Our latest Beauty Boss is Dusan Sajic, Founder of Sajic Skin Science—a revolutionary skincare line that addresses all seven pillars of skin health and targets the root of skin issues as opposed to just treating symptoms. Focusing on research, innovation and clinical efficacy, their system of breakthrough formulas helps people achieve optimal skin health.

Sajic Skin Science products are free from animal research, responsibly sourced, and the brand is working with leading manufacturers to create an innovative line of products in refillable bottles that will reduce waste by as much as 70% to help mitigate their carbon footrpint while continuing to lead the evolution toward a carbon neutral industry.

An international board certified medical and cosmetic dermatologist and director of the deRMA Skin Institute in Ontario, Canada, Dr. Sajic is one of the leading skincare innovators in North America. For the past 22 years, he has implemented industry-leading technology to pioneer new and non-invasive skincare therapies. He also works with other industry leaders to conduct phase II to IV studies in medical and cosmetic dermatology to enhance and evaluate the safety and effectiveness of next generation skincare products.

We interviewed Dr. Sajic, who shared the inspiration behind his line, his unique approach to beauty, signature procedures and treatments, and more.

When was the Derma Skin Institute founded?

At the Derma Skin Institute, we believe that beauty, health and science are all interconnected. That's why we founded our DErmatology Research Medicine Aesthetic Institute in 2017 with a passion for providing the best possible care to our patients. Our philosophy is simple: to incorporate all of these elements when treating our patients, so they can achieve the most radiant and healthy-looking skin.

Whether you're looking to prevent skin cancer or reverse signs of aging, our team of experts will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that balances the risks and benefits of each option. We understand that every patient is unique, which is why we offer a range of therapies to minimize scars or blemishes and maximize your results.

At the Derma Skin Institute, we're committed to pushing the boundaries of dermatology care. That's why we actively search for better ways to help our patients and offer groundbreaking FDA and Health Canada approved research studies. We take our responsibility to provide the best possible outcomes very seriously, and we believe that the key to achieving this is by considering all three pillars of dermatology: research, medicine, and aesthetics.

What services do you offer?

At our clinic, we're dedicated to helping patients with suboptimal skin achieve their best possible outcomes. We focus on using the latest cutting-edge protocols and combination therapy to minimize the need for oral medication and reduce the duration and frequency of disease flares. Our approach blends natural and modern medicine to provide optimal results while prioritizing patient safety and comfort.

We offer a range of services designed to address the unique needs of each patient. For those struggling with acne scarring, we provide a comprehensive range of treatments, including subcision, punch excisions, TCA cross, Fraxel laser, Co2 laser, RF microneedling, and Erbium Yag laser. Our team is also committed to skin cancer prevention and treatment, with options such as ablative and non-ablative laser prophylaxis, photodynamic therapy, excisions, and skin surgery.

If you're interested in injectable treatments, we offer botulinum toxin and dermal fillers, including biostimulatory fillers like Sculptra and Radiesse, as well as hyaluronic acid fillers. Our team will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that meets your unique needs and goals. We also offer body contouring services using the innovative inMode Evolve Transfor system, which targets skin laxity, muscle tone, and non-invasive fat reduction.

At our clinic, we understand that hair loss can be a source of frustration and self-consciousness. That's why we offer a range of hair loss treatments to help our patients regain their confidence and achieve fuller, healthier hair. Whether you're struggling with acne scarring, skin cancer, hair loss, or other skin concerns, our team is here to help you achieve your best possible outcomes.

Do you have a specialty?

Our specialty is researching, implementing, optimizing and innovating bespoke treatments to our patients that come in with the above conditions. We feel that cookie cutters should be left in the kitchen and that every patient that we treat deserves to have their needs assessed and treated in a unique way that addresses their unique needs. Even twins in our clinic will find that their regimens may differ.

We have developed several proprietary and trademarked assessment and treatment tools that allow us to do this. We spent the better part of the last decade developing a topical therapy that assesses the seven pillars of optimal skin health—the epidermal barrier, moisturizing factors, structural components (collagen and elastin), inflammatory response, microbiome, responses to radial oxygen species and DNA damage. When you think about it, all skin disease stems from derangements from one or more of these pillars and restoring the health and optimal function of each results in getting back healthy skin.

