Meet Tam Patel

We recently connected with Tam Patel and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tam, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I didn’t so much “find” my purpose as much as I listened to it — quietly and persistently nudging me through every chapter of my life. For over 20 years, I worked in healthcare as a dental clinician, hands deep in the delicate balance between precision, comfort, and trust. I loved serving people, but something in me longed for a deeper connection — especially with women who had experienced change in their bodies and confidence that no one was talking about.

The turning point came when I combined my healthcare background with a long-standing love for aesthetics. I began offering permanent makeup treatments first, then built my skillset to offer restorative treatments for scars, stretch marks, and eventually 3D areola tattooing for breast cancer survivors. That’s when everything clicked. The quiet stories I had heard over the years — about trauma, loss, motherhood, identity — became the foundation of my purpose.

Today, at The Skinstitute of San Diego, I see beauty and healing as one in the same. Whether I’m helping a client fade a scar that’s been tied to a painful memory, or giving a woman her sense of wholeness back after a mastectomy, I know I’m doing what I was meant to do. My purpose is simple: to help women feel at home in their skin again. And that’s a kind of medicine I believe the world needs more of.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m the founder of The Skinstitute of San Diego — a clinic dedicated to clinical skin restoration and medical tattooing. We specialize in scar refinement, stretch mark revision, and 3D areola tattooing for breast cancer survivors. But what we really do is help people reconnect with their bodies after trauma, surgery, or big life transitions. Our approach blends my 20+ years in healthcare with deep respect for the emotional side of healing.

What makes our work special is that it’s both technical and deeply personal. We’re not just fading scars — we’re helping women release shame, reclaim confidence, and see themselves as whole again. That transformation is powerful, and it’s an honor to witness every single day.

The Skinstitute is rooted in both science and soul — and while we do have some exciting things on the horizon, we’re holding those close for now. Just know that everything we do continues to be in service of healing, visibility, and beauty that goes far beneath the surface.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Clinical Curiosity
My background in healthcare gave me a deep respect for the human body — but what drove me forward was always asking why something worked, how it could be improved, and what else was possible. That same curiosity pushed me to seek advanced education in skin revision, tattooing, and holistic healing. For anyone starting out: stay open. Let your questions guide you toward your next level of mastery.

Compassionate Communication
Working with women navigating scars, trauma, and body changes has taught me that true connection starts with listening — not fixing. The ability to hold space, build trust, and communicate with warmth has been just as critical as any technical skill. My advice: speak with kindness, always, and honor the story behind the skin.

Purpose-Driven Adaptability
Entrepreneurship, especially in this niche space, comes with constant change. What’s helped me grow is staying anchored to my ‘why’ while being flexible in the how. Whether it’s rebranding, shifting services, or learning new modalities, the goal has always been to serve women better. If you’re starting out: know your purpose, and let it lead you through uncertainty.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

One of the greatest challenges I’m currently navigating is the constant balancing act between being present as a mother and partner, while also building a purpose-driven business that demands my time, energy, and heart.

As a mom of two, I carry the weight of wanting to be fully available — emotionally and physically — while also leading The Skinstitute with the intention and excellence my clients deserve. The truth is, there’s no perfect balance, only a series of daily choices. Some days I feel like I’m thriving. Other days, I’m just doing my best to keep the pieces moving with grace.

What’s helping me is being intentional with my time, asking for support, and letting go of the idea that I need to do it all at once. I’ve learned that presence, not perfection, is what matters most — whether I’m at home or in the treatment room. I also surround myself with a community of women who remind me that I’m not alone in this, and that there’s strength in showing up with honesty.

This chapter is teaching me to lead with both structure and softness — and to trust that I’m building something meaningful, both in my home and in the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.skinSD.com
• Instagram: @theskinstitutesd
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tam-patel-rdh-mba-1153488/

Image Credits

Hannah Claire Photography
Destynie Paige Branding