Thank you Nina for allowing me to share my thoughts about choices with your readers. With gratitude to our patients who trust us with their skin care, especially their aesthetic skin care (products, Botox, fillers, laser, etc) (Dr.) Brad and I are spending the weekend with international experts in Dermatology and skin care. We were invited by Allergan to a VIP Summit this past weekend to view their worldwide headquarters and learn more about cutting edge skin care. This VIP Summit was comprised of Allergan leaders and a handful of physicians from the United States and Canada who they consider the top leaders in skin care. It is an amazing weekend.

Not only did I get to spend the weekend letting out my inner science nerd, but the weekend also provided me the opportunity to reflect on the choices we make in life. I have been very reflective about life choices lately. This may be for a few reasons. One is that we have two teenagers who have to make important (and not so important) life choices on their own every day. Also, this year marks my 20 year anniversary of becoming a physician and the 10 year anniversary that Johnson Dermatology has been open for business. Aside from choosing with whom to share your life, I think choosing your career path is one of the most important choices in life. I have been blessed to be able to do what I love.

I feel that I was called to be a physician and more specifically a dermatologist so there was no choice to make here. However, about 15 years ago when Brad was finishing residency, we had to choose where we were going to work, live and raise our children. He wanted to return to his hometown of Greenwood to live. I however considered a job at Amgen in California where I could do more research. I also considered staying on faculty at UAMS in Little Rock. I lastly reconsidered my original pre-Brad plan of returning to my hometown in Ohio and practicing with my mentor Dr. Bob Brodell. In the end, I/we made the right choice. We went back to Ohio while Brad completed a 2 year skin surgery and skin cancer surgery fellowship then moved to the Greater Fort Smith area to open Johnson Dermatology. Obviously, this was the best choice for me, him, and our family.

Standing in front of the vault at Allergan headquarters with Jag Dosanjh, senior VP and international superstar, I realized my life would be different if I made different choices but my life would not be better. I get to live and raise our children in the best community with my husband, his family and life long friends, as well as my parents and friends. I am blessed to go to work daily at a place that we dreamed up in our minds with a team that exceeds all of our expectations. I love that I have been given the honor of seeing some of the same patients for 10 years AND I get to see new patients daily. I love that some of the people I have been seeing for 10 years look younger and healthier now than when we met. I love that I am still involved with research and clinical trials offering cutting edge, not yet available treatments to our patients. I love that I am able to speak locally and nationally about skin. I love that I regularly work with media (nationally more than locally) about skin care. I love that we were the first to offer sculptra, voluma and now kybella to the River valley. I love that our clinic team continues to grow. I love that
some of the people who are with us now know and more than I will ever know—they make me and our clinic better. I love that all of our other providers Dr Brad, Dr Amy, Honey and of course Nina love skin almost as much as I do. I love that Shelly now manages more of the clinic. I love that Dani has excelled in her role as cosmetic coordinator; she gets almost as excited as me when a person feels better about themselves when their outer beauty finally matches their inner beauty. I could go on about each team member, instead I will say that we have an amazing team. Together we all strive for excellence in providing the most effective, efficient, empathic and empowering care. We know that every choice matters. My hope for you (me and all of us) is that not only do you make the “right” choice but that you feel good about your choices now and in the future.

I most likely wrote too much for a blog. If Nina and her skintastic bloggers however allow me, I will write again and share some of the amazing things I learned this weekend.When you are faced with a choice about your skin or skin care, please know that the JD team is wanting, willing and able to help you with your choices. When you look back on all of your life choices, I hope that you think your life might be different but not better. Stay skintastic!

Thank you Dr. Sandy for being a mentor, role model, friend and boss to me. This post was something I know my readers will enjoy. This past week we lost my Father-In-Law and it is during these difficult family times when you realize just how important the choice of career is to your life overall. How blessed am I that Dr. Sandy and the team at Johnson Dermatology wrapped their work family arms around me? The choice to work at Johnson Dermatology is one I would make over again a hundred times, one I look back on and know that my career could be different but certainly not any better.

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Johnson Dermatology staff recently attended a communication workshop. We are always striving to be better and communication is important for a successful team. During the workshop we discussed the “100 days of happiness” challenge. Essentially you challenge yourself to decide on one thing that makes you happy every day for 100 days. I thought to myself “welp, I’m happy already so no need to waste time on that activity”.  I’m blessed with healthy family and friends and happy to say I have many luxuries such as a good job, good looks and good wardrobe. What more could a girl ask for? But as I often do over my morning cup of coffee I reflected on the meeting and the happiness challenge. I thought to myself “Who couldn’t be happier?” and “Could I be happier?” and realized that there is always room for improvement. Even though I am content right now, that doesn’t mean I couldn’t be happier. Then, as I perused my social media I saw where one of my team members started the challenge. It made me smile. It made me happy to see someone recognizing the things that are good in life. It gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling to see someone whom I care about sharing their happiness. At that moment she made me realize that the happiness challenge isn’t just for yourself, it’s also to spread happiness and joy. So if you haven’t figured it out yet I’m accepting the challenge. But instead of the next 100 days I’m going to bring happiness to my blog. From here on out at the end of each blog post I’m going to post something that makes me happy. I hope it doesn’t come off as annoying or obnoxious but instead spreads happiness and brightens someone’s day. To kick off the happy challenge here are some tips to keep your skin happy.

