Those of you that have been following me for an extended period of time know I love social media. Dr. Sandy gave up social media for lent and I am certain she will have 5-500 snaps waiting for her from me come March 29th. One of my favorite Instagram accounts to follow is @whoawaitwalmart with over 145,000 followers. It’s ran by two of my insta-only-friends who show off all the best finds at Wal-Mart. I have legit made trips to Wal-Mart just from seeing their recommendations. It annoys my husband greatly. I’m certain all of my readers have been to Wal-Mart at some point and in true “whoa, wait. Wal-Mart!” fan girl style I feel the need to do a skin edition. So this blog will tell you all the skin products at Wal-Mart that will make you stop and say “Whoa, Wait!” and should def be thrown in your buggy!

1. Vaseline. Great for a moisturizer immediately after the shower, preventing infection in cuts and scrapes, removing make-up and helping wounds heal faster by preventing a “scab”. Get it for under 5 bucks here.
2. Benzoyl Peroxide(BPO). In my opinion, a great over the counter option for acne. Can be drying and will bleach your clothes so beware. Most people tolerate it well and see great results in their acne improvement. Many “direct sales” (pyramid, ahem) companies use it in their acne regimens but you can get it MUCH cheaper Here.
3. Adapalene 0.1% gel. This was a prescription medication that became available over the counter in 2017. Game changer. It treats acne and evens out skin tone and texture. If you have discolorations, brown spots, dull skin, large pores or really any imperfection you need this in your life. Start it slow, like once per week and add one day weekly until using nightly. Use with a moisturizer. Can not use while pregnant nor breastfeeding. You can get it for under $15 here.
4. Speaking of moisturizer I am personally a huge rose hip oil fan. I use it on my face as a moisturizer and on my hair for shine and smoothing. One drop goes a long way and it’s all natural. Be warned just like we get a rash from poison ivy you can develop an allergy to Rose hip oil. Here is the one I use.
5. Albolene. It’s what I use to remove my eye make-up. It feels greasy out of the tube but just melts away your make up making it easy to wipe away. You don’t understand until you try it, just thank me later!

Hope you all feel a little bit better about what’s in your skincare tool belt next time you leave Wal-Mart!

Have a Skintastic week and remember more expensive doesn’t always mean higher quality,  Nina

Share

Having a career is a little bit like being married. To be happily married both people must work at it for success. Commit to good times and bad times and continuing to work together. When I go to work I have to work at it, at the relationships with my patients, my co-workers, my bosses and my colleagues. Sometimes I get in a rut with these relationships and sometimes I have a weekend like this where everything feels perfect. This weekend I was honored to work with other mid-levels from around the country on a project for Galderma. I got to know some of the Galderma team better reminding me that there are still good people in pharmaceuticals. People that ultimately care about healthcare and patients having good outcomes. I got to chit chat with other midlevels that are smart and amazing and see how they do things. I got to travel along side Honey, JDs very own Physicians Assistant who makes me a better healthcare provider and better person. Who has become more like a sister than a friend or co-worker. I was honored/surprised/shook to be the only Nurse Practitioner on a panel of 10 other Physician Assistants. Representing nursing in Dermatology has been such an honor over the past 6 years as an advanced practice nurse at JD. I came home to a blog written by Dr. Sandy that once again proved I work for one of the best individuals on earth. My point is that if you don’t love what you do, do you love the people you work with? Because I love what I do but partially because I love the people I work with and the relationships I have made. When I have a bad day all of these relationships make it better and remind me how awesome the derm team I have really is to the world. Luckily, I feel like I am on my Dermatology honeymoon and I’m on year six! Also, very luckily(and with a lot of coffee and wine) I am still very in love with the man I fell for 13 years ago, Jarrard Copeland. I don’t know how I got so lucky to be happily married to a great man and a great job but I sure feel blessed and praise God for it all. Thank you Galderma for an excellent trip from a great company. Thank you Honey for being my work sister. Thank you Dr. Sandy for my dream job and this excellent blog post. Thank you to everyone that helped me become a Nurse Practitioner. Thank you Jarrard for being my husband. Thank you God for all these blessings.

