Complaint Review: ESI - Esthetic Skin institute

I actually was searching the internet to write a review regarding the latest course I just attended at ESI. I was shocked to read the physician's review for a number of reasons. First, I have taken a number of courses and have been practicing for years very successfully. Secondly, Herb is an amazing instructor and extremely knowledgeable. Third, i can hardly believe a physician wrote that poorly written review.

I experienced a situation with a group of professionals who were raving about their experience which is why I wanted to share this. There was plenty of hands on practice with experienced practitioners and anyone should feel more than confident to participate in this program.

In fact, I believe it is the best that is offered and question this review.

I was quite surprised to learn about this report.  I have been a nurse for over 20 years and prior to that was an instructor, having earned a bachelor's degree in education.  I have been performing aesthetic procedures for over 12 years and instructing since 2003.  In addition, I have owned my own medical spa since 2001.

I have to believe this is a bogus report because I am very approachable and as such, I find that an educated, self spoken person would have addressed the issue with me at the time of the occurrence and not in a cowardly, anonymous way.  I have had several students contact me from time to time to ask questions or validate what they did or are about to do.  I am very patient and dedicate the time each student needs to get out of the class and perform aesthetic procedures with the  confidence he/she came to learn. That is also true related to the didactic portion of the class when administered by me.  I may attempt legal action against this individual because he is putting my name and reputation down.  Both ESI and I are integral providers, not a pyramid scheme as mentioned in the post.

I too am a physician with several years experience in medical aesthetics and an ESI faculty member. I take pride in the quality, CME-accredited, evidence-based instruction that we offer.  The Esthetic Skin Institute has trained tens of thousands of licensed health-care providers through the years, and its courses are accredited, reviewed, and continually evaluated in writing by those who take it.  The feedback we receive is overwhelmingly positive, and many like the courses so much that they return months later to take additional courses. It is not uncommon for students to comment how our workshops were so much more thorough and valuable than other seminars offered elsewhere.

Students who have truly taken our courses are allowed to audit the didactic training free of charge. All of us who participate academically with ESI are licensed health care practitioners ourselves.  We value the importance of patient education, understanding, and quality information presented in an unbiased, methodical fashion. Likewise, each of us take our work seriously.  We take a personal interest in helping our students for the same reason we enjoy caring for our loyal patients.

We just learned about this complaint against ESI and it comes as a real shock.  I cannot fathom this negative response. ESI was the first medical esthetic training company providing hands-on training here in the US (since 1997). ESI's model is copied by many. ESI is a highly respected continuing education company which also certifies its medical professionals.  ESI has a 99.9% approval rating by its former students in the evaluation process.  Testimonial after testimonial is also proof that ESI students are extremely satisfied with the training they received. We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Many students comment that the instruction, materials and other information they received are outstanding.  Contrary to the complaint that the materials were superficial and incomplete this just is not so.  The course materials and information come from the most updated professional sources available and the materials are updated on a regular basis. They are never "copied" as stated in this complaint. Our credentialed materials have been evaluated and scrutinized thoroughly to be approved for continuing education as AMA Cat I (a very hard and costly thing to do).  In addition, the attendess recieve all documentaion forms, consents, patient instruction forms and more.  I am however suspect that this "so called physician" did not call to express his dissaisfaction with the course.  I do not know the source of this complaint since it is anonymous, but I do know that it is really suspect because it was submitted on Oct. 24, 2012 and we have never had any complaonts against us before this considering our long history in busines.  Another reason for suspect is that Herb De Souza (who by the way is an excellent trainer) has not trained for us in 2 yrs.  Also, Herb does not lecture the courses.  I can only think that this is a competitor or someone who will benefit by providing internet reputation repair.  I cannot believe that someone can stoop to such a low level.

ESI Owner