May 15, 2017

Meet Masha Banar of MesoLyft Skincare in Newton

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Masha Banar.

Masha, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Mesolyft micro-needle skincare technology is a breakthrough in skincare, patented innovation, and a fun new toy for any woman who wants to stay young.

You could say we’ve reinvented the wheel. The easy-to-use MesoLyft device combines a rolling tip of micro-needles with a pump of area-specific serum. Mimicking expensive high-tech med spa treatments, it puts the power of science into your hands for both instant and long-term results. While MIT research prompted the creation of the micro-needle wheel, biochemists helped concoct MesoLyft’s skin-saving formulas rich in vitamins, antioxidants and peptides. The device’s needles meet the highest quality standards at MesoLyft’s U.S. production facility.

I suffered from melasma (dark spots on the face) after giving birth to my son. A friend of mine, an esthetician, gave me a micro-needle roller to use in combination with lightening serum. It took me 2 weeks to get rid of the pigmentation, but I hated the experience: roller was painful, user-unfriendly, and I had to do one too many steps at once.

I then thought “why nobody thought of combining the roller with the skincare pump in one device to make it easier and faster for the user?” That’s when the idea of MesoLyft was born. It took a while to figure out the design, going through many options in my head and on paper. I hired a guy who made the first, very crude, prototype: something that looked more like an epi-pen rather than a cosmetic tool with quite a large roller at the tip.

The quest for manufacturers continued for few months. Finding a micro-molding company who would take on the project was the biggest challenge. I showed my idea to at least 20 engineers at the micro-molding conference, and all of them said it was impossible. It only inspired me to continue, as I knew not only it’s possible, it’s a very bright idea. It never stops to surprise me how I always meet good people at the right time, the biochemist and expert in organic skincare was one of them. The formulas were carefully made and tested the same time the vital part of invention was made: the micro-needling wheel.

The process took over a year to put together, I was lucky to find an amazing project manager, who pieced the puzzle together (many more pieces were there: designing the tip that contains the wheel, finding people to assemble them, and many more). All that while having a full time customer service business (I own and operate Visage Sculpture, medical office specializing in non-surgical cosmetic innovations) and, of course, a family (I support my parents, and I have two kids).

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The biggest struggle was finding someone to manufacture my idea. I’ve heard the word “impossible” from too many people after looking at my sketches. I never gave up and always had faith in my invention.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the MesoLyft Skincare story. Tell us more about the business.
My med spa business, Visage Sculpture, established more than 7 years ago. I specialize in non-surgical face shaping: using Botox and fillers to help people stay youthful, refreshed and more beautiful. I’m known for the most natural subtle results and not selling unnecessary procedures. I try to treat each person the way I would love to be treated and have the interest of the patient as a priority.

MesoLyft Skincare was conceived and executed a year ago. I tried to model its philosophy after Visage Sculpture: honesty and integrity are the two main qualities I value.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I always argue with people about luck and say that you create your own luck. To me more than 80% of luck is very hard work. Another very important component is unshakable faith in yourself and your business. Of course I believe in meeting right people at the right moment, which again I can argue that is a law of attraction based on just how nice of a person you are and how nice are your thoughts. Having said that, I’m very lucky.

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