Alison O'Neil, B.S., M.E., A.R.S.
Aesthetic Health Consultant

Ms. O’ Neil has been practicing in the fields of Medical Esthetics and Aesthetic Rehabilitation for over twenty-five years. After twenty-two years in dermatology and 5 years in plastic surgery she shares her pearls of patient care with professionals nationwide. Among her professional publishing and media credits, Ms. O’ Neil has served on the editorial board of Progressive Clinical Insights, The Medical Journal for Skin Care Professionals. She has been nationally recognized in Self, Mademoiselle, Woman’s Day, American Health, Harper’s Bazaar and Town & Country magazines as well as several major newspapers and television networks including CNN, TBS, ABC & NBC. Her most recent publication in 2009 can be found in Aging Well Magazine.

She was the Georgia State board of Examiners representative for Esthetics from 1989 to 1999 and Member and Esthetic Committee Chairperson of the National Interstate Council of Examining boards during that same period. For that same period she was an on-going subject matter expert for the development of the National Licensing Examination for the practice of Esthetics.

Ms. O’ Neil holds a degree in Mental Health and Human Services with a specialization in The Psychology of Appearance and Cosmetic Treatments, is a licensed Esthetician and was a Medical/Surgical Assistant in Dermatology for more than six years. In 1982, Ms. O’ Neil began the first Dermatological Rehabilitation Clinic in the country at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. She is also noted as one of the founding committee members of the National Look Good... Feel Better program co-sponsored by the American Cancer Society, Cosmetic Toiletry and Fragrance Association, and The National Cosmetology Association. For her role in this program she was awarded the Quality of life Award by the American Cancer Society’s Georgia Division.

Ms. O’ Neil represented Dermablend, Inc. and L’Oreal through The Dermablend Academy where she introduced the importance of physical appearance challenges to medical residents around the country. To date she has presented a total of 30 lectures to the nations leading medical schools (30 of the top 50). Ms. O’Neil also presents regularly at Dermatology and Plastic Surgery Nursing and other related professional medical meetings.

Her proven commitment to the field of Medical Esthetics and Aesthetic Rehabilitation makes her a highly qualified speaker on topics from general healthy skin care to the Psychology of Appearance. She is well versed on insights regarding dermatologic care, pre and post operative esthetic needs and patient care issues, as well as appearance changes implied by illness and its treatments. Her focus includes both the psychological ramifications as well as the aesthetic health challenges presented by appearance loss, or change.

Through speaking and educating, Ms. O’ Neil maintains her commitment to championing the rights of the appearance-impaired toward living an equal quality of life, and further supports those same individuals in reaching and maintaining their greatest personal potential. Ms. O’Neil also acknowledges the enormous impact related to the extremely popular interest in personal grooming and appearance in everyday society.

In 2005, Ms. O’Neil founded The Beauty Becomes You Foundation (BBYF) a nonprofit aesthetic health initiative that embraces a holistic approach to addressing senior hygiene needs. The mission of BBYF is to preserve the dignity and self respect of senior adults through the provision of aesthetic health products and professional services in a safe, accessible, and familiar environment. Aesthetic hygiene services including basic hair, skin, and nail care as well as massage; these are provided by volunteer licensed cosmeticians and aesthetic professionals in safe, convenient locations for seniors. We’re changing the way society looks at Senior Adults, our most undervalued National Treasure.

Ms. O’Neil lives in Atlanta with her two yellow labs Gillie and Gracie. While busy developing her charity, the Beauty Becomes You Foundation, she continues to serve patients in private practice while training Therapeutic Estheticians in Medical Spas, Personal Care/Private Home Care Providers on the practice of personal care aesthetics and medical/psychology considerations. Ms O’Neil has pioneered the development of “Geriatric Aesthetics©” and is considered one of the leading experts in senior adult skin care and personal care. Her talks called, "Can't Do That? Do THIS!!" are becoming all the rage as she presents with wisdom and humor at senior communities around the country. She introduces out-of-the-box options to creatively live with the challenges related to aging (loss of your 5 senses, mobility, dexterity and mental capabilities) AND don't make you look OLD.

The Inspiration:

"I have struggled to feel beautiful my whole life. I have seen it in others and wondered how I could achieve it myself. It wasn’t until recently when taking care of my father in his final days that I understood the true meaning of beauty."

"One afternoon after taking Gracie and Gillie, my two yellow labs, for a walk I sat down with my Dad. With my hair disheveled and dreadfully lacking makeup we enjoyed some quiet time on his porch. From his wheelchair he was enjoying tending his plants and flowerpots. I was fixing a loose hinge on his birdfeeder on the other end of the porch when he broke our comfortable silence and said with such loving honesty “Ali, beauty becomes you”. I paused and realized that at that moment I have never felt lovelier in my whole life. I finally understood the meaning of beauty, the inner strength, the perseverance and the unconditional love we shared those final days was the beauty that is grace."

"Whether you are providing or receiving the gifts, the way I felt at that moment, and continue to feel today, is what I want you to realize in yourself as you grow from participating in Beauty Becomes You Foundation."

- Alison O'Neil

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