Interview With Dr. Bryan B. Fuller, CEO of DermaMedics In Oklahoma

Dr. Bryan B. Fuller, CEO of DermaMedicsThe innovation of natural ingredients in skin care with Dr. Bryan Fuller, founder of DermaMedics.

Name: Bryan B. Fuller Ph.D.
Company: DermaMedics Professional
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Website: dermamedics.com

One area that is “over-hyped” is the development of skin care products that contain “growth factors”. It is well-known that growth factors are extremely unstable to room temperature and aqueous environments, and in fact, growth factors in water are only stable for 7 days at refrigeration temperatures. Thus, products that are sitting on a shelf at room temperature that are reported to contain growth factors almost certainly contain degraded, inactive growth factors. Further, there is no scientific evidence that growth factors can penetrate the stratum corneum and get to the dermis to produce “anti-aging benefits”. In fact, there is a lot of scientific evidence that no molecule larger in size than 500 mw can penetrate into the skin (see (Bos JD, Meinardi MMHM. The 500 Dalton rule for the skin penetration of chemical compounds and drugs. Exp Dermatol. 2000; 9:165–169.).
Read More

Dr. Herbert Hooi, Cosmetic Physician In Sydney, Australia

Australian Cosmetic Physician  Herbert Hooi MBBS (Syd) LLB (Hons) (UWA) FACEM Dr. Hooi takes center stage as he discusses the prevailing structure of cosmetic medicine in Sydney, Australia.

Name: Herbert Hooi MBBS (Syd) LLB (Hons) (UWA) FACEM
Location: New South Wales, Australia
Website: drhooi.com.au

That's interesting: Dr. Hooi completed an Honours Law degree at the University of Western Australia and obtained further real-world legal experience with a top tier Australian law firm. Dr. Hooi has been admitted to practice as a Solicitor and Barrister of the Supreme Court of Victoria. Although he is no longer practising law, Dr. Hooi maintains a keen interest in legal medicine.

Dr. Hooi is a member of the Australasian Society of Cosmetic Medicine and is an Associate Member of the American Society of Laser Surgery and Medicine. Dr. Hooi’s training and experience led to his award as a Foundation Fellow of the Australasian College of Aesthetic Medicine in 2009.

In 2010, Dr. Hooi was selected to become the national trainer in Australia for the Fibropen System, platelet rich plasma (PRP) and Radiesse.  

Read More

Interview: Dr. Mark Mofid, A Plastic Surgeon In San Diego, California

San Diego Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Mark MofidDr. Mark Mofid's plastic surgery practice includes the La Jolla, Del Mar, and Chula Vista areas of San Diego.

Name: Mark Mofid, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Location: La Jolla, CA
Website: drmofid.com

Dr. Mark Mofid is a board-certified San Diego and La Jolla area plastic surgeon, certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Can you tell us how your clinic's set up?

Our office is centrally located in La Jolla/UTC within San Diego County. We have a full time dermatologist (my wife) and plastic surgeon (me) and a nurse. We have a AAAASF/Medicare accredited surgery center attached to the clinic and also provide laser services. The practice has several thousand patient visits per year and we offer medical and cosmetic dermatologic services as well as cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery.

Read More

Dr. Calvin Lee, Surgical Artistry In Modesto, California

Building and managing a medical spa, vein clinic and cosmetic practice with his plastic surgeon wife is truly a dream come true for this physician.

Dr. Lee, Modesto CA Surgeon

Name: Calvin Lee, MD
Location: Modesto, CA
Clinic: Surgical Artistry
Modesto Plastic Surgery
Websites: SurgeryToday.com, InjectionArtistry.comBigVeins.com

Thats interesting: Dr. Calvin Lee is a regional speaker for Allergan. He has lectured about the Latisse product in Reno, Fresno, Modesto, Santa Rosa, and Napa.

The genesis of Dr. Calvin Lee as an aesthetic physician

I was a busy general surgeon with a heavy load of trauma surgery. Conflicts with my six member general surgery group landed me without a job. This allowed me to reflect upon how I wanted to prioritize my time and my life. I wanted to spend more time growing artistically with my violin. I also wanted to continue making web pages to share information. And most importantly I wanted to spend more time with my wife who is a plastic surgeon. During my phase of soul-searching, I enrolled in a year long Medical Acupuncture course affiliated with Stanford University and added acupuncture to the list of skills that I have.