From Dr. Sandy:

A few weeks ago I was honored to be the only Physician speaker on the main stage for the 2018 Allergan National Sales Meeting. It was exciting to speak in front of 1400+ people about JD. My talk was based on one of my favorite quotes from JFK…one person can make a difference and everyone should try. At the meeting, lots of people asked me about Nina and her blog. You loyal and faithful readers may have noticed that she has not been writing as many blogs. This is because she is spending her time working at JD, being a wife and mom and now helping her husband Jarrard in his campaign to be the next Sheriff for Sebastian County. While I was speaking about how everyone should try to make a difference, Nina and Jarrard Copeland were home really making a difference.

Jarrard is an amazing human as you could guess since he was able to marry Nina. I actually met Jarrard before I met Nina. He was serving as the face of the Fort Smith Police Department 12 years ago. You may remember seeing him on TV or reading his quotes in the newspaper. He arranged for Nina to rotate at our clinic as a nurse practitioner student. She rotated at JD, graduated at the top of her class and has been a very important provider at JD for 6+ years. As they say, the rest is history.

As for Jarrard, he retired after more than 25 years at FSPD. I am sure he was thoroughly enjoying being a house husband and stay at home Dad but heard the calling from Bill Hollenbeck to return to service. In my mind, this call from Bill to Jarrard is probably similar to what happens in the superhero movies when one superhero forces another superhero out of retirement to help fight crime and keep our community safe. As an aside both Bill and Jarrard are great personal friends so I can attest that they are both superhuman with amazing superhuman abilities and really hot, successful, skintastic wives. After all, behind every successful man is an amazing wife.

Over the next few months, Nina will be busier than usual helping Jarrard become our next sheriff. Make sure you check out all of the social media supporting Jarrard. Most of all make sure you get out and vote for Jarrard on May 22nd, 2018.

You can follow Jarrards Campaign at

Www.jarrardcopelandforsheriff.com

or find him on Instagram and Facebook @copelandforsheriff

Thank you Bill, Jarrard, and all of our public servants who keep us safe. Thank you also to your families who support you so that you can support us.

If you need more Nina in your life, follow her on JD Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook. Stay skintastic, Dr. Sandy

Hope you all meet your relationship goals at home and at work and don’t forget: We appreciate your vote, Nina

Share

How many of my readers wear make-up? I get asked every single day what foundation is the best available. The answer is not one single make-up is the best for everyone. I asked our make-up expert Brooke to write a blog for you guys breaking down the details on my favorite high-end foundations by Jane Iredale. If you have never met Brooke you are really missing out. I highly encourage all of you to schedule a consultation with her to get color matched and see what all the hype is about this Jane Iredale make-up everyone loves so much!

Jane Iredale

What’s the Perfect Mineral Foundation for you?

Let’s first talk about Jane Iredale mineral foundation products overall superiority. Jane Iredale is one of the cleanest mineral makeup lines with the highest quality ingredients possible. Unlike most makeup, Jane Iredale mineral foundation is made without fillers, chemical, dyes, or preservatives. Jane Iredale mineral foundations embrace your natural beauty with the purest minerals that improve the health of your skin. All the formulations of Jane Iredale mineral foundation look and feel weightless.

Most of the mineral foundation will work on any type of skin: dry, oily, acne prone, sensitive, and many more. What type of finish you like will play a role in choosing the perfect mineral foundation for you.

Now let’s see which of the four mineral foundations is perfect for you!

Amazing Base Loose Mineral Foundation

Finish: Luminous

Coverage: Sheer to full

This is a full coverage formula. You can apply multiple layers for a fuller coverage. Enough coverage it can be used as a concealer. This mineral powder foundation is for normal to dry skin or acne prone skin. It is made up of micronized minerals and oil free. It feels like your real skin with no makeup on, weightless. It is best when camouflaging and covering up sun spots, brown spots, bruises. It helps diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and conceals redness and minimizes pore size. Has a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) SPF of 20 and water resistant up to 40 minutes.

PurePressed Powder Base Mineral Foundation

Finish: Semi-matte

Coverage: Sheer to full

One layer for sheer coverage and adding multiple layers will be full coverage. This mineral foundation is for normal to oily skin or acne prone skin. It helps with redness and rosacea. It is made up of micronized minerals, contains antioxidants, and is oil free. There are over 20 shades for all women to help you find that perfect color for your skin tone. It helps diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It has a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) SPF 20 or SPF15 (depending on the shade) and water resistant for 40 minutes.

