Functional Aesthetics 101

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Introduction

Many of Elite’s staff members, and our clients, have gone through healing journeys with a functional medicine approach, and have found that treating the body as a whole, and addressing underlying causes, improves skin health, too. It’s all connected. You can’t fully treat the skin without addressing the whole body. 

What we do at Elite is termed “functional aesthetics”; which means, addressing the root cause of skin concerns and not just treating symptoms, such as: pre-mature aging, thin/crepey skin, acne, rosacea, liver spots, eczema, etc. 

Common “functional aesthetics” services you may see on social media, like: IV therapy, weight loss medication, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can make people feel great temporarily, but they do not directly address, nor cure, the root cause of common health and skin issues. (Which is exactly what functional medicine does 😉).

True functional medicine in aesthetics addresses the whole person, individually, by looking into lifestyle changes, diet, gut health, hormone imbalances, inflammation, cortisol spikes, stealth infection like infections/parasites, stress levels, and much more! Typically when there is health/skin issues it is rarely caused by one thing and/or fixed by one thing. The body is very interconnected, so it can be complex, takes time, and may need attention from a professional in the functional medicine field. 

📕 Keep reading below to learn more about:

  • Functional medicine and how it is being used in the world of aesthetics  
  • Red flags to watch out for in med spas who claim they are “functional” and “holistic”
  • How our office implements functional medicine, and more! 
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Table of Contents

What is functional aesthetics?

Functional aesthetics is a combination of both:

1. Functional medicine: an integrative practice that addresses the root cause of illnesses/health issues rather than treating only the symptoms.

2. Aesthetic medicine: looks at a person as a whole and utilizes appropriate skin treatments, therapies, and (clean) injectables to help people feel and look their best.

 

An example of this might look like:

-A client comes in with severe acne and our providers talk about their gut health, hormone health, and stress levels and how these things contribute to the formation of acne. The provider formulates a functional medicine and aesthetic treatment plan that:

1. Diet and lifestyle changes that address common root causes of acne 

2. A customized treatment plan to help the acne heal faster that may include topicals at home and  VI Peels and/or IPL in the office. Later, once lesions are healed, we would add on microneedling or lasers to address any scars. 

3. Potential supplemental IV therapy to help the body detoxify while it is healing

This is a 360 approach to healing the acne with a functional aesthetic approach, rather than only prescribing pills or topical ointments. 

💜 Lastly, addressing underlying conditions before agreeing upon a treatment can save clients from adverse reactions! (aka they put you and your health first, and aren’t afraid to say “no”).

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What are common functional aesthetic treatments?

Common aesthetic treatments that are being be classified/marketed as “functional” may include therapies/treatments like: 

  • IV therapy 
  • Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
  • Weight loss management, such as Ozempic/Semaglutide injections

These treatments alone do not fully address root causes of symptoms within the body, however they can have a “time and place” during the healing process and may have overall health benefits. Most importantly, if a practitioner jumps to these treatments without addressing things like:

  •  Diet, lifestyle, stress, gut health, detox pathways, sleep issues, hormone imbalances, etc. they are not practicing functional medicine, they are prescribing a “quick fix”, or simply selling add on treatments, that only help temporarily. 
  • Of note: if this is what you are looking for, or what your clinic does, that is cool too, but it is important to not sell/advertise it as functional medicine.
Learn More About Functional Medicine Here

What is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?

Hormone replacement therapy is a treatment used to help relieve hormonal symptoms temporarily, usually associated with the transition to menopause (*more below), but can be used with other hormonal imbalances, too. Synthetic hormone pellets are medically placed into the buttock region and slowly release targeted hormones into the body. Overall, this treatment is designed to replace lower levels of female hormones.

Is Hormone Replacement Therapy functional medicine?

In our opinion, hormone replacement therapy (alone) is not considered functional medicine. While this is a commonly used intervention for unwanted hormone symptoms, it comes with side effects and does not fully address, or fix, the underlying cause of the hormonal imbalances to begin with. PLUS, even though appropriate HRT treatments run blood work labs, these labs only indicate the imbalance(s), not what is causing those imbalances. 