1. Sun Protect. Angry skin is tan or even worse, sunburned. Keep your skin happy by using sun protective clothing and sunscreen this year.
2. Moisturize. Dry skin can itch, burn, crack and be prone to infections. Get a plain white  thick cream that comes in a jar such as cetaphil, cerave or vanicream and layer that stuff on thick especially when you get out of that shower while your skin is still moist.
3. Gently cleanse. Only use plain gentle cleansers. Cleansers with scrubs and beads or exfoliators will not make for a happy camper. They can cause redness and inflammation of your skin.
4. Throw away your magnifying mirror. If you can’t see small imperfections with a regular mirror neither can anyone else. Happy skin is self confident.
5. Get naked and get checked. See a dermatologist this year and get your skin cancer exam. We look you head to toe and make sure we don’t see any skin cancers or health issues with your skin. Your skin is the largest organ of your body. Get a wellness check to help keep it happy!

I hope you all have a very happy 2016!

Full of even more happiness than an hour ago, Nina

P.S. Today my happiness is brought to you by my husband who just did bath time with my kids all by himself!

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Latisse is a prescription topical solution that you apply to your eyelashes to make them thicker, longer and darker. I never used Latisse because I thought my lashes were already dark, thick and long. But  a few months ago I started applying Latisse to my brows and with what was left on the brush I put on my lash line. I have had so many compliments on my lashes that I am currently obsessed with my new lash look. This week our skin care consultant Kyana blogs about Latisse, her favorite product. Kyana is a shining star. She has an infectiously sweet smile. She always has a positive attitude and will  most certainly be someone that genuinely gives you the “feel goods”. She is someone that I truly enjoy being around at work because she brightens even the gloomiest of days. I hope you all have a little better day after checking out at Johnson Dermatology with Kyana. This weekend read what she has to teach us all about Latisse. From Kyana…..

Latisse is by far one of my favorite skin care products. I truly believe that first impression is crucial in our everyday life. One morning I came in to work and in less than 7 seconds Nina said “I love your skin!” This gave me confidence for the rest of the week. Every interview I have been on has taught me that I have 7 seconds to make that “wow” factor. Now all my first impressions are telling me how long and beautiful my lashes are since I started using Latisse! Latisse takes 16 weeks to see optimal results. It makes the lashes thicker, darker and fuller. It’s made by the Allergan Company and they have a loyalty program called Brilliant Distinctions. When you get your Latisse at Johnson Dermatology you will earn 150 points with the purchase of a 10 week kit and that is a $10 coupon for your next purchase towards the SkinMedica skincare line, Botox, Juvederm or Voluma.

Patients ask us all the time about the difference between Latisse and eye extensions so I would like to explain the differences here.

Eye lash extensions: They can range from $150 to $500 for first set. It takes up to 3 hours scheduled time to have the first set of lashes put in place. They last about 3-4 weeks then you can schedule monthly maintenance appointments that typically last about an hour. When looking for a professional lash expert, make sure the adhesive glue is FDA approved. Sometimes lash adhesive glue can cause irritation on eyes. After the lashes are in place there are care instructions. Depending on the type of lashes, your lash specialist will tell you how to take care of them. For about 24-48 hours you cannot get them wet or rub them. You will need to use oil-free based products. They are artificial and range in length, color and thickness.

Latisse: At Johnson Dermatology the 10 week kit costs $179. According to www.GoodRx.com ,(a website that helps you find local drug prescription prices cheap, highly recommend) Walgreens sells the 10 week kit for $188. Be careful because the lower prices at local pharmacies are usually the 5 week kit so verify size of bottle when you price check. Latisse is easy to use. The kit consists of brushes and the Latisse bottle. Put one drop on the brush and swipe along lash line. We recommend using it in the morning although it is okay to use at night too and it takes less than a minute to apply. After you have applied daily for 16 weeks, apply once to twice a week for maintenance. If you choose either Latisse or Lash Extensions please research the pros and cons!

Allergan is currently having a special, if you buy the 10 week kit the company Allergan will send you a free 5 week kit which will complete the 16 weeks. Come see me anytime to talk about your lashes! Latisse is a prescription you will need from one of our providers but any of our skin care consultants can assist you with any questions.