Do you offer a signature treatment? What’s most popular?

At our clinic, we've developed the innovative 5 Dimension Skin Plan to address the root causes of accelerated aging. By focusing on the five key dimensions of skin health—bone changes, fat repositioning, dermal changes, epidermal changes, and muscle changes—we're able to create a personalized treatment plan that rebuilds, restores, and optimizes each of these dimensions.

Our approach isn't about reversing aging or being anti-aging. Instead, we're committed to supporting your skin at any age, so it can function at its best possible. We call it pro-optimal aging. By paying careful attention to each of these dimensions, we can review each patient's concerns in detail and address the ones that are most affected and most important to them.

For some patients, the decrease in surface function of the skin leads to skin cancer, so we address all causes of this and work together to find ways to optimize, treat, and prevent it. For patients who are worried that they look older than they feel, we restore all layers of the skin, including elasticity, to avoid treating just one dimension with fillers alone. This allows us to achieve natural, balanced, and radiant results that look like the best possible version of yourself, rather than an overdone or artificial look.

At our clinic, we believe that true beauty comes from feeling confident and comfortable in your own skin. Whether you're concerned about the signs of aging, skin cancer, or simply want to optimize the health and appearance of your skin, our team is here to help you achieve your goals and live your best life.

A popular treatment that many patients start with at our clinic is combining our in-house developed Sajic Skincare topical treatment with other rejuvenating treatments. For those looking to take their skin care to the next level, we may add skin rejuvenating devices such as Fraxel Laser and Sylfirm X Radiofrequency Microneedling. These treatments work together to rebuild the components of the skin that are lost or damaged over time due to environmental, physical, and psychological stressors.

For patients with moderate damage, we find that the skin cells need to be woken up and re-energized. In these cases, we may incorporate biostimulatory fillers such as Sculptra and Radiesse. These fillers don't change the shape of the face, but instead, activate dormant cells in the skin to produce and repair damaged elements like hyaluronic acid, collagen, and elastin.

Choosing the right combination of treatments is unique to each patient, which is why we recommend meeting with our team to design a personalized treatment plan that meets all of your specific needs. At our clinic, we're committed to providing the best possible care to our patients. By combining in-house developed Sajic Skin care with other cutting-edge treatments, we can help you achieve healthy, radiant, and youthful-looking skin. Let us help you discover the perfect combination of treatments to meet your skin care goals and restore your confidence. 

What product lines do you carry?

At our clinic, we offer a carefully curated selection of skincare lines that complement each other to provide patients with optimal results based on proven clinical efficacy and research. While Sajic Skin Science was specifically designed to address all seven pillars of skin health and does much of the heavy lifting, sometimes one of these pillars requires extra attention. In such cases, we may add one or two additional products to optimize outcomes.

Other brands that we carry alongside Sajic Skin Care Science to help us achieve this include SkinCeuticals, ZO Skin Health, Vivier, and Alastin. By offering a range of trusted skincare products, we can ensure that our patients receive the best possible care and achieve the healthy, radiant skin they deserve.

When was Sajic Skin Science founded and what does the name mean?

Sajic Skin Science was established in 2007 as a result of my firsthand experience with the limitations of optimal skin health. The name "Sajic" is simply my family name, chosen to symbolize my personal dedication to finding the best possible solutions for the skincare needs and pain points of my patients.

Whether you're a patient in my clinic or located halfway across the globe, you can trust that Sajic products are backed by our unwavering commitment to help your skin heal itself. With our focus on research, innovation, and clinical efficacy, we strive to provide patients with the best possible outcomes and empower them to feel confident and comfortable in their own skin.

What inspired the brand’s creation?

As someone who is passionate about health and fitness, I've noticed that individuals who prioritize their body's natural healing capabilities through proper nutrition, sleep, and exercise are more resilient against the effects of aging and disease. They often recover from ailments more quickly and require less medication to maintain their overall health. The same principle applies to our skin—by carefully selecting the best compounds that address all seven pillars of skin health and delivering them to the optimal depth in the skin's epidermis or dermis, our creams can help to rebalance and heal the skin. This, in turn, can minimize the need for medications and their associated side effects.

At our clinic, we also understand that many patients struggle with sensitive skin. That's why we've worked hard to encapsulate our active ingredients and create a nourishing and protective cream base that minimizes irritation. Our creams are gentle enough for the fashion runway, yet strong enough for even the most damaged skin.