🌱 A holistic and functional med approach to hormone regulation might look like:

  • Someone balances their body naturally through addressing gut health, sleep, stress, detox pathways, etc. and is still showing imbalanced hormone levels. In this case, HRT COULD potentially be a beneficial treatment, in conjunction with the lifestyle changes, while the body continues to heal. And this approach would require a lot less of the synthetic hormones than if it was the first, and only, treatment option offered for the hormone issues.
  • *Note: we understand that menopause is a “root cause” of hormone imbalance for women, but all of the side effects of menopause, though common, do not mean they are normal. Meaning, that many symptoms of menopause can be treated naturally, and then if hormones are needed, less can be used. 
  • When possible, we also always advocate for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy over using synthetic hormones. 

What are weight loss Injections?

Common weight loss management injections, Ozempic & Semaglutide, help to lower blood sugar by assisting the pancreas to make more insulin. This process causes the body to feel less hungry and thus, lose weight due to a suppressed appetite. These injections are originally used  for type 2 diabetes, but are now used for many alternative reasons, even for those without a diagnosis, to lose weight quickly.

Are Ozempic injections functional medicine?

No, weight loss injections such as Ozempic are not considered functional medicine because they do not address the underlying causes within the body that is making people struggle with losing weight. These type of injections are proven to be a “band-aid” fix to weight loss because once someone stops getting the injections, the weight comes back (especially if someone is not implementing diet and exercises changes while on the medication). 

Additionally, there are many unwanted side effects with weight loss injections such as gut issues, severe heartburn, hormonal imbalances, thyroid issues including cancer, and chronic inflammation which can make people feel even worse and lead to other issues within the body (like a domino effect). 

*Of note: this medication is intended for type 2 diabetes and can be a beneficial medication for those  with type 2 diabetes or other health complications associated with obesity. Always consult with your practicing provider about any medication use or questions.*

🌱 A holistic and functional med approach to weight loss might look like:

  • Working with a specialist on lifestyle interventions, mental health/food addiction, eating a customized diet, following an exercise plan, and running necessary tests to see WHY the body is not able to naturally lose healthy weight. Then, following that treatment plan for “X amount of time” to see how the body responds. Many people tend to feel better when they take this approach to weight loss, overall and see other health benefits as well! Plus, it is a long term solution to weight loss rather than a quick fix that might not provide lasting results.

What is IV Therapy?

IV Therapy is a medical procedure that delivers fluids, medications and vitamins/minerals into the body directly through a vein. Many aesthetic clinics use IV therapy to give clients “cocktails” of vitamins/minerals to help support anti-aging, healthy hair and skin, and nail quality. While medical IV’s are used to administer medications and fluids quicker to the body for several reasons.  

Is IV Therapy functional medicine?

IV therapy itself, is not functional medicine, but it can be a supportive tool to administer vitamins and minerals that are needed for the body to heal or detox. Again, working with a functional med expert is the first step to addressing the issues within the body to know what exactly is out of balance and needs attention. Without diving deeper into the root cause(s), getting an IV full of vitamins and minerals that the body doesn’t need is not totally beneficial, and can be expensive! 

🌱 A holistic and functional med approach to IV therapy might look like: 

Working on gut health and detoxing a sluggish liver that is causing an array of issues such as: acne, gut imbalances, and sleep problems, and getting an IV that contains glutathione to help further support the liver detox practices. IV therapy can work great in conjunction with functional med practices to give the body a boost, but knowing what the body needs is the first step to correctly and successfully getting the full benefits of an IV customized to you.

Please note that many clinics use cheap, synthetic vitamins in their IV infusions. Be sure to ask about what kind of vitamins they use, specifically methylated B vitamins vs synthetic B vitamins. 

What is an example of functional aesthetics in a clinic?

An example of an aesthetic office practicing functional medicine may look like this: 

  • A woman comes in and has concerns about hormonal issues such as severe acne and melasma but also mentions that the fatigue, bloating, and irregular cycles are really bothering her as well.