In 2006, my wife and I started Surgical Artistry which is mainly a plastic surgery practice.

Read More

Dr. Lisa Lynn Sowder, A Female Plastic Surgeon In Seattle

Dr. Lisa Lynn Sowder

Dr. Lisa Lynn Sowder manages an accredited surgical facility and plastic surgery practice in Seattle, WA.

Name: Lisa Lynn Sowder MD FACS
Clinic: Seattle Plastic Surgery
Location: Seattle, WA
Website: sowdermd.com

That's interesting: Dr. Lissa Lynn Sowder is past president of the Northwest Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Washington Society of Plastic Surgeons, past chair of the King County Medical Society Grievance Committee and former Trustee of the King County Medical Society.

Your operating room is certified by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities (AAAASF). How much benefit is there for a physician who owns their own surgical suite instead of using other facilities?

The headaches are staffing and supplying the operating room. Equipment needs to be maintained and replaced. Supplies need to be ordered. The floor needs to be mopped, etc. Employees need to be trained. There is a boat load of paperwork necessary for AAAASF certification. Just doing it all right isn’t enough – it all has to be documented and documented and documented. It’s expensive and

Read More

Microderm + Chemical Peel Giveaways As A Marketing Tactic

In our Canyon Lake Med Spa practice, we are always looking for ways to attract new patients, and to give existing patients a “value-added” service. 

We’ve been doing microdermabrasion and chemical peels for many years. April Turner, our medical aesthetic RN, discovered that the 2 procedures done together were mutually complimentary, and could be performed with a minimal amount of time and material cost. We charge $99 for a combination treatment of a microdermabrasion and a medical-grade chemical peel, and do fairly well at this price. But since it is quick and inexpensive to perform, we decided to also make this a “giveaway” at our seminars and marketing events.

This strategy has served us well. We give away this combo treatment to anyone who attends one of our events, or anyone who comes into our surgical or Medical Spa office for a consultation. Some people don’t take advantage of it, but most do. And most of the time they are so happy with the outcome that they follow up the complimentary treatment with regularly scheduled (and paid) future treatments.

We found that this is a great way to attract people to our Med Spa and surgical office events, and it creates an additional revenue source for our business. If you perform these procedures at your facility (and chances are that you do,) you might want to consider this approach for your business.

Dr. Sabine Zenker: Aesthetic Dermatologist In Munich, Germany

Dr. Sabine Zenker welcomes us to her clinic in Munich, Germany and she shares her thoughts on cosmetic dermatology, technology, and the operations of her clinic.Dr. Sabine Zenker Munich Board Certified Dermaologist

Dr. Sabine Zenker is a well know European dermatologist who has a passion for clinical research and teaching that we've been wanting to interview for some time. We finally got together to learn what this German dermatologist thinks. 

Name: Sabine Zenker, MD
Clinic: Dr. Zenker Dermatology
Location: Munich, Germany
Website: dr-zenker.de

That's interesting: Dr. Sabine Zenker is the consultant dermatologist for L'Oreal Paris and an internationally recognized authority on micro-invasive techniques. She is well known for her clinical research into both established and innovative technologies and treatments, teaching, training, and continuing professional development both in Germany and internationally.

She contributes regularly to medical journals, public press, print, TV and multimedia. Sabine Zenker is a member of a large number of national and international societies including DDG, AAD, ASCDAS, AAAACS, EADV, ISDS, DASIL etc. She serves as executive board member of ESCAD. She is also a speaker and clinical trainer on almost any recognized national and international congress in the aesthetic medical field

Read More

Interview With Barbara Strafella: Permanent Makeup & Medical Spas

Barbara Strafella

Permanent makeup has made an appearance in a number of medical spas and clinics. Does it have a place in your practice?

