There’s a certain energy that comes from sitting across from someone who genuinely loves what they do. Spend just a few minutes with Dr. Elizabeth Rostan, founder and owner of Charlotte Skin & Laser, and it becomes immediately clear that her passion extends far beyond cosmetic dermatology. For her, it has always been about helping people feel like the best version of themselves, inside and out.
Originally from Clemmons, North Carolina, Dr. Rostan’s roots run deep in the Tar Heel State. She attended University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for both undergraduate studies and medical school before completing dermatology residency training at Duke University. Though she trained with some of the brightest minds in medicine, she jokes that she remains “Carolina Blue through and through.” Her husband Robert, a Davidson College graduate, also shares a medical connection as his father was a dermatologist as well.
Dr. Rostan’s fascination with cosmetic dermatology began during residency while working alongside renowned dermatologist Dr. Sheldon Pinnell, founder of SkinCeuticals and a pioneer in topical Vitamin C research. She later trained under laser innovator Dr. Richard Fitzpatrick, widely known for advancing laser skin resurfacing and modern cosmetic procedures.
“These were the very early days,” she recalls. “We were bringing fillers in from Europe and studying brand-new laser technologies for skin rejuvenation.”
That early exposure to innovation shaped not only her career, but the philosophy she carries into her practice today. With a focus on continuous learning, mentorship, and customized patient care, Dr. Rostan lectures professionally while leading a team of physician assistants, nurses, estheticians, and laser specialists she has personally trained and mentored.
“What’s so rewarding now is that the people I’ve mentored also teach me,” she smiles. “We work collaboratively to create individualized treatment plans that truly serve each patient. Today’s treatments are regenerative. We’re not just improving appearance; we’re improving the health and function of the skin itself.”
Outside the office, Dr. Rostan embraces life with humor and optimism. She adores her four dogs, enjoys horseback riding, and continues chasing improvement on the golf course despite what she laughingly calls her “delusional optimism” about the next round. She and her husband also treasure time spent at their home on Lake James, where she proudly still slalom skis each year.
Although her demanding schedule has limited travel over the years, she’s begun carving out more adventures, including trips to Italy, Canada’s Lake Louise, and the United Kingdom. Africa remains high on her bucket list.
Still, when asked what makes her proudest, her answer comes back not to awards or accomplishments, but to people: “The greatest honor and reward has been the trust of my patients,” she gratefully acknowledges. “Being allowed into their lives and helping them through the years is something I will never take for granted.”