Thank you Kyana for this excellent guest blog post. I have so enjoyed hearing from all of our skin care consultants on my blog. Hope you all enjoyed the series as much as I have.

See all you shining stars this week at the clinic!

xo, Nina

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The next contributor in our skincare series is the backbone of skincare products at Johnson Dermatology. She’s not only our office manager but the head of products. She does so much research on products that I often times use her as a reference. She is such a wealth of skincare product knowledge that when she agreed to write a post on my blog I blushed I was so honored. Shelly is excellent at helping our patients decifer labels and find the truth about their skin care products. I asked her to write some suggestions on how to choose skin care products and not get fooled by all the hocus pocus marketing ploys. So without further delay, here are Shelly’s Tips and Tricks of picking products for your skin!

It amazes me in today’s society with all of the access to information that so few people are aware of the basics of skincare and how to find a truly good, effective product for their skin. There’s a lot of trendy, fun information on facebook, instragram, snapchat, you tube, beauty blogs, etc. Just like everyone else, I get sucked in to reading the on trend things like the new smoky cat eye, the no make-up ,make-up look, and the official Pantone color of the year that the supermodels, movie stars and Kardashians of the world are flaunting. Sometimes, though, it is refreshing and comforting to know the classics and the basics that are timeless. Nothing is more timeless and classic than having great looking skin. I feel blessed to have learned from the best some tips on choosing the right skincare and I’m excited to share them with you.

There is no need for a fancy, expensive moisturizer. Moisturizer does not make any change to your skin other than keeping it hydrated. Moisturizer is mostly water and a little oil or in the case of oil based moisturizers, mostly oil and a little water. I for sure do not want to overpay for water and oil since there are lots more fun things to spend my money on like new shoes or a cute, new outfit. I meet lots of people who are in love with their fancy, department store moisturizer because they truly feel it changed their skin. If your skin is dry the wrinkles look worse, a moisturizer may temporarily help the appearance of wrinkles causing you to feel like it did something. Think of rehydrating a raisin in a bowl of water to make it look more like a grape again. Retinol (physician or prescription strength) is what improves the texture of your skin. We say this over and over because it is the truth.

Cleanser is another item that basic is better. Scrubby beads are a big no-no unless it is our AHA/BHA cleanser from Skinmedica with dissolving beads. Scrubby beads are so bad that they are actually in the process of being banned through legislation because they are harmful for the environment too. Medicated type cleansers may not be the best for your skin unless they were specifically recommended by your skincare provider. I like cleansers with less than 10 ingredients.

At Johnson Dermatology, we have over 30 years of combined skin care experience. The exciting thing is we are still learning new tips and tricks for you. I get questions daily from patients about my opinion of the skincare products sold by their very sweet, dear neighbor who brought them a casserole when they had surgery. Our loyalties run deep to those who take care of us in our times of need. I am certain that your neighbor made a fabulous casserole which we would all find delicious. However, do you want to trust your skincare to someone who has little to no training when there is so much to learn about the health and optimal appearance of your skin? The same can be said for most of the products you will find at what I call the beauty superstores. You cannot typically find a product that has strong enough active ingredients to cause long term skin changes unless you purchase it from a physician who is allowed to sell physician grade skincare. Proper use of strong, effective skincare requires patient education which is why you cannot find it in these places.

Sunscreen is an absolute must. This is the cheapest antiaging product available. I recommend a physical sunscreen over a chemical sunscreen. It is better protection and less irritating. You need to look for zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, spf of at least 30, and UVA/UVB protection. Infrared protection is the latest and greatest in this category. It protects against the deeper penetrating rays that contribute to aging and damage. This will be harder for you to find unless you are in the know about Skinmedica’s TD &R. This is a win/win product since it provides this protection as well as antioxidants to help repair the skin. For those with oily/acneic skin, mineral powder sunscreen is great.

And last but not least, complicated is not better. I am asked frequently to evaluate various skincare lines. One of the things that will get an automatic strike from me is the lines that have more than 4-5 steps morning or evening. If I am considering that many steps, I am probably in denial of the need of a procedure and trying to achieve procedure level results at home with product. Trust me here; I am not going to get that type of results with cream and neither will you. Plus, I have better things to do with my time than stand in the bathroom for an hour applying 10 different lotions, potions, serums and creams.

WOW Shelly! You amaze me every single little skin day of my life! Happy New Year everyone! 2016 is going to be the best year yet!

Pop, fizz, clink, Nina

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So I don’t know if I have ever mentioned that I have the best job in the world. Honestly, the best! Not just because I get to do what I love all day but because I am pushed every day to learn more and to do better. I’m encouraged and motivated by my coworkers and my bosses. Dr. Brad and {especially} Dr. Sandy encourage us to take care of our skin and so it is no surprise that our christmas gift from them was a skincare regimen they recommend for almost all skin types. This week’s guest post is from Autumn, one of our awesome skin care product experts talking about this regimen.

