Goals without action are dreams unlikely to come true. From across multiple oceans, I chose these words- in Bangalore, India where I visited my Dermatologist friend, Dr. Chytra Anand’s Kosmoderma Clinic, in Lisbon, Portugal where I give a talk and attended a Cosmetic Dermatology Conference at the 5 Continent Congress Meeting, and in London, UK where I spent a day with family- it was an epic trip, months and years in the planning. I’m sharing my story here because we’re ½ way through 2024, and there’s precious little time left to attack your 2024 goals! Did you set any goals for 2024; how are they coming along?
I’d always wanted to visit India, an over-crowded, mystical and delicious place with ridiculous traffic, non-stop honking and cows freely walking the streets. My reason for visiting this trip was to spend time with my friend Dr. Chytra Anand, a World-Renowned Dermatologist, Cosmetic Dermatology Trainer and Mom who owns 10 clinics across India- she is bright light in a big city, and an inspiration. I explored Bangalore aka Bengaluru, with society writer, Jackie Pinto who took me to the Flower Market, Traditional Thali Meal, Snake and Big Bull Temple; while sharing stories about Indian culture, like who is Ganesh, and why does he have an Elephant’s head on a human body? Jackie, Chytra and I agreed that I should only drink bottled water in India and that in life, it’s not enough just to just put in the work, although necessary, you also need a little luck. Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz, had many great quotes on luck, including, “The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely the one who dropped it.”
For 9 years now, I have been a Speaker at the 5 Continent Congress (5CC) meeting held annually in Europe, and dedicated to what’s new in the world of Dermatology and Aesthetic Medicine. This year in Lisbon, Portugal, I attended lectures from 9 in the morning to 6 at night learning about new procedures, devices, and products- I just love time spent with international colleagues, their different perspective combined with my sense of adventure make for a lot of fun interactions. One of my Malaysian colleagues and I became Instagram friends, but when I got another friend request from a newly created Business account with her name on it, I warned her that someone was trying to steal her identity, to which she responded, “No, I made a professional profile because your talk inspired me to do it!” 5CC inspired me to ask better questions, encourage my patients to get more procedures, and to use effective products to help everyone look how they want to feel- Great.
Upon my Vegas return, I will use the second half of 2024 to make more Derm Bros® content with my Derm Bro, Dr. David Cotter, and complete my 4-4-4 series of skin improvement treatments with our fabulous Laser Aesthetician Melissa Shipp. 4 procedures performed 4 weeks apart 4 times, the 4-4-4 includes: Hydrafacial, Sciton BBL, Sciton Moxi and Skin Pen Microneedling all designed to tighten and brighten skin. A proper skin care regimen utilizing Alastin Nectar, CO2 Lift Mask, Hydrinity Mask and Hyaluronic Acid will give post-treatment skin maximal benefit. “Exosomes” (cell signaling proteins) from ExoCoBio, Benev’s parent company, are applied immediately post ablative treatments; combining these treatments with ProGen PRP (using one’s own platelets) to speed wound healing should improve long term results. PRP is also used for Hair Growth, and I need that, since I’m overdue for a scalp treatment, and the Propecia, Minoxidil, Scalp Hydrafacial, Nutrafol and Theradome can only do so much. Proper post-microneedling/laser skin treatment regimens speed wound healing and improve appearance, while consistent daily skin care programs are essential for best results- like with education and exercise, skin care consistency matters.
The Las Vegas Dermatology Foundation, a tax deductible 501c3 is taking donations and using your funds to educate those interested in Dermatology careers and will be offering treatments for those with skin disease. For the Foundation to do its work, we need funds to pay for services and education that we do not offer at Las Vegas Dermatology®. If you are in a position to donate, checks can be sent to the office or you can donate via Paypal; your funds will be put to good use! Our office remains dedicated to the patient each of us bringing some unique expertise to the LVDerm clinic, with Dr. Sarah Bovenberg (our world class MOHS surgeon), Dr. Scott MacLeod (Derm Papi), P.A.-C. Jessica Pepich (Derm Jess) & P.A.-C. Joe Gurule (Derm Joe) along with my Derm Bro, Dr. David Cotter, and Laser Aesthetician Melissa Shipp.
Las Vegas has so much to offer, earlier this year I attended multiple Golden Knights hockey games, spent quality time with friends, attended a scientific lecture on Astrophysics by Neil De Grasse Tyson, and a spiritual introspection by Jordan B Peterson, on his, “We Who Wrestle with G-d Tour”. In Man’s Search for Meaning, Victor Frankl espouses his life philosophy that, “…If you have a big enough why, the how will follow.” Inspiration whether by something or someone can give life purpose and lead to incredible possibilities; act and you will achieve. So here we are, ½ way through 2024, I’ve set a couple challenging, yet achievable goals, and I’m excited to use the tools around me to improve the lives of my patients and team at Las Vegas Dermatology®.
Go For it; You’re Half-Way There-
Dr. Vegas
