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Lead Instructor, Dermal Fillers

Dr. Maria Santos

DO, FAAD

Dermal Fillers Facial Rejuvenation Lip Augmentation

Professional Biography

Dr. Maria Santos is a board-certified dermatologist and the Lead Instructor for Dermal Fillers at Facial Injectables. With over 15 years of clinical experience specializing in non-surgical facial rejuvenation, Dr. Santos has earned a national reputation for her artistry with hyaluronic acid fillers and her innovative approach to volumetric facial restoration.

Dr. Santos received her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she graduated with honors. She completed her dermatology residency at NYU Langone Medical Center, followed by a cosmetic dermatology fellowship at Mount Sinai, where she trained under some of the world's leading authorities in injectable aesthetics and laser therapy.

Before joining Facial Injectables, Dr. Santos served as Director of Cosmetic Dermatology at a prestigious New York teaching hospital, where she built and managed a high-volume aesthetic practice while training dermatology residents and fellows. This dual role as clinician and educator prepared her perfectly for her current position, where she leads instruction in our most advanced filler courses.

Dr. Santos is renowned for her expertise in lip augmentation and mid-face volumization. She developed several of the proprietary injection protocols used in our advanced filler courses, including the Santos Lip Layering Technique, a multi-plane approach to lip enhancement that produces consistently natural, proportional results. This technique has been adopted by practitioners across the country and was featured in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.

Her teaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of understanding facial proportions and the aging process before ever picking up a syringe. She believes that the best injectors are those who can see the face as a complete canvas rather than a collection of individual treatment areas. Dr. Santos is passionate about empowering women in aesthetic medicine and frequently speaks at women-in-medicine conferences about career development in cosmetic dermatology.

Credentials & Certifications

  • Board Certified, American Board of Dermatology
  • Fellow, American Academy of Dermatology (FAAD)
  • DO, New York College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Residency, NYU Langone Medical Center
  • Cosmetic Dermatology Fellowship, Mount Sinai
  • Former Director, Cosmetic Dermatology, NYU Medical Center
  • Inventor, Santos Lip Layering Technique

Professional Memberships

  • American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)
  • American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS)
  • Women in Dermatology (WiD)
  • International Society of Dermatology (ISD)

Areas of Expertise

Dermal Fillers Lip Augmentation Mid-Face Volumization Hyaluronic Acid Fillers Facial Rejuvenation Tear Trough Treatment Collagen Biostimulators Non-Surgical Contouring Complication Management
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