Permanent makeup spans a gamut from cosmetic eyeliner to aesthteic treatments like areola repigmentation after mastectomies. While not a medical treatment, there's always some interest about adding aesthetic treatments that patients may be interested in. In this interview we wanted to find out more about what permantent makeups offer, and where (if anywhere) they may fit inside a clinic.

Name: Barbara Strafella, DAAM, CPCT, LMTA
Location: Staten Island, NY
Website: iwakeupwithmakeup.com

Read More

Thomas Lamperti, MD: Lamperti Facial Plastic Surgery In Seattle, Washington

Thomas Lamperti MD Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Thomas Lamperti specializes in facial plastic surgery with clinics in Seattle and Bothell Washington. 

Physician: Dr. Thomas Lamperti
Clinic: Lamperti Facial Plastic Surgery
Location: Seattle and Bothell, WA
Website: 
drlamperti.com

That's interesting: Dr. Lamperti participates in "FACE TO FACE: The National Domestic Violence Project". Formed as a partnership between the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Foundation and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, FACE TO FACE surgeons offer consultation and surgery, pro-bono, to eligible victims of domestic violence.

Read More

Dr. Taha Z. Shipchandler, A Plastic Surgeon At Indiana University Health

Dr. Shipchandler splits his time between reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery at Indiana Health Physicians Facial Plastic Surgery & Skin Care. 

Dr. Taha Z. Shipchandler Plastic Surgery Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery

Not all of the physicians practicing cosmetic medicine are completely outside of larger healthcare institutions. We got together with Dr. Taha Shipchandler to learn how he's juggles the cosmetic and reconstructive sides of this practice.

Name: Taha Z. Shipchandler, MD
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Website: iuhealth.org/shipchandler
Dr. Taha Z. Shipchandler Plastic Surgery Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Indiana

That's interesting: Dr. Shipchandler has performed over 27 facial reanimation surgeries on patients with facial paralysis- this is a surgical procedure no one else in the Midwest is currently performing. He also participates yearly in medical mission trips. He recently traveled to Eldoret, Kenya leading a team of surgeons on a facial plastic surgery trip. He preformed over 27 surgeries in 5 days operating on children with cleft lips and palates and resected a large parotid gland tumor providing all the reconstruction. He also travels yearly to Guatemala with a team of surgeons from Johns Hopkins.

Read More

Top 5 Medical Spa Treatments In 2011

The top nonsurgical treatments in 2011?

  1. Botox: 5.7 million treatments (up 5% from 2010)
  2. Filler Injections (Juvederm, Restylane, Perlane, etc) 1.9 million treatments (up 5% from 2010)
  3. Laser Hair Removal: 1.1 million (up 15% from 2010)
  4. Chemical Peels: 1.1 million (down 3% from 2010)
  5. Microderm: 900,000 (up 9% from 2010)
Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Warren Seiler MD, A Laser Center & Medical Spa In Alabama

Warren B. Seiler III, MD, A Board Certified Cosmetic Laser Surgeon in Alabama

Dr. Seiler is a speaker, preceptor and physician trainer for Lumenis Laser Company and injection trainer for Allergan (manufacturer of Botox & Juvederm).

Birmingham Alabama is home to Seiler Skin, Cosmetic Laser Center & Medical Spa, a single-physician clinic run by Dr. Warren Seiler and his wife. We sat down with Dr. Seiler to find out what he thinks of the current crop of cosmetic lasers, how he runs his clinic, and hear what advice he has for other physcians.

Name: Dr. Warren B. Seiler III
Location: Homewood, AL
Website: seilerskin.com

That's interesting: Dr. Seiler is a Board Examiner and the Executive Director of the American Board of Laser Surgery and co-author of the ABLS examination text book and board certification exam.

As a single physician owner, how does your clinic operate?

My practice, Seiler Skin Cosmetic Laser Center, is a single physician driven cosmetic practice. I personally perform the laser and injectable procedures. I have a very good medical aesthetician working directly under me who helps patients with skincare programs, Hydrafacial, chemical peels, and laser hair removal. My wife is our marketing and website director and she is co-owner with me in the practice. We run the practice together, but we have an office manager that helps.  I perform fractional CO2, Fraxel, Thermage, Laser Hair Removal, Laser Spider Vein treatments, IPL, and others. Botox and Juvederm are the only injectables, although I have tried many others, I feel they are the best. Our practice is really the only one in Birmingham in which the physician specializes entirely in cosmetic laser procedures and nothing else, which really helps to offer the experience that I provide.  

