The Aesthetic Method

By Sara Teller

The Aesthetic Method: A Medical Spa Where Patients Become Family

STEPHANIE STEWART, PA-C, A PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT WITH A BACKGROUND IN EMERGENCY MEDICINE, BELIEVES SHE ACTUALLY BEGAN PURSUING HER CAREER BACK ON MARCH 23, 2005.

That’s when she was involved in a severe car accident, resulting in multiple facial injuries and numerous reconstructive surgeries. Despite these chal- lenges, the incident would prove critical in her decision to help others.

Following graduation, Stewart first enrolled in Wayne State University for her undergraduate studies, then in the University of Bridgeport’s Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies program. Soon, she found she had a knack for executing quick and precise procedures, which led her to specialize in emergency medicine. However, after years of working in the ER and countless surgeries under her belt, Stewart began to burn out. Honestly, considering leaving the medical field, financial obligations kept her tethered, and she was forced to consider other options.

Stewart began training in injectables instead, and sought positions in dermatology and plastic surgery, but she faced repeated rejections. Undeterred, she researched how to start her own business and, in hindsight, discovered that the ‘no’s’ she received were necessary for her to eventually open the doors of The Aesthetic Method in downtown Ferndale.

SIX YEARS LATER, STEWART’S MEDICAL SPA IS STILL GOING STRONG with a team of ten talented staff members specializing in facial injections including neurotoxins, dermal fillers, PDO threads, PRF and laser treatments. Nominated for Best Esthetician and Best Medical Spa in Hour Detroit's Best of Detroit two years in a row, Stewart and her team rank top 50 in the country for Evolus, and the spa has received Presidential status for Galderma. Stewart herself has also been invited to speak on multiple podcasts, sharing her heroic journey.

Operating under medical director Dr. Jason Setsuda, DO, a board certified emergency medicine physician, the close-knit team brings a diverse background in medicine and related fields to the table, and is known for working closely with their customers, ensuring all questions and concerns are answered along the way.

“The Aesthetic Method prides itself on focusing on really educating our patients about the aging process and how to restore and prevent,” Stewart explained. “We perform a full-face assessment on every new patient where we educate you about the aging process, discuss concerns and develop a long-term treatment plan. We take a full-face approach so that when others see the work we've done to our clients, they have no idea why they look so good, they just know they do.”

Stewart and her team especially strive to avoid leaving clients with an imbalanced look that’s sure to get noticed in a negative way. “You will never see any of our clients walking around with enormous lips and looking unnatural,” she said. “Our medical staff has trained all over the country with the best of the best for six years now. This field is constantly evolving and so are we, so we can offer our patients the very best, most natural results.”

ACCORDING TO STEWART, FERNDALE WAS THE PERFECT FIT FOR HER VENTURE because, “The Aesthetic Method prides itself on being inclusive not exclusive. With Ferndale being so supportive of small businesses, especially female-owned, we could not have thought of a better city to be. We love being involved in all the things and initiatives Ferndale stands for including giving back to the community, supporting human rights, and raising money for dog rescues.”

In fact, the spa is actively involved in many happenings in and around Ferndale with a few events already in the calendar for the remainder of 2024.

“We were selected to sponsor the Drag Queen stage at Ferndale Pride this year,” Stewart shared enthusiastically. “We will also have a booth where participants can ‘Inject the Injector,’ purchase medical grade sunscreen and Detroit Never Looked So Good apparel.”

FOR THE UPCOMING FALL AND BEYOND, SHE ADDED, “Keep a look out for our Teacher's Appreciation special come September, our biggest fundraiser of the year supporting Detroit Dog Rescue in November and Santa visiting in December. We also offer monthly specials and giveaways, so make sure to subscribe to our newsletter on our website.”

New customers can visit The Aesthetic Method online (at theaestheticmethod.com) to check out all of the services offered. Stewart said, “We offer two different consultations where patients can get started – an injectable consult and/or a skincare consultation. During your injectable consultation, one of our medical providers will perform a full-face assessment, where they educate [the customer] about the aging process, discuss concerns and develop a long-term treatment plan. During your skincare consultation, one of our certified aestheticians and certified laser technician [will perform a face scan] with our Visia Skin Analysis machine. We will then discuss customized treatment recommendations, involving skincare and lasers.”

The team understands how big of a decision opting to get medical spa services can be, and they work hard to quell customers’ fears by providing a warm, welcoming environment every time they walk through the door.

Stewart said, “We understand our services can be intimidating and scary. However, walking into The Aesthetic Method is like visiting an old friend. We have a joke at our office that Botox is cheaper than therapy because our patients become family and often feel comfortable enough to cry in our treatment chairs. So, even if you have no idea what you're looking for, we're here to help.” n

For more information, visit The Aesthetic Method online, call 313.992.6659, email info@theaestheticmethod.com, or simply stop by 409 E Nine Mile Road, Suite 100, Ferndale.