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Common Cosmetic Treatment Misconceptions
According to Dr . Chang

5 Ways to Attain Flawless Skin

Achieving and maintaining flawless skin is a tricky process , to say the least . Luckily , Caroline Chang , MD , FAAD , dermatologist and owner of the Rhode Island Dermatology Institute , is willing to share her top five tips .
1 . Training matters . See a boardcertified physician who specializes in cosmetic treatments such as dermatology , plastic surgery or oculoplastic surgery .
2 . Find the right fit . If you ’ re unhappy with your current treatments , it ’ s ok to look for someone new . Your injector should be someone you trust and has the training to be able to give you the results you want .
3 . A good deal doesn ’ t always mean good results . Rather than looking for Groupon specials , be upfront with your physician about your budget and goals and work from there . You want a physician who can give you the results you want rather than getting a good deal on unit pricing but leaving unhappy .
4 . Take care of your skin . Healthy skin is the foundation of looking your best . Protect it by wearing sunscreen daily , using quality skincare products , and getting annual skin cancer screenings . Cosmetic treatments are a big investment – don ’ t throw it all away by damaging your skin with UV light .
5 . Consistency is key . Cosmetic treatments are an investment and require maintenance . Once you find a physician you love and trust – stick with them ! It ’ s much easier to reach your goals when you have continuity of care .
It ’ s vain to want to look better . In fact , refining one ’ s appearance and therefore confidence has proven ties to bettering mental health , as well .
Getting cosmetic treatments will make you look fake . This is not true ; the best injectors will evaluate your entire face and help you maintain your look . They will work on global treatments to help your face look balanced .
Injectables ( such as botox and fillers ) are the only treatments that will make me look better and / or I don ’ t want them ( due to fear of needles or fear of procedures ). Skincare , lasers and chemical peels are great alternative options for keeping the skin surface looking healthy .
I might as well wait until I ’ m older to get any work done . These procedures work best when you use them for maintenance and prevention . Don ’ t put things off and wait until you have a ton of concerns later in life .
With more than a decade of experience , board-certified dermatologist Dr . Caroline Chang is nationally recognized as a Top Doctor in both medical and cosmetic dermatology . She is also the founder of Rhode Island Dermatology Institute , the state ’ s first direct care dermatology practice with the goal of providing high quality , customized care . Rhode Island Dermatology Institute , 5586 Post Rd ., # 6 , East Greenwich , 398-2500 , @ riderminstitute on Twitter and Instagram , riderminstitute . com
86 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l FEBRUARY 2021