One of my greatest pleasures as a physician is the privileged and honest conversation I have with my patients. While sometimes difficult and soul wrenching, they are often also joyful, humorous, and filled with insight and points of view that broaden my own thinking. I have, in the past, underestimated the value we give to people in the cosmetic arena. Patients have demonstrated to me, year after year, that gaining back (or getting rid of as the case may be) what time, nature, or disease has taken away from them is restorative. I learned this first hand after my recent surgery and reconstruction for breast cancer. Although the reconstruction was not a “necessity”, the restoration gave me back a sense of myself I wasn’t, at this time in my life, ready to relinquish. So, when patients start their conversation with “I don’t want to seem vain, but (fill in the blank)”, I want to reach out and assure them that is not my perception. I get it. In a very personal way. And, furthermore, it makes me smile inside as I watch satisfaction and relief touch others.

We have recently added two new systems to our offerings at Dermatology of East Texas. I am very excited to announce we now offer CoolSculpting Technology. CoolSculpting is a noninvasive, nonsurgical method of fat reduction with no downtime. Using a process of cryolipolysis, fat cells are killed, but other types of cells are left alone. It is the only FDA approved device for this type of fat reduction. What I love about this device, besides its demonstrated safety and effectiveness, is its versatility. We can debulk large areas of fat, but also sculpt, and treat many different areas: double chins, love handles, belly fat, upper arms, bra fat, thighs, and under the buttocks rolls. Do not underestimate the joy of zipping up jeans and NOT having to search for a top that covers the overflow! Check out this area on our website for more information, and schedule your consultation. Many of you are now familiar with our other recent addition, the Venus Versa. This is a versatile platform utilizing multiple modes of technology that allows us to tighten and lift skin, treat red spots, brown spots, acne, reduce unwanted hair, and reduce fat. I bought this shortly after my first cancer surgery, selfishly realizing as the estrogen was ripped from my sweaty palms, that I would personally NEED these treatments to keep my skin looking good. (Stay tuned, as I address in future Blogs how to tackle hair loss, creepy skin, and temperature swings due to hormone deprivation).

Finally, we have added some new products. As part of my recovery, I wanted nothing more than to go to a beach and rest. I live outdoors when I’m not working. Life is too short not to have fun. How, exactly, does a dermatologist do the beach? Very Carefully! I started by taking the oral supplement Heliocare 3 days before departure, and everyday during my vacation. This is a pill derived from a fern that has been shown to reduce the amount of damage done to your skin while you are outside. I take Niacinamide 500 mg twice daily, which has been shown to reduce the formation of precancers and nonmelanoma skin cancers. You need to check with me or with your primary care physician before taking this one, as it’s not for everyone. I slathered on our newest sunscreen ISDN, which utilizes technology gleaned from the Noble Chemistry Prize awarded in 2015 to the people that figured out how DNA fixes itself after damage. We have all of that at the office if you are interested, or you can find it online also. I wore UPF rated sun protective clothing (you can buy this or make your own), and stayed under an umbrella except for long walks and blissful swims. Most importantly, I had fun, relaxed, and counted my blessings of have such an amazing life with wonderful patients, family, and friends that make it something worth holding on to. Have a GREAT SUMMER!