Instead of prescribing hormones (HRT) right off the bat, the practitioner looks at the her as a whole (ie: her stress levels, diet, lifestyle, toxic load, gut issues, cortisol etc.) and suggests simple, yet effective, lifestyle changes to implement ASAP. 

  • They decide to wait on doing any type of treatments, besides a customized skincare routine to help manage acne and melasma topically, and refers her to a functional med specialist while explaining that unless she balances her body naturally her acne/melasma will not completely go away with topical skincare/treatments.
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Is blood work considered functional medicine?

Running blood work is a helpful tool that can be beneficial with navigating how the body is functioning, but it isn’t the “end all, be all” of functional medicine. Functional medicine goes beyond blood work, in fact there are MANY tests that are helpful when taking a deeper dive into understanding the body such as a Dutch test, stool and urine test, HTMA test, etc. 

🧘‍♀️ More importantly, functional medicine usually begins with implementing basic lifestyle and diet changes first (even before running tests or adding in supplements) because these lifestyle changes are the foundations to a healthier body and can make a huge impact, alone. 

Additionally, most “normal ranges” for blood work testing is very broad, doesn’t always give a definitive answer, can showcase “normal levels”(even if there is something goin on), and can oftentimes be misleading. Keep in mind that normal labs doesn’t equal a healthy person. Even abnormal labs, or abnormal hormone levels on labs, don’t indicate what the root cause is of those abnormalities, it just simply shows that there’s something abnormal. There is a much more complex issue going on within the body that needs to be addressed and analyzed by a professional in the field. 

Is "common" and "normal" the same thing?

The terms “common” and “normal” are not the same thing! In today’s society it is common to see women struggle with acne, painful periods, PMS, etc, but it is not normal. Our bodies are not supposed to experience these type of painful symptoms, and it is definitely not ok for them to be labeled or misinterpreted as “normal”. Oftentimes, these “common” symptoms are ignored when they should be listened to, because they are a way the body is communicating with you that something is off. 

Functional medicine practitioners take a deeper look into “why” these symptoms are occurring and address the root cause(s) which is different for everyone. When someone is able to balance their body and address all functions (since they are all interconnected) many symptoms start to improve and lessen. This is healing from within, which takes time and more than a few HRT and IV therapy treatments like being marketed today. 

Red Flags to look out for:

🚩 We have seen a trend of these common red flags in clinics/med spas that claim they are “functional” and “holistic” when in reality, they would not be doing or offering these things if they were truly practicing (or believe in) functional medicine:

  • They offer you traditional soda, candy, processed treats and non-organic coffee in the afternoons 
  • The products that they use in their office and skincare products are filled with “parfum” and “fragrance”
  • The providers immediately prescribe a pill or a “quick fix” without addressing potential root causes or referring you to a functional med specialist

Why do these things 👆 matter?

These details mentioned above matter greatly! If a clinic was truly practicing “functional aesthetics” then they would not offer these things, because they do not support a healthy body. 

Read below for further explanation:

  • Refined sugars, processed foods, seed oils, generic caffeine, and artificial dyes found in office “treats” and drinks contribute to: inflammation, hormone imbalances, skin issues such as acne, spiked cortisol levels, gut issues, and so much more. Instead, swap these generic/unhealthy things for organic, non-toxic options that are much healthier and do not contribute/feed inflammation and other issues. 
  • A lot of popular, name-brand skincare products, candles, and air fresheners that are used and offered in clinics contain “fragrance” and “parfum” which are endocrine disruptors and proven to wreck havoc on hormones. 
  • If a practitioner immediately defaults to prescribing a pill or a “quick fix” to band-aid symptoms without looking into root cause(s) or diving deeper into things like: detox pathways, stress levels, gut microbiome imbalances, toxic load, sleep issues etc. they are actually practicing the opposite of functional medicine, they are using Western medicine’s approach “pill for an ill”. Therefore, they cannot be claiming to be doing “functional medicine”.

