Permanently Southern: From Persistence to Mastery in Medical Aesthetics

Where the Journey Began

My journey into aesthetics began in a completely different place. I went to college to study Public Relations, never imagining that my career would eventually lead me into advanced medical aesthetics and permanent makeup.

During my second year of college, my father became seriously ill, and our family’s world changed. I made the decision to come home and help care for him. With the support of a counselor who encouraged me to pursue something I truly loved, I found a way to complete what would have been two years of college coursework in just one semester so I could return home. At the same time, I was putting myself through Ogle School to become an esthetician.

I have always been persistent, and that persistence became one of the defining characteristics of my career. Before I had even officially graduated, I was hired by one of the best medical spas in Arlington. I immediately immersed myself in hands-on experience and continued education.

I trained extensively in medical-grade skincare and advanced treatments, including Allergan education, SkinMedica training with Tatiana, lash extensions, lash lifts, brow lamination, dermaplaning, chemical peels and advanced chemical peels, HydraFacial, and microneedling.

From the beginning, I made myself a promise: I would never stop learning. My goal became to add a new certification, modality, or advanced area of training every year.

Discovering the Artist Within

During my third year in practice, I added microblading to my skill set. I flew to California to train one-on-one with professional PMU artist Kelly Devlin of Makeup Before You Wake Up, where I received hands on permanent makeup training and completed my bloodborne pathogens certification.

Within the first week of returning to Texas, I performed my first permanent makeup service. I immediately dove in, building a consistent microblading clientele and discovering something that felt almost instinctive: I had always been an artist, and permanent makeup allowed me to combine that artistic ability with my passion for skin and beauty.

But I wanted more.

When my Arlington med spa was unable to support my goal of pursuing laser education, I decided to invest in myself. I became a laser apprentice and quickly advanced into a Laser Technician role.

After years of building a loyal clientele and gaining valuable experience, I realized I had outgrown the environment I was in. I wanted more education, more advanced technology, and more opportunity to evolve.

So I moved to Dallas.

Where the “Magic” Began

I landed at a prestigious luxury clinic in Victory Park, across from the W Hotel, and this became a major turning point in my career.

I was suddenly working with some of the biggest names and most advanced modalities in the aesthetics industry. My education expanded into technologies including InMode Morpheus8, Sciton mJOULE with BBL and MOXI, Candela GentleMax Pro, Perfect Derma chemical peels, SkinPen microneedling, HydraFacial, and medical hair and scalp restoration.

I also immersed myself in advanced education surrounding melanated skin, melasma, pigmentation, and complex skin concerns. I received extensive training in ZO Skin Health, including education influenced by Dr. Zein Obagi, whom I consider one of my greatest mentors, as well as Revision Skincare and AnteAGE.

My education expanded into the world of exosomes, stem cells, PDRN, growth factors, regenerative aesthetics, and advanced skin health.

Every year, I make it a priority to attend industry conferences, conventions, and advanced educational events, including training and conferences with companies such as Sciton and InMode, as well as major industry events such as AMSPA and ICES.

I also maintain close relationships with my brand representatives, clinical trainers, educators, and industry partners. These relationships have become much more than professional connections. Many of these individuals have become people I consider close friends.

I value having direct access to the people who are developing, training, and advancing the technologies and products I use every day. Being able to ask questions, exchange experiences, discuss treatment approaches, and continue learning directly from these experts is an important part of how I continue to grow.

For the first time, I had the opportunity to work with advanced technologies and create the kinds of transformations I had always wanted to provide. I was able to think critically, customize treatment plans, collaborate with other medical professionals, and continue pushing myself beyond what I already knew.

This is where I truly began to see myself as a master medical aesthetician.

Collaboration Over Competition

Through years of education, hands-on experience, trial and error, and working with countless skin types, colors, conditions, and concerns, I have developed a philosophy that is simple: I never want someone to sit in my treatment room and feel like I don’t know how to help them.

That doesn’t mean I believe I have every answer. In fact, one of the things I believe sets me apart is knowing when to ask for another opinion.

I have the privilege of working alongside an incredible aesthetic nurse practitioner, and we consistently collaborate on treatment plans. I believe strongly in working from the inside out.

Sometimes the best result comes from combining internal medicine, injectables, skincare, technology, and regenerative treatments rather than trying to make one provider or one modality do everything.

I am never afraid to say, “Let’s bring someone else in.”

I don’t believe in keeping a patient to myself. I believe in collaboration. If an injector, nurse practitioner, physician, or another specialist can contribute to a better outcome, I want them involved.

Ultimately, that collaboration creates something much more valuable than a single treatment: trust.

When a patient knows that their provider is willing to seek a second opinion, collaborate, and build the most comprehensive plan possible, they know their best interest comes first. My goal isn’t simply to treat someone’s skin. It is to help create a complete transformation that gives them confidence, wellness, and a version of themselves they feel proud of.

A Student Until the Day I Die

My education continued as I returned to school and advanced my laser training, eventually becoming a Laser Senior and then a Laser Professional, the highest level of laser certification in my training path. I also became a Laser Safety Officer, allowing me to educate and train other laser professionals.

And that brings me to another passion of mine: education.

I genuinely love teaching. I don’t believe knowledge becomes less valuable when you share it. I believe the opposite. Sharing what you know, including your successes, failures, experiences, and lessons learned, makes the entire industry stronger.

I don’t believe in guarding information because I’m afraid someone else might become better than me. I want the people around me to become better. If everyone around me grows, I grow with them.

I am currently continuing to build my career while running my own business, Permanently Southern, within Viv Wellness, where I provide beauty services and permanent makeup.

And I am nowhere near finished.

My next goal is to return to permanent makeup school and add lip blushing to my certifications. After that, I already know there will be something else.

Because I don’t believe there is ever a point where you “arrive.”

I consider myself a student until the day I die, always educating, always growing, always evolving, and always searching for the next piece of knowledge that can make me better.

That philosophy comes directly from my father.

Everything I have built has been influenced by the lessons he taught me about life, perseverance, and continuing to become the best version of yourself. Continuing to learn is one of the ways I honor him, and it is one of the ways I honor myself.

Today, I look toward the future of Permanently Southern with the hope of growing the business, potentially building a team, educating others, and continuing to explore what is possible in an industry that is constantly revolutionizing.

I don’t know exactly where this journey will take me.

But I know one thing:

This queen is not done yet, and she never will be.

Because if you’re learning, you’re growing.

And I refuse to ever become an old dog with old tricks.

Explore More About Permanently Southern

For lash and brow services, book directly with Permanently Southern through its Square booking page. For personalized skin treatments with Raina, visit VIV Wellness to explore available services and schedule an appointment. Raina is listed by VIV Wellness as an aesthetician and laser professional specializing in personalized skincare.

You can also explore Southern Skin Queen for advanced aesthetics, brow, and skincare services: southernskinqueen.ai.studio.

For more updates and information, follow Raina and her businesses on social media:

• Instagram: @southernskinqueen
• Facebook: Southern Skin Queen
• LinkedIn: Raina Slater
• Instagram: @permanentlysouthernllc