It's okay to want to feel good

When I first started in the cosmetic dermatology industry, there was a stigma around aesthetic treatments. People were hesitant to admit they had Botox, filler or laser treatments. It felt taboo, like something to keep secret. But over time, the conversation opened up. People realized it was okay to do something that made them feel more confident — that there was no shame in wanting to like the person you see in the mirror.

But lately, I’ve noticed a shift. The judgment is creeping back in. People are once again feeling the need to justify what they’re doing or avoid the conversation altogether. There’s this underlying fear of being criticized for wanting to look and feel their best.

It’s not just about aesthetic treatments — it’s the same pattern I see in wellness. So many of us are striving for healthier lifestyles, but it often turns into this all-or-nothing mindset. You’re either perfectly clean, sustainable and toxin-free… or you’ve failed. There’s little room for balance. And it’s exhausting.

You don’t have to choose

Here’s the thing: it doesn’t need to be black and white.

You can care about eating well and still enjoy dessert. You can buy sustainably made clothing and still grab a sweatshirt that sparks joy, even if it’s not perfect. You can drink green juice in the morning and get Botox in the afternoon.

What I’ve noticed is that people often fixate on the easy thing to criticize — like the chemicals in their beauty products (not all are bad by the way) — while ignoring other behaviors that might matter more, like how much alcohol they’re drinking or how they’re managing stress. It’s almost like we’re trying to create a checklist of things that make us “good” or “healthy,” without taking a step back to look at the bigger picture.

I had a conversation with some women recently who were stressed about the materials in their clothing, worried about endocrine disruptors. Meanwhile, they were drinking several glasses of wine each night. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying wine! But it struck me that the priorities felt a little skewed. We can’t get everything right all the time — and that’s okay.

The same goes for cosmetic treatments. Just like we love a good hair day or express ourselves through fashion or tattoos, we’re allowed to make changes to our appearance if it makes us feel better. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to feel more confident. And there’s certainly no need to judge others for it.

Removing the judgement

I’ve always believed in balance. I don’t restrict myself too much when it comes to food or lifestyle choices. I focus on sustainability where I can, but I’m not going to beat myself up over a purchase that brings me joy. I aim to make healthy choices, but I’m not going to stress over indulging from time to time.

In the same way, I believe in making thoughtful choices about cosmetic treatments. I’ve worked hard to build a practice that prioritizes natural, beautiful results, and that ethos guides every treatment we offer. It’s not about chasing trends or perfection — it’s about doing what makes you feel good, in a way that feels authentic to you.

But balance isn’t just about the choices we make. It’s also about how we treat ourselves and others. If we can give ourselves grace, we can let go of the need to be perfect all the time. And if we can extend that grace to others, we’ll remove the judgment that so often comes with personal choices.

We’re all just doing the best we can.

Making space for joy

At the end of the day, the goal isn’t perfection. It’s joy.

We don’t need to complicate our lives with endless rules or judgments. The more we focus on cherishing what we’ve built — our health, our families, our routines — the more we create space to just be happy.

So, here’s my encouragement to you: have your green juice (or smoothie, or detox drink, or whole lemon lemonade), get your skin treatment, wear the sweatshirt that makes you happy. Give yourself permission to live in the gray area. That’s where the joy is.