I work for a local dermatologist in Hampton Roads.  He has been practicing for over 27 years and not only is he a board certified by the American Board of Dermatology, he is also recognized as a fellow in the American Academy of Dermatology and has served as the Chairman for the Dermatology Section of the National Medical Association. In 2008 he was voted Practitioner of the Year by the National Medical Association.

I have been working at the derm practice for over 8 years, and not only am I a Medical Assistant, but I have also been trained as a Skin Care Specialist.  As a skin care specialist I see my own patients and perform skin care consults, microdermabrasions and chemical peels.  I have a regular clientele and meet new patients all the time.  It is a really great job!

One of the things I love most about my job is that I am able to make a positive difference in people’s lives.  Most of my patients are women and most of them are between 25 and 65 years old.  That is not because women under the age of 30 don’t have skin problems, but because for some reason most women don’t decide to take care of their skin until they are in their late 20’s.

Until then they have spent most of their time and energy taking care of their husbands, boyfriends and/or their kids.  For some reason we women don’t think we should take care of ourselves.  We put ourselves last and take care of every one else’s needs first. I have quite a few men clients as well.  Taking care of your skin is not just for the ladies, it is for all of us!!

Unfortunately insurance doesn’t pay for the services I offer, and the cost is out of pocket.  By the time people choose to spend the money for themselves they are usually extremely frustrated.  They have dark spots, acne scarring, uncontrolled acne, dull lifeless skin, and more.

They have tried hundreds of products, none of which solved their problem, and they have what I refer to as a “product graveyard”.  A drawer or cabinet full of products they have purchased but didn’t work,  They hang on to them in hopes that maybe they will work someday or they can pass them on to a friend.  The products don’t get thrown away because most of the time they were expensive and is seems wasteful to throw out an almost full container of something, even if it was junk.

So my job is to help these people feel better about the face they have and what they show the world.  Let’s be honest, your face is the first thing someone sees when they talk to you.  People who have dark spots, acne or acne scarring feel like that is what people are noticing because that is what they notice about themselves when they look in the mirror.  We always notice first the things that bother us the most.

To be frank, I cannot erase everything with the procedures I administer.  People may still have dark spots or acne, or acne scarring, but I will tell you with 100% certainty that EVERYONE has some improvement.  I always tell people I can’t erase everything but we can always make an improvement.  How much better each person gets is individual, but we always get to a place where they can be comfortable looking in the mirror.

I LOVE what I do, and the positive impact I am able to make in people’s lives.  I know that when people feel better about themselves their whole lives are better and the lives of those around them are better!  I am so thankful I am able to play a small part in that!!