Irena Wasylczak Medical Aesthetician Dr. Jon B. Turk, Facial Plastic Surgeon
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rena Wasylczak is a Medical Aesthetician in the office of Dr. Jon B. Turk, Facial Plastic Surgeon in New York City. She is a New York licensed Esthetician, specializing in Skin Care and Makeup through the Christine Valmy International School in New York City. With over 15 years experience in the field, Irena specializes in hydra facials, electronic micro-needling, skin rejuvenation including Forma skin tightening, Lumecca photo-facials, and Fractora resurfacing. In her spare time, Irena enjoys spending time with her family, cooking and baking with her daughters. How did you get started in your field? I was exposed to the importance of beautiful skin since I was a little girl. My mom would always emphasize the benefits of taking care of your skin and avoiding the sun. She would take me to the beauty spa where she would get facials, so I decided that I would become an esthetician and not only make her happy but also other moms and women that are challenged by their skin. At age 22 I enrolled in the Christine Valmy International Beauty School in New York City where I received my esthetician li-
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cense. Now 15 years later I am working for a world renowned facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Jon Turk. What were some of the biggest challenges/obstacles you faced in your career? One of the biggest challenges I face in my career is keeping up with the new technology and products to best serve my clients. Technology and beauty products are always evolving. I need to know what’s out there and what really works so my clients leave the office feeling educated and rejuvenated. Who was your mentor? Who Influenced you the most? I don’t think I had only one mentor. Mentors arise at different stages of one’s life. Of course, my parents were my first mentors. Growing up on a farm in Poland, they taught me the meaning and importance of hard work and how that hard work would yield a good harvest of crops. More recently it has been Dr. Turk. He has taught me many things about the skin and facial aesthetics in general. He is a great teacher and always willing to share his extensive knowledge. What is some advice that has helped you juggle your career and family life successfully? I truly believe that you need to find time for yourself as well as for work so that you can refocus and re-center your mind and spirit. As a mother of two beautiful girls (Sophia almost 5 years old and Stella 16 months), I always want to be the perfect mom for them. But being perfect is not realistic, so I do the best that I can at home and in my profession. What advice would you give to women starting out in your industry? My younger sister is finishing her third year at the University in Poland where she is studying to become an esthetician. My advice to her was to start work while she was studying. Put the theory to practice! In this way, by the time she graduates she will have more experience and knowledge of the skincare industry. Amazingly, she took my advice which has made me a super proud big sister. jonturkmd.com