Trust and Transparency in Aesthetic Treatments

How do your credentials set you apart from other providers?

All of my team members have received medical training. Among them are phlebotomists, medical assistants, and nurses. It is important for patients to know who they’re seeing and understand the level of training of their aesthetic providers.

We also spend lots of time educating others in the industry. We are a center of excellence for a couple of major pharmaceutical and medical device companies, nationally and internationally. That means that when other providers consider bringing in new technology or devices, they shadow us or watch us do a demo day. As a training institution, we host people from all over the country who visit to become proficient in the use of these devices or products. We always say, “Community over competition.” Rising tides float all boats and make us collectively stronger.

Is there any danger in seeking-out cheaper aesthetic services? 

The way people can do these things so cheaply is by being unlicensed and importing counterfeit products. Texas has become a new wild west because of the lack of rules and regulations in the last 20 years, and that’s destructive for the industry because this is the practice of medicine. Unfortunately, there are also misconceptions that there are such certifications as a “master injector” or a “certified injector,” which is simply not true. FDA-approved products and being adequately trained costs money and represents expertise, so reputable, licensed medical professionals can’t do this for $6 or $7 a unit.

Does your center use only FDA-approved products?

Yes, 100%. We only use FDA-approved products meant to be used in the U.S. Lately, the news has reported the use of products that are counterfeit. While we use products “off-label,” we only use products that have some sort of FDA approval. For example, botulinum toxin injections are only approved for use in the forehead but are often used in the chin or neck, but it’s still an FDA-approved product.

What factors contribute to the appearance of aging?

Our bodies begin to degrade collagen starting at age 21. We also see bone resorption, muscle wasting, and fat loss, which is part of the aging process. Really, it’s for many different reasons, including diet, smoking, exposure, chronic inflammation, and genetics.

What is “Ozempic face?”

One of the things we see in our practice is some individuals experiencing the phenomenon of “Ozempic face,” to use a phrase popularized by Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank, a dermatologist. Some individuals experience it due to taking drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, and it’s caused by losing too much weight too fast. There’s also the related term, “Ozempic butt,” and both are related to semaglutide. However, we can restore the balance and volume in the face through biostimulators or regenerative fillers that help the body reproduce that collagen and elastin.