We recently had the chance to connect with Carly Kesner and have shared our conversation below.
Carly, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I’m being called to fully step into a leadership role—not just in my business, but in my industry. For a long time, I was afraid to take up space in that way. I questioned whether I was “ready enough” or “qualified enough” to mentor, train, or influence others beyond my clients. But now, I’m embracing that I have valuable experience to share, especially in the niche of medical tattooing and restorative beauty.
I’ve realized that holding back doesn’t serve anyone—not the clients who need these transformative services, not the women I’m mentoring, and not the industry that benefits from higher standards and more heart-led practitioners. So, I’m leaning into creating more educational opportunities, expanding my team, and eventually growing Revival Skin + Artistry beyond Colorado—even though all of that once felt intimidating. It’s not just about running a business anymore; it’s about building something that makes a bigger impact.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Carly Kesner—owner of Revival Skin + Artistry, a corrective skincare and medical tattooing studio based in Lakewood, Colorado. We specialize in scar revision, areola restoration for breast cancer survivors, and natural-looking permanent makeup. My passion lies in helping women feel whole, confident, and seen in their own skin—especially after trauma or life-altering experiences.
What makes Revival Skin + Artistry unique is our blend of high-level artistry and deep empathy. We’re not just here to offer beauty services—we’re here to restore confidence, dignity, and identity. I started this business after experiencing my own transformation through skin and scar work, and now I’m building a team and expanding our offerings so we can reach even more people in need of healing and empowerment.
Right now, I’m focused on training the next generation of artists, growing our medical tattooing program, and eventually expanding our impact beyond Colorado. Revival Skin + Artistry is about more than aesthetics—it’s about rewriting the narrative of how beauty and healing intersect.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a deeply curious, artistic, and intuitive kid who loved creating, connecting, and helping people feel seen. I was the friend who noticed the small things—who picked up on unspoken emotions and always wanted to fix what felt broken. I didn’t have the words for it back then, but I was already drawn to healing, beauty, and expression in ways that didn’t fit into a traditional path.
Somewhere along the way, I started believing I had to pursue something more “stable” or “practical,” and I tried to squeeze myself into roles that didn’t quite fit. But deep down, I always knew I was meant to do something with my hands, my heart, and my creativity. Building Revival Skin + Artistry has felt like coming home to that original version of me—just older, wiser, and less afraid to take up space.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be: You are not too sensitive—you are deeply in tune, and that’s a gift. The way you feel things, notice the details, and care so deeply for others isn’t something to fix or hide—it’s the foundation of everything beautiful you’ll one day create. Keep going. You’re going to help people in ways you can’t even imagine yet.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies the beauty and aesthetics industry tells itself is that results matter more than relationships. There’s often this pressure to focus on trends, perfection, or what’s “Instagram-worthy,” and in doing so, we lose the human side of the work—especially in medical tattooing and corrective skincare.
Another big lie is that healing is only skin deep. In reality, the services we provide—whether it’s restoring an areola after breast cancer or camouflaging a scar—can have a deep emotional impact. It’s not just about how someone looks in the mirror, but how they feel when they see themselves again.
The industry also tends to undervalue empathy and overvalue hustle. But I believe success can be built on connection, compassion, and real impact—and that’s what we’re doing at Revival Skin + Artistry.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
If I retired tomorrow, I think my clients would miss our conversations just as much as the services. They’d miss the laughs, the real talk, the way I remember the little details about their lives—like how their kid’s recital went or how that job interview turned out. I’m deeply invested in the why behind each appointment. My clients know they’re not just a name on a schedule—they’re a whole person with a story, and I treat them that way.
They’d probably also miss the attention to detail and high standards I bring to everything I do. I hold myself and my team to a level of care that goes beyond skin-deep, because I know how powerful this work can be when it’s done with both skill and heart. I show up with empathy, honesty, and a little humor—even when we’re tackling something heavy. It’s those connections, that trust, and those shared moments that I think they’d miss most.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://revivalskinartistry.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/revival_skin_artistry/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/revivalskinartistry
Image Credits
Zara Ashby