We noticed that many skincare products only target one or two of the skin's seven pillars, which led many patients to resort to complicated, multi-step routines to address all seven layers. As a chemist myself, I understood that creating an all-in-one product that addresses all seven pillars would be a challenging task, but we were determined to find a solution.

We encountered many roadblocks along the way, but we persisted and collaborated with the best chemists around the globe, including those who trained at prestigious institutions such as MIT, Harvard, Osaka University, University of Toronto, and McMaster University. We aimed to create a product that could be compared to an iPhone, capable of fitting multiple functions in a single package.

However, we soon realized that creating a product that addresses all seven pillars of skin health in a single cream was like mixing orange juice, milk, and wine into one cup and expecting it to taste like each drink on demand. Despite this challenge, we persevered, leveraging the knowledge and expertise of the brightest minds in the field, and after many years, we succeeded!

Our innovative Sajic Skin Science skin care topical treatments are the ultimate expression of combining dermatology, research, medicine, and aesthetics—and we're confident that it will help you achieve your best possible skin.

Does Sajic have a hero product?

Our hero product varies depending on your skin and its specific concerns.

• Our Protectif SPF 50+ Nourishing and Repairing All-in-One Mineral Sunscreen is the ultimate protection for your skin. It not only shields your skin from UV and DNA damage, but also aids in its repair after aggressive laser procedures. With our GMA7 repar complex, nourishing peptides, and anti-aging properties, this product will support and protect your skin no matter how damaged or sensitive it is.

• For patients with darker skin complexions or pigmentation irregularities like melasma, the Protectif SPF 50+ Nourishing and Repairing All-in-One Mineral Sunscreen comes with our iron oxide-based tint with color match technology that not only blends into your skin tone but also helps mask imperfections and minimize makeup.

• Our Renutriate Cream is specifically designed to nourish your skin, providing it with the optimal dose and concentration of GMA7 to help it re-nourish itself to health.

• If your skin is damaged beyond its self-repairing processes, our Rejuvenat Repair Serum is the ultimate rejuvenating solution. Packed with five powerful peptide complexes, including the DNA repair Photolyase Repair system, Rejuvenat is like having a laser in a bottle. It can rebuild broken DNA and fix damaged elastin, preventing skin cancer and restoring dull, lax skin to a more youthful appearance.

In the end, the true hero is the combination of products. When facing tough skin challenges, having a team in your corner can make all the difference. As I tell my kids, Wonder Woman, Superman, Captain Marvel, and Iron Man all have incredible powers individually, but to take on the greatest villains, they need to come together as the Justice League or the Avengers. 

If you're dealing with significant skin damage and need extensive repair, we've got the dream team to help you fend off the effects of aging and environmental damage! Our Sajic Skin Care Trio of Protectif, Renutirate, and Rejuvenat provides a comprehensive approach to protecting, nourishing, and repairing your skin.

With Protectif, you'll get ultimate protection against UV and DNA damage, while the GMA7 repair complex and nourishing peptides help your skin repair itself after laser procedures. Renutirate takes nourishing to the next level by providing optimal doses of GMA7 to help your skin re-nourish itself back to health. And last but not least, Rejuvenat is like having a laser in a bottle—packed with powerful peptide complexes including the Photolyase Repair system, it can rebuild broken DNA and fix damaged elastin that can lead to skin cancer and dull, lax skin.

Together, this trio of products not only results in a healthy and radiant complexion, but can also make your skin more resistant to developing precancerous actinic damage. Say goodbye to damage and hello to a healthier, happier you!

Who inspires you?

I am inspired by a diverse range of individuals, both within and outside the medical and scientific fields. Apart from pioneering dermatologist Dr. Albert Kligman (one of the first to discover the benefits of combining active ingredients), I also find inspiration in figures like Elon Musk and Nikola Tesla. Both Musk and Tesla have made significant contributions to humanity through their groundbreaking innovations, demonstrating a genuine commitment to improving the world around them.

Another major source of inspiration in my life is my family. My wife and children constantly motivate me to excel in my work and be the best version of myself. Their unwavering love and support provide me with the strength to face challenges and persevere in my pursuits.

