19 questions patients ask us about About the Practice, answered by the clinical team at Balanced Aesthetics + Wellness in Brookhaven, Atlanta. Ready to talk about treatment? See Dermal Fillers →
What makes Balanced different from other medspas?
Three things fundamentally separate Balanced from the typical medspa experience.
First, the integration of aesthetics and medical wellness. Most medspas offer either injectables and skin treatments OR hormone therapy — rarely both at a clinical level. Balanced operates at the intersection, understanding that how you look and how you feel are connected. Hormone optimization makes aesthetic treatments work better. Aesthetic improvements reinforce the vitality that wellness treatments create.
Second, the clinical depth. Balanced uses comprehensive lab panels (not just total testosterone), pharmaceutical-grade compounded medications from licensed pharmacies, evidence-based peptide protocols, and regenerative technologies (HBOT, red light, PEMF) that most medspas don't offer. The team treats the underlying biology, not just symptoms.
Third, the people. Dr. Didato brings functional medicine expertise. Justin Kitchens, FNP-C, brings 10 years of injector training and a nurse practitioner's clinical perspective to both wellness care and injectables, and Balanced offers techniques many medspas don't (temple filler, PDGF microneedling, hyperdilute Radiesse). Sophie Riggs, our licensed esthetician and laser practitioner with about 5 years of experience, builds long-term skin plans rather than one-off facials. The team treats patients like people, not revenue targets.
A 5.0-star average across hundreds of Google reviews isn't accidental.
Related Questions
→ Medspa vs. dermatologist vs. plastic surgeon — who should I see?Who is Justin Kitchens?
Justin Kitchens, FNP-C, is the Lead Clinician at Balanced Aesthetics + Wellness. He is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and functional medicine practitioner who specializes in peptide therapy, hormone optimization, medical weight loss, and regenerative wellness. Justin holds an MS in Family Practice Nursing from Mercer University and an MBA from Kennesaw State University.
At Balanced, Justin takes a whole-person approach — combining clinical expertise with advanced protocols to create individualized treatment plans. He works closely with Medical Director Dr. Kimberly Gilbert and the rest of the Balanced team to ensure every patient receives physician-guided care with measurable outcomes.
Who is Dr. Anthony Didato?
Dr. Anthony Didato, DMD, Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics, is the co-founder, Managing Partner and CEO of Balanced Aesthetics + Wellness. A board-certified endodontist and certified functional medicine practitioner, he brings over a decade of clinical expertise and a published research record to the practice he built alongside Richelle Bonacia in 2020.
Dr. Didato's vision for Balanced goes beyond the typical medspa model. He built a practice where aesthetic excellence and medical wellness coexist under one roof because he recognized that patients seeking optimization deserve both — and that the two disciplines make each other more effective.
That vision shows up in the practice's focus areas: hormone optimization for men and women, functional and root-cause wellness, peptide therapy, weight management, sexual health, and longevity — delivered by Balanced's licensed clinical team under the medical direction of Dr. Kimberly Gilbert.
The practice's mission reflects his philosophy: help patients look their best, feel their best, and function at their best — through personalized, comprehensive care.
Related Questions
→ What makes Balanced different from other medspas?What is Balanced's approach to patient education?
Education is central to how Balanced operates — not as a marketing tool, but as a genuine commitment to informed patients making empowered decisions.
In-practice education: consultations are educational conversations, not sales presentations. Your provider explains the why behind every recommendation — the biology, the expected results, the alternatives, and the limitations. You leave every appointment understanding more about your body and your options.
Content education: the Balanced Conversations podcast (available on YouTube and podcast platforms) features in-depth discussions of the topics patients care about — hormone therapy, peptide therapy, skin science, weight management, sexual health, and longevity. Episodes feature the Balanced team sharing real clinical insights, not scripted marketing content.
Online education: the Balanced website, social media, and FAQ resources provide accessible, accurate health and aesthetic information. The content reflects the same clinical depth and honest communication that patients experience in the office.
The philosophy: patients who understand their treatment make better decisions, comply more consistently, and achieve better outcomes. Education isn't a side project at Balanced — it's integrated into the care model.
How many reviews does Balanced have?
Balanced maintains hundreds of Google reviews with a consistent 5.0-star average — one of the highest-rated practices in the Atlanta metro area. These reviews span Google, and reflect patient experiences across all service lines: aesthetics, hormone therapy, weight loss, regenerative wellness, and functional medicine.
The review volume and rating reflect several things: consistent clinical outcomes that meet or exceed expectations, the patient experience (warmth, professionalism, and genuine care from the entire team), honest communication (setting realistic expectations that patients can trust), and follow-up care (patients feel supported after treatment, not abandoned).
For prospective patients: reviews are the most honest assessment of what to expect. Reading them will give you a sense of the practice culture, the team's expertise, and the real-world results patients are experiencing.
Balanced doesn't inflate reviews or incentivize them artificially. The rating reflects genuine patient satisfaction — which is the most meaningful metric for any medical or aesthetic practice.
Does Balanced have a podcast?
