Needles & Nonsense

The duo is back! Cohosts Tristan and Erin, back at it and talking all things aesthetics, injectables, and the questions we get asked all the time.In this episode of Needles & Nonsense, we’re getting into preventative Botox in your 20s, the truth about “baby Botox,” and what actually makes someone a good candidate for injectables. We’re also talking lip filler - from the initial anxiety and discomfort to why choosing the right injector is everything, plus a few aesthetic treatments we’ve personally changed our minds about over the years.We get real about under-eye filler, why it can be tricky, and why we’re loving PDGF as a collagen-building alternative. We also dive into the never-ending debate of “natural” vs. “subtle,” why patients should actually see a result from their treatments, and why a good consultation is just as important as the treatment itself.And, of course, we couldn’t end without some Elevate chaos - including our very different personalities, how we balance each other out, and upcoming team plans.Botox, filler, regrets, friendships, and a little nonsense: just the two of us. Let’s get into it.

Go behind the scenes with the OG crew of Elevate Medical Spa. In this episode of Needles & Nonsense, the providers take it all the way back to the early days of Elevate—when the practice was small, construction was everywhere, and the team was building more than just a medspa.They talk about the friendships and shared history that shaped Elevate’s culture, why staying close as a team matters in an industry known for burnout, and what they’ve learned along the way about aesthetics, patients, and the business.From what they’d tell their younger selves about sun protection to how they’d spend $1,000 on aesthetic treatments, the conversation gets honest about what’s actually worth your money—and what isn’t. Lindsay also opens up about her personal rosacea journey, sharing her experience with the condition and what she’s learned about caring for her skin.The team weighs in on preventative Botox, skin-tightening treatments, staying in your lane as a provider, and some of the higher-risk trends making their way around the aesthetics industry.And, of course, no episode would be complete without a little Love It or Leave It—where the OG crew gives their unfiltered takes on glass skin, buttock sculpting injections, AI-influenced beauty trends, and more.

What does a medical director actually do at a medical spa—and why should every patient care? In this episode of Needles & Nonsense, Tristan and Erin sit down with Dr. Akash Chandawarkar, Harvard-educated board-certified plastic surgeon at Mirror Plastic Surgery and Medical Director of Elevate Medical Spa, to discuss the aesthetic world from his unique perspective.Dr. Chandawarkar shares his journey into plastic surgery, why he transitioned from hospital medicine to aesthetics, and how reconstructive surgery shaped his philosophy of helping patients look and feel like the best version of themselves. The conversation also explores what patients should look for when choosing a provider, how to navigate the overwhelming amount of aesthetic misinformation on social media, and why understanding a patient's goals is one of the most important parts of any consultation. You'll also hear their thoughts on:-How AI may improve the patient experience without replacing human care-The impact of private equity on the aesthetics industry-Managing complications and prioritizing patient safety-Common misconceptions about Botox, fillers, and aesthetic treatments-The future of regenerative aesthetics and emerging technologyWhether you're researching cosmetic injectables, considering plastic surgery, or simply interested in the future of aesthetic medicine, this episode offers expert insight into how safe, ethical, and patient-centered care should look.

She was a patient first… and now she’s the one keeping us in line. In this episode of Needles & Nonsense, we’re sitting down with Chelsea to talk about how she went from sitting in the treatment chair to becoming an essential part of the Elevate team.Of course, we cover all the important topics: her questionable TikTok Shop purchases, the time she got scammed online, and each other's funny habits.Between the nonsense, we’re getting into the real science of aging well - why consistency beats chasing quick fixes, what treatments make sense in your 20s, 30s, 40s and beyond, and why you should never wait until two weeks before a big event to start your aesthetic journey.We also break down how the best results come from treating the face like layers of a cake—combining skincare, facials, microneedling, lasers, and injectables to create a natural, refreshed look.Plus, the honest truth about lip flips (yes, some activities may become a little more interesting).

In this episode of Needles & Nonsense, Tristan is joined by fellow injector April for a candid, educational, and entertaining conversation that blends real industry insight with unfiltered hot takes.April shares her career journey from bedside nursing into aesthetics, explaining what drew her to the specialty and how her clinical background shaped the way she practices today. April also shares her journey to growing a loyal following on TikTok and how social media became a powerful tool for education, visibility, and credibility in aesthetics. Together, they discuss what it really takes to build trust online in a medical field that’s often misunderstood.A major topic in this episode is PDGF and the growing controversy surrounding it in the aesthetic space. April and Tristan unpack what PDGF and their thoughts on the platelet derived growth factors in the aesthetic space. The episode features their aesthetic “ins and outs,” including why chasing every flaw can backfire, why symmetry should be the priority, and a breakdown of how cheek filler can easily go wrong in the wrong hands.Equal parts educational and entertaining, this episode gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the professionalism, strategy, and philosophy behind modern aesthetic practice.Follow Needles & Nonsense: https://www.instagram.com/needlesandnonsense.pod/https://www.tiktok.com/@needlesandnonsense.podFollow April on social media:IG: https://www.instagram.com/april_fogg/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@_aprilfoggFollow Tristan on social media:IG: https://www.instagram.com/injector_tristan/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@injector_tristanLearn more or book at Elevate Medical Spa: https://www.elevatetpa.com/

In this first episode of Needles & Nonsense, we’re pulling back the curtain on aesthetics and injector relationships with hosts Tristan Baron and Erin Brown.We talk about why aesthetics is not one-size-fits-all, thoughts on referrals, and why sticking with the same injector can make or break your results over time. You’ll hear how Erin was recruited into Elevate, Tristan’s journey into aesthetics, and the hustle it really takes to be successful in this industry.We also get into:The #1 thing that defines Elevate’s cultureWhy we don’t rely heavily on medical assistants in the treatment roomThe “elevate glow up” Tristan's Jelly Roll tox gone wrong— and what it teaches about why treatments aren’t copy-and-pasteIf you’ve ever wondered how to find an injector you trust, why relationships matter in aesthetics, and what really happens behind the scenes in a medspa — this episode is for you.Episode Transcript:https://www.elevatetpa.com/needles-nonsense-transcript-episode1Follow Needles & Nonsense: https://www.instagram.com/needlesandnonsense.pod/https://www.tiktok.com/@needlesandnonsense.podFollow Tristan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/injector_tristan/Follow Erin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/injector_erinbrown/Learn more or book at Elevate Medical Spa: https://www.elevatetpa.com/