Board-certified with a Fellowship in Dermatology from the American College of Osteopathic Dermatology, Dr. Aguilera has over 20 years of advanced training in lasers and aesthetics. He is a published author, clinical researcher, international Key Opinion Leader, and trainer. NOVA University, Assistant Professor of Dermatology and four other universities. He was the keynote speaker on the newest laser advances and cosmetic techniques. He participates in FDA clinical trial studies for a leading global laser manufacturer and skincare company.
Favorite Quote: If you have the opportunity to be right or being kind, always chose to be kind.
Fun Fact: I was named after a horse. I want to be a bartender and work on a tiki bar after I retired from dermatology.
What challenges have you faced in your career, and how did you overcome them? I had to work throughout all of my education, and this made my days long and arduous. Trying to study and keep a job was at times a tricky task. However, I learn how to overcome feeling tired and fatigued. Every time I felt exhausted, I will recite what my grandmother used to tell me when I complain of being tired: “You are going to get plenty of rest when you died.” So, I get up and continue to plow through.
What has been the most monumental moment of your career thus far? I have a voice in the aesthetic industry worldwide. I am a key opinion leader in the aesthetic world and I use this opportunity to educate physicians, extenders and the public about best practices in aesthetics in order to elevate our industry and make sure that procedures are done safely and that the outcomes are also natural and beautiful.
How is the healthcare industry important to you personally? For me, it is very important that patients have a healthy dose of self-love and self-acceptance. Being a Cosmetic dermatologist allows me to help many people physically and emotionally so they can align themselves in mind, body, and spirit.
How did the pandemic disrupt your specific role in the healthcare industry, and how did you adapt? No everyone got infected with Covid, but all of us got affected. I was considered a non-essential worker because I do cosmetics. But time after time again, it has been shown that aesthetic procedures in a pandemic is a recession-proof type of business because feeling and looking attractive is ingrained in our primitive brain. As early man, living in the wild, being left alone meant death from predators and invaders. We are communal beings in our ancient nature, and our primary purpose for existence is procreation. Therefore we need to feel we are able to attract a mate and be attractive to a group. Attractiveness is very closely associated with survival as individuals and as a species. Therefore, we were fortunate enough to survive the pandemic. It did affect us in many ways, but at least we are staying afloat.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten? “Never be number one at anything, always be number two.”
What do you love most about working in healthcare? I can help people physically and emotionally.
