Dermatologist Mohiba Tareen looks impossibly well rested. For her, that's the ultimate compliment.
"Let me tell you, I'm not well rested," she said.
As the mother of two young boys and in the midst of establishing her dermatology practice in Roseville, she credits the carefully placed use of fillers under her eyes and in a tiny acne scar and Botox for her perfectly smooth, yet natural complexion.
Tareen recently relocated from New York, where she worked at a high-end Manhattan practice. In addition to being an adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota's Medical School and an expert for WebMD.com, Tareen is launching cosmetic services such as Botox and fillers at the Ivy Spa in Minneapolis.
There, she'll help Minnesotans capture her same impossibly fresh look.
"Small, subtle things make a huge difference," she said. "I don't want somebody to say, 'What did you have done?' I want somebody to say, 'You look well rested.' 'You look like you got a great haircut.' 'You look like you went on vacation.'"
She shared some of her skin-care advice.
Q Is it important to go to a dermatologist for cosmetic procedures?
A From an educational standpoint, dermatologists and facial plastic surgeons spend four or six years exclusively studying the anatomy and physiology of facial and aesthetic musculature. You can make your own decision. You can go to somebody who studied emergency medicine or the bones of the feet and is now injecting Botox, or you can go to somebody who studied the face.
Q What's your philosophy?
A My philosophy is the minimal to achieve the maximal means. I always tell patients after we discuss the procedures, it's education first and then they decide. It's your face and my reputation -- and both are really important.
Q Tell me about Botox.
A Botox is a purified protein derivative of botulinum toxin. In regular doses, it can cause muscle paralysis. In Botox cosmetic, which is FDA approved, it's one-one-millionth of the dose, and it's only injected in very specific muscles. Hence, people who are good candidates have very active muscles or are starting to form lines from that activity and want to soften and smooth those lines while keeping expression. We definitely want patients to always have expression, because that's part of life, to show animation and emotion. We don't want to take that away; we just want to soften those.
Q Who is a good candidate for Botox?
A People over the age of 25 or 30 with overactive lines that are starting to form deeper lines.
Q Is it true that it's better to get them when they're forming?
A True. It's much easier to soften those lines before they've formed a deep crease. At that point, we can do a very little amount of Botox and do them less often. So usually, if you start when you're a little bit younger, it becomes actually more economical.
Q What are the side effects?
A If you go to someone who doesn't understand facial anatomy and who is just injecting on a grid, people can get heavy under their brow or their brow can go up -- it's called the "Spock" brow.
Q What do you think of Botox parties?
A I frown upon those. As a physician, this is a medical procedure; it should be done under sterile, sanitary conditions with a trained person, who is individualizing your treatment. When you're inebriated, it's not a good idea to inject you.
Cosmetic services with Dr. Mohiba Tareen
At Ivy Spa (201 S. 11th St., Mpls., 612-343-3131): Botox and Dysport, $425 first area, $275 additional areas; fillers start at $650; Latisse, $150 for two-month supply. Tareen Dermatology: Opening in April (1835 W. County Rd. C, Roseville, 651-633-6883, tareendermatology@gmail.com).
TIPS FOR TAKING COVER FROM THE SUN
With summer weather starting early, your skin-care routine is more important than ever. Here's what dermatologist Dr. Mohiba Tareen recommends.
Sunscreen: It's the most important thing you can do for your skin to prevent the looks of aging. Tareen recommends using an SPF of at least 15 during the winter and 30 in warmer weather. She recommends a combination of physical blockers with zinc dioxide or titanium dioxide and a chemical blocker such as octyl methoxycinnamate, oxybenzone, avobenzone or octocrylene. If you're concerned about allergic reactions, try a lotion on your hand or the crook of your arm first.
Retinols: Use the prescription vitamin A cream (retinoid) or over-the-counter vitamin A creams (retinol). "They can really stimulate your collagen and elastin molecules underneath the skin while exfoliating off that top layer of dead skin cells, the brown and red spots," she said. Retinoids should be always be applied at night because the sun makes them less active.
Antioxidants: In the morning, apply a vitamin-packed antioxidant cream such as SkinCeuticals' CE Ferulic or Phloretin CF, or products from Prevage.
Additional treatments: You can augment your routine with facials, dermabrasions and peels every other month or so.
Pick of the week:
H&M's Conscious collections
Now there's fast fashion that you can feel better about. The H&M Conscious collections include tunics and sundresses for women, checked shirts and tailored shorts for men and, for kids, striped T's and chinos of organic cotton, tencel or recycled polyester.
Woodbury Lakes, 651-714-7136; Mall of America, 952-858-8888; Southdale, 952-922-2375; Maplewood Mall, 651-773-3773.
Events: SATURDAY
Bridal Meet and Greet: Browse and find out more about local vendors, including Joynoëlle, emily j. hair + makeup, Flora Bella, Alyson Newquist and Rare Bird Jewelry.
10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Joynoëlle Boutique, 312 42nd Av. W., Mpls.
Spring jewelry bazaar: Meet designers from Rox by Robyne Robinson, m.bridget designs, Camba by Kristin Krull, Engels by Design and Feather Mamas. Free gift wrapping available.
11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Drama, 4946 France Av. S., Edina.
Arena Bikini: The annual bikini fashion show and dance performance will benefit Mathew Janczewki's Arena Dances.
8 p.m., Calhoun Beach Club, 2900 Thomas Av. S., Mpls. $35 general, $50 reserved, www.arena-dances.org.
ONGOING
The Foursome's tailored clothing and custom trunk show: Preview the season's collection from Hart Schaffner Marx, Joseph Abboud, Jack Victor, Enro and Zanella, and receive 20 percent off custom clothing.
Through Sunday, 3570 N. Vicksburg Lane, Plymouth, 763-473-4667, www.thefoursome.com.
Sara Glassman • 612-673-7177 • sglassman@startribune. com • Twitter: @SaraRGlassman
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