Eliana Koifman takes to heart the well-known adage “if you look good, you feel good".
In fact, it’s the inspiration behind her career and new business.
She has never forgotten how badly her skin troubles made her feel as a teenager, though it led, in part, to her discovery of a passion for a career that focused on ensuring people feel better about themselves.
“Nobody could help me,” she recalled. “It was just a disaster. It affected my self-confidence.”
Now 30 and the mother of two young girls, Koifman is the owner of the first franchise for Canada MedLaser, which is marking its grand opening in Newmarket next week.
Originally from Kazakhstan, near Russia, she moved with her family to Israel at the age of nine, before eventually emigrating with her husband to New Brunswick in 2012.
She said Russian parents typically have high expectations for their children’s academic pursuits, and she was encouraged to attend university and earn a degree in a profession.
However, after a year of studying engineering, she told her parents she wanted to “change direction” and that she had discovered esthetics was her true passion.
“I was suffering because I just couldn’t understand why I was studying engineering,” she added with a laugh.
To her surprise, her parents agreed that she could attend college for esthetics.
In 2015, she moved with her family to Vaughan, where there is a large Russian-Canadian demographic.
“There are lots of people from our community there, which made it easier to come and understand what’s going on because we didn’t have anybody here,” she said.
A year later, they settled in Innisfil, and they are hoping to relocate to Newmarket in the future, close to her business.
Koifman first became familiar with Canada MedLaser while working as a medical esthetician and laser technician at its location in downtown Toronto.
“I just fell in love,” she said. “I fell in love with the people who were working there, and we had the best technology. But what’s most important to me, is that Canada MedLaser is all about giving the best results to the client.
“It’s not just selling to people, it’s helping people. We know if we’re not helping — if people aren’t seeing the results — we’re not going to succeed.”
She added that Canada MedLaser guarantees results, and puts it in writing for their clients.
Commuting downtown began to take its toll, particularly when she had a second child, and she was also working at her home business doing permanent make-up.
When she and her husband, Ben, learned that the first Canada MedLaser franchise would be available, they jumped at the opportunity.
The clinic, which opened last September, offers a variety of services and treatments, from laser hair removal, CoolSculpting, cosmetic injections, permanent make-up skin procedures to facials, microneedling and other medical esthetic procedures.
They’ve had a good response, Koifman said, and are building a loyal clientele — some coming from as far north as Barrie.
Referrals are key in her business, she added, and the fact that the staff are college-trained medical estheticians and a practical nurse makes a difference.
They educate every client in skin care techniques, starting with the basics like the use of sunscreen.
“We are Russians, we expect good service — we have high expectations,” she added with a laugh. “So I think, how would I want to be treated? I want to meet high expectations.”
Clients range in age from 30 to 60, with many women in their 40s and 50s who have said they have are dating and want to feel better about themselves, Koifman said.
Among the most popular treatments are laser hair removal and injections.
Regular promotions can be found on the clinic’s Facebook page so “you can have an opportunity to experience the results, and we can gain your loyalty and trust,” Koifman said.
Aquapure facials are currently being offered for $69, which include a skin analysis that assesses hydration, pigmentation and wrinkles.
Esthetician Rodica Dvorean explains the ultra-nourishing facial is an innovative microdermabrasion system that restores skin health and facial beauty — you’ll be glowing with skin that feels both tightened and hydrated.
The procedure combines four treatments, with each one applied with a different handset, including: a peel, which accelerates exfoliation, “vacuuming” away dead skin cells and blackheads; and electroporation, which increases the absorbency of skin cells through an electric pulse; and microcurrent, which stimulates the deep muscles to promote collagen regeneration.
The Aquapure facial combines hyaluronic acid, vitamins, and the formula aquaxyl to provide moisture to dehydrated, dull skin for a fresh and radiant skin appearance, said Dvorian, who came to Canada from Romania a decade ago.
She graduated from university as an economist, but similar to Koifman, came to find her true calling and has a diploma from Toronto’s Bryan College as an advanced professional spa therapist.
“I was always passionate about beauty,” said the mother of two boys. “I was making facial masks at 14.”
A wide range of treatments are also now available for acne and acne scars, including microneedling and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) facials.
Canada MedLaser is holding its grand opening Thursday, Feb. 6 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 16655 Yonge St., Unit 23 (Nature’s Emporium plaza). You'll learn about collagen, tightening and rejuvenation, as well as how to reduce the look of fine lines; manage changes in pigmentation; reduce skin sensitivity and maintain your skin’s hydration. Food and drink will be provided. Reserve your space here or email [email protected].
Koifman plans on opening her second franchise in Thornhill, in the Yonge and Steeles area, next year.
