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An Inside into NAD+ IV Therapy

November 19, 2024 in /by

Introduction:

By now, you may have heard about NAD and NAD IV’s, because of the various powerhouse health and wellness benefits. Many clinics are starting to offer NAD infusions or therapies because they may help a wide variety of symptoms that people are facing, such as fatigue, moodiness, brain fog, poor detoxification, unexplained weight gain, low energy, signs of aging, and inflammation. 

While these problematic symptoms have a root cause, NAD IV’s can be a wellness tool to help  assist in the healing process in conjunction with lifestyle changes like eating a balanced diet, stress management, exercise, gut health, detoxification, and rest. 

📖 Keep reading below to learn more about NAD, what it does, its benefits, and much more!



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Table of Contents

What is NAD?

NAD (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) is an important coenzyme found within the cells of the body and has many important functions, such as: regulating metabolic energy, lowering inflammatory responses, enhancing mood and energy, cellular repair and so much more (see below for more on benefits). However, as our bodies age, our natural NAD levels start to decline, which can lead to unwanted symptoms, or be a factor of unwanted symptoms. Supplementing with NAD IV therapy can be beneficial for many people to feel their best and aid in enhanced wellness practices.

What does NAD do for your body?

Like mentioned above, NAD is a coenzyme found naturally in our bodies and plays a vital role in hundreds of healthy cellular processes, but to name a few: 

  • Energy metabolism & mitochondrial function: NAD is a carrier for redox enzymes, which are important for a healthy and functioning metabolism
  • DNA repair: NAD aids in repairing damaged cells
  • Cellular signaling: NAD helps to regulate enzymes that modify proteins
  • Stress responses: NAD supports the body to have a healthy stress response 
  • Circadian rhythm: NAD is powerful at maintaining a routine sleep/wake cycle which contributes to less brain fog and unexplained fatigue

It is important to help support and restore lost levels of NAD as we age, to reduce the likelihood of unwanted health issues/symptoms. 

What are the symptoms of NAD deficiency?

Lower levels of NAD within the body may effect every part of the body, but has a direct effect on healthy cellular energy levels. Most commonly, people with a deficiency in NAD report feeling easily fatigued, have brain fog, feel weak, and forgetful. 

Other symptoms may include:

  • Chronic inflammation
  • Troubles sleeping, like insomnia or staying asleep 
  • Gut and GI issues and abdominal pain
  • Unexplained weight gain
  • Brittle hair, nails and unhealthy/aging skin 
  • Infertility

Symptoms of NAD deficiency will look different for everyone and differ based on current state of health, too. Root causes of symptoms are also complex, but NAD deficiency could be part of the puzzle. If you are concerned about your health, it might be best to seek help from a functional health practitioner while getting NAD+ support to help with symptoms.

What are the benefits of NAD?

There are so many benefits of NAD, some benefits may be different for everyone based on what their health concerns are. 

Below are some of the main benefits that you can expect when supplementing specifically with NAD IV Therapy:

  • Increased metabolic function and healthy weight management 
  • Reverse unwanted signs of aging 
  • Support cognitive function and reduce brain fog
  • Reduce total body inflammation and chronic pain
  • Boost energy, improve mental clarity, and reduce chronic fatigue 
  • May help aid in relief from anxiety and depression
  • Repair DNA and cellular damage 
  • Improve sleep and sleep cycles 
  • Enhances mitochondrial health–> improved egg and sperm health for fertility

While there are many benefits of NAD for the body, if you are wanting more details on how this can personally benefit you, consult with one of our NP providers.

Watch our team’s NAD IV Benefits video below 👇 



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Why is NAD important?

To put it simply, NAD is important because it is a major factor responsible for creating cellular energy and maintaining healthy cellular function. Since NAD is found in every cell of our body, if only some of these cells are working properly, it can impose health concerns/symptoms that can make us feel very sluggish, experience the effects of chronic inflammation, have unexplained weight gain, etc. 

⭐️ Note: this is not to say that a decrease/lack of NAD is the only problem leading to unwanted symptoms, there can be other root causes going on within the body leading to these symptoms, as well. We always recommend implementing “basic”, yet vital, lifestyle changes such as: eating a well balanced diet filled with vegetables, animal protein, and gluten-free carbs; minimizing stressors, exercising and moving daily, prioritizing sleep and rest, reducing toxins in your environment, making sure all detox pathways are working, and working on gut health. 

Making these lifestyle changes and supplementing with NAD through IV therapy can tremendously help with many of the unwanted symptoms people might be experiencing. If there is a case out of our scope, we will refer out to a functional practitioner, like Marisa Faye, for further assistance. 



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Is NAD the same as vitamin B3?

NAD is the active coenzyme form of vitamin B3, so it is not exactly the same, but is a form of B3. Overall, all B vitamins play a role in energy metabolism for our bodies to function properly and feel their best (so they are very important 😉!)

At what age does NAD begin to decline?

NAD levels may start to decrease in the mid 20’s, but around the age of 40 is when most people will have around a 50% decrease in their NAD levels. However, keep in mind that there are many factors that contribute to healthy NAD levels and how fast levels may decline. These factors include things such as diet, lifestyle, gender, stress responses, other supplements, gut health, etc. It may be safe to say that most people can benefit from supplementing with NAD in their wellness routines!

How can I increase my NAD naturally?

Below are a few ways to increase NAD levels naturally:

  • Focus on a diet rich in B vitamins and “gut-loving” fermented foods
  • Exercise your body preferably every day
  • Healthy fasting (10-12 hours) *this may not be an option for every individual, always talk with your provider*
  • Maintain a warm body temperature 
  • Healthy sun exposure to increase vitamin D levels 
  • Supplementing, orally or through IV therapy 

Keep in mind: It may require a combination of several of these tips to notice the benefits of NAD levels increasing. Supplementing with NAD IV therapy can provide quicker results, because the NAD  goes directly into the blood stream via the IV, and can be absorbed more efficiently than taking an oral form that has to go through the GI tract. 

As always, if you are concerned about your NAD levels, get your labs tested with a provider and re-test after certain changes are made to see if there’s any improvement.

Who is a good candidate for NAD IV's?

Individuals who are good candidates for NAD IV’s might be experiencing:

  • Fatigue, low energy, brain fog, cognitive issues, needing support with detox pathways, anxiety/depression, unexplained weight gain, hormonal issues, sleep issues, infertility and more.

Additionally, those who are seeking to enhance their overall wellness, focus on healthy aging, and wanting to feel their best might be a good candidate for NAD IV’s, too. You do not have to be experiencing issues/symptoms to be a good candidate for this IV therapy treatment. 

*Reminder: This is not medical advice. Always talk with your prescribing provider about what treatments are best for you.



Read more about IV Therapy here

How often should you get NAD IV's?

The frequency of getting NAD IV’s is customized to each individual/their symptoms, NAD deficiency levels, and their wellness goals. Typically, people who are experiencing symptoms receive a NAD IV 1-2 times per week for the first couple of months. Once they are feeling better, or noticing improvements, they can then taper off and complete maintenance treatments. 

If someone is seeking to enhance their wellness, but does not have major symptom concerns, it is more common to get a NAD IV’s 1-2 times per month. Again, this is very individualized, and to get the best treatment plan, we recommend to talk with one of our NP providers. 



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Are there any side effects to NAD IV's?

As with any medical procedure/treatment it is important to be educated on side effects/risks. 

While most side effects from IV therapy are mild, temporary, and resolve on their own, below are some potential side effects: 

  • Bruising, redness, swelling, or tenderness at the IV insertion site
  • Nausea/stomach discomfort
  • Fatigue or weakness
  • Flushing
  • Diarrhea 
  • Muscle cramping
  • Allergic reaction, rare but always possible

Ensure your provider goes through a thorough medical history/consent before treatment, and talk to them about all potential side effects to be aware of before starting treatment.

If you experience any of these symptoms after a NAD IV, and feel they are not subsiding after a few minutes/hours, be sure to call your provider and let them know ASAP. 

 

Who should not get a NAD IV?

Overall, NAD IV’s are considered safe and effective for most people because our bodies already have NAD within them. However, there is some research that shows people who have cancer should not get these treatments. This is because they could increase fuel for cancer or because the NAD supplementation may interfere with the cancer treatments and make them less effective. 

Always talk with your provider if NAD IV therapy is right for you, before starting treatments. 

How long does it take NAD to start working?

Most people report that they feel an immediate boost in their energy levels and more mental clarity after a NAD IV infusion. However, keep in mind that everyone is different, and it may take a few consistent treatments before you start noticing improvements in your own health journey. Additionally, sometimes people may feel some “detoxing” symptoms after their first couple of treatments. This is a normal body reaction, because the NAD is helping to encourage the body to detox the unwanted pathogens in the body. 

How does NAD make you feel?

NAD tends to boosts serotonin, aka the happy chemicals in the brain, which lightens people’s mood and makes them feel more joyful. Also, NAD aids in reducing fatigue, so many people feel an energy boost and less brain fog. 

Conclusion:

As you have read, NAD is a powerhouse enzyme needed for our bodies to function optimally. At Elite, we encourage clients to incorporate wellness treatments/practices and healthy lifestyle habits to ensure they are feeling their best = looking their best, too! NAD IV infusions have benefited many of our staff members and clients, AND as a bonus, you can add this treatment on to your favorite aesthetic treatment!

If you are in the Lone Tree, CO area, book a consultation or a treatment below.

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IV Therapy in Lone Tree, CO

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5 Habits That Are Aging You Faster

September 1, 2024 in , /by

Introduction

Your skin is a direct reflection of what you put in your body and how you treat it. Aging gracefully and avoiding common skin concerns like acne, sun/age spots, eczema, psoriasis, melasma, premature aging, and rosacea starts from within. At Elite, we take a holistic approach to aesthetics, meaning that we offer many different skin treatments and injectables to help target skin issues, BUT we also provide our clients with wellness information regarding common root causes that may be contributing to skin concerns.

🌱 💉 In simple terms, we take a 360 approach: mind, body, wellness, and aesthetic treatments to help our clients reach their optimal goals. Combining 1. Regular skin treatments with 2. A total body and wellness approach is the key to healthy skin and feeling your best.

On top of that, when we do offer an aesthetic treatment, we ensure that we are using the cleanest and safest products available on the market. We really believe in the ingredients we put into our bodies, whether from nutrition or a treatment!

In this blog we uncover and explain five common lifestyle habits that may be:

  • Wreaking havoc on our gut and detoxification
  • Killing our collagen production
  • Making us age faster
  • Negatively impacting our skin
  • Interfering with healthy hormone function
Bonus: check out some of our favorite book recommendations at the end to help improve overall health! 



Learn more about Ali, NP's approach to functional medicine

Table of Contents


Of note: This is not an inclusive list of how these things affect your body, just a brief explanation on how these 5 things affect your skin exclusively. Additionally, this post is informational ONLY, always talk to your healthcare provider about what may be best for you and if you have any questions or concerns about your individual health.

1. Eating out all the time

Eating an inflammatory diet includes eating out all the time. These types of inflammatory foods are filled with poor quality protein, processed foods, sugar, low quality dairy, Americanized gluten, vegetable/seed oils, and exposure to pesticides and cause an inflammatory response in the body. 

When the body experiences inflammation for an extended period of time, it starts to negatively impact our DNA, gut health, natural detoxification processes, cellular function, and hormone health (just to name a few). When our bodies are experiencing these imbalances, it is not uncommon for our skin to suffer through potential skin concerns like: 

This is not a full list of potential skin concerns or body imbalances, just a list of popular ones that we see as an aesthetic office.

What foods improve skin health?

We encourage our clients to cut out  inflammatory foods and seed oils, and start to incorporate nutrient dense foods (or follow an ancestral or “pegan” diet method) that is filled with real foods that contain the vitamins and minerals to fuel our bodies, fight against free radicals, reverse signs of aging, and support healthier skin overall. This in turn, can also heal our bodies, and we tend to feel better in every aspect of our health when we focus on eating a balanced diet with limited/to no inflammatory foods. 

🌟 Keep in mind that some foods (even if they are healthy) can also be causing inflammation in the body, so if you are experiencing side effects even after limiting the above, please contact your health care provider or a functional nutritionist to run tests/labs to help rule out what may be a culprit for you.

