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| What
is the most important thing you should look for when you are on a quest
for healthy skin? Experience is important, professionalism is a plus,
and good equipment helps, but nothing is more important than passion.
Passion is the difference between doing a good job and doing a wonderful
job. When an aesthetician loves what she is doing, I think she is going
to do the best job for her clients and for their skin. In practice since
1990 in Kansas City, Tina Rodriguez, CME (certified medical electrologist),
board certified medical electrologist/aesthetician, may have the passion
for laser hair removal and permanent makeup (micropigmentation) that
you are looking for. The pleasure of working with Tina, who can be found at the offices of Dr. Joseph R. Barnthouse, M.D., P.C., begins when you walk through the door. I think the offices are immediately welcoming and comfortable without being too fancy. The waiting room has the proper mix of comfortable seating and information on the many procedures one can have done in the office. These accommodations could ease the nerves of anyone apprehensive about their upcoming procedure, in my opinion, while still maintaining a sense that it is a place where trained professionals are helping their patients. From the moment you talk to Tina, she exudes a humble confidence. She has far more certifications than what is required, and she routinely takes continuing education classes so she can stay current on the latest techniques. She notes that she worked in the first laser hair removal clinic in Kansas City back in 1996. Ask her any question about her craft, and you will see that she loves the art and science of being an aesthetician. In fact, she loves it so much that her husband often boasts that if she won the lottery tonight, she would still go to work the next day. This means that each day, Tina comes to work excited and focused on permanent cosmetics and laser hair removal. For those unfamiliar with these procedures, permanent cosmetics involves micro-insertions of natural, hypoallergenic pigment into the skin over the course of two visits. To ensure the process is completely safe, Tina uses prepackaged, disposable and sterile instruments, which are used on only one person and then are thrown away. To ensure the process does not cause discomfort, Tina uses a topical anesthetic. For those considering hair removal, Tina offers a two-phase approach that uses both lasers and electrolysis that not all aestheticians can perform. Due to the way the lasers operate, the laser hair removal process only removes darker hair. This is why Tina uses electrolysis, which is good at removing the lighter hair left behind. Together, the procedures create perfectly healthy and smooth hair-free skin, she says. Those looking to have hair removal treatments should plan on visiting the office more than once, depending on the amount of hair that needs to be removed. Also, lasers do not remove all of the hair permanently, so as hair grows back, patients will need to visit Tina again. Both hair removal and permanent makeup are explained in greater depth on the Web site at www.jbarnthousemd.com. Frequently asked questions by those interested in the procedures are also posted on the site. The health benefits of both procedures are numerous, though none are more important than the renewed sense of self-esteem and confidence they create, she says. Tina sees many patients who have lost their eyebrows and eyelashes because of cancer, changes in their bodies, or even accidents. Permanent makeup can restore these patients’ look and help them feel better about themselves. Other women who have allergies to traditional makeup or who can no longer apply it themselves can go to Tina as well so that they can continue to look their best without needing constant help from others. Permanent cosmetics are also available to those who simply want to look their best. Receiving the treatment allows a patient to put her best face forward any time of the day while participating in any activity. In particular, Tina points out that those who engage in a lot of physical activity can benefit from permanent makeup since the color is not washed away and won’t smear while swimming, jogging, or doing other forms of exercise. One never knows who might be watching during a particularly strenuous workout. To ensure that anyone watching sees the best look possible, Tina promises to only apply classically beautiful makeup, which while conservative, does not run the danger of going out of style. “I am not very trendy,” she admits. Ultimately, keeping the style of makeup timeless prevents patients from regretting undergoing the procedure and needing to come back. Hair removal also makes her patients feel better about their appearance. While Tina does see some patients who want to receive laser hair removal treatments to look good for bikini season, or men who want to remove the hair from their backs, there are other reasons why patients come to her. Some women are born with facial hair, which can cause diminished confidence and self-worth. By using both laser and electrolysis, she can remove unwanted facial hair and make patients feel better about their appearance. Ultimately, helping these patients is what keeps Tina’s passion alive. She knows that American culture equates beauty with youth, but for her there is something more. “Healthy skin is beautiful at any age.” She understands that no matter why a patient comes to see her, that patient is going to leave looking better and knowing it, and that makes each one a success story. Continuing education is a high priority for Tina. In March, she attended three full days of advanced permanent cosmetic training in Florida. Tina can be found at Carondelet Medical Building (A Building), 1010 Carondelet Drive, Suite 401 in Kansas City. She can also be reached by phone at 816-943-8004. The Web site address is www.jbarnthousemd.com. The initial consultation is complimentary. |
Tina Rodriguez, |
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