So this week Johnson Dermatology is scheduling people for a boot camp for skin. It’s our inaugural boot camp and I am so excited so I had to share it with you guys. This bootcamp is for people who want the best skin they can have. It’s for people who have been using every product under the sun yet never accomplished their goals, never saw change. This week, if you sign up for the 90 day challenge you will finally see change. So today’s post will explain why and how we are going to get you there in 90 days. The Boot camp includes the following.

1. Skin care regimen for 90 days. We will include Retinol, Growth Factor, Sunscreen and Lytera. With this regimen you will wash your face and moisturize morning and night. You will also use two creams in the morning and three at night. It’s simple, no 8 plus steps. These products will help shrink your pores, even your texture, even your tone, get rid of discolorations, help with fine lines and brighten your skin.

2. UV imaging of your skin- This allows you to see “age spots” that haven’t “bloomed” yet for lack of a better word. Think about it as seeing your skin’s damage at a more scientific level. We will do this once monthly so that you can watch your progress. It’s a really fun way to see how you’re skin is changing.

3. Three monthly Vitalize Peels- These peels are really amazing. I recently had a bad acne break out and received one of these peels and it practically erased one of my brown spots. Peels are like working out. If you get off the couch once a week that’s better than nothing but if you work out three times a week you’re in even better shape. After one peel you will notice a difference but with the series of three you will see even more amazing results. If you have discolorations, uneven skin tone, acne, rough or dull skin then this peel will amaze you.

Finish the boot camp and receive……

A full Botox injection and a Latisse! Botox is for those lines in motion that you don’t want to turn into lines at rest. It will also soften lines at rest over time. It’s the one thing that always makes me feel so refreshed. Latisse will lengthen, thicken and darken those aging lashes. You never realize how much your lashes age you until you have them back like you were 16 again. I saw a $125 mascara this weekend and thought to my self, “wow, that’s sad because with a little latisse you really don’t even need all those fibers and thick mascara that fall all over your eyelids and cheeks all day”.

Everything included in the boot camp totals about $2400. We are offering it for $1200. It really is a bargain for those people who want to commit to a healthier, refreshed, beautiful skin. Go to your bathroom and total up how much all the lotions and potions in your cabinet have cost you. Studies show that most of you will total well over $1200 on things that never got you the results you expected. This boot camp is to bring your inner beauty out through your skin. Let your soul shine.

If you’re interested in the boot camp there is a lunch and learn tomorrow at the clinic that will go into more detail about the products and plan. Call in the morning at 479-649-3376 to let us know if you’re coming. If you are interested in learning more about any of the products or peels individually feel free to call for a one on one skin care consult with one of our cosmetic concierges, they are a lot of fun!

Hope to see you ALL there tomorrow.

“Beauty is being the best possible version of yourself inside and out” -unknown

Stay Skintastic, Nina

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I’m always reading lists on blogs and social media. “The ten worst types of Moms”, “Five things you must do on your honeymoon”, “Top ten colleges”, “Top cities to live” and so on. I mean David Letterman has a top ten everynight! I’m always drawn in to read these lists and find out what makes “the top” whether it’s a topic I’m interested in or not. So to join in on the list making fun I made my Top Ten Skin Types List. Enjoy!

10.  Naturally done Botox and Filler Skin Type- You know the kind where no one knows that you’ve had anything done except for you. People look at this skin type and say “What are you doing different? You look sooo…….. refreshed!” (I’m thinking of renaming this the “Nina got a hold of you skin type”)

9.  The Confident Skin Type- The person that gets a pimple and doesn’t pick and pop it to try to make it more socially appealing, just leaves it alone. Then goes to the prom and rocks out like before mentioned pimple doesn’t exist.

8. The Untouched Skin Type-This skin doesn’t get picked, popped, scrubbed, exfoliated, scratched, vigoursly itched nor irritated. It’s a calm and beautiful skin that any dermatologist can recognize.

7. The Retinoled Skin Type- I made that word up. “Retinoled” defined is skin that has been using a retinol for at least four months. This type has smoother texture and tone and is just a little closer to flawless.

