In aesthetic medicine, the difference between good and exceptional is rarely accidental.
Exceptional results with cosmetic injectables, like BOTOX® and JUVÉDERM®, are not created by trends, shortcuts, or bargain pricing. They are built through your provider’s years of education, thousands of hours of hands-on experience, deep anatomical understanding, and an unwavering commitment to patient safety and ethical care.
At Refinery Skin Clinic, this philosophy is not aspirational, it’s foundational. And it is precisely why we are so incredibly proud to share something truly extraordinary: ALL three of our nurse injectors are Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialists (CANS). Out of only 11 CANS-certified nurses in the entire state of Minnesota, Refinery Skin Clinic is home to three!
This is not a coincidence. This is a commitment to excellence. Read on to learn how you will benefit from your injection specialist being a Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS) and why it’s important for the safety and effectiveness of your results.
What Is the CANS Certification and Why Is It So Special?
A Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS) is the highest credential a nurse injector can earn in aesthetic medicine. Awarded through the Plastic Surgical Nurse Certification Board (PSNCB), a nationally recognized certification board, CANS is designed for registered nurses who practice at the most advanced level of aesthetic care.
Earning this credential is not about attendance or simply paying a fee for a weekend course. It is about mastery.
To even be eligible to sit for the CANS Certification exam, a nurse must:
- Be currently licensed as a Registered Nurse in the United States, its territories or Canada, holding a current full and unrestricted license
- Have spent at least 1,000 practice hours within the core specialties during the last two (2) years
- Have a minimum of two (2) years of nursing experience as a registered nurse within the four Core Specialties in collaboration or in a practice with a physician that is board Certified within a core specialty. This can be in a general staff, administrative, teaching, or research capacity for at least three (3) years prior to application
- Be currently working in collaboration or in a practice with a physician that is Board Certified within one of the following specialties: Plastic/Aesthetic Surgery, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, or Facial Plastic Surgery (ENT)
- Have your supervising core physician, who holds a current full and unrestricted license, endorse your application
They must then pass a rigorous national examination that evaluates far more than product familiarity.
The CANS exam tests advanced knowledge in areas such as:
- Detailed facial anatomy and the aging process
- Precision injection techniques across multiple facial regions
- Product selection based on tissue depth, elasticity, and structural support
- Recognition, prevention, and management of complications
- Ethical decision-making and patient safety standards
Many experienced injectors never pursue CANS certification, not because they lack talent, but because the process demands significant preparation, time investment, accountability, and clinical depth.
Those who do earn their CANS certification are recognized nationally for practicing at the highest standard in aesthetic nursing.
Why CANS Certification Should Matter to You
In aesthetic medicine, the word “certified” is used frequently, but not always accurately.
Many injectors describe themselves as “certified,” when in reality that may simply mean they attended a training course and received a certificate of attendance. While continuing education is important, a certificate from a class does not equal certification in the medical sense.
This is where the distinction becomes critical.
A true certification is a board certification—a credential earned through a nationally recognized certifying body after meeting strict eligibility requirements, demonstrating extensive clinical experience, and passing a comprehensive examination.
In aesthetic nursing, there are only two board certifications available, both awarded through the Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board (PSNCB):
- CPSN – Certified Plastic Surgical Nurse
- CANS – Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist
These are the only nationally recognized board certifications specific to plastic and aesthetic nursing.
When a nurse holds a CANS credential, they are not simply “trained,” they are board-certified registered nurses who practice aesthetic medicine at the highest level. For example, a CANS-certified injector at Refinery Skin Clinic is, quite literally, a board-certified aesthetic nurse.
That distinction matters.
Board certification signifies that an injector has been evaluated and credentialed by an independent governing body for:
- Advanced anatomical knowledge
- Clinical judgment and safety standards
- Ethical aesthetic decision-making
- Extensive hands-on experience in injectables
It also means that certification must be maintained, not earned once and forgotten, requiring ongoing education, continued clinical practice, and adherence to professional standards.
For patients who want to verify credentials for themselves, PSNCB offers a public resource titled “Is My Nurse Certified?”, allowing anyone to confirm whether an injector truly holds a board certification such as CANS or CPSN. Check if your nurse is certified here!
At Refinery Skin Clinic, we believe transparency builds trust. We encourage patients to ask questions, verify credentials, and understand exactly who is caring for their face.
Because when it comes to injectables, words matter, credentials matter, and expertise matters most.
Knowledge of Anatomy Is Not Optional. It’s Everything.
The face is one of the most complex anatomical structures in the human body. Beneath the skin lies a sophisticated network of muscles, fat pads, ligaments, nerves, and blood vessels. Each component influences expression, balance, and aging in unique ways.
