Today we’d like to introduce you to Raina Slater.
Hi Raina, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey into aesthetics started long before I ever entered the industry. Ever since I was a little girl, I was fascinated by skincare and especially extractions. There was something incredibly satisfying about helping clear congested skin and seeing the transformation. What started as a childhood fascination eventually grew into a passion and career dedicated to helping others feel confident in their own skin.
After graduating from Ogle School with my aesthetician license, I continued my education at Texas Laser Institute, where I completed the highest level of laser training and became a Laser Professional. I believe education is one of the most important investments you can make in this industry, so I’ve always sought out advanced training opportunities to expand my skillset.
Over the past six years, I’ve built my career specializing in advanced skincare, laser treatments, microneedling, and corrective skin treatments. Along the way, I also developed a passion for beauty enhancement services, including lash lifts, brow laminations, and permanent makeup.
To further my expertise in permanent makeup, I traveled to California to earn my microblading certification through a prestigious training program, where I trained one-on-one with one of the industry’s top artists. That experience helped refine my technique and reinforced my commitment to delivering natural-looking, confidence-boosting results.
Today, I work as an aesthetician and Laser Professional at VIV while also operating my own permanent makeup business, Permanently Southern LLC. The name is a play on my personal brand, Southern Skin Queen. I’ve always been called “Queen” because my name, Raina, means “queen,” and the nickname has followed me throughout my life. When it came time to create my brand, embracing that identity felt natural. That’s also why I affectionately refer to my patients as kings and queens because I believe everyone deserves to feel confident, valued, and treated like royalty.
Whether I’m helping someone achieve healthier skin, enhancing their natural features with permanent makeup, or simply educating them about self-care, my goal remains the same: to help people look and feel like the best version of themselves. Seeing my patients gain confidence is what continues to inspire me every day and reminds me why I fell in love with this industry in the first place.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Has it been a smooth road? Yes and no.
The educational side of aesthetics came naturally to me because I genuinely love what I do. When you’re passionate about something, learning doesn’t feel like work. I’ve always been someone who loves to “nerd out” on skincare and aesthetics. What started with a fascination for extractions grew into a passion for skin health, laser technology, beauty enhancement, and helping people feel more confident.
That said, every industry comes with challenges. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that aesthetics is constantly evolving. New research, technologies, products, and treatment approaches emerge every year, and it’s important for providers and businesses to remain open-minded and adaptable. No two patients are the same, which means treatment plans shouldn’t always follow a rigid formula. Every person’s anatomy, skin type, goals, and lifestyle are unique, and I believe great providers know how to customize treatments accordingly.
One area that challenged me early on was laser education. Becoming a Laser Professional required learning complex concepts involving skin biology, physics, safety protocols, and multiple technologies. It was one of the most demanding parts of my education, but it ultimately pushed me to become a stronger and more knowledgeable provider.
I’ve also learned that growth sometimes comes with differences in perspective. Whether it’s treatment philosophies, business strategies, or marketing approaches, not everyone sees things the same way. Social media, for example, has transformed the way providers connect with patients and build trust. I’ve always enjoyed educating and engaging with people online, and I believe personal branding can be a powerful tool for both practitioners and the businesses they represent when used authentically.
Perhaps the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that you are always a student in this industry. The moment you think you know everything is the moment you stop growing. I continue to attend trainings, conferences, and advanced education every year because aesthetics never stands still and neither should we.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My abbreviations are LE, LP, and PMUA—with a passion for corrective skincare, age management, beauty enhancing and helping my patients achieve natural-looking results that make them feel confident and refreshed. My goal is never to make someone look like a different person it’s to help them look like the best version of themselves.
I specialize in corrective treatment plans designed to address concerns such as aging skin, acne, hyperpigmentation, sun damage, texture irregularities, and overall skin rejuvenation. My services include customized facials, chemical peels, dermaplaning, microneedling, laser treatments, laser hair removal, skin tightening, lash lifts, brow laminations, permanent makeup, and microblading. I am also extensively trained in advanced skincare protocols and enjoy combining multiple modalities to create personalized treatment plans that deliver the best possible outcomes.