6. The Imperfect Skin Type- This type of skin rocks a normal mole, is proud of it’s birthmarks, considers itself imperfectly perfect. This skin type is recognizable by most. It’s a first cousin to the confident skin type.

5. The Laser Hair Removal Skin Type- This skin has had its underarms, happy trail and bikini line lasered at least. No folliculitis here, no razor burn, no hard work shaving everyday and definetely no harsh waxing. This skin type is perfect for island life or anyone that lives a relaxed, chilled out lifestyle.

4. The Simple Skin Type- This skin has a very simple skin care regimen. No eight steps in AM and twenty steps in PM, no million dollar skin care budget, no fru-fru fragrances and no 234 products that most women own. This skin type may only use sunscreen in AM and Retinol in PM, simple but ahhhhhmazing.

3. The Natural Nails Type- Nails aren’t skin you say? Well they are a dermatologist specialty so they made my list (we do hair, nails and skin FYI). This type doesn’t push its cuticles back, doesn’t dig at it’s nails, doesn’t have fake nails that can damage the nail plate. This is just a natural nail with maybe an occasional polish. This nail looks healthy and to me that’s the most beautiful thing in the human body, our health.

2. The “Have it all” Skin Type- This skin has been lasered, peeled, sun protected, uses Retinol, Growth Factor, Lytera and moisturizer, has had Botox and Fillers and gets a skin cancer check at least once a year. This skin is the best it can be and makes me want to dance to Beyonce.

1. The Sun Protected Skin Type- You know this is my number one. No premature aging, no sun damage brown spots, no early wrinkles, no increased risk of skin cancer, no looking back with regrets and no orange peel look. You know, no UV damage is beautiful. This skin is the color God made it.

What skin type are you? Obviously these are my favorite skin types but just know all skin types are welcome to join one, if not all of these clubs. If you need help with that then I hope to see you this week at the clinic. Hope you are having as much fun on this Labor Day Weekend as I had making this list.

“Being called different is like being called limited edition. Meaning you’re something people don’t see that often. Remember that.” -unknown

Dance on World, Nina

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Hi, my name is Nina and I am a blog stalker. I just love following blogs and getting to know people I have never met. It keeps me pretty cool too(so I tell myself). You learn about what all the hip kids are doing. It’s how I keep my little girl so fashionable. Why my step sons think I’m not old and dorky. Why I have been “no-pooing” (not using shampoo).

One of my favorite bloggers is Allison from www.alittleblueberry.com. Her IG feed is awesome too @allisonpants. She is a super cool Mom with an adorable daughter named Lemon. About a month ago I was perusing my IG feed and saw that her daughter, Lemon, who is just a few months older than mine was suffering from Molluscum Contagiosum. Molluscum are bumps on the skin caused by a virus. When I see this in the clinic my initial reaction is “oh no big deal, just molluscum”. They always go away eventually, they are very common and not necessarily harmful to your health. For these reasons, I traditionally have put them directly in the “no big deal” category. And then Lemon got molluscum and changed my view forever.

I realized how it was the worst thing going on in Allison and Lemons life at that time.  That it was stressful, hard to treat, and that it tried to steal away some of Lemons joy. Molluscum Contagiosum were not falling in the “no big deal category” for this family I loved (via internet).  If it bothered someone as down to earth, laid back and flat awesome as Allison and Lemon then it really does affect people worse than I ever dreamed. I was reminded that when I walk out of the room of a patient who has life threatening melanoma and into a room with molluscum, I can’t compare them. One will surely go away without harm and one could kill but they are both quite possibly the worst thing in that person’s life at that given time. So I’m sorry to all my patients that I haven’t empathized with about their skin diseases. I didn’t mean to make you feel like your bumps weren’t a horrible thing to have. From now on, I promise to show more sympathy to all my patients’ skin problems, life threatening or not. Thank you Lemon for reminding me where my heart was when I started dermatology and where I need to keep it. I honestly care about my patients’ skin and their health. As a thank you to Lemon here are some facts and tips on Molluscum Contagiosum.