Do toxic skincare products cause acne or eczema?

In many cases, yes. Toxic skincare products can trigger/worsen inflammatory skin conditions like acne, eczema, and others. At Elite, we take pride in carrying non-toxic, fragrance free skincare that is effective, yet safe to use as a healthier option. Commonly used and marketed medical grade skincare can contain MANY different chemicals, fragrances, and dyes, even though they may market that it helps relieve certain skin concerns. This also is the same with several pharmaceutical topical skincare products like antibiotic creams, retinols, acids, and steroids. 

Pro Tip: Read your product labels, do your research, and find a skincare routine with beneficial, less toxic products! This is important for anyone using skincare products. What we put on our bodies everyday has a huge impact on our health. Read our full blog on this topic by clicking the pink button below.

💜 If you are unsure what skincare products might be beneficial for you, schedule a consultation with one of our NP providers and learn more about options best suited for you!



Recognizing toxins in skincare


2. Over consumption of alcohol & caffeine

Drinking too many caffeinated beverages and alcoholic drinks can cause an array of issues within our bodies, which in turn effects our skin. Some, but not all, of these issues may include:

  • Chronic dehydration
  • Poor gut health
  • Sluggish liver 
  • Imbalanced hormones

With all of this to say, when these issues (listed above) are happening within our bodies, our skin may start showing signs of dehydration, dryness, crepiness, premature aging, unhealthy color, rosacea, redness, broken capillaries, acne, melasma, eczema, and much more. 

Tip: while the occasional drink with friends or cup of coffee is normal, be mindful of the quality of the alcohol and coffee you consume. For example, mold-free, organic coffee over Starbucks and organic, no-sugar wine/quality tequila over a sugary cocktail are better options!

What are helpful tips to limit caffeine and alcohol?

We encourage our clients to limit their alcohol and caffeinated beverages, and focus on not only drinking more water, but quality electrolytes every day (no, not Gatorade or other brands with dyes and sugar!). Quality electrolytes ensure that your skin/body is hydrated sufficiently, rather than over-diluting our bodies with water alone, which can cause mineral deficiencies.

Alongside water and electrolytes, we especially love herbal infusions, organic teas, lemon water, fresh-pressed organic juice, quality sparkling water like spindrift, and kombucha for healthier drink alternatives that have added “skin-benefits”. Swapping these types of drinks out for alcohol and caffeine is better for your overall health, too!

For a healthier dose of caffeine in the morning, consider green tea or a home-made matcha latte with collagen, honey and coconut milk instead of coffee. Also drink any caffeine AFTER eating a healthy high protein breakfast. 

What are the best drinks for healthy skin?

Like mentioned above, there are many drinks that can help contribute to healthy, hydrated skin. Some of these options may include: organic coconut water, green juices (organic and fresh), herbal teas like roobios, hibiscus, ginger, spearmint, quality electrolytes like Pickleball Cocktail or Needed, lemon water, and aloe vera juice. 

For easy and cheap electrolytes, also consider drinking a large glass of filtered water first thing in the morning with a few dashes of sea salt or pink Himalayan  salt with a splash of lemon!

3. Having to always be busy

In today’s culture, it is “normal” (and sometimes even glorified) to be overly busy and have jammed packed schedules. However, this type of chronic busy-ness can lead to an overload of stress, overwhelm, and fatigue, resulting in over-worked and drained mind and bodies. While there are going to be seasons of life where our schedules are busier than usual, or stress arises from occasional situations, red flags should pop up when this becomes a lifestyle. You may start to notice your skin changing/becoming compromised, and can continue to decline or worsen with time.

Without a doubt, chronic stress/busy-ness leads to adrenal fatigue and cortisol spikes within our bodies, which has a negative impact, leaving us in a constant “fight or flight” state. Potential skin concerns from this may include:

Plus, this lifestyle does not leave much time for a proper skincare routine, regular skin treatments, or self care.

Helpful tips for reducing stress and feeling the need to be busy:

We encourage our clients to make time for themselves each day to do something relaxing or that they love, even if it is just for 30 minutes. We find it beneficial to incorporate things like: 

  • Mindfulness
  • Deep breathing
  • Reading
  • Meditation
  • Getting outdoors
  • Monthly/weekly self care appointments
  • Daily gratitude practice 

These practices “fill your cup” and allow for you to “just be”. Slowing down, even on a busy work day, and enjoying the present moment can help with freeing yourself from “fight or flight” and cortisol spikes. In doing so, you may notice your skin looking more refreshed, youthful, and any skin concerns starting to calm down and heal. 

📕 As as team, we do a monthly bookclub that encourages practices like this, and lets us focus on time with each other to become the best versions of ourselves, both at work and in our personal lives.  

Tip: it can be hard to consider adding in extra things when life feels really crazy, so start with slowing down just one thing. Start walking slower, eating slower, or even brushing your teeth more slowly. Stay present with whatever you’re doing. 



Learn more about our team

How do I make time for a skincare routine when I am busy?

Prioritize yourself, you deserve it! View your skincare routine as self care, and set time in your schedule for it. There’s no need to rush through it, enjoy it, and make it feasible for your lifestyle. It is also less overwhelming when your skincare routine is simple with fewer more efficient products customized to your needs, rather than the 10-step skincare routines you see on social media. 

Also, getting routine skin treatments help with targeting skin concerns and getting you to desired results quicker and more efficiently. This is also a great form of self care and allows for you to feel confident in your skin. 

We also believe that taking time for you, and prioritizing your needs, will help set a positive tone for everything else in your life to follow.



See our top treatments for a "glow up"


4. Being lazy or cheap with sunscreen

Appropriate amounts of sun in healthy people* may have benefits such as vitamin D production, improved mitochondrial function, and better circadian rhythm to name a few. However, on your face, it is crucial to be diligent in wearing a quality mineral sunscreen everyday to protect your skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays and prevent sunburns (yes, even in the winter months). You can get the benefits of the sun without directly exposing your face. If you don’t like sunscreen, then wear a wide brim hat to protect your face.

Even your body should either be covered with protective clothing or with mineral sunscreen after 5-15 min in the sun (depending on total body inflammation and sun tolerance–> the more inflamed you are the less natural tolerance you will have in the sun). 

Not only does wearing sunscreen everyday help protect you from certain skin cancers, but it also lessens your risk of sun spots, age spots, freckling, redness, wrinkles, lines, rosacea, worsening melasma, and pre-mature aging! 

Also, keep in mind that damage from the sun typically does not start appearing via sun spots on our skin until our 30’s+, so wearing sunscreen while you are young is super important.

What types of sunscreen are the best to prevent sun damage?

At Elite, we carry multiple brands and types of sunscreens to have options for our clients. We always say “the best sunscreen is the one you will religiously wear every day”. Luckily, there are many mineral based sunscreens that range from tinted, matte/oil-free, hydrating, powder-form, spray, and much more to suit an individual’s need and skin type.

We also encourage clients to get a yearly skin check-up with a reputable dermatologist, and to see a healthcare provider if you notice anything suspicious or concerning on your skin. 

☀️ If you need help finding the right type of sunscreen for you, or want to address sun damage concerns, book a consultation with one of our nurse practitioners HERE.



View our skincare products

Does getting sun make your skin look better?

*While there is some debate on if the sun is “good” or “bad” for your skin, here is our approach to it 👇 

  • Yes, as above, the sun can have benefits such as reducing inflammation by producing more vitamin D, improving mitochondrial function and resetting circadian rhythm. However, with that being said, benefits only occur if they can tolerate the sun and do not instantly burn (which unfortunately is not very many people in America due to chronic stress and inflammation). Once someone works on eating an anti-inflammatory diet, focuses on a healthy gut, gets adequate sleep, and so on, then they may tolerate the sun better for short periods of time. As a side note: It can be beneficial for everyone to enjoy a small amount of sunshine first thing in the morning to help regulate their circadian rhythm while the rays are not at their most intense.
  •  Bottom line is, wearing a mineral based SPF every day is important to keeping your skin protected from the harmful rays. We especially encourage clients to wear SPF every day on AT LEAST their face, neck, and chest if they are using active skincare ingredients (ie retinols, acids, other exfoliants) and if they are getting regular skincare treatments like IPL/lasers/chemical peels. Wearing quality sunscreen can also decrease your chances of premature aging and help to maintain your treatment results.

Learn more on this topic from Ali, NP’s holistic approach to the sun and sunscreen below:



Is sunscreen or sun causing cancer?


5. Not prioritizing sleep and rest

There is no negotiating that our bodies need adequate sleep and rest to recover. Lack of sleep can: weaken our immune systems, affect our hormones, slow down natural cellular recovery and so much more. When these things start to occur in our bodies, it negatively impacts collagen and elastin production within our skin leading to pre-mature aging concerns.

More importantly, when you don’t get enough sleep your body doesn’t have enough time to produce human growth hormone, which is responsible for healthy cell production. A lack of this can cause:

The saying “I can sleep when I am dead” is not a healthy way of living. Our team read the book “Power of Vulnerability” by Brene Brown where she explains how this perception on not sleeping is harmful to us in many ways. 

What are helpful tips for quality rest and sleep?

It is important to prioritize your sleep by unwinding in the evenings, limiting blue light/devices a few hours before bed, reading, taking a warm bath, sipping on camomile tea, consider taking magnesium bisglycinate (consult with your healthcare provider), getting sunlight first thing in the morning, and ultimately finding a night time routine that sets you up for successful sleep. 

  • Rest also comes in many forms, and for some that may be enjoying quiet time in the afternoon or mornings, short naps, meditations throughout the day, grounding in nature, talking to a loved one, and enjoying a tv show/movie (to be turned off at least 1 hour before bed).

Will my skin improve if I sleep more?

Generally speaking, yes your skin will improve if you sleep more (or the right amount around 7-9 hours for women). This is because during “deep sleep” your body has adequate time to repair cellular damage, detoxify your organs and bloodstream, and also strengthen your skin to help fight against free radicals and environmental pollutants. Sleep is very important for healthy skin, mind, and body, because a lack of adequate sleep drives further inflammation, weakens proper immune function, and therefore can worsen or drive any skin concern. 

Conclusion:

To put it simply, the health of your skin is greatly resembled by how you take care of your body. While aesthetic treatments can help/improve many skin concerns, and we recommended them for maintaining healthy skin, it is just as important to focus on your overall wellness, too! 

When you prioritize your health and follow a customized treatment plan, you will not only showcase the best version of yourself, but you will also feel your best. 💜 These are simple tips, if you want to take a deeper dive schedule a consultation with one of our NP providers. 

For a more thorough list of tips and tricks for overall health to decrease inflammation, improve gut health, improve sleep, and overall well-being, check out some of our favorite books (no affiliation or conflicts of interest btw, just a few books we love):

– Dirty Genes

– Pegan Diet

– Hormone Intelligence

Check out our instagram post on this topic below 👇 



Instagram


Elite Medical & Aesthetics is a premier med spa located in Lone Tree, CO that takes a holistic approach to natural results. We pride ourselves in having an all nursing staff of NP’s that put safety as #1 priority.

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Red Flags in Aesthetics

July 10, 2024 in , , , /by

Introduction

When it comes to your face and getting aesthetic treatments, expectations for the injector and medical office should be set high. This is your face we are talking about here! 

At Elite Medical and Aesthetics we are grateful to have a highly trained staff of all RN & NP injectors, with real medical backgrounds, and we know we are in good hands when we get procedures done for ourselves. But, if we were looking to have a procedure done elsewhere, there are definitely red flags 🚩 we would look out for. 

We’re not just talking about the crazy situations like counterfeit Botox or people contracting HIV in clinics either, yes these happened in 2024! But also some stealth things to look out for. 

In this post we will go over the Top 10 Red Flags in Aesthetics to be aware of to keep you safe, provide natural results, and maintain a happy and healthy client relationship.

Table of Contents

1. Prices are cheap:

If the price seems “too good to be true” it probably is. Quality aesthetic procedures are not cheap for many reasons such as: paying for authentic products, laser/IPL machinery, and for the licensed providers’ time.  Not to mention the cost of additional supplies to do the procedure (syringes, gauze, alcohol, gloves, etc.),  education to perform the procedure well, the actual office/office equipment, documentation software, support staff, licensing, insurance, high quality before and after care products provided, etc. Basically, it costs a lot of money to run a legit clinic and offer a legit service! 