Read More

Alex Denes, MD, FACP, A Medical Spa In California

Dr. Alex Denes CaliforniaFrom a start in internal medicine, Dr. Alex Denes has moved to an entirely cosmetic medical spa and practice.

Dr. Denes worked as an assistant surgeon for 30 years before entering the cosmetic field in 2000. We sat down with Dr. Denes to find out what he's learned, and what lessons he has to pass on.

Name: Dr. Alex Denes
Location: Hemet, CA
Website: HiGorgeous.net

That's interesting: Dr. Denes is qualified as an expert witness for the US Department of Justice and the California Medical Board. He's appeared as an expert witness for the defense in hundreds of medical malpractice cases.

He is Medical Director and VP of Medical Affairs of Hemet Community Medical Group, a multispecialty group consisting of 155 physicians, and Corporate Medical Director for KM Strategic Management Group.

How did you transition from Internal Medicine to Cosmetic Medicine?

Read More

Dr. Daniel Kaufman, Discreet Plastic Surgery In Manhattan & Brooklyn

Daniel Kaufman MD stays busy with clinics in Manhattan's Upper East Side, the East Village, Brooklyn, and a location in Garden City, Long Island. 

Dr. Daniel Kaufman Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon

Name: Daniel Kaufman, MD
Location: New York, NY
Website: DiscreetPlasticSurgery.com

Thats interesting:  He holds a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering from the Polytechnic Institute of New York University. In fact, he helped create the program, just after completing his medical degree.

What is your professional approach to cosmetic medicine?

Training in plastic surgery, you learn about a wide variety of surgical procedures, cosmetic and reconstructive, that can be utilized in a multitude of medical situations. As a plastic surgeon facing difficult medical problems, I always

Read More

Chemical Peel Your Way to Increased Med Spa Revenue

Whether you’re trying new medical spa marketing endeavors to promote your current services or contemplating new laser technologies to add to your armamentarium of non-invasive or minimally invasive procedures... the point is, you’re trying to increase your practice’s revenue during these challenged economic times.

Patients are feeling the economic struggle as well as they want to keep up their aesthetic needs while trying to cut costs. I’m sure that many of your patients are very loyal and offering them cost-effective treatments can be a plus for both of you!

In looking at my husband and business partner (the only physician in our practice), he’s pretty much strapped with what he can do in the course of his day. Fitting in injectables between laser lipo cases and laser cases can be tricky scheduling! Without having to hire additional personnel, or invest in expensive equipment (all that increase your overhead), one thought we have adapted is to use the staff we already have to help increase our revenue.

One of the ways we did this was to increase our variety of chemical peels we offer to our patients. Some patients decide to forego the Palomar Lux1540 or Lux2940 treatment plan we offer due to cost or even downtime of the Lux2940 (it’s really only a few days, but to some people they can’t afford to take off work that much).

Enter, the chemical peel!

The good, old-fashioned chemical peel has come a long way, but it’s still a tried and true facial resurfacing procedure that can tighten pores, remove dyschromias, and even smooth skin texture. They can be performed in a wide range of intensities and depth. Deeper peels can be performed in the office while others can be worn home to be removed by the patient several hours later. You can step up the peels to get faster results, or more gradually. Plus, it gets your client valuable face-time with the aesthetician who is experienced in your skin care product lines and upselling procedures the client may truly benefit from (i.e., Botox, fillers, IPL photo facials, etc).

Whether it be TCA Peels, AHA Peels, or even a Jessner Peel, peels are a wonderful service to offer in the springtime as your clients want to shed winter dry patches to reveal a more healthy looking glow!

Author: Paula D. Young RN runs internal operations and training at Young Medical Spa and is the author of the Medical Spa Aesthetics Course, Study Guide, and Advanced IPL & Laser Training course for medical estheticians and laser technicians.

Submit a guest post and be heard.