Liquid Minerals

Finish: Dewy

Coverage: Sheer to medium

This formula is best for normal to dry skin and those who want an anti-aging foundation. Good for sensitive skin. This mineral foundation will help plump, hydrate, calm, smooth and even out skin tone. It helps diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and pore size.

Glow Time Full Coverage Mineral BB Cream

Finish: Velvety/ Air Brush

Coverage: Full

This mineral foundation is a self-adjusting color that disguises blemishes and dark spots along with rosacea and redness. You can apply it with your hands to get a smooth and brighter look. The key is a little goes a long way, so be cautious when applying. It helps diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and pore size. It has a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) SPF 25 or SPF 17 (depending on the shade) and water resistant for 40 minutes.

Still can’t decide? Come by Johnson Dermatology anytime and we will color match you for FREE.

Thanks Brooke and congratulations on your engagement! Make sure you guys follow jdermatology on snapchat and johnsondermatology on instagram because we are doing lots of live injections and education there lately and you don’t want to miss out!

As always, stay hip, stay cool, keep warm and be skintastic, Nina

Share

Dr. Sandy is at it again!!! Who loves it when she guest post?!?!? This blog is a very important read for anyone considering cosmetic procedures! Enjoy.

What a great deal!? Or is it!? While scrolling on social media this weekend, a few sponsored ads appeared on my timeline. One was offering lip filler for $300 and the other was offering lip filler for $425. I am tempted to call and make an appointment. Wait! Hold the phone! I know better. If something sounds too good to be true then it probably is too good to be true. Since Nina and I are 2 of the 200 top injectors in the United States for Allergan, we know how much a syringe of filler costs. We also know there are different types of fillers. Heck, there are even different types of juvederm: volbella, vollure, voluma, ultra, and ultraplus. We also know that one can purchase Botox and fillers not from the FDA approved Allergan but from other countries or even from non approved or illegal sources. There are many reports of what can happen when one uses non approved products. An example of a catastrophe is reported in this article http://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/bad-botox-injections-lands-woman-in-jail-6524564

I also remembered that in addition to the cost of the filler and the payment to the injector, there should also be some cost for the building, furniture, cleaning supplies, photographs, consenting process, anesthesia, chiller, ice packs, follow up to ensure satisfaction, etc. Man I really should call some of these places to find out how they are offering lip injections at so low a cost. Anyway, anyone who researches results knows that it’s not the “filler”, but it’s the “filler”. What that means is that juvederm in Nina’s hands is not the same as juvederm in someone else’s hands. The product chosen is important but even more important is the placement of the product and the technique. The injectors at Johnson Dermatology have more than 30 years of experience injecting. Not only do we have years of experience, we also regularly participate in advanced trainings as both students and teachers. We also inject each other. Nina injected my lips with vollure in November and I love it. Last week during a Facebook live video, we injected Dani (one of our cosmetic coordinators) with volbella to turn her frown upside down.

We know that you have many options of who to trust with your skin and your injections. We thank each and every one of you who continue to trust us repeatedly for the care of your skin. We also thank you for continuing to trust us with all of your skin needs. We don’t just inject you…we are honored that you trust us to treat your rashes, spots, acne, skin cancers, psoriasis, eczema, etc. We are honored you trust us with your full body skin exams, your laser hair reduction, your skin care products and regimens, etc.

In summary, you will not find advertisements for lip filler for $300 nor will you find the lowest advertised price at Johnson Dermatology. What you will find is our name on the building as well as an amazing, well educated, experienced, skintastic team dedicated to providing you with priceless results. You will find a team who wants to provide you and every patient with the most effective, efficient, (cost efficient), empathic and empowering care—after all, this is our motto. You will find a team that wants to work with you yesterday, today and tomorrow to help you be the most skintastic person you can be.

We are hoping to pass JD onto our kids someday…you don’t do that by offering filler at outrageously low prices. You build a legacy by offering the best results at honest fair and competitive pricing. Again, thank you for your trust….I hope we continue to earn and deserve your trust. Stay skintastic.