Yes — Balanced Conversations is the practice's podcast, available on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Episodes feature in-depth discussions of the health, wellness, and aesthetic topics patients care about most.
Recent and popular topics include hormone optimization for men and women, peptide therapy deep dives, ketamine therapy for anxiety and depression, weight loss science, sexual health, longevity and functional wellness, skin treatment education, and team introductions.
The podcast reflects Balanced's educational philosophy: clinical depth delivered with approachability. Dr. Didato, Justin, and the team share real clinical insights — the same information they discuss with patients in consultations, now accessible to everyone.
For prospective patients: the podcast is the best way to get a sense of the Balanced team's personality, clinical approach, and philosophy before your first visit. For current patients: episodes provide deeper context on topics discussed during your appointments.
Who is Richelle Bonacia?
Richelle Bonacia is Co-Founder of Balanced Aesthetics + Wellness with a background in healthcare administration (MBA/MHA). She brings the operational and strategic vision that allows the clinical team to focus on what they do best — patient care.
Richelle's healthcare administration expertise ensures that the practice infrastructure — scheduling, communication, patient experience, compliance, and operational efficiency — operates at the level patients expect from a premium healthcare practice. The seamless experience patients describe in reviews is a direct reflection of her work.
As Communications Director, Richelle also oversees the practice's patient engagement, content strategy, and community presence — ensuring that the Balanced brand communicates the same warmth, expertise, and authenticity online that patients experience in person.
Her dual role bridges the clinical and operational sides of the practice — she understands both the business of healthcare and the patient experience, which allows Balanced to scale without sacrificing the personalized attention that defines it.
How do I leave a review for Balanced?
Balanced values patient feedback — the 5.0-star average across hundreds of Google reviews reflect the experience the team delivers. If you've had a positive experience, a review helps others find quality care.
Google reviews are most impactful for local visibility. After your appointment, you may receive a link. The process takes about two minutes.
You can also share on Yelp, Facebook, or RealSelf. Every review on every platform contributes to Balanced's visibility.
If you'd prefer private feedback (positive or constructive), the team welcomes it directly. Constructive feedback helps the practice improve.
If you've had a concern, please reach out directly before leaving a public review — many issues can be resolved quickly, and the team genuinely wants to make things right.
What makes Balanced different from other Atlanta medspas?
Three things separate Balanced from the typical Atlanta medspa.
First: clinical depth. Most medspas offer aesthetics only. Balanced integrates internal medicine (hormones, peptides, functional wellness, weight management) with external aesthetics under one roof. Your Botox provider understands how hormonal status affects skin aging, and your hormone provider understands how optimizing estrogen enhances laser results.
Second: injector caliber. Justin Kitchens, FNP-C, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with 10 years of injector training who works across both sides of the practice — wellness and aesthetics. Balanced offers procedures most Atlanta medspas don't (temple filler, non-surgical rhinoplasty, PDGF under-eye, hyperdilute Radiesse). Filler is priced by area, not syringe.
Third: physician involvement. Our Medical Director, Dr. Kimberly Gilbert, a board-certified physician, oversees clinical protocols so every treatment meets medical standards — not just aesthetic preferences.
Balanced's 5.0-star Google rating across hundreds of reviews reflects this combination.
Does Balanced treat men for aesthetic concerns?
Absolutely — men represent a significant and growing portion of Balanced's patient base. The stigma around men seeking aesthetic care has diminished substantially.
Popular treatments for men: Botox for forehead lines and crow's feet (most common entry — look less tired and stressed), jawline contouring with filler (enhancing masculine structure), chin augmentation (improving profile), under-eye treatment (reducing dark circles and hollowing), and laser for skin quality, redness, and texture.
Men's aesthetic treatment differs in approach — the goal is typically natural, not 'done.' Justin adjusts technique for male anatomy (maintaining brow position, preserving masculine jawline angles, conservative lips) using strategies that produce results colleagues notice as 'you look good' rather than 'you had work done.'
Many male patients start with TRT or wellness services and discover aesthetic options through the practice — the integrated environment makes the transition comfortable.
What is Sophie's approach to facials at Balanced?
Sophie Riggs is Balanced's licensed esthetician and laser practitioner, with about 5 years of experience. Her approach puts safety, education and long-term results first — every treatment starts with an assessment of your skin and builds toward a plan.
Sophie's philosophy: every facial is customized to your skin's current state, not a fixed protocol applied the same way to every patient. She reads your skin during treatment and adjusts — modifying extraction intensity, product selection, mask formulation, and technique based on what she observes in real time.
For patients new to professional skincare, Sophie is known for creating a comfortable, educational experience. She explains what she's doing and why, teaches you how to maintain results at home, and builds a progressive treatment plan rather than overwhelming you with everything at once.
For experienced patients with established skincare routines, Sophie takes the clinical approach to the next level — incorporating medical-grade modalities, customizing treatment sequences, and coordinating with your injectable and laser schedule for optimal timing.
The recurring feedback from Sophie's patients: she finds things others miss, and her results speak for themselves.
What is Balanced's treatment philosophy?