CANS certification requires advanced mastery of this anatomy, including:
- How facial structure shifts over time
- Where critical blood vessels are located, and how to avoid them
- How different injectable products behave at varying tissue depths
- How subtle changes can dramatically impact harmony and expression
This is why CANS-certified injectors do not chase trends or volume of sales benchmarks. They prioritize structure, balance, and longevity. At Refinery Skin Clinic, injectables are never about “more.” They are about what structurally belongs, and where it should be placed to achieve the most natural-looking outcome.
Safety Is Not a Bonus. It’s the Standard.
Aesthetic injections are medical procedures, not salon or spa services, and they should always be treated as such.
CANS-certified nurses are trained not only to create beautiful results, but to anticipate, prevent, and manage complications should they arise. This includes:
- Early recognition of vascular compromise
- Proper response protocols
- Understanding when not to inject
- Ethical patient selection and treatment planning
This level of preparedness protects your results, and your peace of mind.
When you choose a CANS-certified injector, you are choosing someone who has been vetted at a national level for both clinical skill and professional judgment.
A Culture of Advanced Education at Refinery Skin Clinic
At Refinery Skin Clinic, CANS certification is not an anomaly, it’s a reflection of our culture.
We invest deeply in:
- Advanced injector education
- Ongoing anatomy training
- National certifications and conferences
- Ethical, patient-first aesthetic philosophy
All of our injectors are also members of the International Society of Plastic and Aesthetic Nurses (ISPAN), a national organization dedicated to advancing safety, education, and professional standards in aesthetic nursing.
This layered approach of education plus experience plus ethics, is what distinguishes Refinery from average medspas and positions us as a leader in medically driven, artistically administered injectables.
Celebrating Refinery’s Three CANS-Certified Nurse Leaders
Out of only 11 CANS-certified nurses in Minnesota, three practice at Refinery Skin Clinic, a distinction that speaks volumes about the caliber of care our clients receive.
We are proud to celebrate:
Rebecca Suess, MSN, RN, APRN, CNP, AGPCNP-BC, CPSN, CANS, ISPAN-F
Rebecca’s credentials reflect both clinical mastery and national leadership. In addition to being a Nurse Practitioner (NP), providing education on behalf of the Allergan Medical Institute (AMI) and sitting on the advisory board, a Certified Plastic Surgical Nurse (CPSN), and, of course, a Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS), she currently serves as the President of the International Society of Plastic and Aesthetic Nurses (ISPAN). Her role helps shape the future of aesthetic nursing education, ethics, and patient safety across the country. Read Rebecca’s full bio here!
Michele Lukkason, RN, BSN, CANS
Michele brings a refined blend of experience, precision, and aesthetic judgment to every treatment. Her CANS certification reflects years of hands-on expertise and a deep commitment to creating natural, balanced results rooted in anatomy and personalization. Read Michele’s full bio here!
Jordan Peters, RN, BA, CANS
Jordan represents the next generation of highly trained aesthetic nurses, combining advanced anatomical knowledge with an artistic eye and a thoughtful, client-centered approach. Her CANS certification underscores her dedication to excellence and ongoing education. Read Jordan’s full bio here!
Together, these three nurses represent the highest tier of aesthetic nursing, not just within Refinery Skin Clinic, but across the region and nationally.
This level of expertise is rare. It is intentional. And it is offered to every client who walks through our doors.
What CANS Means for Your Results
When your injector is CANS-certified, you can expect:
- More natural outcomes, guided by anatomy rather than trends
- Truly customized treatment plans, tailored to your unique facial structure
- Improved longevity of results, through precise, strategic placement
- Elevated safety standards, with advanced complication awareness
- Ethical recommendations, rooted in what is best for you, not what sells
This is the difference between injecting a product and delivering a result that feels like you; only more refreshed, balanced, and confident.
Excellence Is a Choice, and It Shows!
Anyone can offer injectables. Not everyone can offer expertise.
CANS certification represents the highest standard in aesthetic nursing, a benchmark of skill, judgment, and dedication to the craft. At Refinery Skin Clinic, that standard is not the exception. It is the expectation.
Because your face carries your story. Your expressions. Your confidence.
And it deserves to be cared for by nurses who have proven, at the highest level, that excellence is not optional. Excellence is injected—intentionally.
Ready to Experience the Refinery Skin Clinic Difference?
Schedule your consultation with one of our CANS-certified nurse injectors today!
Call: 952-479-0915
Text: 952-479-0603
Book online at your convenience