Getting to Know the Woman Behind Charlotte’s Most Pristine Cosmetic Practice

📅 16. November 2024 ✍️ By Raymond Smith ⏱️ 7 Mins Read 🗂️ Der Blog 🕒 Last updated: 16. November 2024

Spring has arrived, and we’re so here for it. You can sense it in every warm & welcome breeze, and in every grain of pollen covering your car

We all want to look our best when we pull out our white jeans, sleeveless tops, shorts, and swimwear in the coming months ~ every year we look forward to it ~ but uncovering after winter can be a bit unnerving. If you’re at all worried about your appearance, especially when it comes to your skin, you should make an appointment with Dr. Elizabeth Rostan and her team at Charlotte Skin & Laser to feel confidently “spring ready.”

Who is the woman behind Charlotte’s most pristine cosmetic practice?

Dr. Rostan and Charlotte Skin & Laser are the insider’s choice for cosmetic & medical dermatology and skincare in the Queen City ~ our owner & publisher (Susu) swears by them, as do many, many local women and men. We wanted to get to know this Doctor better, to find out the story behind the ‘well-heeled’ secret beauty weapon of savvy Charlotteans, and learn about her busy and esteemed practice.

How did you get your start in medicine?

I always wanted to be a veterinarian until my junior or senior year in high school when I got an opportunity to spend two days with medical doctors – four half days each with a different specialist. One was a neurosurgeon and I was fascinated. Subsequently, I got an internship in a research lab at Bowman Gray – now Wake Forest – School of Medicine Department of Neurology, and I was hooked. I entered freshman year at UNC-CH wanting to go to medical school to be a neurosurgeon. I later changed my mind about that specialty but never diverted from my goal to become a doctor.

The first week of the first year of medical school – also at the University of North Carolina – in an immunology course, there was a lecture by a dermatologist, Dr. Al Briggaman, and I thought the dermatology part was very interesting. I always kept an open mind but decided I did want to pursue a career in dermatology and Dr. Briggaman advised me that he thought I could find a residency spot so I pursued it. I am so blessed to have found a career that I absolutely love and in which I continue to learn new things almost daily. In residency, I worked with Dr. Sheldon Pinnell, the inventor of antioxidant serums and the founder of Skin Ceuticals. He became an important mentor as he was a pioneer in anti-aging skincare.

Later in residency, I presented an abstract at the annual meeting of the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, and at that meeting, I met my future mentor Dr. Richard Fitzpatrick who has been called the King of Lasers and the father of laser resurfacing. He invited me to do a laser and cosmetic fellowship in his practice with him and his partners – two well-known cosmetic dermatologists. “Fitz,” as he was known, became an invaluable mentor to me. Sadly, I have lost all my valuable mentors but their impact on my career and life cannot be understated. I am so grateful for the relationships I had with these influential dermatologists.

From residency to owning a practice

In this video below, Dr. Rostan explains her passion for her patients, for cosmetic & medical dermatology, for her work.

Charlotte Skin & Laser offers all the medical and cosmetic procedures. Anti-aging treatments, body contouring/sculpting, non-surgical skin tightening, laser hair removal, fillers, and even spa facials are routine procedures, along with traditional medical services like mole removal, skin cancer scans, and treatments for skin conditions like acne, rosacea, and eczema. “Our motto is ‘We help you look and feel your best,’” explains Dr. Rostan. “We strive to achieve this with every patient encounter — cosmetic and medical. We use our knowledge, skill, and experience to guide patients through their dermatologic and cosmetic care over their lifetimes.”

“Dr Rostan was my derm when I was in college and grad school in the early 2000s- she was the doctor that changed my skin for the rest of my life! In my 40 years I can count on one hand how many providers positively impacted me the way Dr Rostan has!”
EJ D. Patient Testimonial

Their most popular services are geared toward anti-aging, and their customized, boutique approach allows patients to maintain a life-long strategy. “I want my patients to have healthy and gorgeous skin throughout life’s milestones,” Dr. Rostan declares. “This means treatments and skincare to help fight and prevent the changes that occur with sun exposure and aging. Laser, light, and energy skin treatments correct wrinkles and spots and stimulate collagen; we can combine multiple modalities in the same session.” Injectables — Botox and fillers — are also in demand and, combined with energy treatments, are extremely successful at reversing signs of aging. And various body contouring treatments, such as CoolSculpting and even in-office liposuction, have made many patients more confident in their appearance.

“Dr. Rostan is THE BEST dermatologist all around in my opinion! I live four hours away from Charlotte but still make the trip back up just to see her. She’s always found solutions for my skin problems that were so much less invasive , when & if possible than any other dermatologist that I’ve been to. Taking the time to research what would be best for her patients. I recommend her to all my friends all the time!”
Laura W. Patient Testimonial

The family life of Elizabeth Rostan

Dogsdog rescue

I am not playing golf right now because of work and horses but I can become obsessed with golf. A well-struck golf ball is the best feeling. This might go back to my civil engineering desires. My husband Robert and I have a home on Lake James and I love the lake and hiking and skiing and just being there and looking at the mountains. A true treasure of North Carolina.

Also, many that know me would say I would not be telling the truth if I didn’t mention that I love shoes although age has tempered my enthusiasm a bit. You can still find me in heels on some clinic days for at least a half-day.

An age-old story, but finding the time to do all that I want to do – put all the energy and time that I want into the practice and my patients and staff and still have time for hobbies and friends and family as well as relaxing time. I do not take a lot of time away from the practice for vacations and should probably take more. Also challenging, is surviving and thriving as an independent practice in a medical community dominated by a few large medical systems and groups.

Her love for dogs goes beyond owning a few

Dr. Rostan has been involved with the Humane Society of Charlotte, HSC, for more than 15 years now, both personally and professionally through her practice. Early on, her husband encouraged her involvement but forbid her to work directly with the animals as she has a tendency to take in animals with abandon. At the 2020 Women for Animal Welfare luncheon sponsored by Charlotte Skin & Laser, she went home not with a doggie bag, but a real-live puppy that she adopted at the event!

“Humane Society of Charlotte is so grateful for Dr. Rostan’s support over the years, and we are thrilled she is such a wonderful advocate for the animals.”
DONNA CANZANO STUCKER, CFRE, VICE

Dr. Rostan’s Top 3 Skincare Must Haves

Yes, the safest way to protect your skin is to not get in the sun but that is no fun and not realistic. There are great skincare products that provide consistent, easy to use daily must haves for any skin type. So enjoy your time outside in our beautiful city and beyond – but keep your skin protected while you do so! Here are 3 of my top must haves:

1# Charlotte Skin & Laser Moisture Enhancing Serum BUY HERE

2# SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 BUY HERE

3# Charlotte Skin & Laser Moisture Repair Hand Cream BUY HERE