Autumn is one of Johnson Dermatology’s longest standing employees. She has worked there longer than me even. She has always been a big part of products at Johnson Dermatology so her wealth of knowledge about them is abundant. Not only does she have personal training from Dr. Sandy but she has attended some of the largest learning conferences in the industry. Simply put, she’s a pretty big deal. I’m jealous of her skin and make-up on the regular. She is young, hip and smart which is the perfect combination for someone you’re trusting to guide you on products. Because we all trust her at JD we asked her to write about the products we got for christmas, how to use them and what they do. So here is a behind the scenes look at the skin care regimen that has all of us at JD looking so flawless.

AM regimen order used:

AHA/BHA cleanser

TNS Essential Serum (1 pump covers your face, neck, & chest)

Lytera

TD&R

PM regimen order used:

AHA/BHA cleanser

TNS Essential Serum

Lytera

Retinol

Product benefits:

AHA/BHA cleanser – This cleanser has 2 different acids so some of you may not be able to tolerate this cleanser twice a day. This cleanser will help lighten any discoloration by gentle exfoliation

TNS essential serum- This product is unique in the way it is packaged. It has 2 separate chambers. One chamber provides you with the growth factor and the other chamber provides you with 7 different antioxidants and 3 peptides. Growth factors help stimulate collagen growth.  This product will help improve fine lines, wrinkles, tone, & texture.  NOTE: when using this product we tell patients to use their “bunny ears” to pump out the product so that you get 1 full pump of each product.

Lytera- This is a lightning and brightening product. It helps lighten any discoloration and helps even out one’s skin tone.

Total Defense & Repair (TD&R) – This product is also known as a superscreen.  What makes it a superscreen? It not only protects against the UVA & UVB rays it also provides Infrared protection. The infrared rays make up a larger percentage of the sun’s rays than the UVA & UVB rays together.  We like to tell our patients that this product “protects & corrects”. While protecting your skin from the sun’s rays it also helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Retinol –This product is often referred to as the “little black dress” in your skin care routine. It passively exfoliates the top layer of your skin bringing the newer skin to the surface sooner. It helps lighten dark areas, shrinks your pores, and enhances the tone and texture of your skin.

WOW! Thank you Autumn for sharing your knowledge with us. I love how Autumn never tries to sell products to us or our patients, she just educates us on how they work and why they work. The result is we spend our money on products that WORK! For the first time in my life I have just a few products in my drawer instead of a drawer FULL of junk and dull, boring skin. Next time you’re at check out with Autumn go ahead and pick her brain!

Can’t wait for next week? Yeah, me either! Just loving this skin care series!

Hope to see you all this week for your last minute Christmas skin needs! We will be turning wrinkles into twinkles with lasers, botox, fillers, products and more on Monday through Wednesday, hope to see you there!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night, Nina

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SKIN CARE CONCIERGE GUEST POST SERIES

Skin care and the products you use are probably my most frequently asked about topics. People are constantly asking me for do’s and don’ts of products. It’s a crazy sea of choices out there and even I feel overwhelmed sometimes. That’s from where this series was brainstormed, the idea of “I can’t get through them all alone”. It’s literally impossible for one person to know every single skincare product out there. That’s why at Johnson Dermatology we have a team of skin care concierges. Dr. Sandy has created a dream team of  experts who together, are better at helping you than one person alone. So I asked our concierges if they would write a guest post on my blog talking about their favorite topic with our patients. AND I’M SO EXCITED TO SHARE THEM WITH YOU!!! Over the next 4 weeks you are going to get some amazing info and you don’t want to miss out!

The first guest post is from one of our newest skin experts,Kaylee. Between going to school full time to obtain her bachelor’s degree in Management and Marketing and being a round the clock mom to her chocolate lab, weego, Kaylee finds time in her busy schedule to educate patients at Johnson Dermatology on the benefits of great skin care and the difference it can make in the way your makeup looks and feels. Kaylee has been trained on proper makeup application and techniques and loves helping ladies find the right colors and products that will enhance their features and benefit their skin the most. So without further ado, to kick off the guest blog posts from the skin care expert team at Johnson Dermatology here are Kaylee’s EXCELLENT makeup tips to make makeup a SUCCESS! You’re spreading JOY with this one Kaylee!…….