What is Molluscum Contagiosum?

Little flesh-colored bumps that grow on the top layer of skin caused by a virus. They look like tiny belly buttons. They are very common in kids ages 1-10 years old and will all be gone in about 2 years without any treatment.

How to get rid of the little buggers quicker?

-Be sun smart- Sunexposure and tan decreases the skin’s immune system which in turn makes it more difficult for the immune system to recognize the virus and get rid of the bumps.

-Don’t pick, scratch or shave over the bumps. This can spread the virus/bumps to other locations on the skin.

-Don’t quarentine your child. We all come into contact with the virus all the time through touch or sharing hand towels or whatever. Some people come in contact with the virus and don’t get the bumps while some people do get the bumps. Basically no worries, chances are kids are gonna either get it or not get it no matter what.

-You can see your dermatologist about once per month for treatment to try to get your skin to recognize the virus quicker. At Johnson Dermatology we use liquid nitrogen, cantharadin (blister beetle juice that doesn’t hurt), prescription creams and extraction regularly to treat the bumps. On average kids need 3-6 monthly visits before the molluscum are gone for good.

-Treat them everyday at home to make them go away quicker. I usually tell people the easiest (and likely cheapest) thing is to get a bottle of clear nail polish and paint the bumps daily. Other at home methods include salycylic acid, apple cider vinegar, vicks vapor rub, duct tape and more. Just pick whichever one you will actually do daily.

I’m sorry that sweet little children have to deal with Molluscum Contagiosum. I am now more sympathetic to all my kiddos and parents who suffer with these bumpy skin nuicances.  Just remember, your child is still beautiful, loved and healthy. Hope to see you all in clinic this week!

Remember “Little girls with dreams become women with vision” -unknown

Peace, Love and Sunscreen,  Nina

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Imagine that you are a dermatology nurse practitioner. Imagine you have spent the past 12 years of your career working at keeping people healthy. You are married to a police officer whose health knowledge goes as far as knowing the difference between tylenol and aspirin, if that. You have a beautiful little baby girl. One day you are about to take the family to the park and of course, you are applying sunscreen on your daughter. Your husband notices that you are using a spray sunscreen on your daughter and angrily states “Haven’t you heard you can’t use that on kids, guess you’re just going to give our daughter asthma?”. Really? Wouldn’t you think you would be the skin expert? Well obviously this is me. And this was the moment when I realized that if my own husband believes what he heard on television over his skin expert wife then obviously the whole world is thinking the same thing.

Side effects. Every medication has them. Side effects are risks we take when we use a medication. have recently read a lot of articles becoming popular in social media about the dangers of spray sunscreen, too little sunexposure being detrimental to your health, the dangers of benzoyl peroxide and the lists goes on. So how do you decide who has the best advice? Do you still take a tylenol even though it could cause damage to your kidney? Do you eat gluten even though it has been linked to joint pain and bowel diseases? How do you know if the benefit of something is greater than the risk? How to you know which risks are more likely to occur?  I don’t know what the right answer is but here are some of the things that I consider to help me decide what risks to take in the world of skin health care.

1. How likely is the risk to occur? For example, the spray sunscreen. We don’t know what happens when you inhale spray sunscreen so until the FDA has that figured out they just said don’t use/inhale it. In my opinion if I spray it on my legs or my daughters back we probably won’t inhale it. Therefore making the inhalation risk unlikely to occur.

2. How serious is the risk? When a child stands behind a running car do adults yell out “get that kid she is going to inhale exhaust and get asthma!”? No, we yell “get that kid before she gets run over by a car backing up!”. I use that analogy with sunscreen. It’s more important to me that my little girl doesn’t age her skin prematurely and get skin cancer (get hit by the car) than if she inhales a little sunscreen (smells exhaust). But that’s just me.

3. Does the benefit outweigh the risk? My child is a wild woman. To hold her down and rub sunscreen all over her is a serious task. It’s like mud wrestling with sunscreen instead of mud. We are both worn out and sunscreen is EVERYWHERE by the time we are done. So for her, I choose a combination of spray sunscreen to her extremities and back where she is less likely to inhale it and then powder sunscreen everywhere else. I take the “inhalation of spray sunscreen risk” because the benefit of ease of application is more important to me.

