Meet Our Team

Meet the experienced professionals at DermFx! Our experienced team is always ready to answer your questions about all of our treatments and procedures. Schedule a FREE consultation today and discover how we can help you look your very best with our state-of-the-art beauty services! Ask us about our specials.

DermFx – Providers

Nurses

Kim Cowley, MSN, FNP-C, RNFA

With over 13 years at DermFx and a background in telemetry, emergency medicine, and trauma, Kimberly brings a wealth of experience to aesthetic nursing. Her journey began as a makeup artist and aesthetician, fueling her passion for advanced beauty treatments and leading her to become an aesthetic nurse practitioner. Kimberly takes a personalized approach to patient care, focusing on facial balancing, symmetry, and individualized treatment plans that align with each patient’s goals. Her ultimate mission is to help others feel comfortable and confident in their skin.

Chelsey Ciasulli, MSN, FNP-C

Chelsey earned her Master’s of Science in Nursing and is currently studying to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. She fell in love with the aesthetic side of nursing and loves being able to make her patient’s feel beautiful! Chelsey has been with DermFx over the past 5 years and loves helping her patients achieve natural results. Aside from her love of aesthetics, over the past few years she has worked in various units treating patients within the hospital. Chelsey loves connecting with her patients on a personal level and creating great-long lasting relationships!

Caitlin, N.P.

Caitlin is a board certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner with a Master of Science in Nursing from California State University, Long Beach. Over the past seven years, she has participated in various trainings in injectables and laser treatments and incorporates latest techniques into her treatments. She has developed many long lasting relationships with her patients by delivering effective and natural outcomes. Caitlin has a very gentle touch, calm demeanor and eye for perfection.

Ayah, M.S.N, F.N.P-C

Ayah started her journey as an aesthetic injector and Nurse Practitioner by getting a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and then furthered her education obtaining a Master’s Degree in Nursing. After practicing at Cedar Sinai Medical Center, Ayah completed a certification as Family Nurse Practitioner where she then trained and practiced in the art of medical aesthetics, facial contouring, and skin care.

Ayah loves what she does and loves her clients even more. Consulting with her patient’s to understand their personalized aesthetic goals and make them come to life brings great pleasure to Ayah. She believes each individual is beautiful in their own way and for that she strives to provide the highest quality of aesthetic care to enhance beauty, help boost self-confidence, and improve quality of life for each of her patients.

In Ayah’s spare time, when she’s not traveling with her husband, she’s always looking for a new recipe to cook up in the kitchen! You can find her on Instagram @skinandglam

Jeanette Serrano, APRN, FNP-C, FNP-BC

Jeanette is a double board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a passion for blending healthcare and aesthetics to help individuals feel their best. Beginning her career in acute care nursing in 2015, she transitioned into aesthetic medicine in 2019, specializing in regenerative wellness, laser treatments, and injectables. With a commitment to ongoing education, she earned her master’s in nursing in 2022 and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice. Jeanette takes a holistic approach to treatment planning, combining multiple modalities such as injectables, PRF, microneedling, and medical-grade skincare to achieve natural, balanced results. Her ultimate goal is to enhance both outer beauty and inner confidence, helping patients age gracefully while feeling empowered in their own skin.

Mubina Elmassry, NP

Mubina has always had a passion for beauty, from makeup and art to fashion, and knew from an early age that aesthetic medicine was where she belonged. With 12 years of experience in the industry, she specializes in creating personalized treatment plans that address each patient’s unique needs. Mubina’s approach involves a thorough assessment followed by an open, honest conversation about goals and expectations, ensuring a customized plan that aligns with the patient’s individual vision.

Kimmie Hough, NP

With eight years of experience in healthcare, Kimmie has worked across aesthetics, psychiatry, post-op, and hospice, but her true passion lies in aesthetics. Inspired by her own struggles with acne, she understands the deep connection between physical appearance and emotional well- being. Combining medical expertise with creativity, she takes a holistic, patient-centered approach to enhancing natural beauty. Kimmie believes in truly listening to her patients, crafting personalized treatment plans that balance injectables, lasers, and skincare for long-lasting, realistic results. Her goal is not just to help patients look their best but to help them feel their best, too.

