It’s hard to believe that the first time I stepped into Aiyana Atelier was almost three years ago now. That’s insane to me, because honestly, it really feels like yesterday that I was trying to figure out what the heck was wrong with my skin and the best ways to turn it around. 
I’ve blogged before about Aiyana being the best facial in DC, but I wanted to take some time to talk about my skincare journey with Aiyana Atelier.
My Skincare Journey With Aiyana Atelier
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First things first, the above transformation happened in about 2.5ish years. I truly don’t believe anything happens overnight and skincare is no different. In the big picture, the difference in only 2.5 years is insane to me.
The first time I saw Ashley (she’s @BotoxAndBourbon on social – follow her!) at Aiyana Atelier, I didn’t even know what I needed, but I was desperate to do something for myself after years of putting myself (and my body) through hell. After 4 consecutive miscarriages, fertility drugs and hormone therapies, my skin was wrecked. Nothing prepares you for what years of that sort of roller coaster will do to your body and the way it manifests in your skin, particularly your face. Add 10 years of sun damage from Hawaii (plus loads of time in a tanning bed in my youth), coupled with unknowingly drinking jet fuel and Ashley had her work cut out for her.
I started with using better skincare to match what my skin needed as opposed to just buying shit off the internet. I was very guilty of seeing someone post a product that worked well for them and just buying it sight unseen, desperate for a fix. Reality check: What works for someone else is not necessarily going to work for you! And I definitely learned this the hard way, often throwing out full sized bottles of brand new products that I used once and they were too harsh for my skin.
The products I started with were PCA Cleansing Oil, Retinol Oil (Ashley’s private line), and Lipid Drops (Ashley’s private line). It’s SO important for me to note that I started small, because it’s what I could afford. Once I was able to save up more, I started integrating more regular facials, chemical peels, and Botox. I did this for a full year and also added in getting my eyebrows microbladed by Katie at Citrus Club Cosmetics (she’s amazing and hysterical and no it doesn’t hurt).
In 2024, I went to Aesthetic Artistry for a laser treatment — a CoolPeel CO2 combo for sun damage and I literally saw my sun spots flake off (insane) plus added in Sculptra with Ashley. Throughout, I’ve continued using quality skincare products, protecting my face when I’m outside, wearing sunscreen religiously, and making sure I stick to my night and morning routines. Also, I’m here to report that drinking tons of water really is worth it, despite me having to force it down some days.
I started 2025 by getting a NEOGen treatment, which uses nitrogen plasma technology to rejuvenate and tighten the skin while generating collagen and elastin. It also targets fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, pigmentation, and acne scarring. Sharing my before and after below (before on the left).
It’s been a journey and I started small – 3 products and a facial! This wasn’t an overnight quick fix to make myself feel better. It’s been a constant investment and a true dedication to finding myself again and to be honest — I’ve never felt more comfortable in my own skin.
Why I Decided To Get Sculptra + My Sculptra Before and After
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