4. Majority rules. So one Swedish study comes out talking about women who sunbathe having a lower mortality rate than woman who avoid sunbathing and all of the sudden everyone wants to get a tan? No. It’s one article, with lots of factors to be examined closer. There are hundreds, likely thousands of research papers done showing that sun exposure is linked to premature aging and skin cancer. Obviously, I gotta go with the majority.

5. I like the motto “everything is okay in moderation”. Even dermatologist prescribe a little UV light sometimes. We use UV light treatments to help people that suffer from psoriasis, occult pruritus, vitiligo and more. Sometimes you just have to realize some things are good for you and bad for you, simultaneously.

If you ever want to talk more about sun protection, side effects of medication or anything else skin you know you can just come by the clinic and see me! I just love giving my opinion! Thank you for trusting me and the Johnson Dermatology team with your skin.

In the words of Rowan Nath, “Don’t just dance, move the world!”

Hugs, Nina

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Dear Melanoma Patient (past, present and future),

I would like to start this letter by saying I’m sorry. I’m sorry this letter is to you. I’m sorry that even though you wore your sun protective clothes, avoided the hottest parts of day, sought shade and wore sunscreen, you still got Melanoma. I’m sorry nobody told you to get your skin checked at least once a year. I’m sorry you didn’t know UV damage puts you at risk for Melanoma. No matter what the circumstances, I’m sorry Melanoma picked you. I’m sorry this letter is to you.

As the skin expert you trust to take care of your skin, I want you to know a few things.

Your opinion matters. Sure I went to school for over half my life time and I know the science behind your Melanoma. I know what the governing bodies say about treating your Melanoma. I know the statistics on Melanoma. But I also know you are a person, a unique person. What treatments your body undergoes I want us to choose together. I value your opinion because, above all else, you know what your preferred options are. I will give you those options and my opinion but lets make your treatment plan together.

You are at risk. Once you’ve had a Melanoma you’re at risk for another Melanoma. You can’t change your skin type. You can’t change your genetics. You can’t change your past habits. You CAN change your future habits. Be sun smart. Seek shade. Wear your sun protective clothing. Wear your sunscreen liberally and reapply often. UV damage is the only risk factor for skin cancer that you have control over. Take control of caring for your skin. Get your skin checked. Be friends with a dermatologist and visit them as often as they ask and whenever you have new or changing moles in between visits. Rely on your dermatologist.

Your testimony is important. I have spent a lot of time studying skin and feel that I am an expert in caring for skin. The problem is that sometimes I get as little as 15 minutes of a year with my patients. I try to educate them on the importance of taking care of the largest organ in their body (skin) but you have an incredible power. You have a testimony to which people can relate. People believe you. People will learn from you. People will change because of you. Please help me save skin. Use your testimony to change people’s lives, to save their skin. What you have learned from your Melanoma, how you feel, what it’s like, how you’re scared, how you fight, what scars you have endured. Share them with the world so everyone can know the truth about Melanoma.

I am here for you. I’m proud of you for being a survivor. Let me help you anyway I can. I know you are scared, nervous, confused and that I can’t understand how you feel but please let me know what I can do for you. Let me check your skin all over. Come see me when I ask you to get your skin checks and anytime that you need me in between checks. I have dedicated my career to caring for skin so please don’t stay away too long. I am honored to continue to care for your skin and I vow to always do my best to keep you and your skin healthy. Take care, you are beautiful!

With encouraging words,

Your Dermatologist, Nurse Practitioner and/or Physicians Assistant

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Fall is just around the corner and with all this beautiful cool weather we are having I am even more eager for fall to arrive. We are about to be sending the children back to school. Fall and school bring lots of fun things including sports. Athletics are such a big part of my family and so many others. I mean we do live in the South where most small towns close everything on Friday nights to head to the local football stadium. EEEEKKKK it’s exciting just thinking about the fun that’s about to be had by all! Along with sports comes celebratory slapping of booties, wrestling with heads in armpits, showering with feet sharing space, contact with each other, sweat, dirt and the dreaded injuries. The point is there’s a lot of potential when participating in sports to cause harm to your skin. So if you participate in sports, or have a loved one participating in sports this post is for you. Here are tips for an athlete’s skin.