At Elite, we take the time to educate our clients on why we do not offer or carry products like this in our office, that way they can be aware and make these changes in their personal lives, too. 

How we do things at Elite Medical & Aesthetics:

At Elite, we find it is important that our entire office aligns with our beliefs on taking a holistic approach to not only aesthetics, but lifestyle too. 

💜 Some of the key things we do in our office, and have done since we first started, include:

  • Offering the cleanest products on the market for our clients when we do agree to do a procedure. We research and trial each product we offer to our clients to ensure it meets our standards and provides beautiful, natural results. If we wouldn’t use it on ourselves, we wouldn’t offer it to our clients.
  • We have all natural treatment options such as NeoLifting, EZ-Gel injections, IPL/laser/peels, microneedling, and PRP/PRF. There are many natural aesthetic treatments that can provide beautiful results for clients.
  • We refuse treatment, and refer out, when a case is above our level of functional med expertise. We are not afraid to say “no” to clients, which is part of our morals of being honest and truly caring about our clients and their well-being over an aesthetic treatment or money. We always say “people over profits”. 💜 
  • All of our office cleaning supplies are non-toxic. Because we are a medical office, cleaning happens multiple times a day, and therefore using quality non-toxic cleaning products and soaps is a non negotiable to keep our staff and clients safe from toxins and fragrances that many people encounter when using generic cleaning supplies.
  • We only offer real, clean, organic drinks and snacks (and they are delicious too 😉). We opt for cleaner snack and drink brands such as Spin Drift seltzer waters, Unreal coconut chocolates, organic herbal teas, and always use filtered water for drinking. We also have organic, grass-fed beef sticks to accompany the chocolates to prevent a sugar crash. 
Learn more about our values

How we practice functional aesthetics:

We take the time to look at each client as a whole and screen them thoroughly to rule out any possible underlying causes that might lead to adverse reactions with treatments. We also listen to clients and get to know them so that if there are symptoms associated with skin concerns we are educating them on ways to address it internally, too. 

 Here are some of the ways we practice this:

  • We screen every client for underlying conditions and address these issues before doing ANY procedure. This is especially important because doing an elective aesthetic procedure on someone with a high histamine response, poor stress responses, sickness, etc. can increase the potential for someone to have an immune response or reaction to a treatment/procedure. 
  • We offer functional medicine consults and treatment plans. Ali, NP and owner is seeing clients for functional medicine cases and provides thorough treatment plans to help address underlying causes of unwanted symptoms. For advanced cases, we have a network of full-time functional medicine providers to refer out to. 
  • We educate on lifestyle changes and offer resources for change and a deeper dive into health and wellness. Our providers take pride in knowing enough information/research on functional medicine and how the body operates on a functional level to educate clients on basic lifestyle changes that can make a huge impact on people. This may include things like diet, exercise, gut health, hormone health, managing stress, and more. 
  • We talk about getting to the root cause, rather than just treating symptoms. Taking the time to explain to our clients about root causes and how they can take the right steps to feeling their best is important to us and crucial for total client care and safety. We do not offer “quick fixes” in our office. 
  • All of our skincare products are paraben-free, phalate-free, cruelty-free & fragrance-free. The number one toxin found in MOST skincare and beauty products is “fragrance”. It causes an array of issues within our bodies and hormones. Just because a popular brand name skincare product is on the market, does not mean it is the safest. Read more about this topic on our blog, by clicking the pink button below 👇 
Recognizing Toxins in Skincare Blog
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How we are educated on functional medicine:

Our entire staff takes the time to research and read about functional medicine practices so we can all educate clients throughout each encounter with us, from the initial phone call, to the procedure, and the follow up. 

How do we hold ourselves accountable and do this? 

