Meet Dr. Shanthala Shivananjappa, MD
Dr. Shanthala Shivananjappa is a Harvard–Yale trained, board-certified physician, Top Cosmetic MD in Peabody, serving North Shore Aesthetics Community since 2014 restoring natural beauty & confidence. She brings 30 years of clinical experience and a deeply personal journey that led her to the field of aesthetic medicine. Dr. Shanthala’s career began in the operating room, where extensive training in anesthesiology, and intensive care built a foundation of precision and patient safety. Years of managing complex surgical cases honed advanced skills in ultrasound guidance, injectables, and anatomy—skills that now translate seamlessly into aesthetic medicine. This background ensures not only a mastery of technique, but also an unmatched commitment to safety, risk management, and patient-centered care.
About Dr. Shanthala Shivananjappa, MD
For most of her career, she served as a staff anesthesiologist at MGH, Yale, and other Boston-area hospitals, caring for patients in operating rooms, intensive care units, and during some of the most complex surgeries—from plastic surgery to neurosurgery and thoracic procedures to liver transplants and open-heart operations. As a former assistant professor at Yale and a specialist in ultrasound-guided regional block techniques and peri-operative pain management, she combined technical precision with compassion in every patient encounter. ShanthalaMD is an exclusive MD-Owned, MD-onsite and MD-performed Med Spa in North Shore Boston since 2014.
from challenge to purpose in aesthetic medicine
Her path into medical aesthetics began unexpectedly—but purposefully—after her oldest daughter experienced a complication following a routine laser hair removal treatment. That moment of fear and responsibility became the spark that drove her to study laser technology and the wider field of non-surgical aesthetics. What began as a mother’s mission to protect her child grew into a professional transformation. Her Laser & Aesthetic Center is well known for MD performed Laser Resurfacing & Aesthetic treatments in North Shore Boston.
physician only care model
Dr. Shanthala devoted years to intense learning about the science and tissue interactions of laser technology, anatomy of aging face, and art of aesthetic injectables building a deep understanding of its applications. Along the way, she received guidance and insight from respected dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and innovators in the field. Exposure to global leaders at international conferences shaped her vision of using cosmetic procedures to restore beauty and support patients’ confidence with integrity. Her MD only Center in the Boston, MA area is well recognized for advanced Laser Coring, Dermal Fillers Ablative and Non ablative laser resurfacing and Injectables.
Patient Centered Results
Her guiding philosophy has remained constant: Education before intervention. Honesty before business. Medicine before marketing. Dr. Shanthala is respected for her expertise for MD only aesthetics and MD performed Laser & skin rejuvenation, helping patients achieve natural results with safety and precision.
At her Peabody, Massachusetts practice—serving the North Shore, Greater Boston, and patients internationally—Dr. Shanthala personally performs every procedure. There are no sales pitches, no unnecessary treatments, and no shortcuts. Many patients leave consultations not with a procedure, but with clarity, confidence, and a long-term plan. As she often reminds her patients: “Sometimes the best treatment is knowing what not to do.” Shanthala MD skin rejuvenation combines laser resurfacing, and facial sculpting to restore beauty, confidence, and integrity in every patient encounter.
Innovative treatments and technology
She specializes in advanced injectables, skin tightening, regenerative aesthetics, and cutting-edge laser procedures such as UltraClear™ Laser-Coring. As one of the few physicians in Boston offering this technology, she continues to share her expertise at international medical conferences and through respected journals such as the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. Discover the difference with ShanthalaMD — trusted for over a decade in advanced injectables, MD skin tightening, and MD Laser Resurfacing.
Beyond her clinical skill, Dr. Shanthala is guided by the values of her own mother’s resilience and by the responsibility she feels as a mother herself. Patients consistently describe her as more than a physician—they see her as a teacher, an advocate, and a trusted guide. With over 500 five-star reviews on Google, RealSelf, and social media, her reputation reflects a commitment to artistry, safety, and integrity.
International Speaker, Educator, & KOL
Dr. Shanthala is recognized worldwide as both an avid learner and educator in aesthetic medicine, frequently invited to share her expertise at leading international conferences. Over the past decade, she has presented on advanced laser techniques, exosomes & scar treatments, and patient-centered protocols at some of the most respected global meetings, including: IMCAS Paris, IMCAS Asia, IMCAS America, DASIL & 5 CC World Congress, SCARS International Conference, Dubai Derma, Korea Derma, Non-Surgical Symposium, Australia, Dermacon, India
Her role as a global educator and leader reflects a career built on innovation, scientific rigor, and a dedication to advancing the safe and effective use of lasers in aesthetics.
Clinical Contributions & Recognition
Dr. Shanthala’s commitment to advancing safe, evidence-based approaches in aesthetic medicine has been reflected through her clinical contributions and recognition at respected venues:
•American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS): Proud member & Accepted Abstracts as poster presentations – “Evaluating the Efficacy of Combined 2910 nm Fiber Laser and Dermal Fillers for Facial Rejuvenation: A Review of 10 Case Studies”
•Journal of Drugs in Dermatology (JDD): Published perspectives on exosomes and wound healing, contributing to peer-reviewed dialogue in dermatology.
•MedEsthetics Magazine: Featured as a thought leader in the Newsmakers section, sharing insights on combining exosomes with lasers and RF microneedling for acne scar treatment.
These contributions, though modest compared with the pioneers in the field, underscore her steady focus on clinical excellence, safety, and innovation in aesthetic medicine.