My parents, who immigrated from Yugoslavia and sacrificed a comfortable life (they sensed a war was coming) to ensure a better future for my brother and me, have taught me the value of resilience and adaptability. They have shown me that it's crucial to stay consistent and focused on long-term goals, even when faced with adversity or uncertainty.

Secret to success?

My success is built on a few important concepts. First, at the center of everything, I care about the people we help and think about them in everything we do. I treat each person who comes to me as if they were part of my own family. This way of thinking pushes me to do my best to make sure they have the healthiest skin possible and to keep looking for new treatments when what's available isn't good enough. My love for skin care and strong commitment to helping people is what keeps me excited about learning the newest research and working hard every day.

Second, I think it's about being observant. As a fitness lover, I noticed that even though it's important to make workouts just right for each person, some basic truths apply to everyone who exercises. For example, getting your heart pumping and lifting weights are super important to stay healthy. I also saw a lot of people having a tough time with complicated skincare routines. That's when I got the idea for our products. Surely, we could make skincare easier, and start by focusing on what's really important for healthy skin—and the idea to help the skin heal itself. Our goal was to create a do-it-all product that covers all seven key parts of skin health. But when we started working on it, we realized it was harder than we thought.

And that's when the third component came into play—collaborating with other experts! To conquer this challenge, we connected with brilliant chemists from world-class schools like Harvard, MIT, Osaka University, McMaster University, and the University of Toronto. But we soon discovered it was like trying to mix milk, orange juice, and red wine all in one glass! We realized we needed to encapsulate these ingredients in microscopic dissolvable bubbles—like tiny gummy bears that melt upon contact. After numerous attempts and learning from our failures, our persistence paid off with an amazing formula that not only saves our customers time and money but also simplifies their skincare routine. We finally managed to combine all the essential ingredients for healthy skin in just one bottle—it's like a smartphone, but for your skin!

Beauty secrets?

There's no secret sauce, just consistency! My top beauty tip is to focus on keeping your skin healthy and follow a routine from someone you trust like your dermatologist. Remember, it's all about the journey. It's crucial to address all seven elements where skin care issues start: the epithelial barrier, moisturizing factors, structural components, inflammation, microbiome support, reactive oxygen species neutralization, and DNA repair. Be sure to figure out which of these are a concern and how to best protect them. Skin care is just the beginning; laser treatments, pills, chemical peels, or other procedures might be needed, but start with the basics and talk to your doctor. Don't forget to protect your skin from the sun and live a healthy life.

Focusing on preventing problems or catching them early is key to having stunning skin. Just like doing pushups today won't make you fit by tomorrow (and might even leave you sore), sticking to a solid routine and knowing that it takes time to see changes applies to your skin as much as it does to your muscles and fitness. In many ways, your skin is just like your muscles—it's another part of your body that needs care and consistency to look and function its best. So, stick to your plan, don't sweat the small setbacks, and if you're having trouble, be sure to chat with your skin doctor about making things better.

Wellness tip?

To achieve overall wellness, I advise engaging in regular physical activity, consuming a balanced diet abundant in whole foods and leafy greens, staying well-hydrated, effectively managing stress, and ensuring adequate sleep. It's also wise to minimize the intake of processed foods whenever possible. These practices promote both physical and mental well-being, which subsequently reflects positively on the appearance of your skin. Additionally, incorporating certain supplements such as Nicotinamide Mononucleotide, Quercetin, vitamin D, and magnesium can offer significant benefits for many individuals.

Best advice?

Here's the best advice I can share: be patient and keep going, no matter what! Success usually doesn't happen right away, so it's important to stay committed and keep your eyes on the finish line, even when things get tough. Chat with experts and look at the big picture. Being thoughtful and mindful in everything you do will not only help your skin but also makes you a better person. Plus, your positive vibes will spread to everyone around you!

Favorite ways to relax?

To unwind and relax, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, traveling to new places, reading, and engaging in outdoor activities such as rowing and hiking. It's essential to find a balance between work and personal life, as this helps to maintain a healthy mindset and prevent burnout.

For more information about Derma Skin Institute, visit the website. For more information about Sajic Skin Science, visit the website. Follow both on Instagram: @sajicskin @dermaskin_institute

[Images courtesy of Derma Skin Institute and Sajic Skin Science]

Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk