serums.
Speaker 2:
It's, uh, made out of snail um, that always freaks me out, but apparently it's like the thing.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, it's been a thing for a while. It's not new, but it's been a thing for a while. But this line in particular, I like it because it's again one of those lines that is kind of like straight to the point. I use this after my CO2 treatments, my microneedling treatments. Like I said, the other day, I literally murdered my face with microneedling, I did the Morpheus 8, and this is kind of like my go-to and so a few days later you can't really see anything. I also use this for, like I said, my CO2s, sometimes my IPLs, depending on what I'm doing. But this is like really good. They also have MPEL, mpal, which is, uh, an estrogen um line. So as we get a little bit older, we lose our estrogen and, um, our skin actually gets a little bit more red because we're just losing that estrogen. So the MPAL, yeah, so the MPAL, when you start using it and you use the serum and stuff like that, it just starts to balance you out.
Speaker 2:
Maybe I should think about that. I didn't know. I turned red later on in life.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, because, yeah, it's just the breakdown of estrogen. And then this one is another one of my favorites. I kind of say that this one is the reason why I don't look my age besides all the treatments I do, but, yeah, or maybe the reason why it doesn't look like I only slept like two hours. This is a collagen drink. The secret yeah, this is a collagen drink. It's SkinAid, it's pretty well known in the medical field and also just in med spas and whatnot.
Speaker 1:
Everybody talks about like, oh, I'm doing this collagen, you know powder, and blah, blah, blah, but it's about the ingredients and blah, blah, blah, but it's about the ingredients. So, to be able to get what you get in this one particular bottle, it's about this big, about this big, but it's about. It's about like a shot. You have to take around like 27 pills to be able to get what you get in here, and when you're taking pills you only absorb about like maybe 30% to 40%. Anyways, tablets forget it, it's about like 10%, but with this at least it goes straight into your stream and you take it in right away. You start feeling the effects of this as far as like just your skin more hydrated and awake after two weeks. I normally recommend to do like a round of three months of this and then you just start seeing like the glow in your skin.
Speaker 1:
Um, the other side effect to this thing is because of so many vitamins that it has. Um, it wakes you up. So this is like your little coffee or like your pre coffee. Um, people who tend to do a lot of coffee, they'll take this and then they actually notice that instead of doing like three cups of coffee a day, they might do like one or two. So it's a nice benefit. The other benefit is helps with hair. Hair and nails. Random is I've gotten people that have like a certain joint pain or something and after a while they just start noticing that it's a lot better Because with collagen you're kind of lubricating your bones and all that kind of stuff. So it's good in so many other ways.
Speaker 2:
Thank you so much for bringing these in. I'm sure a lot of people were curious to seeing them there, so it's good to know what each of them do and their benefits are. Sometimes we don't even know, like, where do we start, like where do we even look for, but this can be a step in figuring that out.
Speaker 1:
Now, one of the things when it comes to like skin care and where to start, I mean definitely don't go to the store and try to figure out what you think you need. Figure out what you think you need, because most people who think that they're oily are truly not oily. They just are using the wrong products that are making them oily, because some products will be too stripping to the skin and you try to put that moisturizer on and then your skin is like I'm still dry, so it's going to make more production of oil, and then by the middle of the day you're like blotching. Then there's other products that will leave the film on your face so that when you try to put that moisturizer on, forget it, that moisturizer is just not going to get to you and then again your skin is like overproducing oil because like hey, I'm still dry and acne happens or just the oily and everything.
Speaker 1:
And, like I said, sometimes just switching to certain products it's not like I'm saying like medical grade products is like the best way to go and this and that it's the cleanest way to go. Way. That I explain also skincare is if these are four houses and there's, you know, the first house has a lemon tree. You cut it, you squeeze it. You get the right juice out of it. You don't throw it away. You pass it down to the next house. They squeeze it, they don't throw it away, they keep on squeezing. By the time you get to the end of the road, that's your CVS. Yeah, makes sense.
Speaker 2:
That's your CVS.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, makes sense, and Nordstrom's and all that is around there. You have the scent of lemon in it, but it's the true ingredients of what it does is in the more medical grade. That's what we call it medical grade, because we're using the raw of the ingredients.
Speaker 2:
Okay, and then where do you see yourself and your business in the next five years Like? Is there any goals that you want to accomplish, or maybe open another location? Tell me a little bit about that.
Speaker 1:
So actually immediately, right now, I'm in the process of restructure and to me, restructure is growth. We are kind of like rubbing elbows in the space that we're in right now. So I am looking to move to a bigger location so that I can spread out and put, like the Skin Bar MedFit in one section and the Skin Bar Medical in another section and take it to another level. I think some parts of my business are great to franchise, but the actual skin care part of treatment and things like that it's too personal and I say too personal, not personal to me, but it's too personal to the client. Like I can't create a protocol and say, like what I did on myself on Thursday is going to work for you and it's going to work for you and it's going to work for you. It's no, everybody's different, everybody's different.