  • We have a monthly bookclub which has incorporated many books that focus on lifestyle and functional medicine practices/mindsets like: Dirty Genes, Hormone Intelligence, Good Energy and the Pegan Diet. 
  • Ali, MB and Kelsea have personally worked with functional medicine experts including women’s hormones and gut health expert, Marisa Faye, so they have personal experiences that they can attest to, speak upon, and explain the improvements and changes in their own healing journeys. This has been extremely relatable for clients and one another, and it is fun “healing together”, sharing progress, and new tools (we oftentimes geek out on this together 🤓). 
  • Ali, NP has completed functional medicine trainings and courses to help clients look and feel their best, naturally! Ali & Kelsea are currently working on functional aesthetic protocols for the clients in the office. 

While we are able to help clients with functional aesthetics, and the core principals of functional medicine in general, for severe cases we will often refer clients out to full time functional medicine practitioners. 

Is functional medicine complex?

Yes, functional medicine is very complex. It takes years of schooling and training for someone to be a functional med expert.

Not to mention that each case is different and takes different tools to understand and navigate through. Functional medicine is patient-centered, in-depth, and integrative on many levels and it takes dedication, commitment, and persistence before results start to show, both from the practitioner and the client. 

That often is why it is common to see practitioners prescribing a pill or a quick fix, because people tend to feel better initially, but this feeling is only temporary.

Conclusion:

All in all, our providers at Elite are dedicated to help our clients feel and look their best with a combination of both aesthetic treatments and a functional medicine approach. 

We offer an array of functional medicine services, natural treatments, and wellness services to compliment our holistic approach. 

Learn more about these below!

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

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EZ Gel 101

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Introduction:

At Elite, it is important to us to offer all-natural treatments, like EZ Gel, that align with our values and holistic approach to aesthetics. EZ Gel is one of our favorite all-natural injectable treatments that is effective, safe, and provides beautiful results!

EZ gel is 100% natural, meaning it has:

  • No chemicals 
  • No artificial compounds 
  • No additives
  • Made from your own blood

Keep reading to learn more about EZ Gel and common FAQs about this injectable treatment.

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Table of Contents

What is EZ Gel?

EZ Gel is a 100% natural, bio-stimulating gel that contains growth factors from human plasma (aka your own blood) to stimulate collagen production, soften lines, support healthier tissue/skin, and subtly restore lost volume or hollowing. 

EZ Gel injections are created from your own blood through a process that includes:

  • An initial blood draw
  • Spinning the tube(s) of blood in a medical centrifuge (to separate the PRF from the blood)
  • Drawing the PRF into sterile syringes
  • Properly warming the PRF in a specialized machine to create a gel
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What is EZ Gel used for?

Overall, EZ Gel is used to boost collagen and elastin production, improve skin texture, and subtly restore volume with a series of treatments (typically 3, spread 4-6 weeks apart). 

Common areas that EZ Gel is injected into include:

  • Under eyes
  • Lips
  • Cheeks
  • Crows feet
  • Lower face
  • Neck lines

EZ Gel is most loved for its ability to work within the body, naturally to produce it’s own collagen and elastin for more natural and healthier skin tissue without any fillers or additives. 

Is EZ Gel better than fillers?

EZ Gel is not necessarily better than fillers and fillers are not necessarily better than EZ Gel. They are both great injectable options, but one may be better suited for you and your goals/concerns. Let’s break the two down:

  • EZ Gel- All natural, regenerative injectable derived from your own blood that specifically stimulates collagen to create new, healthy cells. Requires a series of treatments for results, and the results are not immediate (up to 6-12 months for full effects to show). EZ Gel has minimal down time, and can be injected in more areas of the face that certain dermal fillers may not always be an option for (ie. under eyes).
  • Dermal Filler- Made out of HA (hyaluronic acid) and used for more dramatic and immediate results, but is not 100% natural (we do carry the cleanest/safest HA fillers on the market available). Most fillers do not require a series of treatments and results last around 10-12 months before re-evaluation for more from your injector is needed. Traditional HA fillers do not stimulate collagen production.

⭐️ While EZ Gel is 100% natural and may have fewer side effects, it is important to note that EZ Gel does not fully replace the effects and immediate results of filler and other bio-stimulating injections like Radiesse or Sculptra. 

