Christian Jurist, M.D., hung up his lab coat after joining Pevonia International. As medical director of education for the specialty skin care brand, dermatologist-turned-educator Jurist spreads his training and education programs across the globe and is dedicated to keeping skin care scientific.I am committed to the advancement and the empowerment of knowledge related to the latest and clinically evaluated natural solutions for skin repair and rejuvenation, as well as other in-demand serious skin concerns.
"I am committed to the advancement and the empowerment of knowledge related to the latest and clinically evaluated natural solutions for skin repair and rejuvenation, as well as other in-demand serious skin concerns." —Christian Jurist, M.D.
SI: Is your time more devoted to practicing dermatology, or educating on and representing Pevonia?
CJ: From being a full-time, practicing doctor, little by little as time passed, I became progressively more influenced by the field of advanced esthetics, and after joining Pevonia and becoming more and more involved in my role with the company, it led me to shift my focus entirely to educating and representing the brand worldwide.
I will always love medicine, and you cannot take the doctor out of me, however, I am enjoying my present global role very tremendously as I can directly impact our nearly 130 countries of distribution ... this is a constant motivator!
SI: In what ways has your presence shaped the medical direction of the brand?
CJ: Besides my role with the Pevonia brand, I am also assisting Sylvie Hennessy with our medically-oriented skin care brand, Medicalia, in both representing and training with current and prospect medical accounts, creating awareness on how to offer expedited skin healing through breakthrough and advanced technologies and natural, yet highly effective, ingredients.
SI: What topics do you enjoy educating on the most?
CJ: Mostly science and technologies, skin peeling, anti-aging, acne and cosmetic chemistry. I enjoy teaching these topics because they're dynamic, hot topics all the time and I feel I can relate to the most demanding concerns skin therapists have and provide not only better understanding, but also solutions.
"I will always love medicine, and you cannot take the doctor out of me."
SI: Are there any misconceptions on estheticians in a medical spa environment (as opposed to a day spa)?
CJ: I believe there are many myths and misconceptions, but basically, I think that estheticians in medical spas have to always remember that even though they may offer more clinical treatments and abide by all laws concerning the practice of esthetics, they should never forget that basic skin care is essential for skin health, regardless of the type of approach.
Likewise, even though they can perform more intensive procedures, skin healing must be minded properly and avoid excessive inflammation of the skin while offering proper calming and soothing post-op care.
On the other hand, estheticians in day spas may think that they cannot be as successful as those working in a medical spa environment due to increasing demand for more accelerated results and intense procedures.
However, they can get outstanding results when they discover they can work wonders with a brand that can offer quick results due to the unique formulations and technologies at a more elevated, clinical level, and offer a satisfactory outcome with less trauma and, in some cases, delay the need to go for more aggressive procedures.
SI: How do you advocate a scientific approach to medical esthetic products and practices?
CJ: Through research and investigation on the latest ingredients and technologies that can facilitate results for the most demanding skin conditions. At the company, we advocate this approach from our very foundation—which has always been to support our claims with scientific and proven information through meticulous research. It’s the company’s philosophy.
"... the speed at which medical esthetics moves into the future is always exciting to me, especially thanks to new technologies that seem to be more effective and less invasive while having fewer side effects."
In addition, we always test our products following a rigorous system that includes clinical testing on individuals. When relating to intensive procedures and practices in medical esthetics, we support a scientific approach through educating on skin physiology and pathology throughout different skin conditions.
SI: Has anything surprised you about the medical esthetic industry?
CJ: It always surprises me how in many cases a step is taken forward and another is taken back … there is always the issue of regulations and how some practitioners abuse the field causing trouble for all. But the speed at which medical esthetics moves into the future is always exciting to me, especially thanks to new technologies that seem to be more effective and less invasive while having fewer side effects.
SI: What has been the most fulfilling aspect of your job?
CJ: Besides feeling extreme love for my Pevonia family and experiencing incredible satisfaction through spreading knowledge and education, I would say it could be having the chance to meet and interact with very interesting people worldwide and make priceless connections in the field, in addition to learning more about different points of view and how the rest of the world thinks and works esthetic.