When it comes to makeup, there are girls who love it and girls who hate it. I for one am a girl who loves it, although, it hasn’t always been that way. Growing up with four sisters I was the “guinea pig”. I was the sporty girl and makeup just wasn’t my thing. But with me being the youngest, you can imagine how my days after school went. With N’Sync playing in the background and with some willingness (but mostly not) I was plucked and prodded and made up like a pageant girl. It was really…“tearin’ up my heart.” Hahah…sorry, that was a crappy boy band joke. In junior high and high school, the extent of my makeup was a sheer powder and in my stubborn ways, I was not willing to use anything else. But recently, over the past couple of years, I have become a makeup fanatic. And lucky for me, I was able to have someone train me on the dos and don’ts of makeup. Along the way I’ve come up with some of my own techniques. Here are some tips on how to achieve a flawless, natural look!

Take care of your skin- The number one rule of thumb to keep your makeup looking flawless is proper skin care. Cleanse morning and night. Take your makeup off before bedtime. Use retinol regularly. A clean face will prolong the wear and look of your makeup. A quick way to remove your makeup is the Magic Mitt by Jane Iredale. The magic mitt is made of micro-fibers and fits over your hand to quickly lift up makeup and oils by using nothing but water. How easy is that?!

Invest in your brushes- I know it’s so terribly painful to spend $25 on one makeup brush, but in the end you’ll love yourself for it. Having good quality brushes really makes application quick and easy for you. Don’t forget to cleanse your brushes regularly! This will prevent buildup of bacteria.

Know the product you’re putting on your skin and make sure it’s right for you- There’s nothing worse than trying a new makeup and having your face breakout a day later. Do your research by asking your dermatologist. Our clinic’s favorite makeup line is Jane Iredale which is a Talc-free, mineral makeup that allows your skin to breathe while still giving you great coverage!

Get a color match- If you’re unsure if a color of powder or liquid foundation is right for you, ask a professional. Here at Johnson Dermatology, we do free color matches to ensure you have the best color for your skin tone.

Less is more- A lot of the time in the makeup world, less is more. You don’t need 12 lbs. of makeup caked on your face to achieve any look you want. A powder or a sheer foundation will do just the trick of creating a flawless look without it looking like you have a ton of makeup on. Top it off with mascara and a lip color and you will be set!

Know your best feature and flaunt it-Whether you have gorgeous green eyes or full lips, find what your best asset is and enhance it with some color. Jane Iredale offers a wide range of color in both eye shadow and lip product. My personal favorites are the Luscious Lip Crayon (this is awesome because it doubles as a lip liner and lipstick) and creating an eye look to go with it using 3 of Jane Iredale’s single eyeshadows; Allure, Supernova, and Merlot.

Last but certainly not least….RETINOL, RETINOL, RETINOL-Say it with me! This is the “little black dress” of the cosmetic world. Everyone needs it! It’s going to passively exfoliate your skin (without having to use a harsh scrub) by bringing a new layer of skin to the surface, all while helping unclog pores, reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles and improving skin tone and texture. Tell me who wouldn’t benefit from this?! Retinol will keep your makeup looking fabulous throughout the day!

Wasn’t that awesome? Hope you enjoyed meeting Kaylee as much as we enjoy her every day at Johnson Dermatology! Thank you Kaylee so much for helping me educate patients on good skin care products and make-up. I am so lucky to have you by my side saving skin daily! You guys, next week is a post about the skin care regimen every single employee at Johnson Dermatology uses! It’s a behind the scenes look into why you walk into our clinic and see all that good looking skin! If you want the secret, stay tuned!

Have a merry skintastic week, Nina

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Most of my patients have at least one brown spot. Sun damage or brown spots are a common problem for which my patients commonly come to me seeking advice. Right now is the perfect time to be working on your skin tone and fading away those brown spots. Before you start working on getting rid of discolorations on your face you should have them checked by a dermatologist. There are some skin cancers that often times can be mistaken for a normal freckle, liver spot, pimple or wound. Women commonly suffer from melasma which is brownish-gray patches often found on the forehead, cheeks and upper lip exacerbated by sunlight and/or hormones. Right now(winter) is the time to get aggressive with melasma. Unfortunately, most people come to me when they are tan and their melasma is worse during the summer when treatment options are more limited. Most patients’ goal should be for melasma to stay the same during the summer and to improve during the winter. With this cycle melasma will fade as time goes on instead of getting worse and worse over the years. After you #getnaked for a good skin cancer check here are some things your dermatologist may recommend for you to help with unwanted benign discolorations.

1. Sun protection- This includes sun protective clothing, sunscreen, avoiding the hottest part of day and seeking shade when possible. My favorite sunscreen right now is SkinMedica Total Defense and Repair. It protects against UVA, UVB and infrared rays. It also has antioxidants in it which improve fine lines and wrinkles. Oh and did I mention it comes in a tinted too?!?! It’s 3 products in one and feels like a powder going on, not a greasy sunscreen.

