She has built her practice on meeting and exceeding the expectations of the men and women who have put their trust in her.

Situated in Clearwater, along Florida's Gulf Coast, Dr. Cross discussed with us her reasons for becoming involved in the industry and what keeps her striving for professional excellence within her chosen field.

Q. Please describe your practice.
Ageless Aesthetic Medicine is a Medical Practice, specializing in advanced non-surgical procedures, which may allow our patients to put off surgery for years, or even avoid it entirely. We also have numerous techniques which enhance any previous surgical results. What makes us different from a medispa is that by not offering aesthetician and massage services, we are able to focus our expertise on advanced medical techniques that medispas generally cannot offer. Also, as the doctor, not only am I always "on-site", but I am highly trained and experienced and I personally perform all of the medical procedures.

Q. Why not surgical procedures?
I'm not against surgery, it's just that we have so many more options available now that can give more natural looking results. I don't want my patients to look like they've "had something done". I want them to look like they are naturally beautiful, and don't seem to be aging like everyone else. Take the face, for example. As we age, it is not just a matter of our skin sagging. There are three-dimensional changes in the volumes, contours and shadows of the face, which simply pulling the skin tighter is not going to fix. By addressing those subtle changes with procedures offering minimal downtime, patients can appear years younger in a much more natural way. On the other hand, when a patient comes to me with a concern that only surgery will address, I'll be the first person to recommend a good surgeon to them.

Q. What services do you offer?
We offer Botox, dermal fillers, (Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm, Radiesse, ARTEfill, Cosmoderm) for not only filling of wrinkles and folds, but also for contouring and volume replacement. Sculptra is another option for longer-term volume replacement and collagen building. We perform non-surgical rhinoplasty, earlobe rejuvenation, and chin and cheek augmentation. Fraxel Laser Resurfacing is an amazing technology that improves wrinkles, sun damage, pore size, and evens color and tightens the skin. We also offer laser hair removal, laser and sclerotherapy for spider veins, acoustic wave therapy for cellulite, mesotherapy for localized fatty deposits, as well as a physician-managed weight loss program. We also treat stretch marks with a combination approach using two different lasers, and have been seeing very nice results.

Q. What made you choose to offer non-surgical procedures?
I prefer the artistic challenge of providing my patients with a more natural approach to addressing the changes associated with the aging process. I can't tell you how many times my patients say, "my friends keep telling me how much better I look but they still can't figure out exactly what's different!"

Q. Is there any particular client "type" that seeks your services?
Not really. We have treatments for men and women of all age ranges, from preventative techniques for those just becoming concerned about the aging process, to corrective measures for problem specific issues such as unwanted hair, spider veins or acne scarring, to the more general "I would like to look younger and less tired". Our patients range in age from 16 to 85 and I develop individualized treatment plans based on their concerns, needs, immediate, and long-term goals.

Q. What follow-up is involved?
Follow-up is very important. Our clients' happiness and satisfaction are of utmost importance, so we work with their schedules as needed to insure adequate follow-up. If having a procedure while here on vacation, we plan for their return visit to our office before they go home.

Q. Where to do you see this industry going in the future?
With many more cosmetic medical practices and medispas opening now, it is important for patients to do their research. Get information from others who have had procedures and are happy with their experiences. Don't be afraid to ask who will be performing the procedure and how much training and experience they have. Ask to see credentials. Ask for before and after photos of the physician's own patients and for references from their patients if you are still not sure. Many practices offer free consultations, so if you have any concerns, shop around until you are comfortable.

Q. What sets Ageless Aesthetic Medicine apart?
At Ageless Aesthetic Medicine, we can identify with our patients. I am not only a doctor, I am also a 40-year-old woman. When I look at myself in the mirror, I have the same concerns that my patients do. I truly care about each patient and assess their needs indiviually. I do not "sell" procedures and my staff adheres to a strict "no pressure" policy. I never want a patient to feel later that they had been talked into something that they weren't really sure about. I am honest about what patients can expect from each procedure and will not perform a treatment if I feel that a patient is expecting more than the treatment can realistically deliver. I put my patients' comfort first and take the extra time to perform local and regional blocks when necessary to make each procedure as painless as possible. My assistant is in the exam room, not only to assist with the procedure itself, but frequently to hold the patient's hand if needed. In short, we treat our patients the way we would like to be treated!

Ageless Aesthetic Medicine
1831 North Belcher Road, Suite C-3
Clearwater, FL 33765
727-797-6200
www.ageless-aestheticmedicine.com