Episode 118: The Regenerative Era with Dana Herbertson, SFA, MEP-C

In this episode of For The Record, we sit down with Dana Herbertson, SFA, MEP-C, AEST, CLT, Owner of The Derm Lounge Med Spa in Dallas and a true force in the medical aesthetics industry. With nearly 30 years of experience, starting as a surgical first assistant in plastic surgery and evolving into one of Dallas's most sought-after injectors, Dana brings a unique surgical perspective to aesthetic medicine that sets her apart.

Dana's journey from the operating room to entrepreneurship wasn't straightforward. After years of assisting in surgery and fighting for more time in the injection chair, she took the leap and opened her own 900-square-foot practice. Today, she operates a stunning 3,000-square-foot med spa alongside her children Aidan and Paige, who help run every aspect of the business.

What makes Dana's practice thrive even as the industry faces a 17-20% downturn? It's her commitment to genuine relationships over transactions, her surgical-level precision in everything from threads to peptides, and her willingness to say "no" to filler more often than "yes." She's not running a factory—she's creating transformations that honor anatomy, safety, and the natural beauty of each patient.

Throughout this conversation, Dana opens up about the realities of family business dynamics, the art and science of thread lifting (complete with sterile technique that would make any OR nurse proud), and her pioneering work with bio-regenerative medicine—from polynucleotides for skin rejuvenation to peptide protocols that are changing the menopause game for women everywhere.

What You'll Learn:

• The surgical advantage: How Dana's background as a surgical first assistant informs her approach to threads, anatomy, and sterile technique, and why cadaver courses are non-negotiable for providers doing threads

• Family business dynamics: The benefits of working with your children, and how Aidan and Paige transformed Dana from overwhelmed solo practitioner to efficient CEO

• Mastering threads: Why infection control is everything, the importance of multiple trainings (not just one).

• The filler paradox: Why Dana now says "no" to filler more than "yes," and how bio-stimulators, threads, and regenerative treatments are creating better, more natural results than the heavy filler faces of years past

• Peptides & menopause: Dana's game-changing insights on how GLP-1s and peptide protocols are revolutionizing menopause management.

• The mesoneedling revolution: How Dana uses Toskani’s polynucleotide cocktails with precision needling techniques to wake up dormant cells and reverse skin aging at the cellular level

• Hair restoration breakthroughs: The stunning results Dana's achieving with PDO smooth threads, PDRN hair cocktails, and consistent monthly treatments that rival hair transplant results.

• Surviving economic downturns: Practical wisdom from someone who's weathered multiple market crashes, including why patient loyalty and authentic relationships matter more than ever when the industry is down 20%

• Efficiency without sacrifice: How Dana uses headsets, multiple treatment rooms, and skilled assistants to scale her practice without turning it into a patient factory

• What's next in bio-regenerative medicine: A sneak peek at NTCF and other European innovations Dana's watching that could be coming to the US market soon

Whether you're a new injector looking to expand your skillset, a practice owner trying to scale efficiently, or simply curious about the cutting edge of regenerative aesthetics, Dana's insights offer a masterclass in combining surgical precision with entrepreneurial vision—all while keeping the patient experience at the heart of everything.

Connect with Dana:

Dana's IG: https://www.instagram.com/botoxbarbiedana/

The Derm Lounge IG: https://www.instagram.com/thedermloungemedspa/

The Derm Lounge Web: https://thedermlounge.com/

For Training Opportunities: Contact The Derm Lounge directly to schedule hands-on training sessions