1. After you exercise wash with benzoyl peroxide soap or antidandruff shampoo to kill that funky stuff living on your sweaty body. An occasional dilute bleach bath can be helpful too. Simply put 1/4 cup of bleach in a full bath tub and soak for 20 minutes.

2. Wash your hands and clean under your nails as soon as you are finished exercising. Don’t share personal equipment such as towels and washcloths.

3. Clean your equipment. Do you know how much funk accumulates in that chin strap. I don’t, I don’t want to know either, clean that puppy.

4. Limit antibiotics. If you have ever turned on the tv then you have heard of antibiotic resistance. Superbugs. If you need acne treatment feel free to ask your dermatologist about alternatives (we are full of them).

5. Stay moisturized. If you have dry, cracked skin its like little reservoirs for bacteria and infection to start. Your skin is a protective organ, give it the tools it needs to do its job. I recommend plain, thick cream that comes in a jar applied at least when fresh out of the shower.

6. If you get an injury to the skin, cut, scrape, etc. then keep it covered with a layer of vaseline. Vaseline provides a barrier from infectious agents. It also helps with the healing process resulting in lessening of discoloration and scarring.

7. Be Sun Smart- Shade, sun protective clothes, sunglasses and sunscreen when applicable can protect you from harmful UV rays you will be exposed to during outdoor activities.

Have fun out there all you athletes. I am starting my running game back in hopes of participating in the Fort Smith Marathon. Have you heard? It’s going to be February 2015 and a total blast. Athletics don’t stop after school. It may be time for you to find your inner athlete again. Whether you have always been an athlete, love an athlete or are going to become an athlete I hope these tips help keep your skin healthy!

Remember, everyday is a second chance, hope to see you in clinic, Nina

P.S. Shout out to Dr. Sandy who inspired and practically wrote this list. She is an amazing female athlete!

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Often times when I’m discussing Botox and Fillers I hear people say I don’t want my husband to know or my daughter or my best friend, which is fine. I want you to leave looking natural and refreshed, like you. My goal is that no one will be able to put their finger on exactly what you’ve done but they will notice something has given you a fresher look. But a little part of me also wishes that your loved ones would have no negative thoughts about cosmetic procedures.

Recently, while attending a conference, I heard a dermatologist tell a story about his young daughter. They were out to dinner when she told the waitress that her Dad needed to do Botox on her wrinkles. I laughed really hard. Kids have no filter. You can only assume that he has taught his daughter about Botox or she learned it from conversation. So that made me think about my daughter and I thought to myself “What will I tell her?”. Will I tell her what cosmetic procedures I have had done? What will my reasoning be as to why I had them done? Will I encourage her to get Botox one day, many, many years down the road? There are lots of things in our culture that change with time so who knows what the cultural norm will be in twenty years. But for right now these are the reasons I think we do cosmetic procedures. So this list is for all the nay sayers, all the loved ones of someone who feels like they can’t tell you about their cosmetic procedures and for my daughter who I want to be proud that her Momma feels beautiful. These are the REAL reasons why we have Botox and Fillers done on a regular basis.

1. Because we are confident- Contrary to people who think we do it because we are insecure. I consider myself to be humble but also confident. I almost stopped running during my run yesterday because I was so tired. I needed an energy boost so I had to turn my music up and dance/run down the street to my house to be able to keep going. Sure I’m confident enough to dance in the street. I like the natural beauty God gave me and I want to keep it that way, keep my confidence so I can continue to dance down the street.  So, I have Voluma and Botox.

