Dr. S. Manjula Jegasothy is a trailblazer in aesthetic dermatology, combining scientific expertise with an artist’s touch to deliver exceptional results. As the founder and medical director of the Miami Skin Institute, she has spent over two decades perfecting advanced nonsurgical treatments, earning national recognition for her mastery of injection techniques, fat-reduction procedures, and laser innovations. A Harvard-educated physician with extensive training at Yale and the University of Miami, Dr. Jegasothy is not only a sought-after dermatologist but also an educator, consultant, and industry leader shaping the future of aesthetic medicine.

Was there a personal and/or professional experience that inspired you to open your practice?

Actually, yes, I remember the professional moment when I was inspired to open my own practice, vividly, and recall it whenever I’m even a little discouraged. I was escorting several patients I had seen in an afternoon at a large practice. I worked briefly after my University of Miami dermatology residence at the checkout desk to chat/laugh with them and say a proper goodbye. At the end of that afternoon, all of the reception staff got together and told me that I made the patient happier than they had ever seen. That made the staff happier too, and so they told me I really should open my own practice. I knew they would never say that unless they really meant it, and at that moment, I got the confidence to do it.

What was your mission at the start of opening your practice? Has it changed?

My daily mission has always been to deliver the best customer service along with the best knowledge and results possible. Basically, it is to be the best boutique dermatology practice in the world. However, when I opened the Miami Skin Institute in 2000, Botox treatments for wrinkles were just becoming the “newest thing.” Since then, the entire study of aesthetic dermatology and the popularity of non-surgical aesthetic procedures have blossomed, and with it, my mission has evolved to maintain my patients at their natural, peak beauty. Best, without dramatic, face-altering surgery. We are definitely meeting the goal!

If you had to pick three words to describe the vibe of your practice, what would they be and why?

Innovative – my patients in the community in general know that I’m always ahead of my peers with new treatments that actually work, with no sales, or broken promises. I genuinely learn the specifics of all of our procedures myself, instead of relying on the “cookbook “template sold to everyone by the laser and injectable companies. Personal – I have known most of my patients over the last 25 years personally because we are rarely overbooked, so I usually have time to chat with them and get to know them outside of their beauty needs. We remember the stories they tell us, as well as the milestone events we prep them for, as well as their family and friends. That established Miami community is really not so big. Relaxing – so many of my patients say that our office is their “happy place, “and that makes me happy beyond words. I designed the space itself to be soothing, with subdued colors, gentle lighting, and a privacy-oriented floor plan.

How did you come up with the name of your practice?

In 2000, most positions were named their practices after themselves, but I want my practice to potentially be bigger than myself and even go on after I’m gone. So I thought the word institute sounded large in taking care of skin health is what we have always done, and I didn’t know if we would always be on Brickell Avenue (where we opened). So I thought Miami would give me sufficient way to Moore and/or open multiple offices, which I still have not done yet. I discussed the name of many of my position friends at the time, and many subsequently named their practices X Institute in various specialties and all over the country. Imitation is indeed this sincerest form of flattery.

What are the most popular services requested?

Since 2000, my most popular procedure has always been Botox, and in the last 8 to 10 years, radio-frequency skin tightening has risen to second place. The two procedures done together, enhance and prolong results of each other. If you don’t tan, I can keep you looking as you did in your early 30s well into your 40s.

What is the future of your field?

I look forward to our near and distant future and aesthetic medicine. The near future will bring more efficient body treatments (fat and cellulite reduction/long-term figure shaping/aging body skin rehearsal). A little further in the future, we will standardize and perfect regenerative treatment (current early treatments with plasma/stem cells/growth factors) so that your body can function as it did when it was younger and not need as many anti-aging procedures.

What are you best known for?

My colleagues and patients have known me for 25 years for my consistency and precise injecting skills. In the last five years, a much larger online consumer community has gotten to know me as the co-founder of the online skincare brand Miami MD.

What is unique about your practice?

Reliability that my patients can trust 100% that they will never be harmed or look unnatural with our work

Are there any new services you are excited to offer?

Yes – we are excited about using regenerative proteins in conjunction with our lasers and injectables to make our results last longer and look better. (as in, a 50-year-old person can enjoy the same Botox results. They enjoyed it when they were 40). Also, these proteins are excellent for hair growth in all genders. Also, this is the first treatment for early Men’s balding that I have been excited about in my whole career. Excellent hair growth with no side effects, which is unique.

What is one underrated service that doesn’t receive as much press as it should be?

Our new laser combination treatments for all scars and stretch marks are amazing. Whether the scar is from an injury or a surgery, if it is relatively new, we can erase it. If it is older, we can greatly camouflage it. And the newest medical studies show that if you get this treatment right after your stitches are removed, we may be able to prevent the scar formation altogether! Safe and affected, virtually painless, And older kids in teens too.