If the price of a treatment is super cheap or promoted on Groupon (talking injectables here and not a base treatment like a wax or facial), it should be an instant red flag! Typically if someone is offering a super cheap injectable service it is for one of these reasons:

  • They are brand new and have been given free product to practice, so YOU are who they are going to practice on.
  • They are using diluted products without telling you and just advertising a discount, i.e. charging you 1/2 price for a “syringe” of filler when half the syringe is actually mixed with saline (sadly we have seen “legit” clinics do this too 😢 )
  • They are using FAKE products or reusing products or supples, i.e. counterfeit or foreign (not FDA approved) products, sharing syringes or supplies between clients 
  • They are treating their clients as just a numbers game, i.e. seeing as many clients as possible in the day rather than providing quality, individualized treatment. You can’t rush a great result 🙂 .

 When it comes to aesthetic treatments and procedures you get what you pay for, and never settle to save money if it means risking your safety. Consider this equation for instance:

💰 Paid $300 for bad lip filler, had to pay $350 to have it dissolved then an additional $800 to be refilled= $1450 for lip filler rather than just paying the $575-800 the first time at Elite 💰 

 

⭐️ Note- We’re not bashing clinicians that promote on Groupon with non-medical procedures or a base non-injectable treatment. It is when all prices are always bottom line, that you should be weary. 



View our pricing here

2. Places that over-fill or never say "no":

Medical spas and/or clinicians that never say “no” is an instant red flag for us. Dermal filler is lasting much longer than previously thought and it doesn’t always need to be touched up every X amount of months. We always assess our patient first in person before deciding if they could do more filler, especially in the lips where it’s a very delicate balance.

When clinicians keep filling no matter what it causes a “pillow face filler” look, where people just look puffy or distorted. Other trends such as “Russian lips” are also a red flag: 

  • First off, this aesthetic trends can actually be unsafe for a client if their anatomy cannot handle the large amount of filler being injected.
  • Secondly, the filler looks great right after the injections, but when the client comes back in after a few months the filler is almost ALWAYS migrated and looks poor/over-filled. This then leads to having to get the filler completely dissolved or dissolved and corrected/re-filled.

Going to medical spa and/or an injector that is not afraid to say “no” is important, because they are the expert, and know what treatments will be best suited for you to keep you looking natural and like yourself.

💉 Also, just because an aesthetic treatment is “popular” or “trendy” does not mean it is going to provide lasting results, or is even safe for everyone. At Elite, our injectors have an artistic eye and ability to provide natural, balanced results for our clients. 



View our full B&A gallery here

3. Injector looks over-done:

Before getting aesthetic treatments done, research your injector and look at their photos and the work they have done from their before and after images. Oftentimes we see that injectors who look over-done provide over-done results. 

💉 If you are seeking a natural, balanced, and harmonized look make sure your injector looks that way too, and their approach to aesthetic treatments align with yours. We always recommend scheduling a consultation with the provider(s) you are interested in going to, to ask questions and get more familiar with them and their work. Below you will see pictures of our injectors and how natural their Tox, filler, and skincare treatments are. 💜 

Reminder: It is a true art to look at someone and provide natural, balanced results that enhance their appearance rather than just injecting everyone the same. We are unique in the fact that all of our injectors have an artistic eye and always focus on facial harmony. 



What makes our injectors unique

4. Appointment times are short:

If your appointment time seems short or feels rushed in any way, this is often a red flag! Aesthetic treatments take time, and you should feel taken care of the minute you walk in, until you are checked out. Over-booking and cramming schedules full of clients can lead to mistakes, poor treatment outcomes, and unhappy clients.

⏰ For each appointment there should be an appropriate amount of time for the following:

  • Go over medical history & background
  • Go through informed consent and any questions or concerns 
  • An explanation of the treatment and what to expect
  • The actual treatment, itself (if applicable)
  • Post care instruction explanation 
  • Walking you up to the front desk for check out and follow-up scheduling

Additionally, through these appointment times, our providers like to get to know our clients on a more personal level and build a relationship. 



Inside a lip filler appointment

5. The injector has no medical credentials:

Injectors should not only have appropriate medical credentials, but also proper training/ continued research in their specialty. It varies per state, but there are also certain medical requirements/credentials required for providers to perform different aesthetic treatments, ESPECIALLY injectables and IPL/lasers. You can search these requirements and a providers licensing with your state’s regulatory department (CO is DORA).

💉 Additionally, there are always potential side effects/risks with any aesthetic treatment, so going to a provider who knows how to avoid these risks and what protocol to follow if there is an incident is crucial for your safety. Most medical spas will have their providers’ medical credentials listed on business cards, websites, and even framed in their rooms, but if you are ever unsure what credentials a provider has, don’t be afraid to ask them! 

Also remember, clinicians that have a license to protect not only have education and training to (hopefully) not do something stupid like buy fake products or share needles (they know the risks!), but they are also held accountable by a licensing board and worked very hard to get it=will work very hard to protect it. 

Example of investment for Ali, NP:

  • 5 years of undergrad for Sports Medicine and Nursing degrees
  • 2 years for dual NP program: FNP, AGACNP
  • 1 year aesthetics fellowship
  • Hundreds of thousands of dollars invested in education, licensing, and training to get to be a NP injector and business owner.

At Elite, you can find our providers’ medical degrees hung on the walls in their treatment rooms, listed on our website bio’s, and on their business cards



What is a NP?

6. Constantly pushing procedures or acting "salesy":

If you ever feel pressured to buy products or procedures at a medical spa, this can be a red flag! The staff members at medical spas should have your best interest at heart and suggest the treatments and products that are beneficial for your individual needs. If you feel anyone is acting “salesy” or “pushy” they could potentially be trying to:

  • Meet commission goals
  • Push product that isn’t selling
  • Or have other ultimatums that do not benefit you, but benefits them

💰 At Elite, our providers and staff are non-commissioned. By doing this, it mitigates any pressure for our staff to “make sales” and lets them truly talk to clients and build a treatment plan that is going to help them achieve their goals. 

*Note: This is not to say that automatically commission-based medical spas are a red flag, but to just be aware of this type of behavior in general. 

7. Inability to answer basic medical questions or explain how they respond to emergencies:

If an injector/provider has a hard time answering basic medical questions that you have about a procedure or product, this should be a major red flag! If they are overly offended by what you read on Google this is a red flag as well. Providers that have appropriate schooling, licensing, training, and do continued research on each treatment that they offer, should be confident to answer any of your questions or concerns, no matter where they came from. 

Informed consent is also a legal REQUIREMENT before any medical procedure in order to inform you on: risks, side effects, expectations, benefits, and any other medical questions that may arise. Additionally, each procedure/treatment should have a protocol for any emergency that may be possible for the treatment, and the provider should know exactly what steps to take if this occurs. So don’t be afraid to ask them! 

💉 Remember, aesthetic treatments are elective, but they are still medical procedures and should always be treated as such. 

8. Lack of communication & follow-up:

Communication is key for a successful and trusting relationship, and this goes for your relationship with a medical spa and/or injector. Most conflicts arise from lack of communication or follow up, and at Elite, we have set protocols to ensure our clients are taken care of, feel heard, and are valued.

Important forms of communication and follow up may include:

  • Friendly and helpful conversations with all staff members at the office
  • Reminder texts/emails/calls before your appointment
  • Easily getting ahold of the medical office during operating hours (and a way to get ahold of someone if there is ever an emergency during closed hours) 
  • Feeling comfortable to share information, ask questions, and share any concerns with your injector
  • 24 hour post filler injectable follow up/check in
  • 1 week follow up with all treatments 
  • Access to scheduling and booking a follow up appointment/any appointment desired (online booking, texting, or calling)
💜 Basically, you want to go somewhere where the relationship is continued, and valued, beyond when payment is taken. 

9. They only offer products that they profit the most on, as opposed to the best product fit for the patient:

It is common to see medical spas bragging about “being the top account” for certain big pharma companies, and while this does show they do a lot of procedures, it also shows they have bias (in our humble opinion). This is because they typically either, a. work for that company, or b. order such high quantities of products from that company that they get a discount. This is a problem for us personally for 2 reasons:

  1.  It’s hard to stay objective when you work for the company that is providing you with all of the training and data. Ali, NP has gone down the rabbit hole on studies provided by pharma companies and has found big conflicts of interest, i.e. the company that provided the study also paid for the study and there are objective 3rd party studies with the exact opposite findings
  2. When clinicians receive huge discounts to order just one brand of products, they are often pigeon holed into using that one brand of product, regardless if it is the best fit of safest for the client.

At Elite, we stay objective to “big pharma” companies and offer the safest products to our clients. 

👇 Here’s 4 reasons why this is important to us, and why it should be important to you, too 👇 

  1.  We only use the safest products based on research, NOT marketing or how the company can benefit from us and our product sales. Thus, we do not participate in the big pharma reward programs (that are collecting you data btw). See below for more info on our in-house loyalty programs and membership options.
  2. We do not offer products/procedures based off of a brand name. A popular brand name does not mean it is the safest or best suited for individual clients.
  3. We train on, research in depth, and try all products/treatments on ourselves before offering it to our clients. This ensures that products meet our high safety profile and cleaner, less-toxic standards. 
  4. Our providers believe that each client should be treated differently, and this does require different products! Ali, NP has declined being a trainer for any pharma companies to remain true to her morals and ethics. 
Overall, this means that we can’t provide as big of discounts as some other companies that just use one brand, but at least you know what we are providing is ethical and safe. 

Learn more about Elite Medical & Aesthetics’s values below:



EMA Loyalty Program



View Our Values

10.injectors don't follow basic sanitary protocols:

We have seen on social media and, in many in person trainings unfortunately, many providers/injectors fail to follow basic sanitary protocols during procedures. This may include examples like: 

  • The provider does not wash their hands or sanitize their hands before starting the procedure
  • The provider does not wear gloves or doesn’t change them if they touch something unsanitary (usually their face, phone or a door handle) 
  • Hair is down and flowing into the area they are injecting filler (contaminates area)
  • Provider does not sanitize/prep the client’s skin before a treatment, i.e. injecting them through their make-up instead of cleaning first
  • Provider touches the needle when injecting or cleans it on gauze 
  • Not sanitizing their chair/tray between clients 
  • Bulky/hanging jewelry that is touching the client’s skin (contaminates area) 

While some of these examples may seem to be “nit-picky”, they are really important, basic sanitary protocols that should be taken seriously during every procedure to prevent risk of infection.

Conclusion:

Overall, if you are going to do aesthetic treatments, make sure the medical spa and their providers align with your views, prioritize your safety, and make you feel comfortable and well taken care of. If any of these red flags 🚩 seem to be occurring and make you question your care, it is never too late to make a switch! 

If you are interested in learning more about Elite’s values click the button below. 



Our Values


Elite Medical & Aesthetics is a premier med spa located in Lone Tree, CO that takes a holistic approach to natural results. We pride ourselves in having an all nursing staff of NP’s that put safety as #1 priority.

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Talk with one of our providers

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Natural Aesthetic Treatments

June 17, 2024 in , /by

Introduction:

At Elite., we take a holistic approach to all procedures, and always provide a natural appearing result, but on top of that, we also offer several treatments that don’t involve traditional tox, fillers, or “pharmaceuticals” at all! So if you’re wanting to start treatments, but aren’t ready for tox and fillers, check out these more natural, and less invasive treatments first!

A few of these natural treatment options include:

Keep in mind these treatments cannot fully replace the effects/results that injectables (Tox, filler, bio-stimulators, Kybella, etc.) provide, but they are still effective at targeting specific concerns, focusing on anti-aging, and providing healthier skin.

🌱 Continue reading below, to learn more about our natural aesthetic treatments and their benefits.



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Table of Contents

Is Microneedling a natural treatment?

Yes, microneedling is a natural aesthetic treatment, because the micro-punctures from the device’s needles trigger the body’s natural healing process to build collagen and elastin. 

At Elite we use FDA-approved SkinPen for our microneedling treatments to provide the best results possible for our clients. Not all regular microneedling devices are created equal.

