Terrah Gavrilos, Nurse Practitioner at Pinnacle Dermatology, is a dual Board Certified Nurse Practitioner in Family Practice and Pediatrics with specialty training in dermatology, aesthetics, and plastic surgery. After obtaining her Doctor of Nursing Practice at Rush University in Chicago, she began to practice a blend of dermatology and aesthetic medicine as a nurse practitioner. With years of experience in both dermatology, plastic surgery, and aesthetic medicine, Gavrilos has refined her practice at Pinnacle Dermatology (previously VanDam Dermatology) in Barrington at the Foundry.

Now a Barrington resident, Gavrilos spent her teenage years figure skating at Barrington Ice Arena. “Everything about the Barrington community is delightful—the people, the little white fenced horse farms, and the country living,” says Gavrilos. “I grew up on a farm in Gilberts, so I have a habit of stopping to smell the roses. I need to feel the wind blow through the big oak tree leaves, I love to drink coffee, and hear the birds singing. My family lives on a five-acre plot in Barrington and I finally feel like I am home.”

Being in medicine and health care for decades, Gavrilos has a detailed understanding of anatomy; stating that “safety within my practice is paramount.” When consulting with patients looking to slow the aging process, she first appreciates their own unique beauty and looks to enhance it. As an artist in many different mediums over the years including pencil, charcoal, and photography, Gavrilos has a detailed understanding of light and structure. Skin health is a priority and Gavrilos recommends an annual skin exam to every patient. “To me, beauty and health are interchangeable,” says Gavrilos. “I love dermatology because I am often able to take care of everyone in the family from babies with eczema, teenagers with acne, to adults’ full skin exams, and elderly with skin cancer.”

“Plastic surgery, dermatology, and medical aesthetics is about both treating disease as well as complementing natural beauty with cutting edge medicine and medical therapies,” says Gavrilos. “The skin, being the largest organ of the body, protects us from external elements on a daily basis and it is our responsibility to care for our skin like any other organ. Our life, our health, and our confidence is dependent on the wellness of our skin,” says Gavrilos.

ON HER NIGHTSTAND

Skin care and anti-aging are a big part of my nighttime regimen. After putting my little ones to bed, I make it a priority to treat my skin with a little TLC. I first apply my prescription retinoid and hydrate my skin with ZO Growth Factor Serum.

IN YOUR EARBUDS

What do I listen to when I do dermatologic surgery?! My go to is Nina Simone, Andrea Bocelli, and Ed Sheeran. I do take requests though.

ON HER MOBILE

What isn’t on my phone? I utilize medical resources such as UpToDate and Visual DX on a regular basis. I am also a photography hobbyist and utilize the mobile Photoshop Lightroom application. Of course, my Instagram is a big part of how I educate my community regarding skin cancer prevention and anti-aging. Check it out @injection_artist.