Your goals, concerns, and baseline anatomy are important factors to consider before choosing the right injectable for you! If you are unsure of what treatment you many need, it is best to schedule a consultation with one of our NP providers. 

Our providers will create a customized treatment plan for you based on your goals and specifications, i.e. let us know if you only want 100% natural treatment options or are ok combining different techniques for optimal results.

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What is the new treatment instead of fillers?

EZ-Gel is the new treatment/injectable in place of fillers! It’s a great option for those that simply do not want any fillers, want only 100% natural treatments or want to try something more subtle than filler. EZ gel works great great as a bio-stimulator (collagen stimulator) alone, or with other bio-stimulators such as Radiesse or Sculptra.

 Disclaimer: EZ-Gel does not give the exact same immediate results as traditional filler does, but it is an all natural injectable option for those seeking an alternative to fillers. EZ Gel does help with subtle volume restoration, softening lines and wrinkles, maintaining a healthy skin complexion, stimulating collagen production, and can be used in areas like the under eyes more regularly than HA fillers.

Additionally, it is important to also address your skin as a whole and ensure that you’re following a  treatment plan that potentially incorporates skin treatments such as IPL/Laser, peels, and microneedling. Combining treatments can compound results! 

What are the side effects of EZ Gel?

Since EZ Gel is derived from your own blood, side effects are usually mild and rare, which is also a great benefit to this treatment! 

  • Mild side effects include: redness, swelling, bruising, tenderness, or initial asymmetry.
  • Severe side effects include: nerve damage, vascular occlusion, and infection (which can mostly all be avoided with an experienced injector). 

Of note: A few cases of HIV and Hepatitis C have been noted at non-medical clinics where “clinicians” did not followed proper guidelines and shared blood products between patients. That is why it is crucial to see a professional medical injector for any injections, but especially when there is a risk for blood borne infections. 

*This is just a list of possible side effects/risks. Always consult with your injector/provider for a list of all potential side effects/risks*

Who is a good candidate for EZ Gel?

EZ Gel is a treatment ideal for those looking for subtle/gradual volume restoration, healthier skin tissue, and a natural, minimally invasive injectable option. Because EZ Gel is made from your own blood, most people are candidates for this treatment and it is a great injectable for those who had side effects or reactions to filler but still want some of the benefits of filler. 

EZ Gel is also a great preventative treatment to begin when you are younger to help maintain healthy collagen and tissue. Lastly, EZ Gel can be a great introductory injectable if you are unsure about dermal fillers, too. 

How many EZ Gel treatments do you need?

Typically, most people will need a minimum of three EZ Gel treatments spread 4-6 weeks apart. Also, to maintain results it is recommended to get yearly treatments (or follow your individualized treatment protocol from your injector). Keep in mind, some people may need more sessions depending on their goals, concerns, and baseline. 

Schedule a consult with one of our NP providers to get a customized EZ Gel treatment plan.  

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How long does EZ Gel last?

After a series of three treatments, clients can expect 2-4 month of lasting improvement. However, EZ Gel continues working within the body to build natural collagen production up to 6-12 months post treatment, so most people can see results up to one year after injections.

To help maintain results, we do recommend yearly maintenance treatments and to follow your treatment plan from your provider.

What is the difference between EZ Gel and Sculptra?

While EZ Gel and Sculptra are both injectables that stimulate collagen, one of the main differences is what they’re made out of:

EZ Gel is made from your own blood plasma, and is 100% natural. Whereas Sculptra is made from Poly L Lactic Acid (PLLA), which is what sutures (stitches) are made from, and though very safe and effective, is not considered to be 100% natural. 

Both of these injectables:

  • Require a series of treatments to see results (typically 3)
  • Stimulate your body to produce collagen and elastin 
  • Provide: healthier skin tissue, softening of lines/wrinkles, subtle volume, and natural facial rejuvenation
  • Do not show immediate plumping effects like filler
  • Final results may take 6-12 months to notice 

There are a few additional “pro’s and con’s” to both of these such as: Sculptra cannot be injected in the under eye area like EZ Gel can be, Sculptra may have more noticeable differences than EZ gel in some areas, EZ Gel does require a blood draw, etc. 