Regular Microneedling treatments help with 👇 

  • Softening acne scarring (or scarring in general)
  • Softening lines/wrinkles, and preventing them
  • Promoting collagen/elastin production
  • Providing a healthier skin complexion
  • Tightening pores 
  • Routine anti-aging treatment
It is recommended to complete 3-6 treatments one month apart for the first series and then yearly maintenance after that!
 
Of note: for comfort, we use a non-toxic topical numbing cream on the skin beforehand but it is not required if you want a 100% natural treatment.

How is microneedling an all natural treatment?

Microneedling is an all-natural treatment because the micro punctures from the needles create a controlled “wound” in the skin, which signals the body to heal and repair itself, naturally. This treatment results in collagen and elastin production which is a natural process occurring within the body. 



Learn more about microneedling

Is RF Microneedling an all-natural treatment?

Yes, RF Microneedling is a natural treatment! 👇 

  • The microneedling portion works to increase collagen production by creating micro-punctures in the skin. These micro-punctures result in a controlled skin wound that then stimulates a healing cascade within the body to produce new collagen.
  •  The radio frequency laser shrinks and tightens the skin by delivering radio frequency energy at selected depths for a youthful complexion.

All in all, the combination of heat from the laser and micro-punctures from the needling tighten the skin and produce collagen- making this a very effective all natural skin treatment!

Of note: for comfort, we use a non-toxic topical numbing ointment on the skin beforehand. 

What are the benefits of RF Microneedling for the skin?

 

RF Microneedling benefits may include the following:

-Softening of lines and wrinkles

-Fading acne scarring/general scarring

-Anti-aging treatment

-Reducing large pores

-Healthier skin complexion

-Evens skin texture 

RF microneedling is a popular treatment at Elite, because it not only improves the skin integrity, but it is very effective at reversing signs of aging. For best results, it is recommended to complete a series of 3 treatments spaced one month apart, and then complete quarterly treatments per year to maintain results. 

Are chemical peels natural?

In general, yes *most* chemical peels are natural. There are several types of chemical peels on the market that range from mild to deep/resurfacing. To ensure the chemical peel you are wanting is all natural, it is important to know what chemicals are in the peel. More of the mild chemical peels include exfoliants derived from enzymes, botanicals, or fruit extracts.

Whereas some medium chemical peels may contain acids like:

  • Glycolic: derived from sugar cane
  • Lactic: derived from sour milk
  • Salicylic: derived from the bark/leaves of willow trees

If you are ever concerned about whether or not a chemical peel is natural, always consult with your provider to ensure the ingredients of the chemical peel aligns with your views. 

Note: Vi Peel contains phenol to make it virtually painless. Some versions also contain other topical medications like: benzoyl peroxide, retinol, hydroquinone. Be sure to talk to your provider about any ingredients you want to avoid. 

Click the button below to see an inside into MB’s VI Chemical Peel journey 👇 



Instagram

Are chemical peels non-toxic?

Yes, most chemical peels are consider “non-toxic”. Medical grade chemical peels are generally considered safe (unless there is a health contraindication and/or your provider does not consider you a candidate). While the word “chemical” can sound scary, these chemical ingredients are used regularly in aesthetic medicine to help people with the following concerns; melasma, acne, scarring, pigmentation, lines/wrinkles, and oiliness. 

  • Oftentimes, low amounts of exfoliating chemicals such as salicylic, glycolic, and lactic are found in skincare products too, to encourage skin-cell turnover for healthier skin.

🌱 Doing chemical peels and using medical-grade skincare with these common chemicals is a personal preference. Like mentioned earlier, most of these common chemicals are derived from natural ingredients, but there are other skincare and chemical peel options that are made up completely of botanicals (with no chemicals). 

If this is important to you, we especially love Dr. Alkatis as an all organic, raw, skincare line! Always talk with your provider about what is important to you, and they will help guide you into a customized treatment plan. 



View our skincare products

What laser treatments are natural?

Laser and IPL treatments are considered all natural, because they manipulate the skin in controlled ways, to promote the body’s natural healing process and improve skin concerns.

At Elite, natural IPL/laser treatments that we offer include the following:

  • ResurFX– a fractional, non-ablative laser that targets lines/wrinkles and resurfaces the skin 
  • IPL 3-in-1– a broad band light that targets discoloration on the skin (browns and reds)
  • Laser Hair Reduction– targets the melanin (color) in the hair to safely damage follicles and stop their growth 
  • RF Microneedling– a combination of laser and microneedling to tighten the skin and promote collagen production
Of note: for comfort with certain lasers, we use a non-toxic topical numbing ointment on the skin beforehand



Book a laser treatment here

How are laser treatments non-toxic?

Laser treatments are considered to be safe and non-toxic, because the energy used in lasers, when administered by a licensed professional at appropriate settings, are not chemical in nature nor harmful to the body nor considered to be toxic or artificial in any way. Lasers treatments promote your skin’s natural healing process to improve skin concerns. 

⭐️ Keep in mind that it may take a series of treatments to reach desired goals with laser treatments. We also recommend using  medical-grade products in conjunction with laser treatments such as retinols, exfoliating pads, vitamin c, and mineral SPF to help maintain results in between treatments. The brands we offer have the most minimal  ingredients as possible. 



View our skincare products

Is IPL an all-natural treatment?

Yes, IPL is an all-natural treatment that is very safe and effective at targeting discoloration concerns, freckles, redness, sun/age spots, and broken capillaries. 

  • Also, IPL does not have any “downtime”, because it does not break or open the skin. Many clients apply makeup right after their treatment and go back to their daily activities. Check out a few of our clients’ results below 👇 
  • Please note that spots will look darker and more dramatic for about a week though, so don’t plan any major events or professional photography or anything 🙂

IPL Results From Real Clients:

How is IPL an all natural treatment?

IPL is an all natural treatment, because the light energy is converted into heat energy that causes controlled destruction to unhealthy skin cells, which promotes regeneration of new, healthy skin cells. The natural healing process associated with IPL makes it a great, natural treatment option for those wanting to improve the following skin concerns:

  • Pigmentation
  • Freckles
  • Redness
  • Sun and age spots
  • Broken capillaries 
  • Tightening of the skin 

IPL is one of our most loved treatments at Elite because it tightens and brightens the skin. 



Learn more about IPL here

What is an all-natural injectable option?

PRP/PRF , or EZ gel, are all natural injectable option, because they are derived from your own blood. 

PRP/PRF injections are commonly used for aesthetic concerns like thinning hair, facial injections to help build collagen, and body injections to help overall skin integrity and/or cellulite concerns. 

⭐️ Important note: While PRP/PRF injections are a great natural injectable option, these injections do not fully replace the effects and longevity of HA fillers or bio-stimulators. It may take several sessions to see improvement from PRP/PRF injections, as they gradually stimulate collagen production over time. They do not fill or plump an area.

Are PRP/PRF injections considered natural?

Yes, PRP/PRF injections are natural. As mentioned above, these injections are derived from your own blood. During this treatment, your provider will complete a simple blood draw at the beginning of your appointment, and place the tubes of drawn blood in a medical device that spins them at a specific speed to concentrate the platelets (many people refer this as “liquid gold”). 

The concentrated PRP/PRF is then used in sterile syringes for the injectable portion of the appointment. 

In the image above, the client’s blood was drawn,  placed in the medical device to be spun, and the platelets are now concentrated/separated.

In the image above, the PRP/PRF has been transferred into sterile syringes, to then be injected into the desired area.

Is a "Vampire Facial" natural?

Yes, a “vampire facial” is considered to be all natural because it combines both 👇 

1. Microneedling 

2. PRP/PRF 

A vampire facial is a trademarked brand name for a PRP/PRF facial. A PRP/PRF facial begins with a blood draw while topical numbing is applied to the face. Once the blood is drawn, it is then spun in a special machine to concentrate the plasma. After this, the microneedling treatment begins, and the PRP/PRF platelet concentrate (aka liquid gold) is put on the microneedled skin to help speed up healing, build new cells, promote collagen production, fade scarring, and provide healthier skin rejuvenation. 

Is Neolifting an all-natural facial massage?

Absolutely! Neolifting is an all natural manual sculpting technique that provides the skin with many benefits. The only products used in this facial massage treatment include a cleanser to wash away any makeup/oil on the skin before the treatment, and an organic facial oil used for the massage portion, the rest of the treatment is the provider’s manual techniques.

Benefits of this treatment include: 

  • Tones and relaxes facial muscles
  • Promotes lymphatic drainage 
  • Restores facial posture
  • Eliminates spasms and blockages
  • Improves skin elasticity
  • Provides tissue nourishment
  • Regeneration of skin cells
  • Prevention of lines and wrinkles

All natural aesthetic treatment options

Overall, there are many all-natural aesthetic treatment options to choose from. If you are interested in starting a treatment plan, but want your treatments to be natural, consult with one of our NP providers to get a better idea of what’s best and most effective for you! Elite Medical & Aesthetics is proud to be a premier medical spa, that takes a “holistic approach to natural results” for our clients. 

💉 If you are interested in alternative treatments that provide natural looking results with injectables read our recently published blog below. 



Read Here


Elite Medical & Aesthetics is a premier med spa located in Lone Tree, CO that takes a holistic approach to natural results. We pride ourselves in having an all nursing staff of NP’s that put safety as #1 priority.

Book a Consult

Talk with one of our providers

Click Here

The Most Natural Appearing Treatments

April 29, 2024 in , , /by

Introduction:

At Elite, we achieve natural aesthetic results by:

1. Having artistic injectors with real medical backgrounds that create natural appearing results

2. Using the “cleanest”, most effective products that settle to appear more natural

⭐️ The key to natural aesthetic results and treatments is having clients still feel and look like themselves, just refreshed. Our NP and RN injectors use their artistic abilities to balance and harmonize facial features with different treatments like: 

Keep reading below to learn more about different natural aesthetic treatments and products that we offer. 



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Table of Contents

What is the most natural filler?

More natural natural fillers we like to use are Radiesse and RHA. These two fillers, and a bio-stimulator for Radiesse, usually provide our clients with natural looking results AND are made out of the cleanest ingredients, which lessens the potential for adverse reactions and side effects, too.

Let’s break down these two fillers a little more 👇 

Does Radiesse look natural?

Radiesse provides clients with natural results because it is made out of smooth calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres which allows for this injectable to not only fill an area, but also stimulate collagen production. 



Read more on Radiesse here

This client had Radiesse injected in her cheek and jawline regions to restore volume.

Is RHA a natural filler?

RHA is a more natural HA (hyaluronic acid) filler because it is formulated to closely resemble the natural hyaluronic acid in your skin. It also adapts to your facial movements, resulting in the filler looking great in motion and at rest.



Read more on RHA here

This client achieved natural, balanced results using RHA filler for full face balancing.

Which fillers look most natural?

In our opinion, the most natural looking fillers usually include RHA, Radiesse and Versa. However, it is important to keep in mind that it is more about the injector’s eye and ability to provide natural filler results with filler, rather than solely based on a product. In order for someone to look natural and like themselves, there are several factors that injectors have to consider and look at in each individual. 

You cannot expect to get natural results from injectable treatments, if an injector is injecting everyone the same. The combination of an artistic injector and quality products are the ultimate goal for natural and safe results. 



Learn about our injectors

Are there non-toxic fillers?

While we can’t speak for all fillers, most fillers are considered to be non-toxic. This is not to say that some fillers have cleaner ingredients than others, though. 

As mentioned above, Radiesse, RHA, and Versa are our most loved fillers, because they are backed by science to work cohesively with our bodies, have high safety profiles, and have less adverse reactions than some other fillers on the market. 

🤓 That is why we do our own extensive research, trainings, and always try products on ourselves first, before offering them in our office to our clients. 

Learn more about Elite’s cleaner, less toxic products by watching the video below. 



Instagram

What is the safest filler?

The safest fillers are hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers because they can be immediately dissolved with hylenex if there is an adverse reaction, side effect, or unwanted result. Ensure you go to an injector who has an updated protocol for dissolving all filler injectables, because your safety should always be priority! At Elite, all of our NP and RN injectors not only have years of real medical background/experience but they also have been trained to keep clients safe and prevent side effects from happening. 