Have a skintastic day, S

Share

Who has made their New Year Resolutions? I love this time of year when we look at ourselves and think about how we can be better. One year, 10 years ago I made my resolution to be positive about Fort Smith and make it my home. I was born, raised and educated in Fayetteville. I moved here late 2006 after becoming engaged to my now husband, Jarrard. He had been here for 20+ years and was a well known public figure for the FSPD. In Fayetteville I couldn’t go get gas without running into an acquaintance. In Fort Smith I had to go out to eat by myself if my husband was working and it felt like there were little to no yummy restaurants. It was a hard transition for a 23 year old. I had to resolute my negativity towards the move to make things better for myself. Now? Oh Now I LOVE this place. It’s growing into one of the coolest cities in Arkansas! I’ve made the best friends here and have fallen in love with some of our local small businesses. So this year while you try to reach your goals consider letting one of our local small businesses in Fort Smith help you out and you too will fall in love with this city.

If your resolution is…….

1. Get in Shape. Check out Barre One. This is the best shape I have ever been in in my life. You might have heard of barre before but if you have not taken from Jennifer Glover you haven’t lived. She is the most motivating, fun and energetic instructor you will ever meet. The new and improved location is in Stonewood village across from Mercy hospital. Conveniently located for when I have a heart attack my first class back. Check out their Instagram for all the details @barreone.fs
2. Eat Healthy. Try Perky Pantry. It’s our local version of hello fresh or blue apron. The recipes are much easier to follow, much quicker to cook and healthier. Consider coming to our event at JD January 16th at 5:30 and sampling their food. They will be offering 20% off a month of delivered meals that night only. Find out more at www.perkypantrygirls.com
3. Drink more water. Having trouble getting that water intake you need down? Try Carrot Dirt juices. Maybe not water but definetely a drink that packs a healthy punch! Try Kale bro, their pineapple and kale juice that will give you island vibes during these winter months.
4. Look your best. Become to comfortable in sweats and a t-shirt? No worries because Fort Smith is now home to some of the best boutiques in the state. Try Suite One or Hazels Haven, two of my personal favorites. Also, booming downtown now has Clothologie and The Valley Boutique which are so cute. While downtown check out the unexpected project, grab a cup of tea at Savoy Tea Co. or do an escape room.
5. Take care of your skin. Okay so I’m betting this is a less popular resolution but your skin is your largest organ so you better bump it up on the priority list. Come get a skin cancer check called a full body skin exam at Johnson Dermatology. We specialize in skin cancer. Get a free skin care consult and find out what products are HONESTLY recommended by a dermatologist! Let one of the top 200 injectors in the United States inject your Botox, Fillers and Kybella. Come check out the largest laser center in the River Valley! Whatever your skin needs and wants are this year we can help you achieve them.

Whatever you have to resolute I hope you all achieve your goals! I hope you utilize everything Fort Smith has to offer you. I hope I get to meet you this year! Come see me and the cosmetic team January 16th at 5:30 at the clinic. We are going to do live Kybella injections, eat Perky Pantry and discuss all things skin! It’s going to be a fun party! Happy New Year!

The secret of getting ahead is getting started.

Nina Marie

Share

Who is done Christmas shopping? If you are, what alien planet are you from? I mean how do you do it? Every year I find myself grabbing one last something on the 23rd. If you’re still looking for a few items, join the club. You’re in luck at JD because everyone has skin so you can’t go wrong. Something for everyone. Stop in and grab one of these for that special someone!

The perfect stocking stuffer: SkinMedica Facial Cleanser. On sale while supplies last for $20, usually $38. It’s a great facewash for teens, men, women, I mean anyone really.

The perfect skincare gift for someone that you have no idea what they like: SkinMedica holiday bags. They are a chrome bag great for traveling or just keeping make-up in. They have a travel size of skincare must haves in them so whoever receives it can start a full regimen. On sale for $100.

For that person you’ve been begging to use sunscreen all year: The BOB. Brush On Block. It’s a handle filled a powder sunscreen that brushes on clear. Men who refuse sunscreen because of the “greasy” feeling love this stuff. You can keep it in your golf bag or your motorcycle and it never melts and gets nasty. The best way to get your hunk in sunscreen? Buy it for him, buy the BOB, place it next to his toothbrush so he never forgets to apply. Works every time.

For the make-up lover: Jane Iredale brushes are 40% off. Guys. These are legit the softest brushes that have ever touched my face. I lurve them to the moon and back.