2. Because we are powerful professionals- It’s a dog eat dog world out there. We all know professionals are competing in lots of ways. I am a professional and I want you to pick me as your professional skin expert. Your first impression of me is how I look and that may be how you pick me to be your skin expert whether you realize it or not. So I like to look professional, dress nice, wear make-up, fix my hair every morning and use skin care products. I want to keep that “well kept” appearance so I color my hair, brush my teeth, shop for clothes, get mani’s and pedi’s occasionally and of course, get Botox!

3. Because we want to prolong our natural beauty, NOT because we want to change how we look- We don’t want to look like someone else. We don’t hate our lips or hate our crows feet or hate anything about ourselves. We just want to enhance our natural beauty, prolong the things we do like about ourselves. You like your brown hair so you color it when it starts to turn white? Well same idea with Botox and fillers.

4. Because we deserve to put ourselves first for once- We work, we are moms, chefs, house cleaners, chauffeurs, nurses, book-readers, snugglers, wives, friends, daughters…… you get the point. We wear a lot of hats and usually we put everyone before ourselves. So this is one thing we can do for ourselves. One time we put ourselves first and give ourselves a treat. We earned it! And, especially for my daughter, please learn from me it’s okay to put yourself first sometimes.

5.  Because we are happy- We don’t get cosmetic procedures done because we are sad, depressed people. We are happy! We are blessed to be fortunate enough to consider cosmetic procedures. We wake up in the morning, look in the mirror, smile and get ready to conquer the world. I like to smile and not make crow’s feet, not have to notice something negative out of such an important part of my day. So yes, I have Botox.

6. Because we are hip- Yeah, we may be out of our twenties but we still got some cool! Botox and Fillers include some of the newest, greatest advances in cosmetic healthcare. We are ahead of our time!

Do you want to keep your cosmetic procedures a secret? Then do that. That’s perfectly reasonable. Do I hope that one day everyone looks at Botox the same as a manicure or hair color? Sure I do. I want my daughter to know that it’s a good thing to want to feel beautiful. Maybe this post hits home, maybe it doesn’t but I think the world should know the real reasons we real women have cosmetic procedures done!

I hope to see you all at the clinic this week! If not, please be dancing while you put on your sunscreen every morning! Cheers, Nina

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I live on Rye Hill in Fort Smith and ever since they put in the Dollar General I feel like I am going to another country if I have to leave the hill. I mean I have work, daycare and home in a five mile radius. I never have been a dollar store shopper but due to convenience of location I’ve become a “frequent flyer” Dollar General customer. My husband laughed at me the first time I came home from the new Dollar General because I couldn’t believe how “nice it was” and how “nice the stuff is” more than just “dollar pieces”. For some reason I thought every thing in a dollar store cost one dollar. Well that isn’t the case, not at the Dollar General on my hill (Rye Hill) anyways. So this blog is dedicated to dollar saving skin finds. There is a list of things that I think are worth spending money on and shouldn’t be replaced by a cheaper option such as Retinol, Growth Factor and Botox. But there is a completely different list of products that I think can be replaced by a cheaper, better option and this is that list……..

1. Face Soap- Ditch your fancy beaded, fragranced, colored face wash and keep it simple. Face wash is not the most important thing you can do for your skin as commonly misconceived BUT, you can irritate your skin with scrubs and fragranced residue causing breakouts and just angry skin. Money saved: $4. Skin saved : priceless

2.Antidandruff shampoo- Do you get heat rash or yeast acne over the summer? 86 your high fragranced Axe and Bath and Body works that could be leaving an irritating residue on your skin for some good ‘ol fashioned anti-dandruff shampoo. Money Saved: $2-$12. Heat rash and yeast acne gone: Priceless

3. Hydrocortisone and Clotrimazole- Got an itch? Please don’t get all those expensive Calamine lotions and anti-itch gels that really don’t help. Bug bites? Try some hydrocortisone. Heat rash or fungal stuff? Try some clotrimazole. Money saved:$2-$10. Not itching:Priceless

4. Diapers- Have you guys seen the warning on facebook of diapers “burning” kids? Well it’s contact dermatitis to the blue dye in some diapers. In simple terms they are allergic or irritated by color dye. Is your baby irritated by fancy diapers? Go get the plainest, simplest and quite frankly, cheapest diapers at Dollar General. Money Saving potential: About 4 bucks. A happy baby: Priceless (seriously priceless!)

