Have you met Brenda?

Enjoy this interview with our newest cosmetic dermatology provider, Brenda Bartsch, RN, BSN, ME. As a Registered Nurse and Licensed Master Esthetician, Brenda talks about her background, how she helps OlyDerm patients look their healthy best and why she loves her work.

Why do you want to help people with their skin?
As a nurse, I have always been passionate about working with my patients to restore their health and live the best life they can. As a cosmetic provider, when I am able to address my OlyDerm patients’ concerns and improve their skin, whether it be a desire to slow the effects of aging or treat a skin condition, I feel I’m contributing to their overall health and wellbeing so they can both look and feel their best. Being confident in how your skin looks impacts how you interact with others and the world around you.

Why is OlyDerm a good fit for you?
Like Olympic Dermatology, I have strong roots in Olympia and am dedicated to providing patients with the best care. I was born and raised here and returned a few years after graduating from Seattle University. Committed to medical and cosmetic excellence, OlyDerm has always been a top notch practice and I feel honored to work with Dr. Brazil, Sharon, Lindsay and all the highly trained providers and staff. I am fortunate to be a part of a practice that values their employees and gives us the tools we need to always be at the top of the industry in offering the most up-to-date treatments, the best technology and continuing education to keep us learning and evolving.

Why did you decide to go into cosmetic dermatology?
Because it allows me to combine two modalities I am passionate about, healthcare and cosmetics. I worked as a nurse in the hospital setting from 2005-2020 and got my Master Esthetician license in 2020. Cosmetic dermatology gives me a space to integrate medicine and cosmetics. I am able to address a patient’s desires to reverse the signs of aging and look healthier and younger. I enjoy seeing patients who come to me for the purpose of improving their skin and maintaining their youthful appearance. Having a part in helping my patients’ reach their goals in order to look and feel their best is fulfilling.

What would you tell your patients about skin at different ages and how cosmetic dermatology can help?
As we age, our skin changes. We start producing less collagen and elastin, which creates laxity, and we begin to see a loss in volume that we once had and helped give us our youthful appearance.  We also begin to see the signs of sun damage appear, often presenting as pigmented spots on our faces. I like to tell patients the aging process is like a conveyor belt. It will always move forward and we cannot stop it. However, we can be proactive and get treatments done to set us farther back on the conveyor belt and slow the signs of aging. This is where cosmetic dermatology comes in. We offer a variety of treatments to reduce pigmentation/age spots, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, improve overall skin tone and texture, as well as collagen-stimulating procedures for skin tightening. Treatments are customizable and I help my patients come up with a plan to best reach their individual skincare goals.

What are your favorite OlyDerm products?
I don’t think we have a product here at OlyDerm that isn’t going to benefit the skin. My favorite products and the line I use for my own skin is Epionce. I love their Lytic Gel Cleanser, Intense Defense Serum, followed by the Renewal Facial Lotion and Daily Shield Tinted SPF (sun protection factor). I also have a handful of products from EltaMD, Colorescience, and OlyDerm’s Medical Grade Skincare line that I rotate through. We have products for all skin types and I am able to get my patients set up with a skincare regimen that works specifically for each of them. It is important to note that our skin’s needs can change seasonally and we have a variety of products to best treat your skincare needs all year long. Also, never forget sunscreen!

Will you share a bit about who you are outside of your work at OlyDerm?
I grew up in Olympia, attended Bellarmine Prep for high school and graduated in 2005 with my BSN from Seattle University, where I also played on the women’s soccer team. I married my husband, Jonny, in 2006 and we have a 13 year old daughter, Kayla, an 11 year old son, Brett, and a golden retriever named Aspen. I enjoy spending time with my family, watching my kid’s sports (soccer and swimming), hiking, boating, traveling, skiing and doing just about any outdoor, adventurous activity.

Now that you know more about Brenda’s background and philosophies, meet her in person with a free cosmetic consultation by calling 360-459-1700.