For everyone and anyone: Giftcards! While supplies last all giftcards over $500 will come in the holiday bag mentioned above! (That’s $100 of free stuff y’all!)

Merry Christmas everyone, Nina

Share

Last weekend I went to a grand opening party for a new salon in downtown Fort Smith called “Five Zero Four”. It was food, drinks, music, photo booth, some best friends and new friends. It was a night anyone would love. By far my favorite part of the night was hearing the new owner talk about her salon. She briefly spoke about the fact that the salon was her dream for downtown Fort Smith and she spent most of her time on the mic talking about her staff. She took the time to introduce every single one of her staff members emphasizing on all their strengths. She was beaming with pride as she spoke of how great each one was and how the teamwork is really what makes the dream work. It’s why I love Fort Smith, shopping small businesses and supporting great female business professionals in our community. That’s exactly what we have at Johnson Dermatology. It goes back to the old adage “you’re only as good as your weakest team member”. We have the best team at JD in all of Dermatology. It’s why you trust us with your skin. Not because you love me as your health care provider(although I know you obviously do) but because you love the gal on the phone that makes your appointment and you smile when you see the beauty that welcomes you into the front door. You’re amazed at how knowledgeable the team member that escorted you to a room was and you are impressed by the competency of the smart cookie at check out.  To top it off, they all enjoy their job and serving you. That’s why you trust all of us as a team. That’s what helps you choose JD. At our last cosmetic team meeting I asked the leaders what makes our patients choose us? What makes our laser team, make-up team, skincare team different? Why should Fort Smithians choose to trust us with their skin. Alice, our amazing lead laser technician wrote an entire blog post explaining why! That’s part of why our laser team is so special. They always go one step further than what the patient and Dr. Sandy asks of them. I would like to share with you why our laser team thinks you should trust JD. Proudly I introduce to you, via her writing, the lead laser tech of the largest laser center in the River Valley, Alice.

Why Choose Johnson Dermatology?

It’s the holiday season and everywhere you turn, businesses and companies are clamoring for your hard earned money by saying, “Choose us! We are the best!” Today, we have many more options to choose from on where we go to have laser treatments done. We also have MANY different laser/light devices to choose from and I know that can be overwhelming for many patients seeking treatment! Whether you are seeking medical and or cosmetic laser treatments, where you go can make a HUGE difference!
Before I was blessed to come and work for Johnson Dermatology, I was a patient here. My first thought when I decided to have a specific laser treatment done was, “I need to go see a Dermatologist.” That might just be the way I’m wired – I’m always the patient that if ANYTHING can go wrong, it happens to me – or it may have something to do with the fact that I’m overly cautious when it comes to having anything done to my face.
My second thought was, what Dermatology clinic do I use? The Dermatologist I had been using didn’t have any laser devices. I had been to Johnson Dermatology once before and I knew they had lasers, but I really wasn’t sure how well they did when it came to laser treatments. I had come in to see Dr. Sandy Johnson once before – the staff was nice and helpful, they were very attentive to me, but that was for a full body check to see if I had skin cancer – not to be treated by a laser that could potentially cause me harm.
When we’re looking for a service or a product we inevitably draw conclusions from things we hear from others, read on the Internet, and experience. “Word of mouth,” is a very powerful tool! We ask questions – Why this brand? Why this clinic? Why this service?
The REAL question is a matter of trust:

Why should I trust Johnson Dermatology for their laser services?
Physicians, just like companies, and their products/services have to earn a consumer’s trust. So, why, when I was a patient, did I trust Johnson Dermatology for their laser services? I loved their customer service, I truly had NEVER been to any doctor’s office before where they were so attentive to my every need, and I knew that, God forbid, if I did have a problem with my laser treatment that there would be a board certified Dermatologist to make things better.
Now that I am on the clinical side I can tell you MANY factual reasons why you should trust JD with your laser treatments. Here are just a few:
*We do over 2,000 laser/light treatments a year!
*We are one of the largest laser/light departments in the state of Arkansas! Why so many?? Because we want the best outcomes for our patients! Could we use an IPL device to treat for bruising? Yes, absolutely, but why would we do that when we have the best laser for bruising – a pulse dye laser! As Dr. Sandy says, “Why use a Swiss army knife to fix a problem, when all you really need is a hammer?”
*If you do have a spot that causes you, or us, concern we have a provider on staff that will look at it for you. You NEVER want to laser over an area that could possibly be cancer! For instance, we had a gentleman in here not too long ago that was in here for tattoo removal and he had a spot that caused us concern. The next time he was in the clinic for his tattoo removal, we biopsied the spot.
*At Johnson Dermatology, we have a combined 40 years of laser experience, with Dr. Sandy having 20 years alone! Did you know that Dr. Sandy studied and taught lasers in medical school? Dr. Sandy sat on the Arkansas State Medical Board for many years to advise the Board on lasers and their use. She currently is a national speaker on lasers as well.
*If you have a question – we are here to answer it. Part of our job as your laser provider is to educate you, so that you can have the best possible outcomes! Having laser treatments done myself, I know that having a laser treatment can create a lot of questions. We want you to ask us questions!
*Honesty and integrity – our providers and our entire staff take pride in our honesty and integrity to our patients. If you do not need a laser procedure done, I will tell you that you are not a good candidate for a laser treatment.
*Training – Our training does not stop! Trust me, laser technology is constantly changing! Because of this, Dr. Sandy and the entire laser team are constantly training as well as looking at different devices to give our patient the best possible outcomes!!
Why Choose Us? Because we’re The Best of the Best
For three years in a row we have been honored to receive The Best of the Best award. Ultimately, you as a customer have to make up your own mind about Johnson Dermatology. I know that trust is very hard to earn, and easy as pie to break. Trust is based on experience. It’s not our job to give you our trust; we’ve got to earn it.
Lastly, did you notice how many times I mentioned best outcomes for our patients! Obviously, we are patient focused – it is ALL about providing the best of care here at JD! So, I’m inviting you to let us earn your trust.
Sincerely,
Alice

Isn’t she amazing? Come in and meet her and our laser team in December because the entire month we are offering a FREE laser hair reduction for underarms package with all purchases of a bikini package!

Have a happy holiday season, Nina
“Teamwork is the secret that makes common people achieve uncommon results.” -Ifeanyi Onuoha

Share

Gratitude Celebration Week. GCW. My favorite week of the year at Johnson Dermatology.  We spend the entire month of November at JD trying to show an attitude of gratitude. We tell each other and our patients what we are grateful and thankful for and focus on our blessings. The week  of Thanksgiving we thank all our patients that trust us with their skin throughout the year with 20% off all cosmetic products and procedures. So today I want to tell you what you need to hurry in and stock up on this week!

1. Laser hair reduction package. Other than just the savings, laser hair reduction is safest when done without any tan or color from the sun. Since most people need 3-5 treatments once a month, now is the perfect time to start. Be ready for Summer without a razor!
2. Jane Iredale magic mitt. This is everyone’s favorite stocking stuffer. It’s a very gentle make-up removing cloth. Come in and stock up for the perfect stocking stuffer or small gift to give all your gal frands!
3. Botox. We all know botox is valued by the hands that it is in. Never have Dr. Sandy and I offered $8/unit Botox from our hands. Normally $12/unit, this week it is $10/unit and for elite members it’s $8/unit. It would be near impossible to find EXPERT hands letting Botox flow out of their needle at this low of a price. All I can say is, if you snooze you lose.
4. PRP. This is a procedure Dr. Nelson does for hair loss. He draws your blood, spins it down and injects the good stuff into your scalp. Initially you need 4 treatments and then you need maintenance treatments every 3-6 months. My advice? Get your initial treatments at a discount! Come in this week for 20% off! Without that initial sticker shock start up will be easy and maintenance treatments a breeze.
5. TNS essential serum. I call this stuff the breast milk of skin care products, no formula can exactly replicate it. These growth factors will give your skin life again. The antioxidant side will not let your skin go dry and dull this winter. It’s also the highest priced item I recommend for skin care. That’s why you should get it now, while it’s 20% off. Get the new larger size for even more savings! It’s a skinvestment you won’t regret. Glow girl!

Dont know where to start? Overwhelmed with what to do for your skin with all these options? No worries. I got you covered. E-mail Dani@johnsondermatology.com or Margaret@johnsondermatology.com for a free consult and let us get you to your skin goals!

Thank you so much to each and every one of you for taking time out of your day to read my blog. I’m so grateful for you all.