Shannon Alexander, RN

Shannon’s journey into aesthetics began after she graduated with a degree from UCI and was already working at DermFx in a different role. Her passion for helping people feel empowered and seeing their confidence grow inspired her to pursue a career in aesthetics. With 20 years of experience at DermFx, Shannon specializes in aesthetic treatments that help patients feel rejuvenated and youthful. Her approach to creating personalized treatment plans is holistic, taking into account each patient’s goals, lifestyle, and events coming up in their lives. Shannon focuses on helping her clients age gracefully, aiming to make them feel refreshed, less stressed, and more vibrant—like they’ve just returned from a rejuvenating vacation.

Cathy Gillett, RN

Cathy has been a Registered Nurse for nearly 2 decades. She received her Nursing Degree locally at Golden West College and has a bachelor’s degree from University of California, Irvine. She started her career in the Emergency Room and has remained in Critical Care Nursing in Interventional Radiology. Cathy began working as an aesthetic nurse in 2002 and has been with the DermFx family since 2010. Her passion is to make her patients look and feel naturally beautiful. She believes in using multiple modalities and the latest and greatest technology that we have here at DermFx to create the best results and patient experience.

Kristina Plant, RN

Kristina Plant is a dedicated registered nurse and skilled injector at DermFx, where she has been enhancing her patients’ natural beauty for nearly a decade. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Marketing from California State University, Long Beach, but felt a deep calling to healthcare, becoming a nurse in 2012 after completing her training at Golden West College. Kristina began
her nursing career in the ER before transitioning to aesthetics, where she found her passion for injectables. She specializes in lip fillers, taking a personalized approach to each patient’s unique aesthetic goals to help them look and feel their best. One of Kristina’s favorite aspects of working at DermFx is being part of a close-knit team, inspired by the company’s culture of care and commitment to excellence. She is also deeply moved by DermFx’s philanthropic mission, including its support for The Forgotten Foundation, an orphanage funded entirely by DermFx, which makes a meaningful impact on the lives of many.

Rachael Rippee, RN

Rachael has always been driven by the desire to make a positive impact on people’s lives, which led her to pursue a career in nursing and aesthetics. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, Rachael started her journey as a medical aesthetician and surgical technician working with a cosmetic surgeon. She specializes in creating personalized treatment plans, drawing from her strong aesthetic eye and extensive experience to find the perfect mix of treatments for optimal results. Rachael takes a patient-centered approach, always starting by listening to their concerns and understanding their goals, timeframe, and any special considerations to ensure the best possible outcome with minimal downtime.

Vanessa, B.S.N., R.N.

Vanessa has been a nurse since 2012. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at CSULA. She has been an Aesthetic Nurse Specialist since 2016. She started her nursing career in helping low income families receive medical care from a nonprofit organization. She later moved on to be a Los Angeles County nurse for 3 years specializing in stroke, spinal cord, and traumatic brain injury.

Her passion is in aesthetic and strives to leave her patients looking their best self with confidence and to provide her patient with excellent care. Some of her favorite treatments are Scarlet radio frequency, Microneedling, and Fraxel for skin rejuvenation. Her favorite procedure to perform are Botox and fillers on the cheeks and lips. You can find Vanessa on Instagram @vanessarn_injector

Christie Macabuhay, BSN, RN

Christie, originally from Santa Cruz earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at California State Dominguez Hills where she excelled in the program, receiving Dean’s List recognition. Her passion for aesthetic nursing led her to specialize in lasers for skin rejuvenation and skin care. Christie has not stopped there; she has received exceptional training with injectables and continues to expand her expertise. Not only is she a trainer and educator of lasers, but she is also one of the hardest working and dedicated nurses. In her career, she hopes to make people feel beautiful, confident and create relationships with her clients that last a lifetime. You can find her aesthetic social media page on Instagram @aestheticRN_Christie.

Nina Shu, BSN, RN

Nina is a dedicated aesthetic nurse with a Bachelor’s in Nursing since 2016. After gaining valuable experience working in the hospital as a nurse, she transitioned to the field of aesthetics in 2021 to pursue her true passion for helping people feel beautiful in their own skin. Specializing in facial balancing and overall skin health, she creates personalized treatment plans tailored to each client during their consultation. Nina loves working at DermFx, because they offer a wide range of treatments and modalities to help each, and every client achieve their unique beauty goals. Outside of her career, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and keeping a healthy and active lifestyle.

