The latest edition of The Aesthetic Guide’s (TAG) VIP Practice Spotlight features Dermatology and Plastic Surgery Specialists (Palm Desert and La Jolla, Calif.), run by plastic surgeon Natalie Driessen, MD and her husband, dermatologist Michael Messina, MD.
Specializing in both plastic surgery and dermatology allows them the unique opportunity to offer a wide range of services at their practices, including all general and cosmetic dermatology, as well as reconstructive and cosmetic surgeries.
TAG: Dr. Driessen, congratulations on being featured in the TAG VIP Practice Spotlight. Being a practice that specializes in both plastic surgery and dermatology, what are the top five treatments in your practice?
At Dermatology and Plastic Surgery Specialists, we prioritize patient care by offering a range of cutting-edge treatments. The most common treatments we offer at our practice include:
• Mohs surgery for excising skin cancers
• A wide range of plastic surgery including blepharoplasty, facelift and breast augmentation
• Laser treatments
• Dermal fillers
• Neurotoxins
TAG: Have you seen this change over the last fi ve years? If so, why do you think that is?
Advancements in technology have increased the eff ectiveness of laser treatments, while also minimizing downtime and discomfort during treatment. This has caused an increase in popularity for lasers over the past five years, specifi cally intense pulsed light (IPL), Broadband Light (BBL), the Contour TRL laser (Sciton) and CO2 resurfacing lasers. We have also 
noticed a large increase in the demand for dermal fillers, particularly lip filler, likely due to social media and celebrity trends. ‘Baby Botox’ has also grown in popularity over the years, sparking people to begin using neurotoxins at a younger age, focusing on the prevention of fi ne lines and wrinkles. Conversely, the demand for Mohs surgery and reconstructive surgery has remained relatively stable for us over the past five years, likely attributable to the location and age demographic of our practice.
TAG: Do you see this changing over the next five years, why?
As more technological advancements are made over the next fi ve years, we expect to continue to see an increase in demand for lasers because of their ability to simultaneously treat many skin concerns and their high effi cacy with less downtime. We also expect younger people to become more interested in laser treatments as a preventative measure to antiaging. Dermal fillers may hit a plateau in popularity for some time, as people are becoming more interested in building up their own natural collagen through products like injectable poly- L-lactic acid (PLLA) and hyperdilute Radiesse (Merz Aesthetics). The main treatment that we are expecting to increase in demand over the next fi ve years is weight loss as the health and wellness trend becomes more popular. We are already seeing a climb in demand as we have recently opened a weight loss clinic at our Palm Desert, Calif. location. Patients want to not only look good but feel good too!
TAG: What is your practice’s mission statement?
At our practices we are committed to providing the highest level of personal care and professionalism to each and every patient. We treat our patients like family, ensuring that we are providing patient-centered care and top-notch customer service. Through warm, respectful interactions, we prioritize patient satisfaction and aim to foster lasting relationships. With our elite team of board-certified doctors and physician assistants, we ensure our patients receive the best possible care by addressing their individual needs. We strive to educate patients on how to protect, maintain and enhance their skin. We are continuously improving our practice with state-of-the-art procedures and products in order to provide the best experience and outcomes.
TAG: Where do you see your practice as having improved the most in the last five years?
Our practice’s notable emphasis on excellent patient care and satisfaction has collectively contributed to our success over the past five years. We are committed to delivering the highest quality of care which has contributed to positive patient experiences, leading to increased patient satisfaction, retention and positive word-of-mouth referrals. In addition, we expanded our team of PAs, nurses and other staff members so that we can meet the growing demands of patient care and to be able to efficiently care for a higher volume of patients. We also opened our second location in La Jolla, Calif. which signifies successful growth and enables us to provide patient care and satisfaction to a larger patient population.
TAG: What makes your practice unique?
We pride ourselves 
on being a husband-andwife team, blending the expertise of a boardcertified plastic surgeon with that of a boardcertified dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon. What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to prioritizing patient care above all else. Our shared dedication to delivering personalized and comprehensive cosmetic and dermatologic solutions, ensures our patients receive the highest level of care and satisfaction.
TAG: How has your practice furthered the advancement of aesthetic medicine?
Our practice has played a pivotal role in advancing aesthetic medicine by incorporating new cutting-edge technologies and staying at the forefront of the latest treatment options and industry trends. We offer the most enhanced quality and range of aesthetic treatments to our patients, which ensures not only the success of our practice but the overall progress of aesthetic medicine as a whole. As a practice, we stay ahead of the latest developments with continuous education and training so that we can provide our patients with the most qualified, up-to-date and effective treatments.