Keep in mind, an emergency can always happen, even in highly trained hands, so make sure your injector knows how to handle these situations and it equipped with the right tools. 

Does Sculptra look more natural than fillers?

Sculptra can look more natural than fillers because it is solely a collagen stimulating injectable, therefore it does not immediately fill/plump an area like filler does. Sculptra does require a series of (at least) 3 treatments to achieve optimal collagen production to see results. Sculptra is mostly beneficial as an anti-aging preventative treatment, or for someone looking for a collagen stimulating injectable only. 

In this case, it is important to go to schedule a  consultation to talk about options best for your individual concerns and goals.



Read more about Sculptra vs. Fillers

What is the cleanest form of Botox?

The cleanest form of Botox, or neurotoxin, is Xeomin. Xeomin is the cleanest form of neurotoxin, because it is double-filtered to remove any unnecessary proteins and does not contain “complexing proteins”. Complexing proteins are like a shell that protects Botulinum Toxin from stomach acid in it’s natural form, but are not necessary for purified injections. Products like Botox, Dysport, and Jeuveau all contain complexing proteins. The more foreign protein injected, the higher likelihood the immune system will recognize and react, leading to resistance or adverse effects. 

While we do carry other neurotoxins in our office for client preferences, we educate and inform our clients on why we believe in using Xeomin, and how it is a cleaner, “less-toxic” neurotoxin that  provides great results. Education is always important before getting injectables. 

💉 Side note, the new product Daxxify, also does not contain complexing proteins. Elite does not offer this product at this time because of inconsistent results reported, and because there is not at least 2 years of data on it being in use. We will let the company perfect their product and then re-evaluate later 🙂 .

Is there a natural facial cream that works like botox?

No, there is not a cream that works like Botox, its just not possible! Lotions, creams, and serums can only penetrate into the skin to a certain depth, whereas Tox injections are injected into the muscle and work to halt the movement of the muscle to prevent lines and wrinkles. 

⭐️ With that being said, a customized skincare routine is still effective for anti-aging and healthy skin overall. Retinols, AHA/BHA, mineral sunscreen, and peptides are some of our favorite products to use in a skincare routine. 

Is it possible to look natural with Botox?

Absolutely! You SHOULD look natural with Botox (or Xeomin, Dysport, Jeuveau) injections. When injected properly to your individual concerns, neurotoxins work to temporarily stop the muscle movement where it is injected. This softens lines and wrinkles for a more refreshed and youthful appearance (aka a very natural looking treatment). 

Also, our injectors especially like this treatment for preventative and anti-aging measures.

Check out real client images of natural Tox injections below 👇 

Natural Botox results:

Here, our client’s goal was to soften lines and wrinkles in her glabella (11’s), forehead, and crowsfeet. As you can see she still looks like herself just a little more refreshed and youthful! 

 Tox injections are one of our most loved treatments for this exact reason, you look like you 😉 

Is microneedling a natural skin treatment?

Yes, microneedling and RF microneedling are natural skin treatments, because they work by causing a controlled wound that signals your body to repair it. Through this process, your own natural collagen and elastin are produced. 

After a series of these treatments, skin can appear:

-Tighter

-Plumper

-Softer lines and wrinkles

-Softened acne scarring 

-Even skin tone/texture 

Microneedling treatments provide natural results for many people by encouraging healthier skin, overall. 



Learn about microneedling here

Does IPL provide natural-looking results?

Yes, IPL 3-in-1 treatments provide natural results. This skin treatment has the ability to brighten the skin by targeting discoloration, and tighten the skin by heating up the water in our skin’s tissue.

  • Here, you can see an amazing B&A of a client who received 7 IPL treatments over a year and half (no other skin treatments/injectables). She looks more youthful because her skin is more even-toned and her lines/wrinkles are softened.

Can IPL treatments make you look more youthful?

Yes, IPL treatments can make you look more youthful by brightening and tightening your skin. Oftentimes, discoloration, sun spots, lines and wrinkles can make someone look older than they actually are. IPL treatments target these concerns to provide healthier skin without downtime or injectables. The heat from the IPL pulses also stimulates collagen creating a tightening effect. 

Keep in mind though to achieve optimal results its best to 👇 

  • Complete a series of treatments 
  • Do maintenance treatments yearly 
  • Use a mineral sunscreen every day for protection and a retinol to encourage skin cell turnover

Learn more about IPL treatments below. 



IPL 101

Our Team's Natural Aesthetic Results:

We all have different aesthetic treatments done, and look natural and like ourselves! Below are images of the treatments we have had done at the time of the photos taken!

Bottom line: Natural results come from your injector/provider

While cleaner, less toxic injectables, lasers/IPL, and skincare are all important in considering a more natural approach to aesthetics, keep in mind that the person doing the treatment is the most important aspect of providing you with natural results! It is important for injectors to have an artistic side where they can look at someone and balance their features for a natural result. 

  • People tend to look fake or “overdone” when their features are not harmonized and balanced 💜 

Elite Medical & Aesthetics is a premier med spa located in Lone Tree, CO that takes a holistic approach to natural results. We pride ourselves in having an all nursing staff of NP’s that put safety as #1 priority.

Book a Consult

Talk with one of our providers

Click Here

What Aesthetic Treatments are Pregnancy Safe?

December 4, 2023 in , , , /by

Introduction

As you probably know, some things you are told you “cannot do” when pregnant,  are not because they are known to cause serious harm but are simply because they have not been studied. Anything that has not been studied during pregnancy is generally considered an automatic “No”.  However, there are many treatments that can be considered “theoretically safe” and others that have shown in retrospective studies to be “safe”. 

Keep in mind though that every case is different and even if a treatment is considered “safe”, it may not be safe for everyone. Treatments are always considered on a case by case basis after consultation in the office. 

This blog will help to cover our Providers’ insight into common aesthetic treatments such as:

Disclaimer!!

This Information is NOT medical advice. It is educational only and a very brief insight into how we approach procedures during pregnancy or breast-feeding. It is always recommended to get clearance from your OBGYN/midwife. Additionally, a consult is always required with us before any treatment, in order to throughly discuss procedures per your unique case.

Table of Contents

Is botox pregnancy safe?

Botulinum Toxin injections (tox injections) like: Botox, Xeomin, Dysport, Jeuveau, Daxxify have become very common treatments and a lot of women are super bummed to have to stop for pregnancy. There are many people, however, that do continue to get these treatments during pregnancy for medical reasons (i.e. migraines or TMJ) and many people that had been getting them before realizing they were pregnant.

In those cases, we can look at outcomes over 20-30 years through retrospective studies (studies that look at data in hindsight) and these show there is not a noticeable difference in infant health with women who were pregnant and got botulinum toxin injections versus those who did not. Additionally, drug dictionaries such as Epocrates (2023) label medications like “Xeomin” and “Botox Cosmetic” to be safe during pregnancy. 

However, since there are no placebo-controlled studies to show safety of botulinum toxin injections during pregnancy, we still recommend to NOT get this treatment while pregnant unless medically necessary.  Come see us for all your Tox needs once your baby has arrived 💜 . In special circumstances, and with OBGYN/Midwife clearance, we will discuss the treatment with you but may still recommend against it. 

  • Retrospective Study Link: HERE

Conclusion of a retrospective study. Link to full study above 👆 

Drug dictionary definition for Botox Cosmetic and Xeomin.

Is botox safe while breast feeding?

Just like above, Botulinum Toxin injections are considered safe during breast-feeding in retrospective studies as well as in drug dictionaries like Epocrates (2023). However, it is still always a case by case basis. 

Ultimately it is a personal choice and we typically leave this up to the woman to decide after she is given all of the pros and cons during informed consent. She will also be required to sign a waiver acknowledging that there are no double-blind placebo controlled studies and that she participates at her/her babies own risk. 

When women do choose to proceed, many women will  “pump and dump” the day they get injections.

Please be aware that for medical reasons we may at times still decline to treat if mom is not in great health postpartum. 

Is lip filler pregnancy safe?

The actual injecting of HA (hyaluronic acid) filler into the lips is theoretically safe during pregnancy, but the risks that can be associated with injecting lip filler make this treatment unsafe for pregnant women. Overall, lip filler is a “NO” for our EMA team and NP injectors

These lip filler risks and side effects can include:

  1. Vascular Occlusions
  2. Infection
  3. Delayed/poor wound healing 

Plus, anxiety with needles and general pain/discomfort with injections can cause unnecessary stress on mom and baby. Additionally, when you are pregnant, its common to retain more fluid than normal and can cause areas of the face (like the lips) to be more puffy and swollen than normal. Overall, you are not at your baseline for an appropriate filler assessment, and this aesthetic treatment is considered to be elective. 



Watch Lip Filler Video Here

Is lip filler safe while breast feeding?

Lip filler is theoretically safe during breast-feeding but there are risks to every procedure.  We require a 1:1 consult with one of our Nurse Practitioner (NP) injectors at Elite Medical & Aesthetics in order to do lip filler at any time, but especially if there are other factors such as breast-feeding.

Ultimately it is a personal choice and we typically leave this up to the woman to decide after she is given all of the pros and cons during informed consent. She will also be required to sign a waiver acknowledging that there are no double-blind placebo controlled studies and that she participates at her/her babies own risk. 

When women do choose to proceed, many women will  “pump and dump” the day they get injections.

Please be aware that for medical reasons we may at times still decline to treat if mom is not in great health postpartum. 

Is microneedling pregnancy safe?

Our Nurse Practitioner providers view microneedling (with a consultation beforehand) to be safe during pregnancy. Especially if you do not use the topical numbing agents, like lidocaine, and receive a lower-depth treatment (aka micro-channeling) to lower your risks. 

Keep in mind though, that any time the skin is punctured or broken, there is a potential risk for the following:

  1. Poor or impaired wound healing, especially if the treatment is done at higher depths
  2. Unnecessary stress or anxiety triggered from needles

⭐️ Although lidocaine is considered a safe drug during pregnancy, it is still a medication that was once used for cardiac reasons and it can effect blood pressure, making some pregnant women sensitive to it. It is best to avoid using any unnecessary medication (topical or internal) during pregnancy. A full drug dictionary definition is provided below ⭐️ 

Overall, since microneedling is more of an elective treatment during pregnancy, it could be best to wait until baby is here to do a series of treatments at an appropriate depth for total results depending on what your aesthetic concerns are. Book a consultation with one of our providers if you have lingering questions about microneedling during pregnancy.

Is microneedling safe while breast feeding?

Microneedling is considered theoretically safe while breast-feeding so long as the client (the mom) is in good health. However, every treatment will require a 1:1 consult with one of our Nurse Practitioners for approval at Elite Medical & Aesthetics. 

Ultimately it is a personal choice and we typically leave this up to the woman to decide after she is given all of the pros and cons during informed consent. She will also be required to sign a waiver acknowledging that there are no double-blind placebo controlled studies and that she participates at her/her babies own risk. 

When women do choose to proceed, many women will  “pump and dump” the day they get the procedure if lidocaine is used. 

Please be aware that for medical reasons we may at times still decline to treat if mom is not in great health postpartum. 

Is IPL 3-in-1 pregnancy safe?

Technically IPL, or photofractional, is contradicted treatment during pregnancy, because there are no studies showing its safety during pregnancy. However, if the client is a candidate for IPL, is only spot treating certain areas, or is avoiding the use of topical lidocaine, this treatment could be considered safe (case by case scenario always). Overall, we recommend to consult with a medically trained professional, and to get clearance by your OBGYN/midwife, to see if IPL is a treatment that could be considered safe for you.

⭐️ Note: Topical lidocaine, like mentioned earlier, is considered a safe drug to use during pregnancy. However, if it can be avoided, then that is best as some people can be sensitive to it and it can affect blood pressure in some. (See image above of lidocaine drug dictionary definition)

Is IPL 3-in-1 safe while breast feeding?

 

IPL is considered theoretically safe during breast-feeding so long as the client (mom) is in good health. However, every treatment will require a 1:1 consultation with one of our providers.

Ultimately it is a personal choice and we typically leave this up to the woman to decide after she is given all of the pros and cons during informed consent. She will also be required to sign a waiver acknowledging that there are no double-blind placebo controlled studies and that she participates at her/her babies own risk. 