2. Retinol- Because what doesn’t retinol do? It will help take away damaged skin, including lightening and brightening those brown spots. Everyone not pregnant or breastfeeding should pick up one of these. I use a pea size drop of the SkinMedica Retinol 0.5 mixed with equal part of moisturizer to my entire face every other night during the winter for good tolerability.

3. Lytera- Lightener and brightener extrodanaire. This is my favorite product to put on at night. It’s smooth and creamy and luxurious. I use it for all the post inflammatory discolorations I have left over from acne. I use it morning and night. Next time you are checking in at the clinic, nonchalantly examine Daisy’s skin (she’s one of our AMAZING front office staff that helps you check in). She loves Lytera. We can show you her before and after pictures of Lytera after just 4 weeks and it’s crazy how lightened her brown spots are!

4. Chemical Peels- We do a lot of trichloroacetic acid peels at the clinic which are a middle of the road peel. It penetrates deeper than  a light peel but doesn’t have the downtime of a deep (phenol) peel. You can’t be tan when you have a peel done. Chemical peels can cause discolorations or scarring so I highly recommend you have your peel done with a dermatologist experienced in chemical peels. TCA peels can help with discolorations, blemishes and fine lines.

5. Heliocare-This is a pill you take that is made from the extract of a fern called polypodium leukotomos. It’s an antioxidant that helps protect your skin from sun damage. It’s not a sunscreen so you still need that but it does help your skin be protected from the damage the sun can cause.

6. ATV laser- Certain skin types and certain brown spots can be lasered. Some are not good candidates. Melasma isn’t treated effectively with laser but if your problem is just one small brown spot then the laser may be a good option for you. You do have a blister-like sore and as it heals it takes the spot with it.

7. Hydroquinone- This is a prescription “bleaching cream”. You can only use it for 3 months and it can’t be used during the sunny months of the year or it could cause discoloration. Most people don’t like the smell of it but I still keep it in my bag of tricks.

8. Make-up- Sometimes you just need a little mineral based make-up to cover those spots up. Our cosmetic concierges have an awesome make-up room with great products at JD.  If you’re in the market call and schedule a free consultation with them to check it out. Jane Iredale really does have my heart.

I hope these tips help you all out. I would love to evaluate all your skin needs. Cosmetic Dermatology really is a happy place. We are concentrating our efforts on spreading JOY this December at Johnson Dermatology so I will leave you with this Swedish Proverb…..

Shared joy is double joy!

Hope I’ve shared the skin joy with you this week, Nina

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Black Friday is out of control. So much so that people miss their Thanksgiving dinner, or worse, the whole day because they are camped out in front of some large store to get a deal on a TV. You’ve seen it…. the tents at Best Buy, the fights at Target, it all makes the 5, 6 and 10 o’clock news. I must shamelessly admit I have participated. There is something rewarding about being the person that got that deal everyone wanted. I really like to shop local though and this year I’m going to keep it local even on Black Friday. I love Fort Smith and how much it’s grown since I started calling it home. I like getting to know the  little shop owners and feeling like my money is contributing to my community. I want all the Fort Smith small businesses to thrive and be successful.

I’ve hardly been able to think about anything this weekend other than our “gratitude evening” tomorrow night at Johnson Dermatology. I’m so excited to have a fun time and see all your pretty faces while you shop our products. From 5-7pm we are saying Thank You to our patients with 20% off cosmetic procedures, lasers, make-up and products. Carrot Dirt Organics will be there with juice samples for you. Roots hair salon will have a braid bar set up so you can get a cute braided do while you pick up some of the best hair products known to man (they are bringing the davines line I use). We will have a tester bar of our GRASS regimen (come find out more if you don’t know what that means). So much exciting things happening I am giddy just typing this! But we aren’t the only ones enjoying Thanksgiving with some Black Friday deal madness. Here are some local shops that are celebrating Black Friday and I’m not going to miss it. Enjoy the Black Friday deals this year while keeping it local because I know you love Fort Smith and its citizens as much as I do! I’ll see you there!

1. Hazels Haven- Did you hear they are moving? Their grand opening is Black Friday at 4120 Rogers Ave in Williamsburg Square. They open at 10AM with the best specials so the earlier you show up the best deal you will get. Be the first to see the new location while getting amazing deals? Winning! Plus, I hear Sweet Bay Coffee is going to be there all day! Don’t miss it, you will need the caffeine!

2. Suite One- Are you an early bird that will stand in line for a deal? They are kicking off at 8AM and they will have 40% off the entire store for an hour.  BUT, the first 15 people in line get 50% off! Tell me you wouldn’t feel like a winner if you were one of the 15?!?!

3. Inscriptions- Are you going out Thursday night but don’t want to be standing outside in a cold a line?! Inscriptions is opening at midnight and having specials and snacks until 6AM!

