Vegas Magazine - January 2009

By E. C. Gladstone; Portraits by Tomas Muscionico

In Las Vegas, maintaining a healthy, young, sexy image is not just an expression of vanity; whether you're a showgirl or an executive, it's essential to a successful career. But both the desert climate and 24/7 culture of our city can pose some challenges. Luckily there are an ever-increasing number of professionals here to help, and their message seems to be that what they have to offer is – pun intended – more than skin-deep.

Putting Your Best Face Forward

"It’s amazing how the sun exposure that we have in Las Vegas contributes to the aging process," says dermatologist Dr. Jason Michaels. "Broken blood vessels, brown spots, wrinkle formations – when I was doing medical dermatology, I was removing 10 – 15 skin cancers a day, easily."

Dr. Michaels' dermatology practice, Aspire Cosmetic MedCenter, is not a medi-spa ("People come here, they get visible results," he says a touch defensively), but it's far from the typical derm's office. Beyond a lounge-like reception area, his spotless treatment rooms look like something out of a science-fiction movie, with 13 different laser sources treating everything from rosacea and acne to tattoo and birthmark removal. Michaels also offers photodynamic therapy, a treatment proven effective on pre-cancerous growths, while improving skin’s appearance. Then there are Botox and fillers – Michaels uses three different kinds but is careful not to overprescribe – which calls for both an understanding of the face's physiognomy as well as artistic ability (a portrait of his daughter in the office shows Michaels' impressive skill with a paint brush).

Even his take-home lotions and serums are far from typical cosmetics, featuring "super-antioxidants," polyhydroxy acids (more gentle than alpha hydroxy acids) and even DNA-repairing enzymes, which he prescribes specifically to each patient and according to the season of the year.

Michaels – who could pass for Greg Kinnear's brother – grew up in Las Vegas but only opened his practice here in the southwest Valley after studying with leading dermatologists throughout the western United States and in Canada. Today he lectures around the country and publishes articles regularly, while sitting on several dermatological and laser-surgery boards.

Still, he advises that use of laser treatments is highly unregulated and cautions against “board-certified” practitioners who may be in fact trained in gastroenterology or anesthesiology. "I don’t want a butt doctor working on my face, nor would I expect my patients to trust me to take care of their teeth!"

Passionate about his practice, Michaels even found imperfections in our Crazy Horse Paris dancers, inviting them back for some touchup work. Even people obsessed with their looks can forget to take care of their face, which he says is the most visible aspect of you at any given time."