Balanced takes an outcome-focused, physician-guided approach to every treatment. Rather than rushing through appointments or treating individual concerns in isolation, the team evaluates each patient as a complete system — looking at how aesthetics, hormones, nutrition, and lifestyle interact.
For injectable treatments, this means designing a phased plan that prioritizes natural-looking results and structural balance over volume. For wellness services, it means starting with diagnostics (lab work, health history, lifestyle assessment) before recommending protocols.
Every treatment plan is built around the patient's specific anatomy, goals, and health profile — not a one-size-fits-all menu. The team's philosophy is that the best results come from patience, precision, and clinical expertise working together.
What is Dr. Didato's background and role at Balanced?
Dr. Anthony Didato, DMD, is the co-founder, Managing Partner and CEO of Balanced Aesthetics + Wellness. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics — a board-certified endodontist — and a certified functional medicine practitioner.
At Balanced he leads the practice's vision, strategy and clinical philosophy: that aesthetic outcomes and internal health are inseparable. The practice was built to integrate what most medical practices separate — putting hormones, wellness, aesthetics, and regenerative medicine under one roof with one coordinated treatment philosophy. Medical oversight of treatment protocols is provided by our Medical Director, Dr. Kimberly Gilbert, a board-certified physician.
This integrated model is central to what makes Balanced's outcomes different. When your provider understands how your hormonal status affects your skin aging, how your metabolic health influences your recovery, and how your sleep quality impacts your treatment results, every recommendation is more precise and every outcome is better supported.
How does the affiliate partnership program work?
Balanced Aesthetics + Wellness offers an affiliate partnership program for professionals, influencers, and community partners who want to refer clients to the practice. Partners receive a unique referral link or code and earn a commission or credit for each new patient who books through their referral.
The program is designed for people who genuinely align with Balanced's values around health, wellness, and quality care — not mass-market promotion. Partners typically include fitness professionals, therapists, other healthcare providers, and wellness-focused content creators.
To apply or learn more about partnership terms, visit the affiliate partnerships page on the website or contact the team directly.
Related Questions
→ What makes Balanced different from other Atlanta medspas?What is Balanced's Upwork presence?
Balanced Aesthetics + Wellness works with EverestRank, a top 1% Expert-Vetted SEO and brand consulting agency on Upwork, for all digital marketing strategy and execution. This partnership ensures that Balanced's online presence — from search rankings to content quality — is managed at the highest professional level. All client communication and project management for the SEO engagement is conducted through Upwork's platform.
Related Questions
→ What makes Balanced different from other medspas?Who is Sophie Riggs?
Sophie Riggs is a licensed aesthetician at Balanced Aesthetics + Wellness in Atlanta. She specializes in medical-grade facials, HydraFacials, chemical peels, and customized skincare protocols.
Sophie works closely with the clinical team to ensure every skincare treatment complements the patient's broader wellness and aesthetic goals — whether that's preparing skin for laser treatments, maintaining results after injectables, or building a long-term skincare foundation.
Does Balanced treat patients from outside Atlanta?
Yes — through our telehealth platform. Patients across the country access Balanced for hormone optimization (TRT, HRT), peptide therapy, medical weight loss (GLP-1), and functional wellness consultations. The telehealth process is fully clinical: video consultations, lab orders to a facility near you, prescriptions shipped to your door, and ongoing management with quarterly lab monitoring. Many telehealth patients found Balanced through our nationally-ranked content (we're #1 nationally for several peptide therapy keywords) and didn't have a comparable provider locally. Telehealth availability depends on state licensing. We're actively expanding to serve patients in all 50 states. For in-person treatments (injectables, lasers, microneedling, regenerative technologies), patients travel to our Brookhaven location.
What is Balanced's approach to patient privacy?
Patient privacy is protected under standard medical privacy regulations (HIPAA). All medical records, lab results, treatment plans, and communication are confidential. We understand that many patients — particularly those seeking sexual health, hormone therapy, or aesthetic treatments — value discretion. Our environment is designed with this in mind: private consultation rooms, discreet scheduling, and clinical communication through secure channels. Telehealth appointments use encrypted HIPAA-compliant video platforms. Your treatment information is never shared with anyone without your written consent.
Who is the medical director at Balanced Aesthetics?
Balanced Aesthetics + Wellness operates under physician medical oversight. Our Medical Director is Dr. Kimberly Gilbert, a board-certified physician who completed medical school at Louisiana State University (LSU) and her residency at Emory University in Atlanta. Since then she has been the primary provider in her own medical practice and has served as medical director for a hospital rehabilitation unit, independent and assisted living facilities, and medical spas.
Dr. Anthony Didato, DMD, co-founded Balanced in 2020 with Richelle Bonacia and serves as Managing Partner and CEO. A board-certified endodontist and certified functional medicine practitioner, he shapes the practice's integrated, data-driven philosophy — protocols built on comprehensive lab work rather than assumptions.
The clinical team also includes Justin Kitchens, FNP-C, our Lead Wellness Clinician and aesthetics injector, and Sophie Riggs, our licensed esthetician and laser practitioner.
Related Questions
→ What makes Balanced different from other medspas?