Navigating the world of aesthetics can be daunting, but I'm here to simplify it for you. Recently, I explored the differences between PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) and PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) for under-eye rejuvenation. Having used PRP for years, I was hesitant about PRF, but my findings reveal compelling reasons to consider this newer treatment. Both methods harness your body's natural healing powers, yet PRF offers a slow-release of growth factors for longer-lasting results. Curious about which is right for you? Dive into my latest blog to uncover the benefits and decide the best path for your under-eye rejuvenation.

Platelet-Rich-Plasma, or PRP, is a validated treatment for hair loss in NE Portland. Using YOUR OWN blood product, platelets are extracted and injected into the scalp to promote hair growth and thickness. This is a no-downtime treatment and the PRP for hair loss plan requires multiple treatments in NE Portland.

Thanks for taking the time to click and read. Life gets hectic around this time of year. For me it’s the holidays, my kiddo’s birthday (she’s FIVE), my birthday (I’m 40), and other end-of-year business. I’ve been a little overwhelmed by it all which seems compounded by the stressors we all experience. I, like you, want my life to have meaning; I want my work to have a positive impact, my environmental footprint small, to have health, and for my friends and family to feel the enormity of love I have for them. 

This week’s topic is inspired by the recent daylight savings change and the seemingly ‘sudden’ shift into winter with shorter and darker days. It’s almost reflexive to reject the change however through observation and a bit of adaptation, I believe we set ourselves up for better health. This week I point out three observations from nature and how we can live in accordance during this season. The week’s topic is inspired by my formal Chinese medicine training where it is believed that by harmonizing oneself with the seasons, you can stay healthier and prevent disease. 

Collagen and elastin are essential protein fibers in the skin that give support and elasticity. As we mature, these fibers break down and can cause wrinkles. Regenerating the skin’s collagen and elastin helps give you a more youthful appearance. Collagen also plays a role in scaring, like happens from acne. Skin remodeling can have an important role in the improved appearance of scarring. 

As you may know, I am formally trained in Chinese Medicine. During a neuromodulator treatment (ie Botox or Dysport), we needle common acupuncture points. This week we learn about acupuncture, common points treated with Botox, and why we use these points. 

The status of our nutrition can be seen through the skin. In fact, nutritional deficiencies often first appear on our skin. Nutritional deficiencies can stem from both vitamin and mineral deficiencies (micronutrient) as well as carbohydrate, fat, and protein (macronutrient). You are more likely to have a nutritional deficiency if you adhere to a restrictive or inadequate diet, drink alcohol excessively, or have digestive issues.

Fall is around the corner and the season for resurfacing treatments like peels and microneedling are here!  I am proud to have invested in the Skinpen, the world’s first FDA-cleared microneedling device. Integrating microneedling treatments into your self-care regimen will rejuvenate your skin, address uneven skin tone, and facial acne scarring .

The garden is going off; I have a jungle of sunflowers, a dehydrator full of asian pears, and every day we’re eating tomatoes, cucumbers, and/or beans. I come from gardeners (we pretty much all do). I remember snacking on cherry tomatoes in my grandma’s garden, eggplant from Auntie Linnea’s, and that time Auntie Val planted a strawberry garden in our backyard. My mama’s got a vegetable-producing touch that I only aspire to and my Auntie Val homesteads her way into winter. Watching a garden grow and flower and fruit makes me happy. I believe that having a garden, even if it’s only a pot of herbs, sets the stage for healthy, clear, and youthful skin. This week I show how having a garden supports optimal skin. 

Long, thick, and dark eyelashes are sought after characteristics with potential to elevate our confidence and self perception. We’ve all used mascara, the most accessible and traditional way to highlight and thicken the lashes. Artificial lashes are all the rage and with dramatic outcomes. Then there’s Latisse, or bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03%, which is an FDA-approved treatment to grow eyelashes for those lacking (1). 

Last week we learned about oxidative damage and its negative impact on the skin. In short, exposure to things like UV radiation from the sun and other toxins, like from smoking, causes free radicals in the skin and when production exceeds our natural antioxidant defenses, damage occurs. The skin is on the forefront of our defense and comes in more contact with the outside world than any other organ; the skin therefore, is where the first signs of aging occur.  

Last week we learned that healthy skin comes from a healthy body and that inflammation and microbiome disturbance are two possible root causes for bad skin. This week we learn about oxidative damage and how this, too, contributes to accelerated aging and other skin conditions. The content below is inspired from the book Clean Skin From Within By Dr. Trevor Cates.

The state of our skin may represent the state of our inner health.  Skin is our LARGEST organ and when our digestion, hormones, blood sugar, immunity, and other body systems are imbalanced, this can manifest through the skin.  We often treat the skin without considering the possible underlying issues.  This week I discuss two possible causes behind symptomatic skin, adapted from the book Clean Skin From Within by Dr. Trevor Cates. 

Well hello there. It’s been a hot minute since I’ve put a blog out as I’ve leaned into the summer vibes and new freedoms. I have been back and forth to Chicago a couple times, seeing my beloved family, to the coast for the 4th, and a road trip to Port Angeles visiting dear friends. I hope that you too, are adventuring and reconnecting. 

Men are not immune from the aging process, and it’s been my experience that most men are open to effective aesthetic treatments. Portland Botox injections are the most common treatment in my practice sought out by men. This is because they are effective, require no down time, and give natural results. Commonly referred to as “Bro tox,” this week I discuss botulinum toxin injections for men. 

My practice is VERY needle heavy, using them to inject: botox, fillers, kybella, and sculptra. I draw blood out and then inject it back for PRP treatments. I set catheters for IV therapy and needle into muscles for vitamin injections. With needles comes risk of bruising; not a rare occurrence. One study estimated a 19-24 % chance (1) with filler treatment and another as high as 68% (2)! There are ways to minimize risk, but nothing to eliminate it (3). This week I talk about what a bruise is, what to expect over time, and how to care for it.

The lower third of the face is very important for facial aesthetics.  A well contoured jawline is desirable for both men and women and it is a key element when masculinizing or feminizing a face.  Injectable fillers like Juvederm Voluma are gaining popularity with the recent FDA approval for use in the chin (1). Hyaluronic acid fillers in the lower face can: reshape the jawline, lift sagging tissue, and improve facial proportions. When used to rejuvenate the aging face, we aim to redefine the jawline line and angle of the jaw. In younger faces, filler can be used to correct an inherited deficit or enhance facial contour; all aimed to enhance one’s self perception.  

With aging, we start getting lines between the eyes and forehead, mouth lines become more pronounced, under eye area sinks and darkens,, etc. These changes occur because of seismic moves of the bone, muscle, and fat beneath the skin (2). While some changes can be modulated with lifestyle choices like regular sunscreen use and non smoking status (3), others cannot. This week we learn about the changes that happen under our skin as we age.