5. Petroleum Jelly: You guys know its what I lather up in straight out of the shower. Such a great moisturizer. Need another reason to switch to vaseline? Trade neosporin for vaseline. Studies have shown that it prevents infection at the same rate and some people develop an allergy to neosporin which then causes a new problem on a booboo. This summer try putting vaseline on your cuts and scrapes to prevent infection. If you can keep it greasy enough to prevent a scab, you will minimize scarring.  Money Saved: $3. Skin saved:Priceless!!!!

I hope I helped your skin and your pocket books with this blog post. If you have more questions about skin care products come see me this Thursday afternoon at the clinic. I am doing free skin care consults by appoinment only. Would love to spend time with you chit chatting about skincare!

Until next time, dance like no one is watching, Nina

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Go to Google and search “botox testimonials” but make sure you’re sitting down because the results are scary. One girl had only half her lips injected because her injector said “there are no lines on the other side” which resulted in a crooked smile. And it just went down hill from there. So this week I have a guest blog writer, one of my patients. She came in this week for her first ever Botox injection and this was her experience. So here it is, a real Johnson Dermatology patient’s testimonial…….

When I first got back to the room the nurse took some pictures of me and I sat down and started signing a consent form. Thank God I’m a nurse and consent forms don’t scare me because everything that is on that consent will make you want to turn around and walk out of there. I was not too concerned about side effects, but that is just the type of person I am… worry about how to fix it later, because what will be will be! Plus, I had already decided I was going to do it and no consent form was going to scare me out of pressing forward.

Next, Nina came in and went over a bunch of information that I really didn’t care too much about. I was just thinking to myself “whatever, just make my wrinkles go away”. Then she asked if I had any questions. I really didn’t know what to ask so I just said no. If you have questions you might want to write them down because at this point you are a little overwhelmed and it’s easy to forget what you were planning on asking. I did however, ask if it was going to hurt. The thought of needles being stuck in your face should be somewehat scary, right?? Nina responded with “oh you will be fine, you’re tough”. I should have known that was a Nina style of “yes it’s a needle, it hurts”. Well, even though I am terrified of needles, it really didn’t bother me. Maybe it had something to do with the ice or the girl tapping my forehead or nerves but whatever it was that part wasn’t so bad. The actual botox medicine being injected hurt more that I expected. It was more like a burning sensation with each stick. The best way I can think to describe it would be to compare it to a TB skin test. The procedure itself is quick, like seriously 1 minute. Overall, the pain would not sway me from doing it again!

Next,they offered to touch up my make-up but I didn’t need it. I walked out of there with some bumps where my injections were but they were gone by the time I got to my car. They told me to make my “thinker expression” for an hour and not to touch or rub or do anything strenuous. I forgot to make the faces for an hour. I have a 2 year old so I still chased after her all day and lugged her around on my hip and I consider that pretty strenuous. I’m not a good patient, but it all worked out fine.

It will be a week tomorrow since I was injected and I could tell a difference within the first couple of days. If you can take before shots, do because you will be so surprised! They took pictures of me at the clinic but I don’t want to go back for a check-up just to see pictures. My iphone pics let me track it day-to-day. It seemed to take effect quicker in my forehead than around my eyes. My forehead is SO smooth! I never realized how many wrinkes I had there; I guess it is because I am such a thinker! My crows feet took a little longer to show results, but last night I looked at a before picture and was thrilled at the difference! This was the area that had bothered me the most, so I feel like the few minutes of pain was worth it for sure! Something else that I noticed was my eyebrows seemed lifted?? Not sure if they really are… We will have to let Nina answer that one.

The only issue that I had was a small amount of bruising. Just one bruise on my forehead. It was easily covered with concealer and has almost all disappeared. Nina said it might have to do with all the aleve I take, so beware if you’re a habitual NSAID user like I am! Overall, I LOVE IT and will definitely do it again!! Thanks Nina for being one amazing Dermatology Nurse Practioner!! Mwah!