Shelby Vanryckeghen, BSN, RN

With over 10 years of healthcare experience, including five years as a registered nurse, Shelby is passionate about connecting with people and helping them feel their best through aesthetic treatments like lasers, injectables, and skincare. She is also studying to become a nurse practitioner, with plans to integrate functional and holistic care. Shelby creates personalized treatment plans by considering each patient’s goals, lifestyle, and timeline, ensuring comfort and realistic expectations. Her wide range of treatments allows her to tailor plans for optimal results.

Kelsey DeMeire, BSN, RN

Kelsey went to nursing school to obtain her RN BSN with the intention of becoming an aesthetic specialist. Kelsey has attended DermFx’s Aesthetic Academy and multiple Galderma, Merz and Allergan trainings to continue to expand her expertise in the field of aesthetics. Kelsey loves to continue to learn and expand her expertise in the field of aesthetics with the goal of becoming a nurse practitioner so that she can continue to provide her patients with the best care possible. Her motivation for wanting to be in the aesthetic field stems from her personal struggles with acne growing up, making her particularly passionate and sensitive toward clients who have also struggled with acne. She is inspired by making people feel beautiful and confident in their skinwhile appreciating individuality. Kelsey enjoys having meaningful relationships with her patients and creating personalized treatment plans to help achieve each client’s goals. You can find her on Instagram Instagram

Devon Gallahair, BSN, RN

With over 11 years in healthcare, including experience in labor and delivery, pediatrics, NICU, and the operating room, my passion for helping others feel their best led me to aesthetics. Combining science, artistry, and patient care, I specialize in injectables and skin rejuvenation treatments to create natural, refreshed results. My holistic approach focuses on truly listening to my patients’ goals, enhancing their natural beauty with balance, and educating them on skincare for long-term confidence and maintenance.

Sara Smeltzer, BSN, RN

With 25 years of nursing experience, Sara spent the majority of her career in labor and delivery but has always had a passion for aesthetics. She is dedicated to helping women feel their best by creating personalized treatment plans that enhance natural beauty and restore confidence. Sara is proud to be part of the DermFx team, where she works alongside talented providers in a supportive environment, utilizing advanced techniques to achieve natural and satisfying results for patients.

Aliana Lawrence, BSN, RN

Aliana combines her medical expertise with a passion for aesthetics to help patients feel confident in their own skin. After eight years as a pediatric ICU nurse, she transitioned into aesthetics, specializing in full facial balancing, thread lifts, and laser resurfacing. She takes a personalized approach, listening to each patient’s goals and offering honest, tailored guidance. Her mission is to enhance natural beauty while empowering individuals to feel their best.

Lauren

Skin & Body Sculpting Specialists

Erica Escarciga, Skin & Body Sculpting Specialist

Erica has 8 years of experience as a Medical Aesthetician in the aesthetic Industry. She’s worked in medical spas, plastic surgery offices, and day spas, offering her a diverse set of skills and a distinct perspective. Erica is a specialist in skincare, body contouring, and all things beauty. Erica has extensive experience working for the country’s leading Coolsculpting provider. Erica has completed advanced training such as The Master Coolsculpting program. She is also a Faculty Trainer for Coolsculpting, which allows her to train Coolsculpting providers across America. Erica works closely with her clients, providing them with open, honest, and dependable treatment regimens that provide tangible results. Erica believes it’s not just a treatment, it’s a journey to become the best version of you. Erica is dedicated to making her clientele look and feel their best. When she isn’t treating clients, she is instructing staff on how to appropriately consult and treat clients for the best possible outcomes. She enjoys continuing her education by attending classes on a continuous basis. Erica enjoys spending time with her family, running, being outside (with SPF, of course), and reading when she is not at work.

Ashley Paredes, Skin & Body Sculpting Specialist

Passionate about skin health and preventative treatments, Ashley began her journey in aesthetics in 2021 with DermFx. Specializing in skincare and body contouring, she offers treatments like Diamond Glow, HydraFacial, CoolSculpting, and Emsculpt Neo. Ashley’s approach to personalized treatment plans is centered on understanding that every individual is unique—what works for one may not work for another. By aligning with each patient’s goals, she crafts customized plans that may involve multiple modalities and patience, ultimately helping them look and feel their best.

