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If there’s one thing celebrities know, it’s how to glow under the flashing lights. But what’s the secret behind their perfectly sculpted faces? Enter Karmen LaMer, founder of Toronto’s Tight Clinic, who has been on a relentless mission to bring the latest and most advanced skincare treatments to Canadians.
LaMer’s journey into the world of aesthetics wasn’t exactly conventional. She spent 15 years in the jewellery industry before a personal battle with cancer at age 30 changed everything. “I literally saw my face melting in front of me,” LaMer recalls of the toll cancer treatment took on her appearance. Naturally, she became determined to find non-invasive solutions to reverse the effects.
One fateful encounter with an article in Vogue about Forma, a then-unheard-of treatment in Canada, led her to quit her job, invest in the celeb-adored technology and take facial appointments right from her condo. “I would fully bribe the front desk lady with bottles of wine, like, ‘Look the other way!’ There were a thousand people coming up to my apartment every day.” Fast forward to now, and Tight Clinic is one of the most sought-after destinations for high-tech skincare in the city.
With an insatiable curiosity for global beauty innovations, LaMer scours the world—from Korea’s ultra-advanced aesthetic hubs to Japan’s skincare sanctuaries—to bring breakthrough treatments and products that celebs are loving straight to her clients. From NAD injections and exosomes to salmon sperm skincare (yes, you read that right), we sat down with LaMer to chat about the biggest (not-so-secret) skincare secrets of 2025.
What inspired you to bring these cutting-edge products and treatments to Tight Clinic?
“I love doing research—discovering new, hard-to-find treatments that actually work. When I first started in this industry, everyone was doing the same thing. I introduced Forma as one of the first in Canada—before that, the only option was traveling to LA and paying around $800 USD per session, which wasn’t realistic for most people. Seeing how excited women were to finally access it made me realize the importance of bringing innovative, effective treatments to them. I’ll go to Japan, Korea, anywhere in Asia to discover the latest innovations.”
How do NAD injections work to slow aging, and what results can clients expect?
“I’m the guinea pig for everything at Tight Clinic. I started NAD in October, going twice a week—just a small injection, a quick pinch in the stomach. Most people begin with 0.5 mL and gradually increase to 1 mL. Since your body stops producing NAD as you age, replenishing it is key—not just for hair, skin and nails, but also for energy and mental clarity. The brain fog disappears—it’s pretty unbelievable. NAD needs to build up in your system. Some clinics offer IV therapy, but they administer a large dose in a short time, which can cause side effects like feeling cold, achy and sick. It’s best to come twice a week for at least four weeks, and after that you can come twice a month or as often as you feel your body needs.”
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Salmon sperm (PDRN) in skincare sounds unconventional—what’s the science behind its benefits?
“PDRN is one of the most anti-aging things you can do for your skin. When I went to Seoul it was shocking—imagine one of the largest cities in the world, and on every block is just ten floors of plastic surgery clinics, skincare clinics… they’re everywhere. Department stores will be like ten to fifteen levels and there will be two to three levels dedicated to skincare alone. Over there, regulations are different and they’re able to inject PDRN. They’ll do a hundred little boluses in your face and you kind of blow up for a couple days, but then after the results are incredible. PDRN is amazing for cellular renewal of fine lines and wrinkles, for anti-aging, for creating collagen–all of it. It sounds disgusting, but it works! I have this serum that I’m obsessed with: The Mediucbe PDRN serum. There’s also a spray that I carry in my purse and I just mist my face with salmon sperm, all day long.”
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Speaking of LED therapy, it has also become a major trend in skincare, with at-home LED face masks gaining popularity. How does LED therapy benefit our skin in the long-run?
“LED therapy is so healing for people. It’s amazing for cellular renewal. People with acne scarring can sit under blue light and it’s going to kill bacteria and really really help. And red light is super anti-aging—the benefits are unparalleled. I ordered one of those giant panels that’s like four feet by three feet for at home.”
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What do you think will be the biggest skincare trend of 2025?
“This feels like the year of minimalism. Even our filler reps are noticing the shift—people just aren’t buying as much. The era of overfilled lips and puffy cheeks is over.
I think the biggest skincare trend of the year will be PRF (platelet-rich fibrin). It builds on PRP (platelet-rich plasma) but takes it a step further—by introducing a gel-like component, it becomes an injectable substance that can add volume to areas like nasolabial folds and under the eyes. It does everything PRP does but with an added plumping effect, and because it’s made from your own plasma, you can’t look overdone like with filler. I think a lot of celebrities are already on it, along with resurfacing treatments like CO2 lasers and light surgeries. Just look at Lindsay Lohan’s brand-new face. People want to look like themselves. Remember when, ten years ago, Kim Kardashian didn’t even look like Kim Kardashian? Now, she’s in her mid-forties and looks better than ever.
The other treatment I think will be a big trend this year is HIFU (high intensity focused ultrasound). Think of it as the go-to treatment for anyone not quite ready for a facelift but wanting to tighten and lift. It works by targeting the SMAS layer. Imagine cooking a piece of bacon—as it crisps up, it shrinks and tightens. That’s exactly what happens to your skin with HIFU.”
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