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From Army to Aesthetics

Jennifer Zamora Brings Her Skills to Urbana

"We want you to feel at home when you come here," says Jennifer Zamora, R.N. and CEO of Urbana Advanced Aesthetics. "It's a really warm and comfortable environment with lots of laughter going on and I love coming to work each day. We feel like we are hanging out with our girlfriends while we provide treatments."

Urbana Advanced Aesthetics has been a dream long in the making for this energetic woman who has worn several surprising hats.

This petite, full of energy, beauty queen has always been interested in beauty and the pursuit thereof. Still, she did not get to where she is today by taking the most direct route. Beginning her career serving in the army as a combat medic, she repelled from helicopters into areas to tend wounded soldiers. That ten-year career was the inspiration that propelled her toward a registered nursing degree and licensure at the close of her army career.

"I started out working in emergency medicine at a hospital after I got my R.N. degree. Following that, we embarked on an adventure in Thailand because my husband, also in the military, was transferred there. It was there that I sought out and began an apprenticeship training under an awesome Thai cosmetic surgeon. He was amazing–the things he could do. I learned so much from him and gained invaluable experience,” says Jennifer. “Because I was working with this doctor and speak Thai, several ex-pat women came to me to interpret for them. As time went on, they began to ask me to do treatments and procedures for them which turned into a business. So, I opened a practice there."

Finished with his assignment in Thailand, Jennifer's husband transferred to Fort Detrick where he planned to retire. Because they were now going to remain in one location, it allowed Jennifer and her mom, also her business partner, to fulfill their dream of opening an aesthetics practice.

"It has been a whirlwind, and our business is doing great. We have gained a loyal following of clients who come in for facials, laser hair removal, injectables, and cosmetic tattooing. I perform cosmetic tattooing and areola reconstruction for breast cancer patients. We help cancer patients with their skincare needs because when estrogen is depleted, the whole skincare needs to change," explains Jennifer. "We emphasize a holistic approach, treating patients from the inside out. Your skin reveals what's going on inside your body."

"I do have a challenge in this business," Jennifer says with exasperation. "My biggest challenge is convincing people they need to wear sunscreen formulated to block UVA rays every day–even if staying indoors. It does not matter what color your skin is; you need to wear it. Our skin is affected and aged by blue light, so screen protectors for cell phones and computers are essential. And do not forget to use sunscreen that also blocks the sun's harmful rays. I can't emphasize that enough."

"Additionally, apply vitamin C to the skin as it helps repair sun damage. Only 20% of your genetics make up how your skin ages, so 80% is within your control. Sun exposure, diet, pollution, all of that is within your control," Jennifer says.

Urbana Advanced Aesthetics provides various treatment options to minimize wrinkles, remove dark spots and even out skin tone. They perform many types of cosmetic procedures such as tattooing, laser treatments, fat reduction and concierge services, to name a few.

Two popular treatments to maintain a lifted and youthful appearance are PDO thread lifts and the vampire facial, which is micro-needling with plasma.

"A PDO thread lift is a non-surgical facelift. Under local anesthesia, we insert dissolvable sutures into the dermis above the muscle to create collagen. The threads cause the skin to adhere back onto the muscle, leaving the skin more firm and subtly more youthful requiring minimal downtime," says Jennifer.

"With a vampire facial, we draw the patients' blood and extract the plasma. The skin is numbed topically then a machine with 12-36 needles is used to traumatize the skin. The needles puncture through the epidermis and push the plasma into the skin," Jennifer explains, "The vampire facial creates little micro-channels that allow delivery of products into your skin that turn over collagen."

Jennifer says, "This business is a dream come true, and I truly love what I have the pleasure of doing every day. We have a wonderful staff that works hard to provide excellent treatment in a friendly atmosphere with a goal for you to be the best you possible." UrbanaAesthetics.com

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