Meet Our Providers
AT SANTA FE SKIN INSTITUTE
Nizhoni Denipah, M.D.
Otolaryngologist
Head and Neck Surgeon
Dr. Nizhoni Denipah brings a wealth of expertise and a compassionate, client-centered approach to every visit. She earned her medical degree from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and completed her Otolaryngology (ENT) residency at the University of New Mexico Hospital, where she developed a strong foundation in facial anatomy, precision, and detail-oriented care.
Lily Love, M.D.
Otolaryngologist
Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
Lily Love, MD is a skilled, compassionate physician at Santa Fe Skin Institute in Santa Fe, New Mexico. A proud native Santa Fean, Dr. Love is honored to care for the community she was raised in. She is known for her thoughtful approach, attentive listening, and commitment to helping clients achieve natural-looking results that support long-term skin health.
Nataliya Afanasyeva
Medical Director
ACNP-BC
Nataliya Afanasyeva, ACNP-BC, is a skilled, compassionate provider at Santa Fe Skin Institute in Santa Fe, New Mexico. With advanced training and an artistic eye for natural-looking results, she takes time to understand each client’s goals and create a personalized plan that helps them look refreshed, balanced, and confident.
Jessica Gonzalez
DNP-BC
Dermatology Certified Nurse Practitioner
Jessica Gonzalez, DNP-BC, is a skilled, compassionate provider at Santa Fe Skin Institute in Santa Fe, New Mexico. A proud Santa Fe native, Jessica loves caring for the community she calls home. She’s known for her warm, client-centered approach and for taking the time to understand each person’s goals—then creating a thoughtful, customized plan to support healthy, glowing skin and natural-looking results.
Our Team
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Elena Romero
Licensed Esthetician
Medical Assistant
Face Reality Acne Specialist
Elena’s love for skincare began with a personal mission to solve her own skin struggles—and she quickly discovered how life-changing healthy, glowing skin can be. Today, she brings that same passion to every client, helping people feel confident, radiant, and truly comfortable in their skin.
Known for her gentle touch and results-driven approach, Elena specializes in acne care and skin rejuvenation. She believes the best outcomes come from customized treatment plans that combine in-office services with supportive education—so you always know what’s happening, why it works, and how to maintain your results.
Her go-to skincare secret? SkinPen® microneedling paired with a consistent home routine—because real transformation is a team effort.
Elena is proudly certified in Scarlet RF, SkinPen®, Magma Laser, BBL HEROic™, dermaplaning, and chemical peels, and she is a Face Reality Acne Expert. Her favorite treatments to perform are SkinPen microneedling and Face Reality acne protocols, because she loves seeing confidence return—one glowing face at a time.
When she’s not in the treatment room, Elena enjoys exploring Santa Fe’s food scene—especially dinner at The Bull Ring.
Shunay Cdevaca
Licensed Esthetician
Medical Assistant
Shunay is a licensed eesthetician with nearly 20 years of experience in medical aesthetics, proudly serving the local community with dedication and expertise. She specializes in laser and light-based treatments, with a strong focus on safety, efficacy, and results—helping clients improve skin tone, texture, clarity, and overall radiance.
Passionate about continuous growth, Shunay actively pursues ongoing education through advanced trainings, seminars, and industry certifications to stay at the forefront of aesthetic technology and best practices. Clients love her for more than her technical skill: she’s known for her calming presence, exceptional communication, and the supportive relationships she builds—ensuring every client feels heard, comfortable, and genuinely cared for.
Shunay is thrilled to be part of the Santa Fe Skin Institute team and looks forward to helping clients reach their skincare goals with personalized, high-quality care.
goals.
Antonio Gonzales
Licensed Esthetician
Medical Assistant
Antonio Gonzales is a licensed esthetician with a passion for skincare, vintage fashion, and all things beautifully timeless. Known for a detail-driven approach and an eye for self-expression, Antonio creates elevated experiences that help clients feel confident, refreshed, and glowing.
Antonio is certified in custom facials, Aquafirme facials, and dermaplane facials. His favorite treatment is a custom facial, especially in collaboration with Elena, because personalized care and expert teamwork consistently deliver standout results.
His skincare philosophy is simple and effective: consistent exfoliation and daily sun protection—the foundation for radiant, healthy skin. One of his go-to product picks for a smooth, polished glow is ZO® Exfoliating Polish.
Outside the clinic, Antonio enjoys discovering vintage and antique finds, spending time with friends over great food and cocktails, and relaxing with his two Shih Tzus, Taz and Gucci
Iris Sosa
Front Desk Coordinator & Medical Assistant
Born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Iris Sosa brings both heart and skill to the Santa Fe Skin Institute team. As a licensed esthetician and bilingual professional, Iris is committed to creating a welcoming, comfortable experience for every client—from the moment they walk through the door.
Her passion for skincare and aesthetics shines through in everything she does, from supporting treatments to helping clients feel confident and cared for throughout their visit. Iris’s favorite services include under-eye PRF and lip filler, which she loves for their confidence-boosting, natural-looking impact.
Her must-have product is ZO® Exfoliating Polish, a glow-boosting essential she swears by.
Outside the clinic, Iris enjoys spending time with her two pups, Chiky and Moni, and expressing her creativity through cooking and baking.
She is also the proud owner of Iris Beauty, her lash and brow business. One of her favorite local spots is Mariscos Costa Azul, where she loves the food and Santa Fe community vibe.