When women do choose to proceed, many women will  “pump and dump” the day they get the procedure if lidocaine is used. 

Please be aware that for medical reasons we may at times still decline to treat if mom is not in great health postpartum. 

Are chemical peels pregnancy safe?

Medium to deep chemical peels like our favorite, VI Peel, are not safe to do during pregnancy. Topical chemical peels contain certain chemicals that are not considered safe to put on the skin or inhale while pregnant. 

Additional ingredients that are often found in chemical peels that are also NOT pregnancy safe include:

  • Retinoic acid
  • TCA
  • Benzoyl Peroxide 
  • Phenol
  • High doses of Salicylic acid (products containing 2% or less of salicylic acid are pregnancy safe, as some women struggle with hormonal acne during pregnancy and this ingredient does help mitigate it).

Keep in mind that what we put topically onto our skin is absorbed through the skin into the blood stream. This aesthetic facial treatment is a definite “NO” for our EMA providers, to ensure pregnant mommas steer clear of potentially harmful chemicals.



Watch Full Video Explanation from Ali, NP

Are chemical peels safe while breast feeding?

Some chemical peels are safe while breast-feeding but we do require a 1:1 consultation to discuss an appropriate treatment plan and various options during breast feeding. 

Is facial filler pregnancy safe?

Facial filler during pregnancy is not recommended from our providers at Elite! It’s not that the ingredients of the filler itself is harmful for pregnancy, it’s the potential risks that come along with facial filler that could be harmful during pregnancy. 

These risks and side effects may include the following:

  1. Infection
  2. Vascular Occlusion
  3. Unnecessary stress from needles and pain
  4. Poor or delayed wound healing 

Important to note: your facial features change during pregnancy because it is not uncommon to retain more fluids and swell causing you to look a little more “puffy” than usual. Injecting filler into someone who is not at baseline is not smart anyways. Once baby has arrived, and you feel back to normal come see us for your facial filler concerns 💜 

Is facial filler safe while breast feeding?

Just like with lip filler above, facial filler is theoretically safe during breast-feeding but requires a 1:1 consultation with a Nurse Practitioner.

Ultimately it is a personal choice and we typically leave this up to the woman to decide after she is given all of the pros and cons during informed consent. She will also be required to sign a waiver acknowledging that there are no double-blind placebo controlled studies and that she participates at her/her babies own risk. 

When women do choose to proceed, many women will  “pump and dump” the day they get the procedure.

Please be aware that for medical reasons we may at times still decline to treat if mom is not in great health postpartum. 

Is Sculptra pregnancy safe?

There could be arguments that Sculptra during pregnancy is safe, however at Elite, we still do not recommend getting this injectable treatment while pregnant, mainly because it is an elective treatment that could cause pain=stress during pregnancy. 

Sculptra is made of PLLA (ploy-L-lactic acid) that is not itself unsafe during pregnancy, but instead it is the procedure and needle in the face that can lead to potential infection, poor wound healing, possible vascular occlusion, and unnecessary stress on the body. These risks and side effects are unsafe for pregnant women, so we steer clear of this and always put your safety as the number one priority.

⭐️ Our general consensus is: maybe could be safe, but not recommend due to the risks of the actual treatment and that you are not at baseline for injectable treatments. 

Is Sculptra safe while breast feeding?

Sculptra is considered theoretically safe while breast-feeding so long as the client (the mom) is in good health. However, every treatment will require a 1:1 consult with one of our Nurse Practitioners for approval at Elite Medical & Aesthetics. 

Ultimately it is a personal choice and we typically leave this up to the woman to decide after she is given all of the pros and cons during informed consent. She will also be required to sign a waiver acknowledging that there are no double-blind placebo controlled studies and that she participates at her/her babies own risk. 

When women do choose to proceed, many women will  “pump and dump” the day they get the procedure. 

Please be aware that for medical reasons we may at times still decline to treat if mom is not in great health postpartum. 

Conclusion:

Again, none of this is medical advice, but more an insight into how we view aesthetic treatments and their individual safety during pregnancy being a women-owned and operated business. Oftentimes, medical spas won’t even consult with pregnant women, so we wanted to ensure we provide information that can provide a brief insight into what our NP providers believe and always offer consultations to talk through anyone’s questions or concerns in regards to this topic (as always, case by case scenario). 

We take your safety seriously, and will always pride ourselves for being open and honest with our lovely clients 💜 

Elite Medical & Aesthetics is a premier med spa located in Lone Tree, CO. Our all nursing staff of Nurse Practitioners take a holistic approach to natural results with safety as #1 priority. 

Talk with one of our providers.



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Barbie Botox

October 23, 2023 in /by

Introduction:

Many people have seen the recent Barbie Movie that came out summer 2023, and while we love that this movie brought attention to feminism and women’s culture, we are not loving the “Barbie Botox” trends in the aesthetic industry. 

  • For starters, getting an aesthetic treatment to change/alter your appearance to look like someone else isn’t a reason to do the treatment, in our opinion. 
  • Also, just because a treatment is “trendy” is not another reason to do the treatment because there are risks and side effects to every treatment. 
  • PLUS, not everyone is a candidate for all aesthetic treatments on the market (trendy or not).

Keep reading to learn more about Barbie Botox, FAQs about the treatment, and how the EMA team feels about this trend!



Watch our video here

Table of Contents

What is Barbie Botox?

“Barbie Botox” aka trapezius botox, is a trending treatment in the aesthetic industry from the latest Barbie Movie. To put it simply, this treatment uses Tox injections (Botox, Xeomin, Dysport, Jeuveau, Daxxi) to relax and “shrink” the trap muscles. Before the “Barbie Botox” trend, this was an off-label area to inject Tox to relieve clients from tension that led to headaches and other complications. 

⭐️ Now, people are seeking this treatment to have a “slimmer, more elongated” neck and shoulder area to look more like Barbie. 

What are the benefits of Barbie Botox?

Benefits of Barbie Botox should be broken down into two categories; medical benefits and aesthetic appearance benefits 👇 

  1. Medical benefits from Trap Botox include: relaxation of the trap muscles to help with tension, aches, and pains or overworked muscles. 
  2. Aesthetic appearance benefits may include: slimmer neck and shoulder area that may result in a “skinnier” or “more feminine” appearance like Barbie does in the movie. 

What does Barbie Botox look like?

Barbie Botox may create a more elongated and slimmer appearance to the neck and trap area like this before and after image. 

The injections work to atrophy the trap muscles that causes them to relax and create a more “swan-shaped” neck region. 

Therefore, the result of this treatment is being referred to as “Barbie Botox”. 

How does Barbie Botox work?

Barbie Botox, or TrapTox, works by a licensed provider using a small needle to inject botox, or botulinum toxin of choice, into the trapezius muscles in multiple areas. 

Then, after a full 14 days post injections, the Tox medication works by relaxing the muscle. Overall, clients notice less tension in the area, relaxed traps, and a slimmer, more elongated neck area. After 3-4 months the medication does wear off and an assessment for future injections is discussed with your provider.

What are the side effects of Barbie Botox?

More minor side effects/risks associated with Barbie Botox or Trap Tox may include:

  • Redness from injection sites
  • Bruising and swelling
  • Altered posture
  • Muscle weakness/paralysis
  • Asymmetrical trap muscles 

Rare/serious side effects that are more likely with a higher Tox dosing include:

  • Medication drifting to other unwanted areas, affecting respiratory muscles 
  • Damage to neck with atrophy of supporting muscles, see video
  • Botulism poisoning (incredibly rare)

*Always consult with your provider to get a full understanding of a treatment’s risks and side effects and to provide medical history, to ensure you are a candidate. This is not a full list of possible side effects, nor is this medical advice. Always talk with your prescribing provider about questions you may have with Botox medications.*



Learn more about Tox injections here

How many units are needed for Barbie Botox?

It is estimated that 50-75 units of Tox (Botox, Xeomin, Dysport, Jeuveau, Daxxi) are needed PER SIDE! That is resulting in over 100 units for a full treatment. 

⭐️ Keep in mind this is a case by case scenario and should be discussed with your provider as everyone is different! 

How much does Barbie Botox cost?

Barbie Botox cost is dependent on the number of units needed to achieve results. An average cost per unit is around $12.00-$14.00. 

Pricing for injectables vary based on the injector’s experience/expertise and their time to consult and treat you appropriately. This is a medical procedure and should be treated as such, keep in mind that you often “get what you pay for” when it comes to aesthetic treatments and injections and to always go somewhere that puts your safety FIRST!



EMA's Pricing

Does Barbie Botox hurt?

Most clients feel very mild discomfort from botox injections in the trap muscles. The needles used for this treatment are small and most injectors are quick with their techniques, making the treatment tolerable. 

However, it is still a needle in the skin and everyone’s pain tolerances are different. 

Who is a candidate for Barbie Botox?

At Elite, our providers believe that people wanting Barbie Botox for an unnecessary change in physical appearance are not candidates for the treatment. Even though this reason for treatment is generally discouraged, we would consider on case by case basis, book a consult below if you are unsure!

⭐️ Doing a medical procedure to “look like Barbie” is not a reason to get this treatment done. Instead, candidates for trap tox include those who are experiencing:

–Aches and pains in the trap muscles

–Severe tension that is not able to be controlled with other remedies

–Headaches/migraines as a result from tension 

-Other medical-related issues from trapezius muscle complications

⭐️ ⭐️FYI- most of these symptoms are caused by an underlying issue that can usually be addressed with more natural approaches. Keep reading below for more info.



Book a Consult

Strong, healthy women with trap muscles

While we understand that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, as a team, we do not fully support people getting aesthetic treatments done to fit a society’s mold or expectation of women. 

We want to bring awareness that just because Barbie’s features may be viewed as beautiful, so are many other women’s features! That includes women who are more muscle-bound and have stronger trap muscles (and no, this does not make them any less-feminine than a women with smaller or slimmer shoulders). 

Alternatives for TrapTox:

1. Headaches/migraines

2. Severe Tension

Keep in mind that injectors have been treating the trap muscles with Tox injections for a while. This is not a “new” treatment area or a foreign concept to most injectors, but it is recently getting all the rave after the Barbie Movie for appearance changes versus medical relief. 

While Tox injections in the trap muscles can help to relieve headaches and migraines that are often caused by sever tension, it is a temporary fix. Oftentimes if someone is experiencing these issues there is an underlying stressor that can be addressed by doing natural alternatives first, such as: 

  • Accupuncture
  • Stress management
  • Professional massage 
  • Chiropractic work 
  • Yoga/stretching
  • Physical therapy
  • Correcting posture

Our NP injectors are always open to helping clients who are in need of temporary pain relief, so long as they are also doing things to solve the underlying cause. 

Overall:

⭐️ In general, if you can “fix” something without medications or unnecessary treatments, then you will unlikely hear us promoting it. 

⭐️ Barbie Botox, is solely being used to create a slimmer neck appearance, and in our opinion, getting a treatment done to look like a celebrity for a trendy period of time is not the right reason to get a treatment. 

⭐️ If you are struggling with tension in your trap muscles, tox injections may help you temporarily get pain relief, but it is best to address the root cause.

⭐️ LOVE yourself and your body, focus on doing things to remain healthy and strong, not on how society expects us to look.

Elite Medical & Aesthetics is a premier med spa located in Lone Tree, CO. Our staff of Nurse Practitioners provide a holistic approach for natural results with safety as a #1 priority.

Book a Consult

Talk to one of our providers

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Recognizing Toxins in Skincare

October 4, 2023 in /by

Introduction

More and more in today’s society, we all have to be our own advocates to ensure that the products we are using on our bodies and in our homes are safe. Many of us have taken to reading every label and ingredient before buying. However, when something is purchased in a medical office, like a Medical Spa, many people just assume that because it is “medical” it is automatically safe and non-toxic. 

We have to remember that every skincare line, medical grade or not, is for profit and they often have non-medical or non-science based people on their boards making decisions on where to save money. Skincare ingredients are also highly unregulated as the FDA allows over 3,000 chemicals to be masked under the terms “fragrance” or “parfum” alone. 

We recently went through months of back and forth with various companies trying to get them to be transparent about exactly what chemicals and ingredients they use under the blanket terms “fragrance” or “parfum” and we were hit over and over with the non-answer that it was “proprietary information”.

