Valerie Callender, MD: Insights into Cosmetic Dermatology Procedures

Many patients seeking cosmetic procedures are likely looking to treat wrinkles, scarring, hyperpigmentation, or lasting symptoms caused by underlying dermatologic diseases.

Immune conditions, like alopecia areata, can cause sudden hair loss. Conversely, patients may suffer from conditions causing unwanted or excessive hair across the body. As such, they may be prompted to seek procedures that can address such aesthetic concerns.

Valerie Callender, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist who largely treats and consults with patients of various cosmetic needs—especially individuals of color. In the most recent episode of Derm Discussions with Brad Glick, DO, FAAD, she talked about the different kinds of cosmetic procedures that are most common in her practice.

“As soon as we were able to do aesthetic procedures in our office when it was finally opened up, [neuromodulators] was probably the number 1 injectable treatment,” Callender noted, citing her experiences following the loosening of the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

She mentioned patient needs for fillers, especially procedures in lifting and volumizing, and described use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for hair loss.

And while much of her practice centers around these aesthetic procedures, Callender acknowledged some experience — albeit much less frequently — with micro-needling for hair loss as well as lasers for skin softening.

Listen to the full podcast episode below: