This interview is with Lacey McCrary APRN-CNP, Nurse Practitioner/co-owner, BellaDerma Aesthetics and Wellness .
To kick things off, can you introduce yourself—your role as an APRN-CNP and co-owner of BellaDerma Aesthetics and Wellness in Shawnee, and the core areas you focus on today?
I am Lacey McCrary. I have been a nurse practitioner for close to 15 years. Over the last 5 years, I have focused on aesthetics. I am a co-owner of BellaDerma Aesthetics and Wellness. My primary focus is on aesthetic treatments; however, functional medicine is a second core focus area for my practice.
What key experiences moved you from family practice and urgent care into aesthetics and wellness, and how did that transition shape your treatment philosophy?
I have always wanted to branch out into aesthetics, but it is very hard to get into in some states, Oklahoma being one of them. I did not have the passion for family practice or urgent care that I do for aesthetics. It was all God’s timing that opened a door for me during COVID-19. I went full-time into aesthetics in 2020 and have not looked back.
I believe that to be successful in aesthetics, you have to be passionate about it. For me, continuing my education in this field of medicine never gets old.
You’ve said 2026 is all about collagen-building and skin health; when a new patient wants natural, collagen-forward results, how do you decide what comes first among biostimulators, neurotoxin/filler, energy devices, medical-grade skincare, and any hormone workup?
I recommend medical-grade skincare for every patient. I always say skincare is your nutrition, and anything else we do is like going to the gym. You need both to get the full benefits out of each of them. However, age, overall health, and how well a patient takes care of their skin already—with skincare and sunscreen—will guide what I would recommend first for a patient.
In my community, we also have to consider their budget. This is usually a marathon and not a sprint.
On the technology front, what specific clinical and business criteria must a new RF or laser platform—such as Xerf—meet before you invest and introduce it to patients?
I want to know the results are going to be worth the investment for my patients. Again, considering their budget, a laser platform should provide value. I usually like to demo a machine first to see the results for myself firsthand. I also want to invest in a laser company that will invest in my practice and understand my business needs.
It is a running joke in the aesthetics industry that to get rid of a laser representative, one should buy a laser. They often disappear after the purchase. I choose to work with well-known companies that have a long-standing history and will stick around.
How do you adapt laser and energy-based treatments to safely and effectively treat Fitzpatrick IV–VI skin tones in your practice?
You have to be extremely careful about this. We have chosen a few different laser platforms that have settings for Fitzpatrick IV–VI. Even then, we will start low and go slow. We are using a laser to improve conditions, and the last thing we would want to do is worsen a condition or cause side effects.
What is one non-negotiable protocol you follow to prevent or manage complications with injectables that you believe every provider should adopt?
I do not inject if a patient is sick or if they have new or unmanaged autoimmune disorders. Even if a patient is not acutely ill but is going through new health changes, it is best to wait on injecting them at all. Again, we do not want to exacerbate any underlying conditions.
Zooming out to long-term planning, what does a typical 12-month plan look like in your hands to build collagen—across in-office treatments and at-home medical-grade skincare—while keeping results natural?
I typically start patients on medical-grade skincare. We have samples in-office that we use to help them establish their regimen before they make a purchase. Then, we discuss collagen-stimulating procedures, and I usually recommend that we begin with those.
Depending on the time of year, I may start a patient with laser treatments if we need to address skin health issues such as sun damage or rosacea. Neurotoxins can also be initiated during this period. Lastly, we discuss dermal fillers if there are still areas we want to improve.
When you determine hormonal optimization could enhance a patient’s skin quality or treatment response, what is your first step to begin that process?
The first step is a consult to discuss their history and symptoms. The second step at the consult is to draw their lab work. Once we have the labs back, we will review them and then initiate therapy if desired.
To sustain results and trust, what simple patient education and follow-up workflow has most improved adherence and satisfaction at BellaDerma that another med spa could replicate this week?
I conduct a lot of follow-up appointments after I inject a patient. I do not charge for a touch-up appointment either. As a perfectionist, I want my patients to be pleased with their results. If I need to tweak an area, I do not charge them for this. I want my results to be represented well.