
School Founder, Author & Industry Leader
Laura Todd has years of experience in the industry including owner of the Institute of Advanced Medical Esthetics, an accredited Esthetics School in the State of Virginia. She owns Skin Wellness of Virginia, a Medical Based Skin Care Spa, has worked with Plastic Surgeons, Dermatologists as a medical esthetician and she has collaborated with and worked side by side with industry icons.
She continues to participate in legislative issues, and previously lobbied for HB2510 as the co-chair of the Virginia Panel for Esthetics Licensure. HB2510 moved Virginia forward and resulted in the establishment of two-tier esthetics (Basic & Master) licensure.
As a result of her "no stone unturned approach", Laura continued to shape Esthetics history in Virginia by being Virginia's First Appointed, Full Term Esthetician Seat in 2005. She was appointed by the Governor, and served on the Board that regulates Esthetics in Virginia. Once appointed, Laura was the main contributor to the development of the Virginia Esthetics Regulations. The regulations are standards of practice, health and safety guidelines for Estheticians and Spas and include the curriculum and equipment requirements that Virginia Schools must follow.
After developing the Regulations the next task at hand was the development of the Esthetics Licensing Examinations. During her term appointment she was asked to serve as a subject matter expert and as the only representative for the Virginia Board of Cosmetology to create the theory portion of Virginia's & the nation's Master/Second Level Theory Licensure Examination for NIC.
In 2009 while serving on the Virginia Board she was appointed by her fellow board members as the only Master Esthetician participant in Virginia Master Practical Exam Development Committee. She and the committee developed the guidelines for the nation's first Master Esthetics practical exam. These guidelines were followed by NIC in the exam development process which led to Virginia's new master practical exam.
Laura was appointed in 2009 by The American Association of Cosmetology Schools as Virginia's State Relations Committee representative where she hopes to share her expertise in the esthetics regulatory process at the national level. It has long been Laura's aspiration to move from representing esthetics at the state level to the national level!
She continues to give back to the industry as the Institute's lead instructor for Medical Based Skincare. She is also director of The Virginia State Association of Skin Care Professionals where she continues to work towards advancements in Virginia's Esthetics Industry and protection of the practice for fellow Estheticians. In 2009 she participated in policy development for the medical board concerning the use of esthetics lasers in Virginia.
As a result of all of her dedication to Virginia's Esthetic Industry the State Board staff issued her license #1 for her school as well as license #1 as a Master Instructor in Virginia. She was recently recognized by the state board as well as her fellow board members with an appreciation of service award.
Laura's academic focus was pre-med, holds several University degrees including Bachelors of Science and continued on with classes that lead to a Masters Degree in Education. She is an author of leading esthetics industry textbooks and Laura continues to write as well as serves as a reviewer for Milady publishing.
Laura believes that "knowledge acquisition is a lifelong process and should never stop".
Laura Todd has years of experience in the industry including owner of the Institute of Advanced Medical Esthetics, an accredited Esthetics School in the State of Virginia. She owns Skin Wellness of Virginia, a Medical Based Skin Care Spa, has worked with Plastic Surgeons, Dermatologists as a medical esthetician and she has collaborated with and worked side by side with industry icons.
She continues to participate in legislative issues, and previously lobbied for HB2510 as the co-chair of the Virginia Panel for Esthetics Licensure. HB2510 moved Virginia forward and resulted in the establishment of two-tier esthetics (Basic & Master) licensure.
As a result of her "no stone unturned approach", Laura continued to shape Esthetics history in Virginia by being Virginia's First Appointed, Full Term Esthetician Seat in 2005. She was appointed by the Governor, and served on the Board that regulates Esthetics in Virginia. Once appointed, Laura was the main contributor to the development of the Virginia Esthetics Regulations. The regulations are standards of practice, health and safety guidelines for Estheticians and Spas and include the curriculum and equipment requirements that Virginia Schools must follow.
After developing the Regulations the next task at hand was the development of the Esthetics Licensing Examinations. During her term appointment she was asked to serve as a subject matter expert and as the only representative for the Virginia Board of Cosmetology to create the theory portion of Virginia's & the nation's Master/Second Level Theory Licensure Examination for NIC.
In 2009 while serving on the Virginia Board she was appointed by her fellow board members as the only Master Esthetician participant in Virginia Master Practical Exam Development Committee. She and the committee developed the guidelines for the nation's first Master Esthetics practical exam. These guidelines were followed by NIC in the exam development process which led to Virginia's new master practical exam.
Laura was appointed in 2009 by The American Association of Cosmetology Schools as Virginia's State Relations Committee representative where she hopes to share her expertise in the esthetics regulatory process at the national level. It has long been Laura's aspiration to move from representing esthetics at the state level to the national level!
She continues to give back to the industry as the Institute's lead instructor for Medical Based Skincare. She is also director of The Virginia State Association of Skin Care Professionals where she continues to work towards advancements in Virginia's Esthetics Industry and protection of the practice for fellow Estheticians. In 2009 she participated in policy development for the medical board concerning the use of esthetics lasers in Virginia.
As a result of all of her dedication to Virginia's Esthetic Industry the State Board staff issued her license #1 for her school as well as license #1 as a Master Instructor in Virginia. She was recently recognized by the state board as well as her fellow board members with an appreciation of service award.
Laura's academic focus was pre-med, holds several University degrees including Bachelors of Science and continued on with classes that lead to a Masters Degree in Education. She is an author of leading esthetics industry textbooks and Laura continues to write as well as serves as a reviewer for Milady publishing.
Laura believes that "knowledge acquisition is a lifelong process and should never stop".

Laura is an Author of "Milady's New Master Esthetics" Text!
Milady's Standard Esthetics: Advanced is a brand new book created to introduce advanced treatments in the skin care industry. This text is designed for those students who are enrolled in an advanced esthetics course from 600-1200 hours. This in-depth, yet easy to understand resource is essential for programs that require advanced materials.
From Amazon.com

Advanced Face and Body Treatments for the Spa
Laura Todd is an Author: "Advanced Face and Body Treatments for the Spa... It is a complete guide for providing the most imaginative and cutting edge spa treatments." Laura is a specialist in Lymphatic Drainage techniques and received advanced training in European LD techniques of the face and body while in Italy in 2006. Included Topics: Lymphatic Drainage, Laser, IPL, Microcurrent, LED, Ultrasound, Cellulite treatments, European Skincare and Body Techniques.
- From Amazon.com