Life & Work with Catherine Sanson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Catherine Sanson.

Hi Catherine, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been in the beauty, medical and fitness industry since 1998. I was a certified fitness instructor in the early 1990s and then pursued nursing school in 1998 first getting my license as a vocational nurse and then received my Registered Nursing License in 2002. I specialized in the Emergency room. During this time, I was also competing in both bodybuilding and figure competitions and taking them both into the Nationals. When I gave birth to my son, I decided to get out of the long hospital shifts so in 2006, I decided to switch to get Certified in Aesthetics Medicine and never stopped since.

I worked at many doctor’s offices and med spas before finally partnering this past June 2022 with Aluma Medical Aesthetics and opened my own Medical Aesthetics office in Woodland Hills, CA.

Over the years I’ve learned from many different plastic surgeons and took many aesthetics courses to perfect my skills in mastering the art of creating more balanced and contoured faces. I enjoyed making people look and feel good in their own skin. I never stopped enhancing my injector skills and continue to keep my skills sharp by learning different techniques from other pros in the industry.  I also self-published my first edition fitness book called “The ABC’s of Living a Healthy Life from Day One”. In it I also write about aesthetic procedures that I recommend. And when I’m not injecting, I’m finishing up a Master Life Coaching training program with Tim Storey in hopes to further help people through the lessons I’ve learned in my own life.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was not a smooth road. I had a car crash in 2011 and choose the long recovery route instead of surgery. It put my competitions to a halt. I tested and used everything I write about in my book to help me recover.

And then in 2013, I went through a difficult divorce and custody battle which concluded with me deciding what was more important in my life to continue fighting over material things and money or my son.  The court battle last three years which cause a significant financial loss. But in the end the courts granted me full legal and full physical custody.

All along the way, I had to learn to balance motherhood, my career and this lengthy court battle.

My son was able to continue to excel in his academics and social life. Today he is now a freshman in college attending CSUN (Cal State University Northridge). College is expensive so this was yet another financial setback but a necessity.

My knowledge with health, wellness and fitness helped me stay healthy, fit and gave me clarity and focus instead of becoming depressed, turning to drugs and alcohol or committing suicide.  I hope my Life Coaching will allow me to help others get through the setbacks that happen in life.

Starting a new medical aesthetics business this past June was not an easy decision and the timing was not the best especially since my son was starting college and the summer months are typically slows months of the year.  As I look back in what I had overcome in life, I realized the timing is never perfect and you just have to take the leap when an opportunity presents itself. The opportunity was not going to wait for me. So I took the chance and the experience has taught me so much more than I ever expected and made me more aware of the aesthetics industry ins and outs.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I carry many hats. My other passion is acting. I try to do commercials, print and film projects whenever I can. Now that I have my own medical aesthetics office, I have the ability to juggle both. Being my own boss, I can make my own schedule as opposed to working for another med spa.

I received my SAG AFTRA card in 2017. I also competed in Ms Asia USA in 2015 and place 3rd runner. All of these things allow me to be a better Aesthetics Injector. I understand that as an actor/actress we want to only soften wrinkles with Botox because we need to be able to show emotions in the face. We want to look natural so it’s important to use the right dermal fillers to keep from getting that overfilled pillow face.

I’m currently a Master aesthetics Injector and use these injector skills to enhance, contour and volumize the face and body using many different types of dermal fillers, eg: Sculptra, Radiesse, Juvederm, Restylane, Revanesse and utilizing all the neurotoxins eg: Botox, Dysport and Xeomin.

What sets me apart from other injectors is my extensive experience, knowledge and background in competitions and my involvement with the entertainment industry. My patients can actually see that I practice what a preach. It allows me to relate and understand what people want.

I self-published my first edition fitness book called “The ABC’s of Living a Healthy Life from Day One”.  It’s a guidebook I created that teaches what I learned in the emergency room to help improve your health, wellness, beauty and fitness. It uses a system I created called the N-O-W-E-S system. N stands for Nutrients, O stands for Oxygenation W stands for Water intake E stands for Exercise S – stands for Sleep. It’s a simple daily check-off list that if you incorporate the NOWES System you will start to look and feel good on day one.  It’s available as an eBook on Amazon and paperback on my website www.catsanson.com.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was a shy girl, Later in grade school, I became more outgoing, and I was a cheerleader and joined the drill team in high school. I had more guy friends than girlfriends. I loved track and field. Nursing was really far from my mind. I wanted to pursue fitness, but my mom convinced me to be a nurse. Well, let’s just say I ended up doing both!

Pricing:

• First time patients, $500. Juvederm Ultra Lip filler
• First time patients, Botox is $9./ unit
• First time patients, $100 off any filler
• Fitness consults $75.00
• My Book 18.99

Contact Info:

• Website: www.catsanson.com
• Instagram: @fab2day
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/catherine-sanson-r-n-aluma-medical-aesthetics-woodland-hills-2

Image Credits
Vincent Chavez Vincent Trupsin