In our opinion, people have the right to know what they are putting on their bodies that could harm their health. So we refuse to buy products with these ingredients. However, companies will only change their behavior if the consumer demands they do or they take a hit to their bottom line, because people ARE becoming more aware.

👇 This article is to shed light on the lack of transparency in “Medical Grade” Skincare and what you can do to protect yourself from toxic ingredients 👇 

Table of Contents

What's the easiest toxin to recognize in skincare?

The easiest toxin to recognize, and therefore avoid, in skincare is “fragrance/parfum”.  

Any ingredient labeled “fragrance” or “parfum” is a blanket term that represents OVER 3,000 toxins that do not have to be recorded or reported. Source link for statistic found HERE. These chemicals include toxins, endocrine distruptors (hormone distruptors), carcinogens, allergens and more! 

⭐️ Look, we are realistic and fully understand that sometimes “chemicals” are needed in certain products in order to create lather, increase absorption of an active ingredient, increase stability for shelf life, etc.. However, any scents (and the other hidden chemicals) are 100% not necessary! 

Why does it matter?

The skin is the largest organ in the body and is absorbing whatever we put on it. Smells (aka fumes) are also inhaled and can cause other symptoms such as headaches and breathing issues. the fumes we are inhaling also absorb through our nasal and lung mucosa and can act systemically throughout the body.

Not only is this unethical, in our opinion, but also harmful to our overall health if companies do not disclose exactly what is in a product we use every day! We understand companies have a right to their proprietary information, but no one can replicate their product without exact ingredients AND proportions. So…why not disclose the exact ingredients unless they have something to hide?

Are fragrances unnecessary in skincare products?

Yes, fragrances are completely unnecessary to have in skincare products. These toxins only provide a scent or smell to products, they do not actually give a purpose to the product formulation. As above, while there are some ingredients that may not be as “pure” in skincare, they may be needed in order to create a lather, sud, or provide a barrier for hydration. 

⭐️ Overall, fragrances or parfum are NOT needed for any functionality of the product…so why are they put in there?!

How are fragrances endocrine disruptors?

When toxic fragrances are inhaled or absorbed in the skin, they mimic our delicate endocrine system by interfering with healthy hormone functions as well as the release of hormones in our body. 

⭐️ Dr. Hanisha Patel states ” Environmental toxins are one of the leading causes of infertility in both men and women and if we are not actively minimizing our exposure then it is easy for our bodies to be overburdened leading to hormonal imbalances”. 

Below are additional medical sources that explain how toxic skincare ingredients can be harmful to our health/hormones:

Here is a short explanation, from Dr. Jolene Brighton Hormone Expert, as to why endocrine disruptors like fragrances and parfumes are toxic to our health/hormones. 



Source Link HERE

Another example from Dr. Mark Hyman about how toxins (fragrances) in our skincare are related to many hormone and health issues. 



Source Link HERE

Dr. Ben Lynch explains in this diagram how fragrances are considered chemicals to our bodies. They rank with some of the most dangerous chemicals.



Source Link HERE

What are common health-related symptoms fragrances cause?

A few, but not all symptoms that are common from toxic fragrances include the following: 

  • Unbalanced hormone levels 
  • Headache, nausea, brain fog, or just feeling “off” 
  • Thyroid complications
  • Negative impact on fertility (both men & women) and women’s cycles
  • Skin concerns: acne, dermatitis, eczema, rashes 
  • General allergic reaction

These symptoms arise from topical absorption of toxins in our bloodstream, as well as inhaling the fragrances. Many people may not notice any negative symptoms from products with fragrances right away, but the daily (or even twice daily) use of these products accumulate overtime, increasing our toxic load (more below), which then leads to the negative symptoms. 

⭐️ Disclaimer: Everyone is different and some people will be affected more that others, especially those with histamine intolerance or a “dirty” DAO gene (Read “Dirty Genes“).  

Does medical grade skincare have fragrance in it?

Yes, many “medical grade” skincare products have fragrance in them. However, this it not to say that ALL medical grade skincare has fragrance in it. That is why it is important as a consumer, to read ingredient labels before purchasing skincare (or any product). It is such a bummer that clients come to medical offices trusting that medical grade skincare is a better option for them, when in reality it can be filled with these unnecessary toxins.

⭐️ Overall, we expect medical grade skincare companies to do better, especially if they really care about client safety and treatment outcomes. 

Examples of a FEW medical-grade skincare products with fragrances:

Below you can see many popular medical grade skincare brands that have fragrance listed in their ingredient list. This was from a very LIGHT search for fragrances in commonly used and sold skincare in the aesthetic industry. We are not trying to bash any one brand, but simply want to shed light on how common these toxic ingredients are. That way you can learn to be your own advocate if your medical spa does not carry options without known fragrances or parfum in them. 

Again, fragrance and parfum are 100% non essential to the product working and only cause harm to ones health. 

⭐️ Each product listed below has the official ingredient list with a circle around “fragrance/parfum” listed. You can also view the product ingredient list with the source link provided. 

Is Clinical Perfect Neck Correct:



Check it out for yourself!

SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Serum:



Full List of Ingredients

Obagi Professional C Serum 20%:



Read Ingredient Label

Zo Skin Health Exfoliating Cleanser:



Product Ingredient List

Skin Medica Dermal Repair Cream:



Fragrances Found

Trying to get companies to disclose ingredients:

Topix Skincare:

In our office at Elite, we have carried a private label skincare line, Topix, for a few years now. Previously they really marketed themselves as “clean”, “hypoallergenic”, “fragrance free” and heavily researched. Unfortunately over the years we have received many products that contain fragrance when we were told they were fragrance free, or they now have fragrance in them when previously they did not. 

The sales reps were clearly naive to the dangers of the blanket terms “fragrance” and “parfum” and during our back and forth made several claims that ended up being false. Including that they only had 5 skus with fragrance and no parfum (they have both and there are over 15 now). They also claimed that none of their ingredients were toxic because they were prescription strength.

As someone with a license to prescribe, Ali-NP countered that many many prescriptions contain toxins and other unnecessary ingredients. Otherwise why would some prescription pills have bright artificial colors and why would creams contain fragrance and other additives and preservatives (see chart below for full source)?

Ali asked several times for the exact ingredients and was told over and over they would not tell her because it was “proprietary information”. 

 

⭐️ ⭐️ But, if none of their products are toxic, then why would they need to use the blanket ingredient label “fragrance”? This is just one example of how hard it is to get transparency in ingredients in skincare. 

Is prescription strength skincare non-toxic?

No, prescription strength skincare is not necessarily non-toxic. Just because a skincare product is prescription strength, does not mean it is non-toxic! There are many additives in prescription strength skincare that can be toxic to our health and hormones, too. Below are just a few examples of common additives in these types of products we get from Doctors and Dermatologists for our skin concerns 👇 

 Again, most of these additives are unnecessary ingredients needed for skincare products to do their job.

Link to read entire study  below. 



View Full Source

Please Do BETTER!


From a few of our personal encounters with this issue, it is known that these medical companies need to do better! Like mentioned earlier, we feel it is unethical to promote a product as “medical grade” or “clean” and then hide toxins under the terms “fragrance” and “parfum”. Consumers deserve to know what they are using on their skin, bottom line. The only way for change is to call these companies out and stop purchasing their products…it should not be a mystery for anyone. 

What are some non-toxic skincare options?

At Elite, we want to give a shout-out to skincare brands like Alastin Skincare and Dr. Alkatis Skincare who are transparent with their ingredient lists and avoid toxic fragrances. We will continue to carry and support skincare lines like this because they clearly state on their ingredient labels where the scent of the product is coming from.

  • For example: “Fragrance from orange oil” or “Orange essential oil” are not blanket terms for “fragrance” 👇 

Alastin TransFORM Body Cream:



View Product Source

Dr. Alkatis Organic Nourishing Oil:



View Product Source

Toxic Cup Example:

Above is an image demonstrating two different types of “toxic cups” that represent the toxic overload in our bodies. 

1. Many different lifestyle factors can create an over-flowing toxic cup such as:

  • Alcohol consumption, unfiltered/tap water, fast food, abundant stress, sugary caffeine drinks, not exercising, limited sleep, excessive news/consumption of media, dehydration, exposure to fragrances, toxic household supplies, etc.

2. Someone with a low toxic up usually finds themselves prioritizing their health in ways like:

  • Meditation, organic/balanced diet, hydration, managed stress levels, detoxification practices, adequate sleep, proper gut health, exercise, spending time outside, avoid toxic personal/hygiene products, etc.

When someone is exposing themselves to excess toxins every day, their toxic cup eventually overfills and negative health symptoms may arise. If a person with a full toxic cup comes in for an elective procedure such as  botox or fillers, negative side effects and adverse reactions are more likely to happen. Versus someone with a low toxic cup can handle a few “toxins” much better and safer (i.e. botox quarterly or lip filler yearly), because there are less toxins for their body to manage. 

⭐️ This is why it’s very important to go to a medical office with providers that asses each client before treating them AND take a holistic approach to injectables by offering cleaner options in the office for procedures like Xeomin and RHA. 

Why does this matter?

We bring this up  because we are seeing social media flooded with reels/posts similar to the one here. 

While we understand the humor in it, we also want to make a point that it is VERY important to live a healthy lifestyle for anyone doing elective procedures. It’s controversial but aesthetic treatments, or any elective treatments (think tattoos, hair chemical treatments, etc.), are less likely to cause problems for someone with a low “toxic cup” (see figure above). 

People that have a high toxic cup and don’t get any elective treatments also aren’t necessarily healthier either (in our humble opinion). Eating fast food, wearing tons of artificial fragrances and drinking tap water could very likely be more harmful to health overtime compared with getting injections quarterly or yearly. 

⭐️ There are also ways to have treatments that are cleaner/less toxic when you go to an office like Elite Medical & Aesthetics that prioritizes this!

Bottom Line:

  • What we put on our skin daily affects our hormones and our health
  • Just because something is labeled as “Medical Grade” or “Prescription Strength” does not make it non-toxic
  • Just because someone works for a skincare company doesn’t mean they know what is in their products or why (i.e. you can’t just trust what a sales rep tells you)
  • YOU have to advocate for yourself by reading ingredients and choosing safer products
  • It matters because your toxic load (toxic cup level) can greatly affect your overall health
  • Getting any elective procedure could increase stress or “toxic load” so it is important to live a healthy lifestyle 
  • Go to a medical provider that cares about overall health to keep toxic load down if you choose to have any elective treatment

Elite Medical & Aesthetics is a premier med spa located in Lone Tree, CO. Our staff of Nurse Practitioners provide a holistic approach for natural results with safety as a #1 priority.

Book a Consult

Talk to one of our providers

Book Now

Reasons why people are triggered by you getting aesthetic treatments

August 23, 2023 in , , , /by

Introduction:

FYI: This article may have some triggering content in it for those reading, but we feel it is important to share our take on this topic, as we are tired of seeing others being shamed for getting aesthetic treatments done. Especially when they are done in moderation with a natural result! 

For starters, we want to emphasize the fact that only people who are insecure with themselves will judge others for doing treatments, this is because:

⭐️ A really secure person does not actually care what other people do, so long as it is not hurting anyone else= if they’re triggered, it’s about THEM and not about YOU⭐️

While keeping that main point in mind, this article explains a few reasons why people tend to feel triggered by others getting aesthetic treatments done. 

Table of Contents

They believe they cannot have it for themselves

Oftentimes people who have to make rude comments or judge others for something, it is actually because they are upset that they cannot have it for themselves. AKA they are “hating” on you for getting a treatment done that they really want, too. 

So rather than digging deep and admitting they want something they can’t have, they try to bring you down to their level and make it sound bad or like they don’t even want it. 

There have been a few main reasons we see this issue arise from instances in our own practice👇 

1. Financial Reasons

At Elite, we have heard many times that people cannot afford certain treatments. And while we understand aesthetics can be expensive, we also believe that people can prioritize and budget what they want in life. 

Bottom line, if you truly cannot afford aesthetic treatments, that is absolutely understandable, but do not shame the people who can/choose to afford and budget for them! 

