BRINGING OUT INNER BEAUTY

Boost your confidence with simple cosmetic procedures

Your smile is usually something people notice right away. It’s a sign of friendliness, openness and joy. But what if you don’t love your smile? That is how Jenna had been feeling.

“When I smiled, you could really see my gums,” said Jenna Hochstein. “And that always bothered me. I was a little selfconscious about it and I wanted to do something to change that.”

Hochstein went to Sanford Dermatology & Laser Clinic in Fargo, N.D., to see if there was something the team could do to help her feel more confident and comfortable in her own skin.

“I originally just thought about getting my lips enhanced,” said Hochstein. “I thought that would get me the results I wanted. And alone it probably would have been fine, but after speaking with Bekki at the clinic, she formulated a plan that was tailored made just for me and would give me exactly what I wanted.”

Bekki Hill is an aesthetic registered nurse specialist. She is one of the team members at the clinic available to listen to your concerns, discuss the options available to you and develop the best plan for you.

“We are not here to point out your flaws,” said Hill. “We really just want you to be happy in your skin. Clearly Jenna was beautiful before she had the procedures but this was something we did to really pull out that natural beauty.”

Hill noticed that Hochstein’s cheek muscles were especially strong and that is why when she smiled, her cheeks would pull the sides of her mouth higher and show her gums. Hill suggested that in addition to the lip enhancement, Hochstein could receive a few Botox® injections above her upper lip to relax those muscles.

“Before we did anything, Bekki and I talk through it all together and decided this was the best way to move forward to get me the results I was looking for,” said Hochstein.

With just a few quick pricks of a needle, Hochstein’s procedures were complete. The Botox® injections she received will last between three to four months while the lip injections will last a bit longer.

“For her lips, she had extra capacity to tolerate a filler so we used Juvederm®,” said Hill. “This is an injectable gel made from a sugar that is naturally produced in the body. We use a topical anesthetic and then administer it through a very fine needle. In the lips, this will last five to six months, but depending on where you inject it, it could last one to two years.”

Hochstein experienced almost no side effects after the procedures. She mentioned a slight pain in her lips from the injections, but that quickly went away. Now one month after she received her treatments, Hochstein is feeling great and is so pleased with her choices.

“My smile is beautiful,” said Hochstein. “It is even and you can’t see my gums anymore. I just feel so much more confident in my appearance. I feel beautiful. And I would say if you want to enhance a part of yourself, your wish is definitely attainable.”

Taking Care Of Your Summer Skin

Summer is winding down, but the effects of long hours in the sun will last well into fall. Bekki Hill is an aesthetic RN specialist and says there are a number of things you can do to help repair and prevent sun damage.

• Laser treatment – Quickly and conveniently remove sun and age spots after a season of sun. Any sun tanning of the skin must be completely gone before receiving this treatment.

• Microdermabrasion – Return your skin’s youthful appearance and smoothness with this treatment that can safely and effectively address sun damage.

• Sunscreen and moisturizers –Fargo Dermatology & Laser Clinic has a wide variety of skincare products for all skin types. We can help you find the right products for your specific needs.