In January of this year, I had a weird idea on my heart and mind and I wasn’t sure what to do with it. I woke up in the middle of the night, as happens more often than I would like to admit, and thought, “I think I want to start offering a free acne clinic once a month.” Was this a terrible idea? Would it tank my business? Would I regret giving up what little free time I have? Would people make fun of it? Three months later, I have no answer to any of those questions, but I have decided to bring my late night crazy idea to life because I haven’t been able to shake it and I think that’s for a reason yet to be determined.

The Thought Process

The really great thing about having both a background in general dermatology, in plastic and reconstructive surgery, and in aesthetic dermatology is that it has made me versatile. I opened up my own clinic in here in my hometown because I wanted to do things differently. From day one, all I have wanted was to build a brand for the clinic that felt luxurious, yet open and attainable to everyone. I wanted to go back to the roots I was so fortunate to have by beginning in this field before the “aesthetic boom” of medspas and run a clinic that incorporates medicine into aesthetic dermatology instead of being solely focused on money only. Yes, I love aesthetic medicine as much as the next person and yes, I also do use medical grade skincare on a daily basis, but what about those that cannot afford such? If you do not have insurance or can’t afford your co-pay, should you just be out of luck and deserving of untreated acne?

Life is hard and I know all too well that our skin impacts every aspect of our life. Even moreso, because of my own history, I know that high school can be some of the worst years of your life and acne can make that an even harder experience. I see patients on a daily basis that are wanting to tackle their acne scarring, as they’ve been left with the ghosts from untreated acne during their teen years that haunts them long into adulthood, but it all could have been avoided and they would be saving money in present day if we avoided the scarring by treating the acne to begin with.

Let’s ALL Love Our Skin

When I created the clinic, I chose the tagline “Love Your Skin” because that’s my goal for all of my patients, but I’m ready to take that even further by giving back to the community with a free acne clinic for those that are in need, have low income, are uninsured, or have a high deductible they’re unable to afford. One Saturday each month will be devoted to this and it will be on a first come, first serve basis until each Saturday fills. There’s no gimmicks at all… you just simply fill out the form on the clinic website and you’ll be contacted to get scheduled. We will have the same type of acne consultation as everyone else receives and we will formulate a gameplan that is both effective and feasible, as I’ve obtained cash pay pricing from our local pharmacies to be able to find a treatment plan that is both results-driven yet also affordable.

In case you’re wondering, yes, this idea is the total opposite of what most are doing in the glitzy and glam medspa scene and yes, this may be the worst business decision of all time, but I feel really driven to do it. I’ve been so incredibly blessed by my first year of business and the amount of loyalty and support my patients have shown. I opened this clinic because I love what I do and I’m thankful to have found a career that I love more over ten years later than I did when I started it and I’m excited to be able to use that love to hopefully have a positive impact on those that could use a win.

Sign Up Now

If you or someone you know might be interested in the free acne clinic, click here to fill out the form and get on the list to be added!

Until next time,

Blakelee Paige Smith, MSN, APRN, AGPCNP-BC, NP-C
Dual Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner + Owner
Skin + Aesthetics