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To celebrate International Women’s Day on the 8th March, we spoke to some of the women behind our best-loved brands. From what it’s really like in the industry and the biggest lessons they’ve learned, to what advice they would give to other females, join us as we celebrate our leading ladies.
Disrupting the skincare industry with DERMAFLASH, the first ever at-home dermaplaning system, Dara Levy is a leading beauty innovator. She’s shaved the faces of celebrities at her high-end MedSpa, and was once even a broker in a completely male-dominated industry.
Dara continuously strives to help women work their way up in the industry too. In fact, she’s so passionate about lifting women up, that DERMAFLASH is an all-women workforce - with many more innovations in the pipeline.
Why did you start DERMAFLASH?
My personal beauty routine revolved around dermaplaning for years, I fell in love with it because of the instant results. The treatment literally changed my skin, made all of my skin care products work more effectively, and also created a flawless canvas for make-up.
I opened a MedSpa in Chicago and decided to make dermaplaning the foundation of all services offered and trademarked DERMAFLASH® as the name of my dermaplaning facial.
ALL women want smooth, radiant, fuzz-free complexions, yet many do not have access to a spa that offers dermaplaning.
Five years later, I had an epiphany: ALL women want smooth, radiant, fuzz-free complexions, yet many do not have access to a spa that offers dermaplaning, and the cost of a single treatment is prohibitive to most. I realized an at-home solution did not exist and decided to create it, and so DERMAFLASH was born.
What's the biggest challenge you've faced in your career?
I have never perceived myself as “less than” because I am a woman. I started my career in the 80’s in the completely male dominated financial world and worked on a trading floor. I think being taken seriously was my biggest challenge.
I had to grow a very thick skin and turn the other cheek when sexist, chauvinistic remarks were made.
Back in the day the “floor” was literally like a locker room, complete with cat calls and unfiltered sexism. Women had to fight harder than males to get ahead. I had to grow a very thick skin and turn the other cheek when sexist, chauvinistic remarks were made. The “me too” movement was yet to be born.
What's your biggest achievement?
Without question inventing DERMAFLASH. I feel our hero device has changed the way women take care of their skin by empowering them to take their skin issues into their own hands in the safety and comfort of their own homes.
Who's your female role model?
I truly do not have a specific “role model” but I deeply admire Sara Blakely and resonate with her grit and ingenuity.
Our hero device has changed the way women take care of their skin by empowering them to take their skin issues into their own hands.
What piece of advice would you give to other women?
Believe in yourself. Think positively and find like-minded people to support you.
What's next for DERMAFLASH?
We have a very robust pipeline of innovations that continue our mission to bring spa quality treatments and results into the safety and comfort of home.
We are constantly fielding requests for our devices from all over the world so increasing our international distribution and bringing our magic to women all over the world is a huge focus for us.
