As I approach the milestone of six years in this writing practice, I reflect on its evolution from my beginnings in functional medicine to the exploration of aesthetics. Rooted in consistent research, this practice has become a valuable journey of processing and sharing my insights through this blog.

Skinvive injections in Portland! Dr. Heather Friedman is proud to introduce Juvederm’s latest hyaluronic acid filler into practice. Skinvive is unique in that it has shown to improve the quality and appearance of your skin. Learn how Skinvive works and why Dr. Heather Friedman is excited to integrate this new product into practice.

As with any medical grade aesthetic treatment in NE Portland, bruising can happen. Learn how you can best prepare for your next Botox appointment to minimize the risk of bruising with Botox injetoions.

Check out the injectable services offered at our Portland clinic. Whether you’re interested in filler, Sculptra, or Botox, it’s recommended to begin your Dr. Heather journey in Portland with a complimentary initial consultation to discuss your goals and come up with a plan.

Back in the day when I first started practice, my dear friend Dr. Kasten and I held a B12 Happy Hour once a week.  This quickly became a sought-after event, and while COVID shut the happy hour down, B12 injection remains a service I offer.  This week I discuss what vitamin B12 is, who is most susceptible to deficiency, and its benefits.

The status of our nutrition can be seen through the skin. In fact, nutritional deficiencies often first appear on our skin. Nutritional deficiencies can stem from both vitamin and mineral deficiencies (micronutrient) as well as carbohydrate, fat, and protein (macronutrient). You are more likely to have a nutritional deficiency if you adhere to a restrictive or inadequate diet, drink alcohol excessively, or have digestive issues.

Fall is around the corner and the season for resurfacing treatments like peels and microneedling are here!  I am proud to have invested in the Skinpen, the world’s first FDA-cleared microneedling device. Integrating microneedling treatments into your self-care regimen will rejuvenate your skin, address uneven skin tone, and facial acne scarring .

There are two ways to assess food’s impact on blood sugar: the glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL). GI measures the impact of a carbohydrate-containing food on blood glucose levels. Ideally, we eat low GI foods so that only small fluctuations in blood glucose are produced. Examples of low GI foods include: legumes (ie soy, kidney, beans, lentils, chickpeas), nuts (ie almonds, walnuts), seeds (ie pumpkin, flax, sesame, most intact grains (oat, barley, spelt), and most vegetables and fruits (ie peaches and berries). 

Long, thick, and dark eyelashes are sought after characteristics with potential to elevate our confidence and self perception. We’ve all used mascara, the most accessible and traditional way to highlight and thicken the lashes. Artificial lashes are all the rage and with dramatic outcomes. Then there’s Latisse, or bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03%, which is an FDA-approved treatment to grow eyelashes for those lacking (1). 

Last week we learned about oxidative damage and its negative impact on the skin. In short, exposure to things like UV radiation from the sun and other toxins, like from smoking, causes free radicals in the skin and when production exceeds our natural antioxidant defenses, damage occurs. The skin is on the forefront of our defense and comes in more contact with the outside world than any other organ; the skin therefore, is where the first signs of aging occur.  

Last week we learned that healthy skin comes from a healthy body and that inflammation and microbiome disturbance are two possible root causes for bad skin. This week we learn about oxidative damage and how this, too, contributes to accelerated aging and other skin conditions. The content below is inspired from the book Clean Skin From Within By Dr. Trevor Cates.

The state of our skin may represent the state of our inner health.  Skin is our LARGEST organ and when our digestion, hormones, blood sugar, immunity, and other body systems are imbalanced, this can manifest through the skin.  We often treat the skin without considering the possible underlying issues.  This week I discuss two possible causes behind symptomatic skin, adapted from the book Clean Skin From Within by Dr. Trevor Cates. 

Well hello there. It’s been a hot minute since I’ve put a blog out as I’ve leaned into the summer vibes and new freedoms. I have been back and forth to Chicago a couple times, seeing my beloved family, to the coast for the 4th, and a road trip to Port Angeles visiting dear friends. I hope that you too, are adventuring and reconnecting. 

Men are not immune from the aging process, and it’s been my experience that most men are open to effective aesthetic treatments. Portland Botox injections are the most common treatment in my practice sought out by men. This is because they are effective, require no down time, and give natural results. Commonly referred to as “Bro tox,” this week I discuss botulinum toxin injections for men. 

May was National Bike Month, and a chance to showcase the many benefits of bicycling. In the summer of 2011 and entering the second year of Naturopathic medical school,  I resolved to bike. For the next four years, I rode 14.6 miles most days of the week, rain or shine. I felt strong physically and mentally and proud about the carbon neutral impact. I have excuses why I don’t commute by bike today, but these are excuses. This week I highlight the benefits of biking aimed to encourage you and I to bike. 

My practice is VERY needle heavy, using them to inject: botox, fillers, kybella, and sculptra. I draw blood out and then inject it back for PRP treatments. I set catheters for IV therapy and needle into muscles for vitamin injections. With needles comes risk of bruising; not a rare occurrence. One study estimated a 19-24 % chance (1) with filler treatment and another as high as 68% (2)! There are ways to minimize risk, but nothing to eliminate it (3). This week I talk about what a bruise is, what to expect over time, and how to care for it.

The lower third of the face is very important for facial aesthetics.  A well contoured jawline is desirable for both men and women and it is a key element when masculinizing or feminizing a face.  Injectable fillers like Juvederm Voluma are gaining popularity with the recent FDA approval for use in the chin (1). Hyaluronic acid fillers in the lower face can: reshape the jawline, lift sagging tissue, and improve facial proportions. When used to rejuvenate the aging face, we aim to redefine the jawline line and angle of the jaw. In younger faces, filler can be used to correct an inherited deficit or enhance facial contour; all aimed to enhance one’s self perception.  

The day Edith was born was the best day of my life. I went into labor on a Friday night and slept through most of the night. The next morning, her dad Jeff and I took a long neighborhood walk. We stopped at our neighborhood cafe where I was given a cookie for my labor. We walked to a diner and heard women share their birth story. The contractions were intermittent and were mild enough to be in public. Each contraction would stop me in my tracts to breathe. We walked and paused and walked again; chit chatting with the neighbors along the way.