meet sienna

Hi Sienna!

How’s everything going? I feel like you’re always booked and busy — how are you finding time for yourself lately?

Hi Dom! Life is pretty hectic but I have been focusing a lot on myself these days. I randomly signed up for the NYC Half Marathon while not ever having ran more than 3 miles, so training for that has been a big part of my routine. It has honestly been really fun! Other than that, I often find time to cozy up with friends at my favorite restaurants, cafes, museums–NYC is truly my oyster and I always try to maximize her potential.

So, let’s start from the beginning. You’re not just a Med Spa owner — you’re also a Physician Assistant. Where did that drive to pursue medicine come from, and when did aesthetics enter the picture?

Growing up, I always envisioned myself working in medicine. I truly do not have a memory of myself wanting to pursue anything else. My uncle is a doctor, and there are photos of me in Colombia as a little girl wearing his scrub cap and playing hospital. It has always been my dream to treat people and be a source of comfort in what can be uncomfortable situations. As for aesthetics? Being Colombian, I come from a family and a culture that truly prioritizes beauty and confidence. As I moved through PA school, I was introduced to plastics and injectables and it seemed to be the perfect conjunction of my two passions. The duality of my interests is what drove me to split my time. Immediately after graduating I decided to work in inpatient neurology, which I still do, and develop my skills as an injector on the side. As time passed, my passion for aesthetics grew and I realized I had a talent for it, further motivating me to advance that area of my career. Before I knew it, I had a portfolio of beautiful clients and the opportunity to build something of my own. It’s giving Barbenheimer in the best way.

Running a Med Spa while actively practicing as a PA is no small task. How do you balance the clinical responsibility with the creative side of aesthetics?

I truly never thought I would be the person that would take on a full time job working as an inpatient practitioner while also building a business but it has truly been the most rewarding feat of my life. Though my free time is limited, I value the small things and make sure I have a regimented schedule that allows me to enjoy all of my favorite things. I come home from the hospital and block out time to look over social strategies, respond to clients and manage backend tasks like orders and creating treatment plans. On clinic days (Thursday to Saturday) I make sure I am fully present with my clients, listening to their needs and aesthetic goals and on breaks I focus on creating palatable content that feels educational but also like a friend sitting across from you at dinner telling you all the latest and greatest about the aesthetics space. I have incredible friends that I make sure to connect with every weekend and visit my family often in West Palm Beach. Social interaction is my heart beat and keeps me going. I focus on prioritizing people that fill my cup and time to myself whether that be getting massages or working out, having a well thought out game plan of how I spend my time every week allows me to thrive.

For those reading, Sienna specializes in injectables — including Botox and dermal fillers — treatments that require an incredibly detailed understanding of facial anatomy. I’m curious… when you approach a client’s face, are you thinking more scientifically or artistically? Or is it truly a blend of both?

You’re exactly right; it is a true blend of the two. When approaching a person’s most valuable asset, their face, you have to be completely tuned in to both aspects. Scientifically I assess vascular anatomy, product choice and anatomical symmetry. I know every muscle of the face to provide the most accurate results. Artistically, I see the face as a whole. I like to start by asking what the patient loves most about their features and go from there. From that point, I see how to balance that with the rest of their features. Making sure everything is symmetric, angular and in proportion while delivering the most natural aesthetic for the client is my goal. Artistry is truly in making small adjustments that blend together so perfectly no one will ask what treatments you had done, they will simply think you were born that way.

There’s often a stigma or misunderstanding around injectables. How do you approach clients who are nervous or unsure about starting Botox or filler?

Although the stigma around aesthetic treatments is becoming less as people become more exposed, there is still a level of skepticism. I find people are more worried they will be succumbing to beauty standards or are scared of negative outcomes. To combat these negative feelings, I believe education and building trust is most important. I value having honest conversations to learn what people are comfortable with and I always start with the most conservative plan. The results speak for themselves and when people see they can still look like themselves, just elevated, that builds confidence and it is one of the great pleasures of my life to see the evolution of self-confidence in my clients.

With aesthetics constantly evolving — new techniques, trends, and products emerging — how do you stay educated and ahead of the curve?

This is so important and a big part of my day to day. Whether it is reading medical journals to understand products or new indications, or simply scrolling through other injectors TikToks and instagram, I am constantly exposed to new information. It helps that it is my favorite topic to learn or talk about. Aesthetics is ever-evolving and speaking with other practitioners or attending conferences or simply watching videos keeps my wheels turning on how to apply them to my own practice. It is not black and white and I love to live in the grey. I love creating new ways to achieve results and new methods to assess by. As the world of aesthetics transforms, so do I.

Social media plays such a large role in the aesthetics industry. How do you navigate showcasing results while maintaining professionalism and realistic expectations?

Through my social media presence, I hope to come across as your friend who is an expert in her field, sitting across from you at dinner while drinking a martini answering all your questions. I focus on showcasing this complicated and extensive medical space in a fun, palatable way. The vibe of SLA is unique, it’s not a stiff sterile space as many med spas can be. So I try to convey that in every photo and video. I only post real results on clients that I have treated which also gives a very transparent depiction of what people can expect when they come to me.

Do you ever find yourself having to guide clients away from trends that may not suit them? How do you handle those conversations?

All the time! Social media has been an excellent tool for people to educate themselves, but it has also inundated people with various treatments. Not everything is for everyone though and that’s when I step in. This is exactly why I emphasize trust-building because this actually does not have to be a tough conversation. If your friend came to you with advice, you would probably listen because you trust they have your best interest at heart. So that's how I approach it. I’m talking to my friend and showing them the best route to take. I’m never trying to sell anyone on a product or treatment for the sake of it.

For those who haven’t had the privilege of going to one of your SLA social club events, could you tell us more about it and why you started this new journey with your Med Spa. had such a blast at your last one!

Ahh! SLA Social Club, my passion project! I was always studying different med spas and the culture that surrounds them, and I learned that these spaces can often feel sterile, or even uptight and vain. At the same time, I was meeting new people in my chair every day and was constantly impressed by the eclectic group. I thought to myself: how do I blend this? My response to everything? A party! I decided to start hosting interesting and different networking events that brought people together in a fun, unserious environment, celebrating confidence and connection. If you know me, you know I am the friend introducing everyone to everyone, so it only felt natural to bridge to bring that side of me into my business. I am grateful to my clients and have genuinely loved getting to know them over the last few years, so every opportunity to show that and celebrate them makes me happy.

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Thank you so much for joining this segment. Watching you build something both medically grounded and aesthetically refined is inspiring. I can’t wait to see what you do next!