2. Society Expectations

It is such a shame that SO many celebrities lie about getting plastic surgery and aesthetic treatments done. This sets an unrealistic expectation for women that they need to look/age a certain way with all natural methods (or with their olive oil skincare line, haha).

We can understand how this may turn people sour towards the aesthetic industry, but trust us they all have work done and will continue to try and hide it instead of empowering women with truth!

3. Pleasing someone else

It can be frustrating trying to live up to someone else’s expectations as to how you should look. BUT you will never please everyone in your life, so it is important to let go of that expectation.

Instead, do aesthetic treatments because it feels empowering to you, not because someone else does or doesn’t want you to do them!

Their partner or family will judge them for it

Like mentioned earlier, you will NEVER please everyone in your life. It is also funny, because oftentimes partners/family members that are judgmental, ALSO expect their partners to look a certain way…can we say hypocritical?! 

Overall, people who get aesthetic treatments should do it because they feel empowered to and love the way it boosts their confidence. If you think about it, these treatments are just as comparable as people who alter the way they look through: 

  • Makeup (regular and permanent)
  • Hairstyles (especially perms or relaxers that are not reversible)
  • Clothing or high heels 
  • Fake nails 
  • Padded bras

Again, someone who is really secure with themselves does not care what other people do, so long as it is not negatively impacting them. Even more so, really secure people tend to support and congratulate people who do what they love because it can be viewed as a form of self care and self love (PS: those are the kinds of people you want in your life anyways 😘).

Overall, we are not trying to convince people to get any treatments done, we are just emphasizing to STOP shaming the people who do! 

We especially love this quote written by, Alex Pike, because it sums everything up in a few short words.

They think it is "unhealthy"

To put it simply, health is not that black and white. Many people claim that getting treatments such as Tox is just injecting a toxin into your body…and while this can be argued, consuming foods such as:

  • Processed foods
  • Inflammatory oils 
  • Refined sugar 
  • Alcohol
  • Artificial dyes and fragrances 

Are just as toxic for your health if, not worse. What people do not understand is that Tox injections only occur every 3-4 months in a very localized area. People consume and apply toxins on a daily basis that accumulate overtime to a very large amount. Everything in life is about balance, and one extreme over the other is not healthy either way, we are the first to say “NO” to people who are over-filled, or want aesthetic treatments for the wrong reasons. 

 

Hence our motto “Holistic approach, Natural results” 💜 

They are projecting their own experiences on you

If someone had a really bad experience with an aesthetic treatment or an injector, they might have the tendency to project that negativity onto you. Sure, that is only human to do (to a point) but it does not mean that all aesthetic treatments should be given that kind of reputation. That is why it is always important to do your research before going to an injector or a medical spa in general, to ensure your safety is number one, but that their morals align with yours and that their credentials/before and after work is legitimate!  

⭐️ It is also important to keep in mind that you never know someone’s intentions behind getting an aesthetic treatment done or the reasoning behind their decisions. Aesthetic treatments and surgeries can oftentimes change people’s depression or help heal past trauma that they experienced in their lifetime. 

Many therapists indicate that people who stop caring about their appearance are actually more likely to have signs of depression and lack of self confidence. Compared to the people who take the time to do self care acts (whatever form this may be) and do things that make them feel beautiful and confident. 

Ali, NP's Personal Experience with Health & Aesthetics


Ali, NP takes her health and wellness very seriously as she has put in thousands of hours as a Nurse Practitioner and is training in the functional medicine field. For example: 

-She eats an all organic diet full of vegetables, fruits, animal protein, and supplements based on her own body’s needs; drinks filtered water and has a reverse osmosis system installed in the office too! She limits caffeine to ~2-3 servings/week and rarely drinks alcohol. 

– Not only does she factor in diet, she also uses non-toxic beauty products and household products. 

– Alongside those important lifestyle choices she focuses on mental health by reading, meditating, and spending time doing things she loves like painting, playing sand volleyball and doing pilates. 

-With all of that being said, she DOES get aesthetic treatments done that are appropriate for her and make her feel even more confident and beautiful with a holistic and natural approach. 

Ali clearly takes care of her health and even jokes that, “the only toxin I put into my body is localized Botulinum Toxin”. However, others may put toxins in their bodies daily and then believe they are healthy by not getting tox injections. It is not that simple, health is not that black and white!

Running her own medical spa, Ali also prioritizes carrying less-toxic, cleaner products for her clients such as:

  • Xeomin: double filtered, purified neurotoxin that does not have any added/unnecessary proteins
  • RHA filler: the only HA filler on the market that closely mimics our body’s own HA with a cleaner formula
  • Dr. Alkaitis holistic skincare line that is organic, raw, and toxin free

Conclusion

Overall, we want to inform people that if someone has to make comments or shame you for getting aesthetic treatments, remember that it has nothing to do with you, and everything to do with them! Usually people are triggered by others getting treatments because of the four main reason explained above 👆 

1. They believe they cannot have it for themselves 

2. Their partner or family will judge them for it 

3. They think it is “unhealthy”

4. They are projecting their own experiences onto you 

At Elite, we want to use aesthetic treatments as a way to feel empowered as women (and men) and to do them because we feel even more confident and beautiful than we already are 😉 

Elite Medical & Aesthetics is a premier med spa located in Lone Tree, CO. Our staff of Nurse Practitioners provide a holistic approach for natural results with safety as a #1 priority.

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5 Reasons NOT to get Aesthetic Treatments

August 18, 2023 in , /by

Introduction

While we support and empower women (and men) to get aesthetic treatments that make them feel good, we also are not afraid to say “no” to clients getting aesthetic treatments. Our providers care about our clients on a personal level to advise them to do what is best for them at that time, and sometimes that means not doing a treatment at all. 

💜 In this article we will cover our Nurse Practitioner’s top 5 reasons to NOT to get aesthetics treatments and frequently asked questions regarding this subject.



Elite's Values

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Reason #1

Because everyone else is doing it:

Just because there is a new trend on Tik Tok, or you’re seeing the new “latest and greatest” treatment on social media does not mean it is going to be a treatment best for you. There are side effects and risks to every medical treatment that could cause complications later on if not taken seriously or done for the appropriate reasons. If you are interested in a certain treatment, talk with your provider/injector about your options, instead of seeking a medical spa that offers the trendy treatment at that time.

 ⭐️ FYI- it’s not uncommon for these trends to end, and people end up not being happy with the treatment/results anymore because there is a new trend. 

Example

  • Ozempic aka “the skinny shot”: This is all the rage right now for losing weight! But, while you may see many people taking/using a certain medication, this does not mean it is a safe option for everyone. Also, we strongly believe that not everyone is meant to look the same, and “skinny” does not mean you are healthy! Consider taking care of your total health/wellness through a balanced diet and exercise and consult with a medical professional for any type of weight-loss medication. 

Reason #2

Your partner wants you to look a certain way:

First and foremost, do not let anyone make you feel like you should look a certain way! We recommend to refrain from doing treatments because someone wants you to look differently. It is never a good idea to do aesthetic treatments to “people please”. 

⭐️ Instead, do treatments because you want to, and it empowers you to feel your best! Your partner should support and care about you just as you are, with or without aesthetic treatments done. 

Example

  • Your partner says you “need botox”: Ali, NP and owner of Elite has had clients in her office tell their partners that they “need” botox in front of her. While there may be jokes aside, it is important to note these kind of comments from your partner (if any) and talk to them about it, because you should never feel like you have to change for someone else in order to feel loved or accepted! 

Reason #3

You think it will make you feel more secure:

Consider doing aesthetic treatments because they are empowering to you, not because you feel the need to “fix” something about yourself to feel secure or beautiful. Your mental health is #1 priority, and oftentimes if you are struggling with an insecurity, there is an underlying reason that needs to be addressed (ie. your inner child was made fun of for something that is still affecting you). 

⭐️ Our EMA team strives to make aesthetic treatments an empowering thing to do that makes YOU feel good, bottom line.

Example:

  • You were once made fun of for “chicken lips”:  So naturally, getting lip filler might make you feel better about your appearance, but it doesn’t fix the “inner child” that was made fun of for her lips to begin with. PLUS, the same person that made fun of you for having “chicken lips” will most likely make fun of you for getting lip filler! Overall, you have to do it for yourself…you will never make everyone happy 💜 

Reason #4

You are under immense stress:

We understand that when life feels out of control, you usually feel the need to control something. But, aesthetic treatments should never be used as a coping mechanism in hard, stressful times. When you are not in the right headspace, it is only human to make impulse decisions that you may regret later when things have calmed down. 

⭐️ This is often when our NP providers will say “no” to a client and tell them to come back when things are less stressful and consult about it then (and most of them thank us for it)!

Example

  • Someone is going through a family crisis: Getting any type of medical treatment is not the way to go about handling a stressful time/event in your life. It is also posing a risk for you to have adverse reactions to a treatment or slower healing time, simply because your body is already being triggered by other stressors. Don’t worry, our providers will still be here for you when things have calmed down and when you can enjoy getting treatments done 💜 

Reason #5

You have an uncontrolled illness:

Having uncontrolled illnesses like autoimmune diseases simply puts your body at risk for more complications, reactions, or longer downtime post-treatment. This is why it is important to see a real medical provider that has practiced in a health care setting not just in the aesthetics industry. 

⭐️ Providers with actual medical backgrounds know how to identify symptoms of diseases that could put you at risk, and what to look for before considering if someone is a candidate for a treatment. Your safety is always a #1 priority, and should be taken seriously. 

Examples that our providers refrain from doing treatments:

  • Recent vaccines of any kind within a 2 week time frame
  • Any dental work within a 2 week time frame (for filler treatments)
  • Being on steroids. This causes the immune system to be lowered
  • ANY uncontrolled autoimmune disease that is not being treated

In general, any illnesses, or just not feeling well in general, is also not a good time to do elective aesthetic treatments. 



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Other Commonly Asked Questions

Can aesthetic treatments improve mental health?

Aesthetic treatments should not be used as a coping mechanism for mental health issues. If you are experiencing any kind of mental health struggles, please consult with a therapist and get help. Your mental health should always come first/be a priority. 

  • However, aesthetic treatments can be empowering to people, thus making them feel more confident and even more beautiful than they already are! But we emphasize that these treatments are meant to be done for you, and not to please other people (because lets face it, you will never please everyone so do it for YOURSELF) 😉 



Our Favorite Glow up Treatments

Can aesthetic treatments become addictive?

Yes, aesthetic treatments can become a behavioral addiction if people are getting them for the wrong reasons. Like mentioned earlier, we support people getting aesthetic treatments because they feel empowered to and use it to feel good about themselves, NOT to “fix” something about themselves. If our providers sense alternative motives from clients they, will have a discussion and are not afraid to say “no” if things are no longer a good fit (because we genuinely care about our clients on a personal level).

💜 Note: There are also some people who are diagnosed with Body Dysmorphic Disorder that can become addictive to cosmetic treatments/surgeries to look a certain way. This is a serious disorder and if recognized to seek help from a trusted provider/therapist.

Does botox improve depression?

Botox, or “Tox” Xeomin, Dysport, Daxxi, Jeuveau, may work in treating depression by inhibiting the muscle movements in the face that occur when certain emotions linked to depression occur:

  • Anger
  • Fear
  • Sadness

These neurotoxin results work by regulating these emotions and also help patients have improved self-esteem with or without underlying depression. A 2006 case study by Finzi & Wasserman evaluated how effective Botulinum Toxin A glabellar treatments were on patients with major depression. 9 out of the 10 patients were no longer depressed 2 months post treatment (the 10th patient had improved mood). 



Read MORE studies here

In Summary:

All in all, we want to emphasize that there is a right time and place to do aesthetic treatments. Unfortunately, we have seen many cases where aesthetic treatments are being used for the wrong reasons. And while we support the aesthetic industry and most treatments, it is important to us and our values to know when to say “no” to clients for their safety (and to have their best interest at heart 💜)

We hope you view aesthetic treatments the way we do: to empower yourself and show a form of self care that makes YOU feel good at the end of the day. 

Elite Medical & Aesthetics is a premier med spa located in Lone Tree, CO. Our all nursing staff of Nurse Practitioners take a holistic approach to natural results with safety as #1 priority. 

Talk with one of our providers.



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