4. Kens & Co- Have you seen how cute my kids dress? This shop carries half of their outfits. It’s a booth in Mama Says Emporium on Garrison and if you haven’t been, you must go. Black Friday she is having 10% off of everything (even already marked down items). But do you want to wait until Saturday to miss the Black Friday crowd? Head here for small business Saturday and get 15% off the entire booth!

5. Baby Chic- The other half of my girls outfits are from this store. She usually closes during the Black Friday madness but she is opening this year so you know it’s gonna be good. Baby Chic’s new location is in Green Pointe shopping center conveniently close to Carrot Dirt so grab some organic cold pressed juice for some shopping fuel while you’re there! Baby Chic will be open from 11AM-2PM on Friday and she is going to have a surprise special every hour! I’m going to have to go out of curiosity if nothing else, haha!

I really hope I get to see you guys tomorrow night at the clinic so I can personally say Thank You for trusting my skin advice for you and yours. If not, maybe I will see you around Fort Smith on Black Friday at one of our local small shops…. I guarantee there won’t be any physical brawls on scene at these classy little shops.

Happy Turkey Day to all, Nina

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I’ve really been focusing on making gratitude my attitude this month. I’m grateful for my blog readers. At the suggestion of my mentor this week I’ve really been thinking about excellence, not success. To sum it up, excellence is being your best self and success is more comparing yourself to others. Excellence often leads to success. It’s easy to get caught up in being successful and forgetting that sometimes success is not excellent. I want you all to know that I am grateful for this blog and I hope to make it more and more excellent. This week I’m shooting for a post that appeals to all of you. I think male or female, rich or poor, Arkansan or Oklahoman we all care about our skin health and how it looks. So this week I’m listing my general skin rules. Do your skin a favor and follow them for better skin health.

1. Be gentle. Scrubbing, exfoliating, wash cloths, loofas, washes with little beads, sugar scrubs and anything else that doesn’t feel like butterfly kisses from a toddler should not be a part of your regimen. These things can cause inflammation which can cause acne, dullness, redness, wrinkles and rashes.

2. Use sun protection, other than sunscreen. We all know that sunscreen is a good thing but protecting yourself from the sun with clothing and avoiding the sunniest parts of the day are even better. More and more frequently I’m reading articles about this concept. Wear sun protective clothing. Seek the shade. Avoid outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day. UV damage can cause wrinkles, brown spots, leathery looking skin and put you at risk for skin cancer.

3. Use good sunscreen. Too often I hear people say “It’s in my make-up” but usually that isn’t enough. The main things to look for are an SPF of at least 30, UVA/UVB (broadband) and water resistant. I usually tell people to look for the ingredient zinc as this is a physical rather than chemical sunscreen.

4. Use sunscreen correctly. Did you know sunscreen needs to be reapplied every 2 hours?  Even more often than that when swimming? Well now you do, so do it!

5. Use Retinol. It’s the tried and true. It has been researched more than any other anti-aging ingredient. It is the one thing almost all dermatologist agree on. No retinol is created equal. Talk to your dermatologist about a good one for you. I use SkinMedica 0.5 strength and most people love it as much as I do.

6. Get your skin a dermatologist. Dermatologists are skin experts. Skin is what their education focused on, skin is what they do all day, skin is what they know. Get a baseline skin cancer check. Get in a gown and let your dermatologist look at your skin from your scalp to your tiny pinky toe. Let your dermatologist recommend how often to have one done after that, most likely at least once per year.

7. Check your skin. Look at your skin and know your moles. I will often recommend people check their spouses too. Take pictures of your moles (use your phone if you want) and compare the pictures to the moles every few months to track if they are changing. Most skin cancers are found by the patient.

8. Moisturize. Do you take an aspirin everyday for your heart? A multivitamin for overall health? Exercise daily? Eat healthy? These are all health maintenance. Things you do on the daily to keep yourself healthy. Moisturizing is a great daily practice to take care of your skin. Keep the water in your skin and prevent dry, cracking skin that is prone to infection. I keep 100% petroleum jelly in the shower and take the lid off and let the hot water warm it up while I shower. After I pat dry I dump the water off the top of my vaseline and rub warm vaseline all over my skin. It locks in moisture and it feels like I’m at the spa {insert hair flip here}.

9. Don’t pick. Don’t scratch until you develop a sore from scratching. Don’t pick and pop your acne. Just don’t do it. There are lots of things in dermatology that we attribute to “picking” such as lichen simplex chronicus, prurigo nodularis, trichotillomania and more. On the other hand, there is nothing in dermatology that we treat by telling you to scratch it and pick it and dig at your skin. If you think something needs “popped” see a dermatologist first. (I know you’re all imagining those youtube videos of cyst right now. Resist, no fingernail surgery).