What I’m most known for is creating comprehensive treatment plans that help my patients look and feel years younger while still looking completely natural. Rather than relying on a single treatment, I take a full-face and whole-body approach to aging and skin health. I believe the best results come from strategically combining treatments and addressing the root causes of concerns rather than simply treating symptoms.
One of the things I love most about working at Viv is having access to a variety of wellness and aesthetic services under one roof. Because we offer wellness therapies, injectables, laser treatments, and aesthetics, I can truly customize a patient’s journey. For example, if a patient’s skin is dehydrated, I may recommend IV therapy or NAD+ therapy to support hydration and overall wellness from the inside out. If volume loss or facial balancing is contributing to an aged appearance, I may collaborate with one of our Nurse Practitioners to incorporate filler. And of course, I’m a huge fan of Botox when it’s used strategically to create a refreshed and natural appearance.
What sets me apart is that I don’t look at a patient’s concerns through a single lens. I combine my knowledge of skin health, laser technology, beauty enhancement, wellness, and age management to create individualized treatment plans that are tailored specifically to each person. No two patients are alike, and I believe their treatment plans shouldn’t be either.
The accomplishment I’m most proud of is the trust my patients place in me. There is no greater compliment than having someone trust you with their face, their confidence, and their goals. Watching a patient light up when they see their results and regain confidence in themselves is what motivates me every day and reminds me why I love this industry so much.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My biggest piece of advice for anyone just starting out is to never stop investing in your education. If possible, find an employer that values continuing education and is willing to help pay for certifications, advanced training, conferences, and seminars. The aesthetics industry changes rapidly, and the providers who continue learning are the ones who stay ahead.
One thing I wish I had done earlier in my career was attend more industry conferences and seminars. Early on, I wasn’t exposed to many of those opportunities, and looking back, they were some of the most transformative experiences for my professional growth. Not only do you learn from some of the best providers in the industry, but you also build valuable relationships and expand your network. When you know what’s happening in the industry and what new technologies, techniques, and trends are emerging, you are better equipped to grow, adapt, and compete.
For those entering the laser field specifically, I highly recommend finding a mentor and asking to shadow them whenever possible. While laser school provides an excellent foundation, there is only so much that can be learned in a classroom setting. Real-world experience is invaluable, and having someone guide you through different patient presentations, treatment planning, and complications can dramatically accelerate your growth and confidence.
I also strongly encourage new providers to start building their social media presence from day one. Post consistently, educate your audience, participate in trends, show your personality, and have fun with it. Social media has been one of the most powerful tools throughout my career and has played a huge role in helping me grow my personal brand, connect with patients, and create opportunities I never would have had otherwise.
There will always be people who criticize what you post or question how you choose to market yourself, but don’t let that stop you. If you’re authentic, professional, and passionate about what you do, your audience will find you. Some of the biggest opportunities in my career have come from putting myself out there online, even during times when I faced criticism or backlash. Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful that I stayed true to myself and continued sharing my journey.
I encourage new providers to find someone whose work they genuinely admire—someone whose patient results, professionalism, and treatment philosophy align with the type of provider you hope to become. Learn from them, ask questions, observe how they interact with patients, and absorb as much knowledge as possible.
Most importantly, stay humble and remember that you are always a student in this industry. The moment you think you know everything is the moment you stop growing. The most successful providers I know are constantly learning, attending trainings, seeking feedback, and refining their craft.
I also love educating and sharing what I’ve learned throughout my journey. Through my social media platforms and subscriber content, I provide behind-the-scenes looks at treatments, patient education, and industry insights for both patients and fellow providers.
And if you’re just starting out and looking for guidance, I’d be happy to be a mentor. I’ve learned so much through both my successes and my mistakes, and I believe one of the best ways to strengthen our industry is by supporting and educating the next generation of aesthetic professionals.
Pricing:
- Microneedling $525
- MOXI BBL $1200
- Microblading $600
- Hydrafacial $250-$350
- Morpheus8 $999
Contact Info:
- Website: https://permanently-southern-llc.square.site/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAdGRleASX8d9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAadRZbOy9PYnc2wku6sJt7Qy4rucE9K1DUE3Dv9pda_7LI5oF5xBAH23USlBKg_aem_JgOiNXXnkmKQhmZeOIIelw&utm_id=97760_v0_s00_e0_tv3
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southernskinqueen
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southernskinqueen
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/rainaslater
