Is there anyone in Virginia

Dr. Irwin
August 10, 2010
Dr. Irwin, I have been a regular visitor to your website since hearing you on Paula Beguon\'s radio show. I feel like I can\'t go wrong having the both of you in my corner. I\'d really like to pursue getting dermal fillers. However, you have not included any Virginia cosmetic dermatologists on your \'trusted\' listing. I did take a virtual tour of the Washington D.C. \'trusted\' facility because I reside in Northern Virginia. What makes me hesitant about the D.C. facility is that they list so many things they specialize in. I\'ve read almost every blog you\'ve responded to and what stays with me the most is your insistence that it all goes back to the injector and his/her skill. I don\'t see how anyone can be skilled in so many procedures? Any suggestions? Linda

Thank you!!!  As you all know, I am revising the regional guide but it’s SLOOOOW because I feel like I need to check possible additions with several different sources.  In Virginia, I’m adding Dr. Steven Rodder. 

Your question about whether a provider can truly be skilled at a lot of different things is a good one.  Sometimes when a practice lists a lot of different procedures it’s because there are several dermatologists who all have slightly different skill sets.  This is true in our office, for example, where Dr. Heather Rogers does our Mohs skin cancer surgeries and handles more complicated skin cancer issues.  That leaves me free to focus on cosmetic, laser and general dermatology.  All of us do general dermatology too because we like it! 

Also, it depends a little on the age of the doctor.  A dermatologist who’s been in practice for 15-10 years may be very skilled at many things having added them slowly over the years. If a young doctor is listing 20 procedures, I’m skeptical.  

For example, in our community, I interviewed a young doctor (we didn’t hire him) who had good general dermatology and surgical training but almost no cosmetic or laser training/experience.  He took a job with a medispa who flooded the Seattle/Bellevue market advertising his amazing cosmetic skills.  Scarey!!  It’s buyer beware.    Dr. I

Dr. Brandith Irwin, MD

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Hi, I’m Dr. Irwin. I believe that consumers deserve a medically trained and unbiased skin care advocate.

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