Women in Aesthetics: Julieta Spada, MD: Perseveres to Achieve Aesthetic SuccessWomen in Aesthetics: Julieta Spada, MD: Perseveres to Achieve Aesthetic Success

Julieta Spada, MD, loved anatomy and physiology in high school, making medicine an easy choice of study. But the path to a successful aesthetics practice was anything but. Deep down, she knew she wanted to be happy and to enjoy her work, which helped her to stay focused on her goals despite the adversity she faced along the way.

When Dr. Spada graduated from the University of Buenos Aires in 2004, she went on to complete two medical residencies. The first in internal medicine and located in what she described as a dangerous and undesirable area. “It was close to a slum with a lot of social problems, not a safe place with a different reality,” she shared. “And the residency regime was quite strict where additional on-call shifts were assigned as punishment for minor disciplinary issues. There was abuse of power. However, I learned a lot and it made me stronger.” Her second residency was in dermatology and more demanding academically, but without the same kinds of unreasonable disciplinary demands, Dr. Spada explained. She also faced additional challenges with a divorce and subsequent financial hardship during this time. However, “This forced me to become more creative, which in turn helped me develop my business,” she remarked.

In the period between her two residencies, Dr. Spada completed her aesthetic specialization with the Argentinian Medical Association in 2009. This, arguably, was a source of inspiration and motivation to stay the course because she chose to pursue the aesthetic specialty based on her love of dermatology, she shared.

But even after completing her degree programs and certifications, the challenges continued. “When I finished my second residency, I started to work in a private practice where I was betrayed. Therefore, three years after I finished my second residency (11 years after graduating), I had to start from scratch. I went deep not only into the aesthetic world (the thing that I wanted since I graduated) but also on social media.”

Today, Dr. Spada has been a medical doctor for 20 years, an aesthetic practitioner for 15 years and a dermatologist for 14 years. She is in private practice in Buenos Aires and her primary interest is in restoring and improving natural features through injectables and medical devices. After all the years of hard work and challenges, Dr. Spada has a lot to be proud of: Not only does she have a successful aesthetic practice, but she is also a recognized industry expert. “I am a global speaker who teaches complex techniques around the world,” she commented.

So, what does the next five to ten years hold for Dr. Spada? “I see myself striking a better work-life balance (I hope so).”