From an early age, Dr. Abigail dos Santos knew her calling was tied to healthcare. Inspired by a cousin who is a biomedical professional and driven by a desire to care for people, she considered studying psychology, but her heart led her to biomedicine. Keep reading to learn how she has been developing her professional confidence in aesthetics.
During her undergraduate studies, Abigail began her professional journey in her curricular internship, working at a lab partnered with her school. Her dedication meant that, even before finishing her degree, she was already employed in the field. However, her path took a new turn when the opportunity came up to teach biomedicine and pharmacy classes.
Teaching was an enriching experience and taught her a lot, but something was still missing. Being away from her family and the desire to work directly on transforming patients' self-esteem were factors that led her to reconsider her path.
Aesthetic biomedicine as a purpose
From the start of her undergraduate studies, Abigail already showed an interest in aesthetic biomedicine. As a patient, she was always enchanted by the procedures and wanted to understand each technique in depth. When she realized she could work professionally in the field, she felt she had found her true calling.
The learning journey was challenging. The fear of dealing with complications and the responsibility of offering a safe and effective service brought natural insecurities. However, clinical immersion and constant practice helped her gain confidence and professional assurance in aesthetics. “With every hands-on class, every application, I kept improving my skills and gaining confidence”, she says.
More than aesthetics: quality of life and self-esteem
For Abigail, aesthetic biomedicine goes far beyond appearance. She believes self-esteem directly affects people's confidence and sense of security in their daily activities. “When patients feel good about themselves, they feel more capable of taking on challenges and winning spaces that once might have seemed out of reach”, she explains.
The pandemic also brought an important reflection on time and quality of life. Grieving friends and family awakened in her the need to find a profession that would let her balance work, income and time to be with the people she loves.
“Today, a profession that doesn't give me time to live is not viable”, she says.
Plans for the future: growth and professional confidence in aesthetics
With clarity about her passion for aesthetic biomedicine, Abigail is already planning her next steps. Her goal is to open her own clinic by early 2025, starting with a coworking model to build her patient base. As her client base grows, she plans to invest in a permanent space, ensuring even more professional confidence in aesthetics.
With the support of her husband, who is a lawyer and an accountant, she is organizing the bureaucratic procedures so her business is structured in the best possible way. “Having a solid plan is essential to start the right way”, she emphasizes.
Dr. Abigail dos Santos's story is an inspiration for anyone seeking professional transformation without giving up quality of life. Her passion for aesthetic biomedicine reflects a commitment to patients' confidence and well-being, showing that it is possible to practice with professional confidence in aesthetics while also living a full life.
Laís Bianquini
NEPUGA content team — Núcleo de Especializações Ana Carolina Puga.