To know which injectable is best for you, consult with one of our NP providers for a customized treatment plan.

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How to fill under eyes without fillers?

EZ-Gel is one of the best injectable options to address under eye concerns such as hollowing, lines/wrinkles, and sagging. Unlike filler, EZ Gel settles beautifully without migration and overfilling, which are common unwanted side effects with filler in the under eyes (typically needs to be dissolved to fix). EZ Gel also stimulates the body’s own natural collagen, so the skin around the eyes appears healthier and more refreshed with a series of treatments. 

What is the downtime like after EZ Gel?

Another reason many people love EZ Gel is there is minimal downtime associated with the injections/treatment. It is not uncommon to have mild swelling, redness and “pin-point” bruising at the injection site. This usually subsides within 24 to 48 hours after treatment. 

Common instructions following treatment may include:

  • Avoiding touching the area for 24 hours and only putting on approved products 
  • Avoiding intense exercise and/or sweating for the first 24 hours
  • Avoiding taking blood thinning medications/supplements for the first 24-48 hours to mitigate chances of bruising (unless prescribed for other conditions)
  • Taking bromelain and arnica (natural supplement remedies) to help with any swelling or bruising 

⭐️ Note: not medical advice, be sure to always follow your office’s post-treatment instructions and follow up with your injector if you have any concerns or questions.

Does EZ Gel Migrate?

No, EZ Gel does not migrate! Because the gel is dissolved by your body within a month or so, migration is not a typical side effect. However, any product that is over-filled, especially in a confined space like lips, can migrate if there is too much of it for the space. It should (theoretically) dissolve on it’s own, but we can’t say 100% since we have never seen it happen, and it would never happen at our clinic as we are always cautious to not over-fill. Seeing an experienced, licensed medical provider can help prevent complications. 

What is the difference between PRF and EZ Gel?

The difference between EZ gel and PRF (platelet-rich fibrin) is basically that EZ Gel is PRF that has been heated and then combined with non-heated concentrate. It goes like this:

EZ gel takes PRP/PRF that is heated in a specialized machine to a target temperature that thickens it into a more gel/filler like consistency. Then, it is cooled and mixed with the most potent healing cells that were spun down during the process of spinning regular blood into PRF. Once the heated gel and the healing cells are mixed, and fully blended together, you have EZ-gel!

How much does EZ Gel cost?

On average, EZ Gel costs around $600-800 per area, per treatment. With that being said, a series of at least 3 treatments (spread 4-6 weeks apart) is required for EZ Gel to see optimal results. 

At EMA, we offer package pricing that provides additional savings, versus paying for each single session alone. We also offer two budgeting/financing options in our office that include:

 To view our treatment pricing, click the button below. 

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Does EZ Gel really work?

Yes, EZ Gel really does work! It is important to note that the improvements are gradual (with a series of treatments) and less dramatic than what is typically seen with HA fillers and bio-stimulators like Radiesse. 

Knowing what you can expect with any injectables treatment is crucial, and we recommend to consult with a licensed professional to explore options best suited for your aesthetic goals. 

See a before and after EZ Gel picture from a real client below 👇 

EZ Gel before and afters

Below are images of real clients in our office who received EZ Gel. 

See our B&A gallery

Conclusion:

In summary, there are many benefits and reasons to love EZ Gel! 

1. Completely natural injectable option that is derived from your own blood = less risk for reactions
2. Minimal downtime! Mild swelling for 24-48 hours and potential for bruising from initial pokes
3. Results continue to improve over time
4. Boosts natural collagen production = your results may last longer than traditional fillers
5. Subtly restores volume = natural looking results and can be used in areas that filler is often not appropriate for, like mild under eye hollowing

Book a consultation below with one of our NP providers to see how EZ Gel might be a great treatment for you! 

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5 Habits That Are Aging You Faster

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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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Recognizing Toxins in Skincare

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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.

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Reasons why people are triggered by you getting aesthetic treatments

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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

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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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