Niki McCarthy

With Refinery Skin Clinic Since 2022

Treatments & Services I Offer

I specialize in advanced, results-driven skincare treatments designed to improve skin health, texture, tone, and confidence through personalized treatment planning.

Services I provide include:

• DiamondGlow® facial treatments for deep exfoliation, extractions, hydration, and immediate radiance 
• Dermaplaning for smoother texture, brighter skin, and enhanced product absorption 
• Teen facials tailored to support developing, acne-prone, and hormonally changing skin 
• SkinPen® microneedling to improve acne scarring, fine lines, texture irregularities, and collagen production 
• Sofwave™ skin tightening for non-invasive lifting, tightening, collagen stimulation, and skin rejuvenation 
• Customized chemical peels to address pigmentation, texture concerns, acne, dullness, and visible signs of aging 

What I’m Known For & My Areas of Expertise

I’m known for helping my clients improve their overall skin health, tone, texture, and confidence through thoughtful treatment planning, education, and a highly personalized approach.

What truly sets me apart is the way I connect with clients!

Beautiful skin outcomes absolutely matter, but so does how someone feels in the process. I take time to understand not just what a client wants to improve, but how they feel about their skin, what’s been frustrating, what they’ve tried, and what realistic progress looks like for them.

I’m especially passionate about helping clients navigate their skincare journey in a way that feels supportive, approachable, and empowering rather than overwhelming.

Whether we’re addressing acne scarring, texture concerns, early signs of aging, or simply creating healthier skin overall, my goal is always the same: meaningful results that help you feel more confident in your own skin.

A Little Bit About Me

I began my career in esthetics after graduating from the Aveda Institute in Minneapolis in 2013, and I’ve spent more than a decade immersed in the skincare industry.

Early in my career, I worked in and managed several well-known salons and spas throughout the Twin Cities, which gave me a strong foundation in both client care and skincare services. But as my passion for corrective, results-driven treatments grew, I found myself increasingly drawn to medical aesthetics.

I loved the idea of combining the relationship-building side of esthetics with more advanced treatment options capable of creating meaningful, lasting improvements in skin health.

That passion led me to continue my education and earn my Advanced Practice Esthetician license in 2022.

I was especially drawn to Refinery Skin Clinic because of its collaborative culture, commitment to education, and deeply personalized approach to client care. Being surrounded by a team that genuinely prioritizes both expertise and connection makes it an incredibly rewarding place to practice.

How I Approach Taking Care of Your Skin’s Health & Appearance

I believe great skin is never about one-size-fits-all recommendations or quick fixes.Every client’s skin, goals, lifestyle, and comfort level are different, which means their treatment plan should be too!

My approach is rooted in education, personalization, and building trust. I want clients to feel informed, supported, and empowered in their skincare decisions rather than confused or pressured.

I also believe consistency often creates the most meaningful change. Beautiful results don’t always happen overnight, but with the right strategy and partnership, healthy skin transformation is absolutely possible.

Most importantly, I want every client to feel comfortable, cared for, and genuinely confident that we’re working toward goals that make sense for them.

My Favorite Treatments to Perform & Why I Love Them

SkinPen® Microneedling

SkinPen is one of my absolute favorite treatments because it works with your skin in such an intelligent, natural way. By stimulating your body’s own collagen production, we can improve concerns like fine lines, acne scarring, uneven texture, and overall skin tone without needing overly aggressive treatment.

I love how versatile it is. Whether someone is just beginning their skincare journey or looking for more advanced correction, SkinPen can be thoughtfully customized to meet them where they are.

And as an esthetician, few things are more rewarding than seeing those long-term improvements in skin health and confidence unfold over time!

Learn more about SkinPen® Microneedling

DiamondGlow®

DiamondGlow is one of my favorites because it delivers both immediate gratification and long-term skin benefits.

It exfoliates, extracts, and infuses the skin with customized professional serums in a single treatment, making it incredibly effective for improving hydration, texture, and overall radiance.

What I especially love is that it feels luxurious and relaxing while still being highly results-driven.

Learn more about DiamondGlow®

Sofwave™

Sofwave is such an exciting treatment because it offers meaningful skin tightening and collagen stimulation without surgery or downtime.

I love that we can help clients achieve firmer, smoother, more youthful-looking skin without surgery or extensive downtime. It’s a smart option for clients looking for visible rejuvenation with minimal disruption to their daily lives.

Learn more about Sofwave®

Products I Love Recommending

SkinMedica® HA5® Hydra Collagen Rejuvenating Hydrator

Hydration is foundational to healthy skin, and this is one of those products that works beautifully for virtually everyone.

Whether someone is dry, oily, sensitive, or acne-prone, supporting the skin barrier with intelligent hydration makes such a difference. Plus, it gives you a dewy glow that can’t be beat!

Shop HA5 Hydra Collagen Hydrator online

SkinMedica® Even & Correct Brightening Treatment Pads

I love these because they provide gentle, effective exfoliation while helping improve overall skin brightness and tone. They also help other products perform better by clearing away dead surface cells and improving penetration.

Shop Even & Correct Brightening pads online

SkinMedica® TNS® Advanced+ Serum

This is one of those powerhouse products I find myself recommending again and again to EVERYONE.

TNS supports smoother texture, firmness, healthier-looking (and behaving) skin, and visible rejuvenation in as little as two weeks. It’s a must for anyone over 30 and for those who want to enhance the results of professional treatments from home.

Shop TNS Advanced+ Serum online

Education, Certifications & Advanced Training

• Advanced Practice Esthetician (APE), Minnesota 
• Licensed Esthetician, Aveda Institute Minneapolis 
• More than 10 years of skincare industry experience 
• Advanced training in corrective skincare and professional treatment planning 
• Extensive experience in medical aesthetics and advanced esthetic procedures 

How Clients & Co-Workers Describe Me

• Attentive 
• Compassionate 
• Supportive 
• Results-driven 
• Thoughtful 
• A calming presence 
• The person who truly listens 

My Life Outside of Refinery Skin Clinic

Outside of the clinic, I love spending time with my husband and our golden retriever, Moose, who is very much part of the family.

Whenever we can, we escape to our cabin in Wisconsin to soak up lake life, fresh air, and a slower pace.

I also love cooking and experimenting with new recipes. For me, food is one of the ways I show love and care for the people around me.

When I’m not in the kitchen, there’s a good chance I’m deep into a DIY home project or creative renovation idea. I genuinely love creating beautiful, functional spaces almost as much as I love creating treatment plans for my clients!