10. Strive for excellence not success. Make your goal for your skin to be your best. I promise you that’s the way you will feel good in your own skin. It could always be worse and probably could always be better. See a dermatologist and let them help you make your skin look how you feel.

I hope you all enjoy the blog. I truly enjoy skin and love writing about it in this blog. I’m always open to suggestions if there is a topic you would like me to post about. Johnson Dermatology has started snapchatting and instagramming (are those words? Get with it spell check, it’s 2015) and I hope you follow us there too. Our snapchat user ID is jdermatology and our IG is johnsondermatology. You won’t want to miss my snaps at the clinic.They provide a peek into what we are doing every day at the clinic.

“The price of excellence is discipline. The cost of mediocrity is disappointment.”

-William Arthur Ward

Have an excellent week, Nina

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For some reason, when marketing their products, companies use the words “science”, “research” and “proven” improperly. So then we, the consumers, don’t know how to chose the best. People often want to know my personal regimen. You want to know what I use and what works for me? I think you all know by now that I have Botox and filler injected into my skin and I’ve had laser treatments and peels. Those are all things I suggest you buy during our Thanksgiving week special coming up if you have ever considered them. Although we use the week as a “Thank You” to our consumers, our only sale of the year, it is a good time for first timers to take the leap. It’s easier to get your first Botox treatment when it’s on sale, right? But what products do we sell that I stock pile? That I can’t live without all year? That you must get during the sale? Here they are, what I use and photos to prove it!

1. The BOB for my car. BOB stands for brush on block. It is a powder sunscreen that brushes onto your skin clear. I keep it in my car so I won’t forget my sunscreen during my morning bustle. I can reapply when I’m on a long drive or if I forget sunscreen at home I always have some in my car. My kids love it because it isn’t greasy and it’s fun to apply. I love it because it doesn’t melt and get yucky when kept in my car and because it’s so easy to use. Get one!

2. Jane Iredale Lip Crayons. I’m borderline obsessed. The colors they come in are all flattering on any skin tone. They are easy to apply and they stay on. They are marriage between lip stick and lip liner so it’s almost like getting two in one! Must have!

3. A great sunscreen. If you want one with anti-aging properties that goes on like a powder then I recommend the tinted Total Defense and Repair by SkinMedica. I use this one when my skin isn’t super winter dry. Beware if you have been sensitive to sunscreens in the past. If you are more of a sensitive skin, acne prone and you are even drier during these cold winter months then I recommend the Elta MD sunscreen. It’s not greasy but it gives me a little extra moisture when I’m feeling dry.

4. Retinol. It’s the little black dress of skincare. Without it my skin is just blah. When I was pregnant I had moments of sorrow just looking at my retinol, wishing I could apply it. My skin was depressed. Retinol is the antidepressant of skin! It lightens, brightens, prevents acne, treats acne, helps with fine lines and wrinkles, decreases oil, smooths, evens texture…… it would be quicker if I just told you what it didn’t do. If you aren’t pregnant you better get this SkinMedica Retinol (I use the 0.5 strength).

5. Specialty Products. We only have one sale per year people. It’s like black Friday. It’s like new years day at Dillards. It’s the one time you can get the products you’ve wanted to splurge on all year with a good excuse (they are on sale). I use Lytera to lighten and brighten my dark discolorations I have from pregnancy and acne post inflammatory hyperpigmentations. I also use TNS recovery complex. This is growth factor, not to be confused with growth hormone. Growth factor is the pre-curser to collagen. It really helps those fine lines, great for crinkled tissue-thin aged skin. I think of it like breast milk. You can’t duplicate it nor understand exactly why it’s so good, but it is that good. Formula just isn’t the same as breast milk and neither is any other growth factor. The SkinMedica TNS recovery complex can also be bought with Vitamin C in the two pump TNS essential serum. The Vitamin C is a little creamier and thicker and I like the gel-like consistency of the TNS recovery complex alone better for me personally as I am acne prone. Mandelic Acid is what I used when I was pregnant. If you’re pregnant it is a good replacement for your Retinol.

If you feel overwhelmed by all the skin care products and lines out there you are normal. Join the club. I saw three different products while scrolling through my facebook feed as I wrote this post. Did you know that you can schedule a free skin care consult at Johnson Dermatology with Dani? She will personalize a perfect plan for you that fits in your time schedule and budget. There are going to be some really good announcements and giveaways this month on the Johnson Dermatology social media sites too so don’t forget to follow us! Follow us not only on Facebook but on instagram @JohnsonDermatology and on snap chat userID: Jdermatology I’m kind of obsessed with snapchat and I’ve been doing a lot of the snapping at work. It’s a great way to see what is happening day to day at the clinic so follow along with me! Last week I snapped live Botox injections! Let me know what you want to see next!

I’m grateful for all my blog followers! Keep it skintastic, stay grateful, have a blessed evening, Nina

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