Happy Thanksgiving, Nina

Share

Having the upper hand usually means having an advantage in a situation. Unfortunately in skin, aging of the hands usually doesn’t have the upper hand. Many of my patients complain their hands look much older than their true age. This might be because we are better at applying skincare products to our face than hands. It might be because we drive frequently putting our hands in the sun’s harmful rays while our faces stay shaded. Protruding veins and tendons tend to develop over the years as we lose the fat layer in our skin and our skin thins. Luckily, we have great treatment options for the hands. Here are some of my favorites.

1. Creams, serums, lotions. If you apply good skincare to your face pump it into the back of your hand first and apply from there. Whatever product you have left over on your hand just rub it in. SkinMedica total defense and repair sunscreen is a great hand option because it prevents premature photoaging and has antioxidants that repair Brown spots.
2. IPL. While not a true laser, the intense pulse light device is one of my favorites for hands. It has great results with treating brown spots and it helps to tighten the skin as well. We recommend 3-5 treatments for optimal results.
3. Radiesse. This is a filler that lasts 6-12 months in the hands. If your concern is crinkly skin and protruding veins and tendons then this is the option for you. It’s a quick in office procedure with immediate results and no real downtime.
4. ATV. This laser is great for specific brown spots that are driving you nuts. Great for people who don’t need the entire hand treated but just one or two spots. Very effective in results and cost.
5. Chemical peels. Although I do have this tool in the JD toolbox, in my opinion the lasers and devices we have are more controlled and offer the best results for the hands. I will commonly use a TCA peel for actinic keratosis on the arms and hands which need to be treated for medical reasons rather than solely cosmetic. This brings us to the point of how important it is to have your skin evaluated by a dermatologist before cosmetic procedures.

Don’t neglect those pretty hands. E-mail Margaret@johnsondermatology.com for your free consult ASAP because our Gratitude Week Celebration is coming up and all the procedures and products discussed here will be 20% off!

Feeling grateful, thankful and blessed, Nina

Share

When should you start considering Botox? When are you too young? When are you too old? Can you be too old or too young? These are good questions I am frequently asked. Today I’m going to try to answer them.

To know when it’s time for you to skinvest in Botox you first need to understand how it works and what it achieves. To understand how Botox works you need to understand what makes wrinkles. The wrinkles that we soften with Botox are lines in motion. That means when you squint repeatedly over the years crows feet develop around your eyes. When you scowl and pull your eyebrows closer together and down, over the years “11’s” develop. Years of muscles repeating the same motions basically etch those lines into the skin. In other words, lines in motion become lines at rest. Botox is a medication we inject into the muscle, not the skin. The Botox relaxes the muscle enough that it can’t etch those lines into your skin. When done by an expert injector, the muscle is not frozen but relaxed naturally resulting in softer lines at rest. Back to the original question, when should you start injections? In my opinion, this age varies from person to person. I believe you should get your Botox at the first sign of a line in motion becoming a line at rest. Don’t wait until you have a deep line at rest. The first sign, make a consult with an expert injector. Although the theory of prevention of lines with Botox is out there I feel it may not be necessary. Why relax muscles that haven’t even started to etch a line in when you can wait until the very first sign of an etched in line and get Botox resulting in no line? Yes, of course if you start now you will never get that line but save your money and start a good medical grade skincare line until you’re ready for Botox.
The difficulty lies in knowing what the first sign of a line a rest developing looks like. I assess skin everyday. I could tell every single person I see everyday if, in my opinion, they would benefit from Botox. Unfortunately most people don’t have that assessment skill. And why should you? That’s not your topic of expertise. That’s why it’s important to have a dermatologist. The only medical specialty that is specially trained in skin. No offense to the pyramid scheme skin care line you are using but Dermatology is where the experts in skin reside. Remember that and make an appointment. Let someone you trust with your skin assess you and let you know where you should be putting your skinvestment money. I have 20 year olds with deeper lines than some of my 30 year olds. I don’t have a particular age number for you as the answer to when to start Botox, but I do have the assessment skills and the knowledge to tell you when you’re ready. So be proactive. Go get a consult. Take control of your skin. The answer isn’t on the Internet. It’s at a dermatology office near you(insert wink emoji here).

Can’t wait to see you at the clinic this week. Gearing up for our Gratitude celebration in November and it’s going to be great!
Stay Skintastic, Nina

Share