About Cynthia Interview- Frequently Asked Questions
What is your clinical training and education?
I received my education as a Nurse Practitioner at Harbor UCLA. I am board certified in Women’s Health, and I am a Credentialed Menopause Practitioner. I also have advanced training in hormone balancing, and I am a member of the World Society of Anti-Aging Medicine. I enjoy treating men as well as women; unfortunately there are no certifications for men's health or for andropause.
Before becoming a nurse practitioner, I was a R. N. in the hospital postpartum department, caring for patients after they gave birth. I currently work in two offices. One of which, I see gynecology patients. My patients love that I have this background for hormone balancing, but they also appreciate it when I'm performing Brazilian bikini laser hair removal!
When I was an R.N., I also worked for a dermatologist performing cosmetic dermatology. I have advanced training for all the injectable fillers and Botox. I am a certified laser professional, and I have used the current laser in our office (Cutera Xeo) for approximately 7 years.
What is a Nurse Practitioner?
A nurse practitioner is and registered nurse that has received advanced education and licensing. This license allows the nurse practitioner to legally diagnose conditions, and prescribe medications.
What is Hormone Balancing or Optimal Wellness Medicine?
Hormone Balancing is the process of determining deficiencies or excesses in hormone levels or improper ratios amongst hormones levels, and making corrections. Providing proper levels along with testing for other deficiencies or excesses in other areas (cardiac markers, body fat, vitamin levels, neurotransmitters, etc.) are utilized to allow for a higher level of wellness.
What do you concentrate on when you are injecting fillers?
I like to concentrate on placement and gentle technique. I like to place the product exactly where I want it. This way, I generally have to do little or no massaging of the product when I'm done. I feel that the less that you manipulate the tissue, the less chance there will be bruising or broken capillaries (telangectasias). This also reduces swelling.
After receiving Botox injections five times in my life, I became immune to it. This caused me to become very interested in what fillers had to offer, since Botox has no effect on me. I do my own injections on myself, so I know how it feels and what the patient is going through. Since my skin tone is so light, I have refined my skills to reduce bruising.
What should a patient consider when they are getting Botox?
Patients should always find out how many units of Botox are being used, and they should only pay for Botox by the unit, and not by the treatment area. If you pay by the treatment area, you can overpay because you have no idea how many units you are getting. Also, you want to know how many units gives you the effect that you like for each area that is being treated. This way, you can judge whether you would like to increase the dose next time, or use the same number of units that was used the previously.
Men should always have Botox placed completely across their entire width of their forehead, so that they will not get an arch in their eyebrows. Women generally would like more of an arch to their eyebrows, so they usually have Botox placed in the center portion of their forehead only. If a woman already has a strong arch to their eyebrows, then she has the option of having the Botox placed completely across her forehead.