Speaker 1:
I can probably say that everyone in the room right now could use this product, absolutely. I'm confident about that. But is this one a good one for you, or is this one a good one for her? Like this one might migrate too much into your eyes. So then, therefore, I got to get you a different type of moisturizer. Like it's just yeah. So when it comes to treatments.
Speaker 2:
Same thing acne is like one of the biggest things, right, one of the biggest things that's like my, my little baby, because I I know that one pretty well.
Speaker 1:
Um, so I want to. I'm for acne. I'm known to take care of scars. I'm kind of known as the fixer, like someone messes up your face somewhere else or your scar or whatever. Come fix it and then you know, dre, fix it. I'm on my way, yeah. So five-year plan, definitely growth, just perfecting a lot more of my, my techniques and whatnot, and then maybe in the near future a um institute wow, okay, well, I'll be rooting for you.
Speaker 2:
Thank you watching you seeing like oh, look, she did it. And now a couple more questions here. What are some common misconceptions that you often find people come to you with? Like, oh, but I thought that this was that. Or like, oh, no, I don't want that, because I heard that this is that. What are some misconceptions in your industry that you just want to clarify right now?
Speaker 1:
one of the biggest ones is Morpheus 8. Tell me about what that is. Morpheus 8 is a pretty heavy-duty microneedling device with radio frequency. It's probably one of the most powerful devices out on the market right now. If your technician doesn't know how to use that machine, then, yes, your results are either not going to be seen or you're going to have terrible failures with it. The Morpheus 8 is not for everyone. You need to have your consultation with the right provider, and that provider should know their stuff enough to know whether you are a good candidate for the Morpheus 8. Or, if you have a different device that is not as powerful as the Morpheus 8, then use that device, because if you wanted microneedling and a big example, say, as you were growing out you had really bad acne okay, and you tell me this and you were on Accutane Morpheus a is not for you oh, whoa period.
Speaker 1:
it is not for you because that will stir up that acne like no tomorrow and then we're gonna be facing a whole nother issue that we have to fix. So you go with the different device or you go with just a different plan to try to get the results that you're looking for. So with Morpheus 8, it's just. I just want to say that's the biggest thing. Like people go on, it's like I have terrible results from the Morpheus 8. I swolled up and I did. Okay Swelling If you have high histamines like I get hives. I'm still swollen. I was a lot more swollen. I get hives, duh.
Speaker 2:
Well, yes, it's a reaction from your body.
Speaker 1:
It's a reaction from your body, so of course you're going to swell up and look like a little chick monk. I mean that's just what's going to happen. Of course you're going to be red. Of course, of course you know there's some, you know point bleeding there, like I'm sorry but duh.
Speaker 2:
Yeah.
Speaker 1:
And, yes, can you hyperpigment from the Morpheus 8 from it being done wrong? It's just, it's a device that if your technician doesn't know the ins and outs of the energy and the wavelength that they're using and just in general the needles and how to do the pattern on the face with that machine, it is. So the main thing is just do your research and go to the right person, especially with the Morphe. It's a great machine. You can get beautiful results and I can show you some before and afters of some stuff that I've done. And if I was to talk to another provider who doesn't know anything about the Morpheus 8 and I tell them what my settings were, they would be like oh my God, you can burn a hole through them. I'm like, no, you cannot, because her skin was like this. If her skin was like this then, yes, there'd be a hole through it.
Speaker 1:
So Morpheus is probably like the one misconception that a lot of people think. Like you know, it's the hype, because Kim Kardashian got it done. That was great for her, but it might not be great for you. Like do your research, go to the right provider, things like that.
Speaker 2:
Perfect. Thank you. That is a good topic to talk about here. Just in case anybody's just like well, I heard this and now you've clarified some of that, and now my final question to you is if you could leave our listeners with a message anything that's in your heart and that's been on your mind that you would like to share. It can be in relation to beauty, skincare, anything at all. Well, family.
Speaker 1:
I yeah, I don't know if necessarily this is what you're looking for, but the Skidmore Medical is a place where you escape the ordinary, like we don't do things the way that normal people do, or normal places. Like you come in and you do a consultation with us. I'm digging into you to try to get the right service for you, get the right service for you. Um, like ours, my spa is not a place where you're gonna go there and get judged. Some of these med spas are are like you go there, everybody's like makeup, makeup and hair is this and they're like way up here. Um, for me, it's like it's a safe space, like it's just more, I want to say, family oriented. Okay, we see you for you and accept you for you.
Speaker 1:
I've had many clients. I cry in my room and it's okay, I will give you a hug and we're going to go through this journey with you. Like it's just, my spa is just not your typical med spa where you go a little bit further. And, yeah, I mean, we see you for you and what your goals are. It's not like everybody else's goals, it's about you. So I don't think that's exactly what you were looking for no, that's okay, I like it, but exactly what?
Speaker 1:
you were looking for. No, that's okay, I like it. Thank you.
Speaker 2:
Thank you so much for being on the podcast and for driving out here and giving us your time. We really really appreciate it so much.
Speaker 1:
No, thank you for having me again. Of course I appreciate it.