My career in the Aesthetic industry started in an unusual and dramatic way. In 1988, I was 23 years old. It was a warm September afternoon in Southern California. I was riding on a bus from Adams Adult School in downtown Los Angeles to Hollywood. This was a daily routine after my English class from 8 AM to 4 PM. Afterward, I would rest for a few hours and then get ready for work at a famous West Hollywood hotel from 10 PM to 6 AM. Due to being tired and hungry, I fell asleep and missed my regular stop. I got off the bus two miles further!

Frustrated, I began to walk back to my apartment. I was absorbed in my own thoughts. I had been worried because my English courses at Evans were done. There was no way for me to continue higher education since I did not have proper documents to pursue it. Recklessly, I crossed a commercial parking lot. I failed to notice an African American man leaving his office who was placing items in his car. As he opened his car’s back door, he unintentionally slammed it hard on my face and knee. He turned pale thinking that I was going to react violently. Luckily for me, most of the impact landed on my knee, but I could not explain this to him because of my limited English.

With gestures and a few mispronounced words, I told him not to worry about it. He was very concerned. Nervously, he said, “I’m Dr. Edgar Mitchel. I’m sorry I didn’t see you approaching.” He was a dermatologist with a lengthy and successful career. Being a skin doctor, he noticed my acne and offered me a free treatment. He gave me his business card. Hungry, tired, and in pain, I wanted to walk away. I blamed myself for not paying attention.

Two weeks later, the blackheads on my nose began to swell and become painful. I thought to myself, the man hit me, so why not take up his offer? I went back to his clinic to get my free treatment. As I arrived at his office, there was a Latina receptionist at the front desk. She helped me to translate to Dr. Mitchell. Eagerly, he wanted to find out who the guy that didn’t make a big deal about that incident was. Soon, he concluded that I was not a gangster or a Latino man looking to make a quick buck. I was just a guy who wanted to get ahead in life.

It paid off staying cool. I received my treatment, skin care products, and a part-time job offer. Obviously not as an administrative clerk, nor as an Esthetician, but as a janitor. I accepted it.

After a few months, Dr. Mitchell gave me a full-time position. I helped his staff to accommodate those clients who did not speak English. My big break came on a busy Saturday. A young Latino man came by with severe acne. Everyone was busy except for me. I took the initiative and brought him to a treatment room while he waited for one of the Estheticians to assist him. After 30 minutes of waiting, no one was available. I put on a white coat and entered the room.

Naturally, when I walked into the room with a white coat, the young man assumed that I was one of the therapists. I was not about to explain who I was. His skin condition called for immediate attention. His face was full of swollen pimples, blackheads, and scars. I began cleansing his face.

Then, I saw Dr. Mitchell walk by, give a smile, and give a thumbs-up. He did not intervene, nor did he attempt to stop me. As the steamer on the young man’s face finished, I began doing a treatment like how I saw Dr. Mitchell performed on other clients. I was not nervous. It felt like the young man needed help and there was no time for fancy words or exaggerating claims. I did what I had observed for months. His treatment went well. I felt satisfied that I put my limited knowledge to help him. The young man left content, paid for his treatment, bought a complete acne kit, and set up his next appointment. Regarding Dr. Mitchell’s reaction, he was a good boss, supportive, and a compassionate person.

Four weeks passed by, and I never heard from the young man again. A parade of doubts invaded my head. I thought that I probably made his condition worse, and he sought treatment at another place. I ended up forgetting about it. After that experience, I thought I should never attempt that again. Three months later, while I was assisting Dr. Mitchell on a Saturday, the receptionist called me to the lobby. I was told that there were three people who wanted to speak to me. I was in shock; nobody asked for me before. The young man, an older lady, and a young woman were sitting waiting for me. It was—my client! His face looked much better. There were minor imperfections on his face, but not as traumatic as before. He introduced me to his mother and future wife. He began with a trembling voice and said: “My mother wanted to meet the “doctor” that made her son happy, and I also wanted to thank you because of you I met my future wife. I was feeling miserable. Holding back his tears he added: "I did not want to live,—thank you—doctor.”

His words triggered a torrent of emotions that dramatically changed my worldview. I felt like I was transformed into a superhero! That day, I had earned respect from the staff, and they viewed me very differently. Dr. Mitchell encouraged me to pursue the profession as he added, “You have a natural talent; don’t let it die. You are going to be blessed helping people.” From that day, I was allowed to give consultations, have business cards printed with my name, and earn commissions. I didn’t have to clean the office anymore. The most rewarding gesture from Dr. Mitchell was that he hired an immigration attorney who successfully got my Green Card!

For ten solid years, under Dr. Edgar Mitchell’s umbrella, I was trained to rejuvenate the skin, treat discoloration, melasma, scars, ingrown hairs, and a large range of other skin disorders. His secret was simple: listen to clients’ skin concerns before expressing one’s expertise. He used to say skin care is an art, a light that one has to light up on those who experience darker days due to afflicting skin disorders. This profession helps suppress judgment and encourages healthy habits along with healthy attitudes. You’ll be able to offer a set of skin care recommendations and products that align with the integrity of the skin. But the most valuable of his lessons—appreciate the beauty in every person and try hard to enhance it.