Holistic Skin Care & Medical Aesthetics
Holistic Skin Care & Medical Aesthetics with Dr. Sam Bowen ND on Salt Spring Island
We support healthy skin with a holistic approach that addresses internal factors as well as utilizing targeted treatments that can be performed directly on the skin.
Dr. Bowen offers a spectrum of aesthetic treatment options to help our patients achieve healthy and glowing skin:
Facial Acupuncture with LED Light Therapy, Facial Massage, and Gua Sha
SkinPen Microneedling
Neuromodulators (commonly referred to as Botox)
Our skin treatment offerings are designed to address a variety of skin health goals. Whether you have a specific concern in mind or simply want to add in preventative strategies, naturopathic doctor Dr. Sam Bowen ND will create a plan that meets your unique skin care needs.
Our skin treatments help with
We offer a variety of treatments that address different skin health goals. Our patients see improvements with the following concerns:
Skin rejuvenation
Improvement in complexion, even skin tone and texture, improve circulation and lymph flow, reduce enlarged pores, decrease puffiness around the eyes
HEALTHY AGING
Fine lines and wrinkles, collagen production
Scars
Acne scars and facial scars
Pigmentation concern
Sun spots, melasma, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, post-inflammatory erythema
Treatments
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Facial acupuncture targets specific areas along the face to improve blood circulation, relieve muscle tension, improve fine lines, support collagen production, and promote skin rejuvenation. Using a Traditional Chinese Medicine approach, these needles are used to bring balance to the meridians or pathways of Qi (energy) that flow throughout the entire body. Body acupuncture points are also included as needed to encourage flow throughout the entire system.
This treatment also includes Celluma LED light therapy for the face to stimulate collagen production, accelerate tissue repair, reduce inflammation, kill acne-related bacteria, and improve skin tone and texture. It is also complemented with a blissful facial massage and gua sha treatment to release muscle tension and support lymph flow, leaving you with glowing skin. Some or all of these modalities may be utilized depending on the patient’s specific needs and goals.
Benefits of this treatment: Reduction in muscle tension and improved muscle tone; decreased puffiness around the eyes; softening of fine lines; even skin tone and texture; improved circulation and lymph flow; rejuvenated appearance
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Microneedling is a safe and effective collagen induction therapy. It initiates a skin remodeling process that can be used to treat a variety of skin concerns such as fine lines and wrinkles, acne/facial scarring, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, enlarged pores, textured skin, or overall skin rejuvenation.
The treatment is performed using the Health Canada approved SkinPen Precision medical-grade device. This is a micromechanical device that uses tiny sterile needles to create tiny channels within the skin that initiates collagen and elastin production. Treatment can be performed on the face or face and neck.
Benefits include: improvement in fine lines and wrinkles; reduction in acne or facial scarring; improvement in uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation; reduction in enlarged pores; improvement in overall skin complexion.
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Cosmetic neuromodulators (commonly referred to by the brand name “Botox”) are used to relax specific muscles of the face to produce a softening effect of fine lines and wrinkles. A neuromodulator is injected into a muscle to cause a temporary reduction in the strength of muscle contraction (on average is 3-4 months) which helps to reduce wrinkles and create smoother skin. Dr. Sam believes less is more and takes a gentle approach, building as needed to ensure that you achieve the results you desire.
Benefits include: improvement in fine lines and wrinkles, rejuvenated and refreshed appearance
The Process
You can book directly in for whichever treatment you prefer. Depending on your skin goals, a series of treatments are often recommended. Specific treatment timelines will be discussed with each patient as well as a maintenance plan once desired results have been achieved.
To give you an idea, general treatment frequency recommendations may look like:
Facial Acupuncture: as needed or desired; for example, may be a series of sessions 1-3 weeks apart to achieve a specific skin goal or quarterly sessions for regular maintenance
Microneedling: 3-6 treatments, at least 4 weeks apart
Cosmetic Neuromodulators: Re-treatment every 3-5 months
Optional Holistic Skin Care & Medical Aesthetic Treatment Consult
This optional appointment is for patients wanting to better understand the benefits of the three aesthetic treatments (facial acupuncture, microneedling, & neuromodulators) offered at the clinic and to determine which would be best suited to your skin type and goals. Skin care products as well as foundational nutrition and lifestyle recommendations to support healthy skin can also be discussed. The visit includes a comprehensive skin assessment as well as treatment plan recommendations so that optimal skin results can be achieved.
Optional Complimentary Meet & Greet
This is an optional complimentary 15-minute visit for new patients interested in exploring whether Holistic Skin Care and Medical Aesthetics is right for you. This is an opportunity to meet Dr. Sam and get a sense of her approach. Please note that no medical advice is provided during this visit.
FAQ
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Facial acupuncture and microneedling may be covered by extended benefits in the naturopathic category - coverage will depend on each patient’s specific benefit plan and we always encourage you to check with your provider. Cosmetic neuromodulators are not covered by extended benefits.
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We recommend booking a complimentary Meet and Greet to learn more about the treatments offered. If you would like a more in-depth personalized skin assessment with a unique treatment plan created, we recommend booking a Holistic Skin Care & Medical Aesthetic Treatment Consult.
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For the facial acupuncture and cosmetic neuromodulators, there is minimal down-time and you can return to normal daily activities. For cosmetic neuromodulators, there are few additional recommendations that need to be followed post-treatment, but these recommendations generally don’t impact most normal daily activities.
For microneedling treatments, you will experience facial redness similar to that of moderate-severe sunburn that improves within a 24-hours period. Additional recommendations around skin product application, exercise, sun exposure, etc. also need to be followed.
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If you are pregnant, we can perform our LED light therapy, facial massage, and gua sha treatment. We unfortunately can’t offer our facial acupuncture, microneedling, or cosmetic neuromodulator treatments.
If you are breastfeeding, you are a great candidate for our facial acupuncture treatment. We unfortunately can’t offer our microneedling or cosmetic neuromodulator treatments.
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No, at this time we do not offer filler treatments.
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Currently Dr. Sam does not treat medical conditions such as migraines, TMJ pain, and excessive sweating.
Our Naturopathic Doctor
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Dr. Sam Bowen, ND
HOLISTIC SKIN CARE & MEDICAL AESTHETICS