🚀 From Pueblo to Powerhouse: My 17-Year Journey in Laser

In 2008, just a month after I graduated high school, I packed up and hit the road with my mom to Scottsdale, Arizona. Our destination? The National Laser Institute—my first deep dive into a world that would eventually shape the next 17 years of my life.

At the time, I didn’t know exactly where it would lead, but I knew I wanted more than a typical 9-to-5. I wanted impact. I wanted freedom. And I wanted to master something that not everyone had the guts to take on. Lasers? That sounded like a start.

At NLI, I got trained on everything from laser hair removal to spider vein treatments, pigmentation, and even tattoo removal.

💀 The “Michelle” Tattoo Story

One guy came in with a fresh chest tattoo—huge cursive script that read “MICHELLE.” Red. Swollen. Like it had just been finished. He wanted it gone immediately. We had to turn him away, explaining the need to wait at least three months for the skin to fully heal before we could even consider treating it.

He wasn’t having it. Trying to lighten the mood, I joked:

“Or you could just find another girlfriend named Michelle.” 🤷🏽‍♀️He didn’t laugh.

👣 Starting from the Bottom

After heading back to Colorado, I was beyond hyped to get started. I was a certified laser technician, ready to change faces—and lives.

Except… I kept hitting walls. Medspas kept turning me away because I wasn’t a licensed esthetician yet. So I went back to school and earned that, too.

By 2010, I landed my first gig in Pueblo, CO at a medspa/weight loss clinic. The pay was a downgrade from the call center job that funded my esthetics education. There were no benefits, the drive was a haul, and... well, it was Pueblo. But I didn’t care. I had finally gotten my foot in the door—and I wasn’t about to let that opportunity slip.

📚 Back When Google Wasn’t Enough

This was before YouTube tutorials, before IG “skinfluencers,” and way before TikTok was teaching people how to fry their barrier. I relied on:

• My school notes

• Trade journals

• Manufacturer training manuals

• A LOT of trial (never error)

My motto was simple:

“Better to be conservative and have you come back with no results than to burn you and have you never come back at all.”

Did some clients need more sessions? Sure. Did I ever burn anyone? Never.

I practiced on myself. I practiced on friends. I practiced on family. And that gave me the confidence and real-world experience to treat all skin tones, safely and effectively.

🧠 From Technician to Trainer

That first job? It opened doors I didn’t even know existed. Over the years, I’ve had the chance to train physicians on laser science (aka laser physics if we’re being precise), from safety to efficacy across Fitzpatrick skin types. I've taught courses, created protocols, and consulted on equipment choices for medical offices looking to elevate their laser offerings.

Now, in 2025, as I bring a brand-new Cynosure Clarity II laser into my practice, I just want to make one thing clear:

💥 This ain’t new to me.💥 This is 17 years of skill, sweat, and straight-up laser obsession.

I’m not just here to treat. I’m here to lead, teach, and support the next generation of estheticians and laser pros—especially those working with melanin-rich skin, where safety and nuance matter most.

📍 Interested in Laser Services in Denver?

Come see why AM Aesthetics is where clients of all shades come to feel safe, seen, and served.

✅ Laser Hair Removal ✅ Hyperpigmentation Correction ✅ Vascular Treatments ✅ Skin Tag Removal & other minor skin imperfections

✅ Skin Rejuvenation & tightening

✅ Even toenail fungus (don't know that we'll dabble in that lol, but that's the power of this laser)

💬 Want to Learn From Me?

I’ll soon be offering private laser mentorships along with my hands-on Procell microchanneling training for estheticians ready to elevate. Whether you're fresh out of school or years in and looking to level TF up, I’ve got you. 📧 Book a complimentary consult📍 Located in Denver, Colorado🔗 Book Here