Consistency leads to good results, but additional work leads to exponentially better results. The Olympics have come to a close, and we witnessed greatness; I’m reminded of Jay Hieron telling me he did 200 sit-ups and 200 push-ups every day during High School and beyond to become a National Champion Wrestler, MMA fighter and action movie star- he has consistently pushed and sat up for the 30 + years since. Labor Day allows us to reflect on laborers working towards developments and achievements. “You don’t start something because you’re passionate about it, you stick with it because you’re passionate about it.”- Anon. The answer is simple, but the work is hard; you show up, do the work and if you want a significant achievement, you do a little more. Exceptional results, whether in fitness, skincare or any aspect of your life, require extra work, maybe 2-3x the minimal level of work, and then when you are totally exhausted, burned out and unmotivated give a little more- that’s what it takes to become a champion whether in the Olympics, personal fitness or skin health. Exceptional looking skin requires procedures, sun avoidance and an individually tailored skin care regimen!
To successfully elbow, knee, kick, punch and defend requires countless hours of time-consuming, physically and mentally challenging training to gain the necessary agility, strength, skills and fortitude. In June, I returned to AKA Thailand for my 3rd fitness adventure. Before this trip, I was physically incapable of completing a 2hr morning Muay Thai workout. But this time, thanks to daily 1-3 hour Flexispot Desk Bike rides, push-ups, sit-ups & other training exercises, I was properly prepared and able to complete a morning workout with the AKA crew. Many Fight camp attendees exercise 6 or more hours a day in preparation for real Muay Thai fights, whereas I’m just looking to see what level of fitness I can achieve without getting hit in the head or kicked in the ribs. Inspired by the dedication of trainers and attendees from around the world at all levels of fitness spending weeks and even months working hard to fine tune their skills, minds and bodies makes working out routine. In the same way, we have certain LVDerm patients getting weekly, monthly or bimonthly procedures like PRP injections to grow hair, Hydrafacial to treat and clean skin, SkinPen® for anti-aging, Sciton BBL to remove redness and brown spots, Moxi or CO2 Laser for wrinkle reduction; each patient’s dedication to improved skin quality is equally inspirational.
At AKA, I met former Welterwight Golden Gloves Champion, Gym Owner and Celebrity Trainer, Hollywood Hino, who said…”I can tell by just looking at someone’s body if they are putting in the work.” Former 300lb insect exterminator turned Navy Seal, Pull-up world record holder, Ultra Athlete and best-selling author David Goggins, correctly wrote in his books, Can’t Hurt Me & Never Finished to this effect, “…You’re capable of much more than you think you’re capable of, and stretch”. The mindset of athletes like Hieron, Hino, Goggins, the Olympians and those attending AKA actively working toward their goals reminds me of the dedication and sacrifice it took to become a Board Certified Dermatologist- from the arduous course work and volunteering just to be accepted into medical school to the research, residency application process, countless hours in the library, grueling on call nights with no sleep, grillings by senior staff, and 11 years of formal medical training after college- I paid my dues and wanted so badly to be exactly where I am right now- a Board Certified Dermatologist, one of The Derm Bros® living my dream of making lives Healthier & More Beautiful at Las Vegas Dermatology®.
Movie producer Samuel Goldwyn said of luck, “The Harder I work, the Luckier I get.” Always the x factor, Luck is the unreliable, unpredictable, undefinable, necessary component of success. In the same way that I have been working on my education and fitness, I’ve also been focused on improving my skin health. Think of skin treatment procedures as lifting weights and topical skin care as nutrition. The 4-4-4 series of skin improvement treatments with our fabulous Laser Aesthetician Melissa Ship includes 4 procedures performed 4 weeks apart 4 times, the package includes: Hydrafacial, Sciton BBL, Moxi and SkinPen® Microneedling treatments. “Exosomes” (cell signaling proteins) from ExoCoBio the parent company of Benev, are applied immediately post treatment, sometimes with ProGen PRP (using one’s own platelets) to speed wound healing and improve long term results along with the CO2 Lift Mask (In August, I spoke about the CO2 Lift Mask and ablative procedures on Xen Sams iHeart Radio Program). Proper post-microneedling/laser skin treatment regimens speed wound healing and improve appearance, while consistent daily skin care programs are essential for best results.
It remains a good time to have skin disease in America with new Eczema, Psoriasis, Seborrheic Dermatitis and Acne therapies combined with advances in Rosacea and Skin Cancer along with Las Vegas Dermatology®’s multiple clinical trials– now including Prurigo Nodularis, Atopic Eczema, Squamous Cell Skin Cancer, and Psoriasis. It’s the perfect time to reach out if you have skin disease, our office remains dedicated to the patient each of us bringing some unique expertise, 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. We are ready to address all your skin disease needs.
The Las Vegas Dermatology Foundation, a tax deductible 501c3 is taking donations and using funds to educate those interested in Dermatology careers, offering treatments for those with skin disease- checks can be sent to the office or donate via Paypal.
It Takes a Little More, so Go For It!
Dr. Vegas