Just quickly to answer her question, yes Botox can lift the brow’s slightly and give you more of an arch. I enjoyed reading her experience and I hope you did too. Are you considering Botox for the first time? This is a great time to take the plunge. Right now you can get double brilliant distinction points and we are donating part of the profit from cosmetic procedures and products to the fourth annual Back to School Shoe Giveaway. Thursday afternoon July 24th I am going to be giving FREE skincare consults with our expert skin care product specialist so call for an appointment now because space is limited. Hope we can talk skin soon!

Smiling, laughing and looking natural with my Botox, Nina

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This weekend my bestest girlfriend and her daughter came to visit. Although they only live a few hours away life always gets in the way and we don’t get to see each other as often as we’d like. Our daughters are nine months apart so it’s full on girl time when we are together. You might be imagining painting nails, movies, eating, drinking, laughing and pillow fights. The truth isn’t far from that except when you’re my best friend you get conned into being her next skin experiment. So this weekend my bestie helped me perfect the self tanner technique. It’s summer time and although I think you are all beautiful wearing the color of skin that God made you, I do recognize that some of you want that bronze look. So here is my self tanner experience. Step by Step.

Step 1: Pick a tanner. So I ask people all the time which sunless tanner they are using, either because I think it looks fake and want to advise against it or because I think it looks natural and I want to recommend it. My favorites are the Jergens, Jane Iredale and Tanwise. I picked the Tanwise for this weekends festivities because it doesn’t stink. You can get it at Sally’s from $6.99-$12.99. I tried the dark bronzing sunless mousse, wash-off bronzing mousse in light and the shimmer perfection cream.

Step 2: Wash your body, exfoliate your body, dry your body…… I skipped all of this. I hate exfoliating your skin with scrubs/beads/washcloths etc. Plus I had already showered that day and who wants two showers in one day? I went against the directions is what I’m saying.

Step 3: Apply self tanner. Okay so this is the scary step right? What if I get too much, not enough and oh lordy please not the dreaded streaky, concentrated around the joints look. You want what looks natural, not an “I just fell in my mop bucket of orange glo” look. So apply in small circles. Small circles continuously until even prevents streaks. I like the mouse because the consistency is easier to spread on your skin. Apply to calves and thighs then spread that onto the ankles and knees for a faded look. So don’t put any directly onto your knees and elbows. I diluted around my knees and elbows with a little plain moisturizer to avoid concentrating it at the elbows and knees. This is a good trick.

Step 4: Allow to dry. This is where you should have something to do planned that doesn’t involve sitting on anything or getting dressed. My BFF and I just stood there talking and laughing. Just know that until that stuff is dry, dry, dry you can spread the bronze look. I wiped hair out of my little girls eyes and put a brown streak across her forehead. This resulted in me frantically washing her face and it turned out fine but that could of been bad.

Step 5: Enjoy your bronze look. On a regular basis I skip all other steps and enjoy my natural color of skin. Don’t forget you always have that option available and it’s free.

Step 6: Optional-Wash it off. I used the dark bronzing and the wash-off. The wash off washed right off and the dark bronzing washed off some too because I didn’t let it set on me for the required 4-6 hours. Even going against directions I still have somewhat of a darker look though. I also tried the Tanwise tan remover but it has a bunch of beads in it and I don’t see that it worked any better than regular dove soap so I would pass next time and keep my $6.99.

Step 7: Use sun precautions. Don’t be fooled by myths lurking in our communities. You still need to seek shade, avoid the sunniest parts of the day, wear sunprotective clothing and wear your sunscreen. You aren’t safe from the harm UV rays can cause your skin.

Overall the experience wasn’t as complicated and scary as I anticipated. I was pleasantly surprised. I still won’t make it a routine. My BFF and I are pretty olive toned to begin with so I am sure you could get varied results with varied skin tones. That’s a good reason to start with the wash off. Hope this post motivates some of you to take the leap to stop sun bathing and getting in tanning beds and trade it for a sunless tanner or your natural color. Good Luck!

If the music is good then dance, Nina

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