MEET THE WINNER | Best Aesthetician: Wallace Plastic Surgery Group
For Leigh Downing, skincare is deeply personal. Leigh is a medical aesthetician with over 12 years of experience, specializing in laser treatments, pigment correction, and vascular treatments at Wallace Plastic Surgery Group. However, her passion for helping others began long before her career.
At 16, Leigh was diagnosed with lupus and experienced significant skin complications related to the disease. Throughout her healing journey, several aestheticians helped restore her skin health and confidence. Their compassion inspired her to pursue a career where she could offer that same experience to others.
Today, she combines years of clinical experience from both plastic surgery and dermatology with a genuine understanding of what it feels like to be self-conscious about your skin.
HER MISSION
Her goal as an aesthetician is to help every patient leave feeling more confident than when they arrived.
She believes aesthetic treatments aren’t just for correcting visible concerns but for investing in long-term skin health. Whether someone is addressing acne scars, pigmentation, or blood vessels, or just wants to maintain already healthy skin, she develops personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s goals.
Her consultations focus on both immediate concerns and longer-term skin wellness, helping patients understand how professional treatments, home care, and lifestyle habits work together to achieve lasting results.
WHAT SETS HER APART
Leigh believes her own experience with chronic illness gives her a unique perspective when caring for patients. Because she’s personally experienced the emotional impact of skin concerns, she
approaches every consultation with empathy, taking time to understand not only what patients want to improve but also how they want to feel.
Her expertise in laser technology also distinguishes her practice. After more than a decade specializing in advanced laser treatments, she continues to pursue ongoing education to refine her techniques and stay current with the latest innovations in aesthetic medicine.
EXPERT ADVICE
Leigh reminds her patients that healthy skin starts with more than what you apply to the surface. She encourages patients to think about skincare holistically by supporting their bodies through nutrition, movement, and healthy habits that promote lymphatic drainage and overall wellness. Some of her personal favorites include Pilates, dry brushing, and eating nutrient-rich foods that support healthy skin from the inside out.
She also reminds people that professional skincare is more accessible than many realize. “You don’t have to have an issue to take care of your skin,” she says. “There are options for everyone.”
LOOKING FORWARD
Later this year, Leigh will begin training other providers on the advanced laser technologies she has become so passionate about. She’s excited to share the techniques and knowledge she’s developed throughout her career while helping elevate the quality of laser treatments for patients beyond her own treatment room.
Outside of work, Leigh enjoys supporting fellow local businesses alongside her husband, Harrison Downing, owner of Hard Times Deli and Gussied Up. Together, they’re raising two young sons, Hudson and Jack, who she says inspire the dedication and passion she brings to her career every day.
Wallaceplasticsurgerygroup.com / IG: @skin.by.leigh
By Zoe Harrison / Photo by Tindall Stephens
