Team

Serena Mraz, MD, FAAD

Co-Founder of The Aesthetic Effect

Medical Director | National Clinical Trainer & Speaker

Serena Mraz, MD, FAAD, is a full-time dermatologist in private practice in Northern California. Her practice contains a mixture of cosmetic dermatology, general dermatology, and surgical dermatology.

Dr. Mraz received a Bachelor of Science degree from Santa Clara University and a medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine. She is board-certified in dermatology and internal medicine. Her residency and fellowship training were completed at Stanford and the University of California, San Francisco, with a strong emphasis on surgical and procedural dermatology.

Dr. Mraz has been a trainer for cosmetic injectable agents for over 20 years. She also has extensive experience with other injectable agents as well as a wide range of energy-based and other cosmetic procedures.

Dr. Mraz has been actively involved with local dermatology organizations. She has played a pivotal role as president and director of the Northern California Dermatology Association since its inception in 2009. She has been an active member of the San Francisco Dermatology community and has played a key role in organizing and providing content for several select meetings. She has been an invited speaker at national and international cosmetic conferences.

She is energized and passionate about dermatology and her patients. She embraces opportunities for personal growth, particularly the chance to enhance her patients’ lives through targeted treatments and comprehensive wellness counseling.

Ariel Kirk, RN, BSN

Co-Founder of The Aesthetic Effect

Aesthetic Nurse | National Clinical Trainer & Speaker

With 15 years of experience in Aesthetic Medicine and over a decade as a clinical educator, Ariel Kirk is recognized as a trusted leader and expert in her field. Guided by integrity, safety, and innovation, she is passionate about delivering natural, individualized results that enhance each patient’s unique beauty. Ariel blends science-driven methodology with an artistic eye for facial balance, ensuring treatments that look effortless yet transformative.

In addition to her private practice, Ariel is one of Allergan Medical Institute’s most sought-after national clinical trainers—conducting an average of 50 trainings annually over the past five years. A six-time AMI Trainer nominee, she was among only nine elite trainers selected to develop and deliver Allergan’s groundbreaking Lip Core Concept program and has contributed to multiple large-scale educational events nationwide.

Ariel’s career spans both Dermatology and Plastic Surgery, giving her a deep, comprehensive understanding of facial anatomy and advanced injection techniques. A dedicated mentor, she credits her success to guidance from exceptional thought leaders who shaped her commitment to continuous learning and clinical excellence.

Whether treating patients or training fellow injectors, Ariel’s mission is to elevate the standard of aesthetic medicine through education, precision, and compassionate care. Fifteen years after following her passion into aesthetics, she remains inspired every day by the ability to help others feel confident, radiant, and beautifully themselves.

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