Sally's Blog
Is Your Face Recession Proof?
I am repeatedly asked if our aesthetic practice has felt the effects of the down turn in our economy. Obviously this question cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. What I can say is that there is a dramatic increase in the knowledge base and expectations of all our clients. People have finally become tired of unsubstantiated product claims and are now in ever increasing numbers, looking to trusted medical professionals to help them wade through this confusing cosmeceutical product market. With Melanoma statistics sky rocketing and the "Boomers" seeing for themselves what the ravages of our baby oil "sunscreen" years left behind, women and men want actual correction not another empty promise wrapped in flashy packaging or a catchy buzz word!
I firmly believe that skin care today must focus on restoring the health of our skin instead of promising to change your birthday! Healthy skin care must no longer be considered self indulgent. Your skin is your body's largest organ and trust me, it has taken a beating! Just like no two of us are the same, so it stands that no one product will work for everyone. I recognize that what I am about to tell you will radically challenge what big cosmeceutical companies and marketing firms want you to believe, but there is still not any one product on the market today that will give us a facelift in a bottle and that my friends, is the truth!
Our sun damaged demographic is driving this industry. Just open up those bathroom drawers and you will see for yourself the real financial bottom line. Every dollar you earn must be respected, so before you toss into that drawer another bottle of empty promises, get the facts that will pertain only to you.
Turn off those magnifying mirrors, stop waiting for NASA to retrieve a miracle moon mask, and then come to the realization that you have to do something. Start with a FREE, yes, FREE consultation and that my friends is recession proof!
Would You Like A Little Neurotoxin with your Haircut?
Are you kidding me? Sounds inconceivable right? Unfortunately this is all TOO real! Recently, I have learned first hand that there are physicians and nurses traveling to local area Fitness Centers and salons selling Botox and injectable Filler treatments right there on the spot! REALLY? When did it become acceptable to compromise everything that excellence in medical care must stand for. I do not recall anything that states it is perfectly acceptable to set aside all standards of quality client...I mean patient care when you find an untapped albeit captive aesthetic, cash paying audience. Perhaps I might suggest all that's missing from this dog and pony show is a banner strapped to their bumper saying "Today Only, Neurotoxin injected while you wait - Follow Me"... then seal the sales deal with the classic pitch, ... "But Wait There's More" and pull out a syringe of filler!
Make NO mistake, these medical treatments come with very serious potential complications as well as implications that should be considered before and after an injection treatment of this kind! How accurate will a medical history be when the "client" is sitting next to their friends, neighbors or, not to mention complete strangers filling out paperwork (if indeed there is any paperwork). Should a complete medical history be taken, can it be concluded that someone in this type of social situation will be 100% truthful in regards to detailing all their very personal and private medical history? Some very sensitive information must be documented in your medical history which will include listing all medications, past illnesses, immunizations, allergies, or if you experience even the occasional herpes out break. Of course these physicians will be free and clear of liability because you signed what is called an "Informed Consent for Treatment", but were you really fully informed?
What's next, brain surgery at Jiffy Lube? If this blog sounds flip to you, it shouldn't, it should sound like I am infuriated! I have always held physicians and my nursing peers in the highest regard, but when the profit of a dollar supersedes excellence in medical care and patient safety, something has gone drastically wrong! I applaud those individuals who were in these facilities and found themselves questioning the appropriateness of this "Special Today Only" kind of medical service. Oh and did I forget to mention that we also wrap up this highly professional care by serving adult beverages! We all know no bad decisions have ever been made while people are under the influence of alcohol in a social situation. But hey, it is just a little neurotoxin and everyone's doing it, plus I see this kind of thing on "The Real Housewife's" TV Show all the time! What could go wrong?
Whatever financial hardship these professionals find themselves in, it is my hope that you value your wellness much more than they value your dollar!
Liquid Facelift
You may have recently seen a segment on NBC Action News at 11am regarding a "Liquid Facelift". The physician interviewed detailed one particular injectable filler product named Sculptra. Sculptra was originally FDA approved for the treatment of facial wasting (significant loss of soft tissue) as occur with AIDs/HIV patient's. Sculptra has only recently been given FDA approval for facial cosmetic/aesthetic enhancement.
There are significant differences (not to mention price points) in the various treatment options that fall under the category of injectable fillers. Knowing what may be the right filler for your particular level of correction should be thoroughly discussed with a medical professional before you proceed with any injectable treatment. A "Liquid Facelift" may be described or offered very differently from one medical office to the next. What was not mentioned during this segment is that other tissue fillers or Botox is often combined in the treatment protocol for a "Liquid Facelift" as well.
To give you a little more information about Sculptra, this product is a Poly-L-Lactic Acid. When the particles of PLLA are implanted in the skin, it will stimulate the formation of new collagen thus adding volume over time. I underline "over time" because it will require 3-5 separate injection sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart. Correction will not be noticed immediately as with other fillers, but will occur very gradually over 2-6 months. Results however can last up to 2 years. It is important that before beginning a full treatment course with Sculptra, detailed photographs should be taken for comparison purposes so that you can actually see the correction you achieve over this extended period of time.
Hyaluronic Acid fillers such as Juvederm or the latest Collagen based filler, Evolence will offer an immediate aesthetic correction and when performed by a highly skilled medical professional, you will have very little if any swelling or bruising. The results of these fillers can last up to one full year and are offered at a significantly lower cost than Sculptra overall. The average cost of Sculptra in the greater Kansas City area will vary widely from office to office. Expect the cost to be anywhere from $600.00 all the way up to $1,000.00 per treatment session. In our practice, we focus on helping you understand the nuances between all the filler treatment options because honestly, this is your face we are talking about!
I would be happy to consult with you one on one to determine if a "Liquid Facelift" is right for you right now.
Grocery Cart Bingo
Restoring and rejuvenating your skin's health does not have to be complicated, expensive or mystifying! Do you ever feel frustrated or lost as you walk through a stores skin care aisle and simply have no idea what cream, lotion or serum is the right one for you? I call this grocery cart bingo. When it all gets too overwhelming we frustratingly grab a box, toss it into the cart and just hope for the best.
Ultimately it all ends up in an already overflowing bathroom drawer! My primary goal is to keep your skin care simple, easy AND effective! If I am not willing to go through a multiple step protocol before I can finally go to bed at night, I won't ask you to either! My philosophy is to focus on restoring the health of your skin. If you can remember the perfect dilution ratio of Iodine to Baby Oil, you need to see me....throw a sun lamp into that mix and you should be dialing the phone right now! A free consultation is where we start. I will honor your time and trust, because today your skin's health matters and so do you!
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Want to know how to make your skin look younger and healthier? Call 913.485.8310 to schedule a FREE consultation.
