A Practice Built Around the Individual

Koru Wellness Aesthetics was founded in 2016 by Vivian Chin, MD, MPH, with a simple philosophy: aesthetic care should help people look good for who they are, rather than make them look like someone else.

Over the past decade, Koru has grown into a boutique physician-led practice offering injectables, skin treatments, laser and light-based treatments, acne and acne-scar care, hair restoration, and professional skincare.

What has remained constant is the emphasis on individualized evaluation, thoughtful treatment planning, and natural-looking results.

The Meaning Behind Koru

The name Koru is inspired by the Māori koru, the form of an unfurling fern frond and a symbol often associated with new life, growth, strength, peace, continuity, and new beginnings.

Dr. Chin first encountered the term while living in New Zealand after completing postgraduate study in Health Sciences at the University of Auckland. Its themes of renewal, continuity, and returning to oneself resonated deeply and became the inspiration for Koru Wellness Aesthetics.

The logo’s three tendrils reflect the original vision for the practice. The mark also carries personal meaning: Dr. Chin’s late uncle helped shape the logo design.

Our Philosophy

There is no single treatment plan that is right for everyone.

Skin type, anatomy, medical history, lifestyle, tolerance for downtime, personal preferences, and long-term goals all matter. That is why consultation and education are central to the way we practice.

Sometimes the right plan is a single treatment. Sometimes it is a combination of treatments over time. And sometimes the best recommendation is to wait, choose a different option, or do less.

Our role is to help you understand those choices and make a decision that feels appropriate for you.

Physician-Led Care

Koru is led by Vivian Chin, MD, MPH, who evaluates and treats patients with an emphasis on anatomy, safety, proportion, skin health, and realistic expectations.

Clinical judgment matters in aesthetic medicine. We believe patients deserve the opportunity to understand not only what can be done, but why a particular treatment is — or is not — being recommended.

Beyond Injectables

Aesthetic care is not limited to Botox and filler. Koru also offers treatment plans for acne, acne scarring, pigmentation, texture, hair concerns, and general skin health through options that may include microneedling, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), chemical peels, laser and light-based treatments, medical-grade skincare, and customized aesthetician care.

A Boutique Upper East Side Practice

Koru is intentionally small. The setting is personal, the treatment plans are individualized, and the goal is to build long-term relationships rather than move patients through a high-volume treatment model.

We want patients to feel comfortable asking questions, understanding their options, and making decisions at their own pace.