Natalie Coral, Skin & Body Sculpting Specialist

Natalie has always been passionate about helping others, which led her to pursue a career in healthcare. She finds joy in using aesthetics to enhance both the physical and emotional well- being of her clients, connecting with them to understand their goals and create treatments that boost confidence. With two years of experience as a Certified Medical Assistant, Natalie currently specializes as a Bodysculpting and Skin Care Specialist at DermFx. She takes a personalized approach to treatment, ensuring each plan is tailored to her patients’ unique needs and lifestyles, ultimately enhancing their natural beauty and self-confidence.

Mckenna Lane, Skin & Body Sculpting Specialist

Mckenna has had a passion for all things beauty since childhood, finding joy in nurturing others and helping them feel confident. With 17 years of experience in the beauty industry, Mckenna specializes in treating hormonal pigmentation issues. Her approach to creating treatment plans is centered on making patients feel safe and heard, working together to develop a plan that aligns with their goals and lifestyle. By combining their needs with effective solutions, Mckenna ensures each patient feels confident and cared for throughout their journey.

Carmen Palumbo, Skin & Body Sculpting Specialist

Carmen is a Body Contour & Skincare Specialist with 8 years of experience in the industry. Her journey into aesthetics began 10 years ago as a patient care coordinator at a med spa, where she witnessed the confidence-boosting effects of CoolSculpting on clients. Inspired by the transformations, Carmer specialized in body contour treatments. She takes a personalized approach to each patient, listening to their aesthetic goals and setting realistic expectations based on the range of treatments she offers, always focusing on achieving the best results for her clients.

Mary Campbell, Skin & Body Sculpting Specialist

Mary is an Aesthetician with 3 years of experience in the industry, specializing in skincare and body sculpting. After spending 14 years in the retail beauty industry, Mary earned her aesthetician’s license and transitioned into aesthetics 3.5 years ago, a field she has truly grown to love. Her approach to personalized treatment plans is centered on understanding her patients’ needs and desires by asking thoughtful questions. She focuses on delivering results that meet her patients’ expectations, ensuring they leave feeling satisfied and confident.

Marcie Persson, Skin & Body Sculpting Specialist

Marcie has always had a passion for skincare and finds joy in researching products that cater to individual needs. With nearly 10 years of experience in the industry, she has developed a special expertise in HydraFacial treatments. Marcie takes a personalized approach to skincare by carefully analyzing each patient’s skin, discussing their current regimen, and understanding their specific skincare goals. She loves working at DermFx because of the extensive educational opportunities they provide, allowing her to continuously expand her knowledge and deliver the best results for her clients.

Management

Martha Hein

Martha began her career at DermFx as a patient consultant. Her experience in the cosmetic surgery field led her to DermFx to follow her passion for aesthetics. With over ten years of experience in the beauty industry, she still strives to understand patient needs and beauty goals. Her goal is to always make patients feel welcome and that they are part of the DermFx family! 

What are your favorite treatments? fraxel
What are your purse must-haves? Lipgloss and mints
What is your favorite shoe? Nike

Jana Perry

Jana began working at DermFx as the Operations Manager in February 2008. She brings with her an extensive history of medical management and operation management in the field of cosmetic and plastic surgeries. As operations manager, she efficiently coordinates and organizes office staff, schedules and oversees the day-to-day operations of DermFx. As a Southern California native, she enjoys spending her free time outdoors with her golden retriever.

What are your favorite treatments? CO2 Laser Resurfacing
What are your purse must-haves? Lipstick
What is your favorite shoe? Valentino 

Director Of Marketing

Megan

Megan joined the DermFx team in 2016 as the Director of Marketing and takes pride in her efforts towards business strategy, branding, social media and customer care. She also enjoys managing and overseeing events, website and app development and advertising campaigns. In 2011, Megan graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a BA in both Journalism and Communication Studies. Born and raised in Southern California, she has a passion for the outdoors and fitness. When Megan isn’t chasing the latest aesthetic trends, she’s cooking, spending time with her family or at the beach. 

What are your favorite treatments? CoolSculpting, SmoothBeam for acne and pores, and Dysport. 
What are your purse must-haves?  Dior Addict Lip Glow and Sunglasses
What is your favorite shoe? Gucci stilettos, but I’m usually in sandals because we live by the beach!