Complaint Review: ESIW - Esthetic Skin Institute

 I must take exception to the comments listed against ESIW.

First off, some background about myself. I am a general surgeon with subspecialty training in trauma and surgical critical care. I have been in practice for 17 years and have been on the faculty of medical schools for much of that time, teaching surgical residents and medical students. I have authored numerous scientific articles and book chapters. I say this to add some credability to my statements.

I have taken ALL the courses offered by ESIW and have experienced the teaching methods of Sasha Parker first hand. I was immediately impressed at the depth of knowledge Ms. Parker possessed on the topics she presented. The basic science she introduced was at the level of any scientific meeting I have ever attended. She gave a historical basis for all her topics, as well as the pro and cons of each procedure. All of her recommendations were absolutely "On Label" recommendations from the manufacturer of the products. Ms Parker did not endorse "Off Label" use HOWEVER, she did describe how other practitioner deviate from the recommended guidelines as a "real world" example of alternative uses of the products and procedures. In addition, Ms Parker gave her experience with all the products and procedures and how to avoid problems that may be easily encounted.  I found this information absolutely invaluable. As a physician and surgeon, we first  train to "do no harm". This is especially true with an elective, cosmetic procedure that is meant to enhance a current state of being without curing a morbid or life-threatening condition. I absolutely left the training sessions confident that I would be providing safe patient care.

As for the practical hands on experience, I not only spent time in performing all the procedures to my comfort level, but I observed many other students doing their training. As expected, there was a wide variance in the skill levels of all the students. I was very impressed that those with less skill were not "rubber stamped" through the course, but got intense and individualized training until they performed to the satisfaction of the mentor. This included expanded one on one instruction as well as the ability to perform the procedure on as many volounteers as required to perform the procedure with some skill. I actually left some sessions so impressed that Ms. Parker had a genuine sense of responsibility to the public that her trainees would encounter. This is a characteristic that should be emulated, in my opinion.

 Ms. Parker had a GENUINE desire for her students to become sucessful in their new endeavors. She gave frank advise and "secrets of the trade" that was invaluable. I say this having been present with students who may ultimately be her competetors. To me, that is the ultimate in teaching responsibility.

Lastly, I must state that not only did I finish all the courses feeling that I got my dollars worth of training, I felt that I have never before recieved such a valuable experience for the fees I paid. I recommend ESIW with the highest enthusiasm. Any student will be well served in attending any of Ms. Parker's courses.

I am totally taken aback by this January 2013 complaint. It is hard to read this kind of thing when everything we do as a company is all about quality and customer satisfaction.  The author is confused and could "not" have trained with me (Sasha Parker) or with Esthetic Skin Insitute. I have concluded that the author is either confusing me with someone else for reasons I will go into "or" this is a competitor trying to knock out a well established competition (a highly respected competitor (ESI-we have an excellent reputation); I will go into why I believe it is the latter. I also ask this person to come forth with proof that they attended my workshop (our data base will prove they did not).  I don't think that will happen because it is just not true. See below.

The author of the complaint states that he/she trained with me (Sasha Parker) at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Airport about 2 yrs ago......I or my company have "never" trained at this Hilton or any other Hilton for that matter. There is however another company with a similar name who does train at that Hilton.  The author also states that he/she was recently "looking for additional aesthetic training" and came across ESIW website and the website was new and redesigned which upset him/her..  Our website has been the same for 10yrs..the same look, same information-content, same navigation, same same...Again, the other company with a very similar name certainly does look very different from ESIW's website.  Confused, maybe, but this author kept using my name numerous times so I have to believe this is a personal attack at me and my company.  Regarding the statement that our materials are basic is interesting because later they state that our information is "reckless and careless". We are only one, of a few companies who is willing to put our materials to CME Cat I scrutiny.  Our evaluation forms which must be turned in by each person who attends our courses have always had a 99.99% excellent rating. I find it interesting that this person would not voice there opinion of dissatisfaction at the course. Also, the author of the complaint says that I provided "no real established standard of care" and used personal preferences for dosing and technique" and then refers to me "just a family practitioner". All ESI instructors "do" teach the manufacturers recommendations on dilution and dosing.  It is throughout all our materials. By the way, Botulinum toxin is not an "exact science" so less or more dosing may be required for individual patients.  I suggest that this author read the Consensus Report of 2005, published by the ASAPS (American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery) and numerous other periodicals from which our data comes from.  ESI only teaches accepted practices and in our hands-on workshops we use real product. 

Throughout this piece the author continually uses my name, refers to me a just a family practitioner, than refers to me as just a nurse, and then refers to my electrology and aesthetics licenses.  Also interesting is when the author states that he/she wonders why these proceudres are not being limited back to the time when only Plastic Surgeons and Cosmetic Dermatologists could perform these procedures."  That is really telling. 

I will end by saying Testimonial after Testimonial, blogs and chats sites mentioning ESI paints a totally different picture than the author of this complaint.....Anyone can call our office and we will give them references of satisfied customers. So again, he/she did not train with me...is he/she possibly confused?....or....a competitor who wants to knock off some competition with low personal attacks of false nature. Why I believe it is a competitor? There is one company in the Western states who has been following our schedule for over a year now and puts on workshops in the same location around a week before or after ours. The internet is a good thing, but it can be potentially dangerous. After this, I learned that this will stay on forever, even if it is a lie.  So the only recourse we have is to write a rebuttal. A gentle warning to all of you on your way to starting a business, this kind of thing could happen to any of us. So Again, I ask the author to come forth and prove themselves.