Have questions about our treatments, procedures, or clinic policies? You’re not alone. Our FAQs page provides clear answers to the most common inquiries, helping you understand what to expect, how to prepare, and how to get the best results from your visit at Medical Aesthetics of Muskoka.
Conditions we can assist your family doctor or nurse practitioner (also known as your primary care provider) in managing include – but are not limited to:
If you feel that you may benefit from seeing Dr. Kents for a dermatological condition, you are first required to see your primary care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner) for an assessment and a referral.
Once a referral has been made to our clinic, your primary care provider will be informed and our clinic will contact you with the appointment details. If you received a message regarding your appointment, please call the clinic within two weeks to confirm your appointment.
Unconfirmed appointments will be made available to patients on the waiting list.
At this time, dermatology appointments are only available on Mondays and Tuesdays.
If you feel that you may benefit from seeing Dr. Kents for a dermatological condition, you are first required to see your primary care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner) for an assessment and a referral.
Once a referral has been accepted by our clinic, your primary care provider will be informed and our clinic will contact you with the appointment details. You will be required to complete a health history that is specific to dermatology – an email could be sent to you with a link to complete the health history OR you can find the form on our website (Dermatology > Forms > Patient Hx Form). Appointments are not scheduled until this health history form has been completed and returned to the clinic.
If you received a message regarding your appointment, please call the clinic within two weeks to confirm your appointment.
Unconfirmed appointments will be made available to patients on the waiting list.
At this time, dermatology appointments are only available on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Once a referral for dermatology is made by your primary care giver, the following will help you prepare for your appointment:
We would be happy to discuss any issues or concerns you have about your skin’s appearance. The most common conditions we treat include:
The best age to start using medical aesthetic services varies with each client. People of all genders and ages should consider a product with sun protection for use on a daily basis. Skin care products, such as retinol, can provide significant benefits to adolescents with acne. In order to minimize the signs of aging, a proactive skin care regime may be highly recommended for clients in their 20s and 30s, when the structure of the skin begins to change.
Botox Cosmetic and Dysport can be used for both the treatment and the prevention of wrinkles, and is commonly used in clients from their early 30s to over 60 years of age. Many clients choose to start receiving Botox Cosmetic® Dysport in their mid to late 30s, when they start to notice fine lines and wrinkles forming. Others choose to start before wrinkles form; usingBotox Cosmetic and Dysport to relax a muscle’s action can prevent a wrinkle from forming in the first place.
Hyaluronic acid injectable fillers can be used to soften scars and augment facial features, such as the chin and jawline. Facial volume loss can become apparent after you lose weight, or as you age. Many clients in their late 30s to early 40s will note some degree of volume loss or facial feature flattening which can be rejuvenated with injectable fillers. Clients often benefit from the use of hyaluronic acid injectable fillers well beyond their 60s.
Plasma-based rejuvenation can be beneficial at many stages of life, depending on your goals and skin concerns. PRP and PRF treatments, which use your own blood to stimulate collagen and restore healthy tissue, are commonly started in the late 20s to 30s when early signs of aging or subtle texture changes appear. They are also effective for early hair thinningand can be used at any age for clients seeking natural, filler-free rejuvenation.
NeoGen Plasma, a nitrogen plasma technology, is appropriate across a wide age range. Low-energy NeoGen is well suited for teens and young adults dealing with acne or uneven texture, as well as clients in their 20s and 30s seeking gentle, full-face rejuvenation with minimal downtime. Medium to high-energy NeoGen is typically chosen in the 30s and beyond, when fine lines, pigmentation, and skin laxity become more noticeable, offering deeper collagen remodeling and lifting.
Plexr Plus offers versatile plasma energy options for targeted rejuvenation. Rockstar and Glass facials can be started in the 20s and older for brightening and smoothing. The Cat Scratch technique is ideal in the 30s and up for boosting collagen and improving crepey skin. Ablative Plexr—used for benign lesion removal, tattoo removal, and non-surgical eyelid tightening—can be performed at any age based on the concern. Together, these plasma technologies provide customizable, needle-free solutions to support healthy, youthful skin at every stage.
The effects of aging on our faces are due to a combination of two processes: skin aging and structural aging. Skin aging reflects the condition of the skin itself. Over time the skin begins to show signs of aging due to a reduction in skin thickness and elasticity, a decrease in skin hydration, an increase in skin laxity, and the loss of collagen. Other aging factors include exposure to the sun, wind, and facial expressions. Structural aging refers to the natural changes that occur as we age to the underlying structure and framework of the face: bone resorption in the eye, cheek and mouth areas, soft tissue volume loss and gravitational droop.
Skin and structural aging combine to result in changes to facial contours. This is best illustrated by comparing the Triangle of Youth with the Pyramid of Age. These concepts are based on the position of the widest point of the face. A youthful face presents high cheekbones as it’s widest portion, tapering to a narrower chin. As the face ages, the cheeks flatten, jowls develop, and the jawline becomes the widest portion. Lip edges may droop and display a persistent unhappy or sad look.
Facial rejuvenation involves the correction and augmentation of these aging factors to refresh the skin and create a more youthful appearance. Improving skin condition through cosmeceuticals (medical grade skin care products) can create a more luminous, even complexion. Injectable fillers can restore youthful facial contours, recreating the Triangle of Youth and softening the harsh angles and depressions created by soft tissue loss and descent. Botox Cosmetic and Dysport treatments can soften facial expressions, resulting in a reduction of wrinkles. Facial rejuvenation often requires a multi-faceted, global approach to achieve a natural and refreshed appearance, and is best tailored to your individual needs and preferences.
Triangle of Youth: A youthful face presents high cheekbones as it’s widest portion, tapering to a narrower chin.
Pyramid of Age: An aging face presents the jawline as the widest portion. The cheeks flatten, jowls develop, lip edges droop and display a permanent unhappy or sad look.
Facial rejuvenation involves the correction and augmentation of these aging factors to refresh the skin and create a more youthful appearance. Improving skin condition through cosmeceuticals (medical grade skin care products) can create a more luminous, even complexion. Injectable fillers can restore youthful facial contours, recreating the Triangle of Youth and softening the harsh angles and depressions created by soft tissue loss and descent. Botox Cosmetic treatments can soften facial expressions, resulting in a reduction of wrinkles. Facial rejuvenation often requires a multi-faceted, global approach to achieve a natural and refreshed appearance, and is best tailored to your individual needs and preferences.
Wrinkles can vary widely in depth, location, and cause. Dynamic wrinkles appear only when the facial muscles are moving, such as smiling or frowning, while static wrinkles are visible even when the face is relaxed. As we age, the skin gradually becomes thinner and less elastic, and facial volume decreases. These changes contribute to sagging, crepiness, and the progressive deepening of lines and folds.
Treatment options depend on the type of wrinkle involved. Botox Cosmetic and Dysport target wrinkles in motion by reducing muscle activity, while hyaluronic acid fillers restore volume and soften wrinkles at rest. PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) is also effective for static lines, acting as a natural filler that slowly restores volume and stimulates collagen for subtle, long-lasting rejuvenation. For fine lines and crepey texture, plasma energy treatments such as the Plexr Cat Scratch technique help improve collagen density, hydration, and overall skin quality.
The Rockstar Facial, a non-ablative Plexr treatment, offers smoothing and brightening effects similar to microneedling but without needles, bleeding, or the need for topical freezing. In addition to refining texture and softening early fine lines, it also enhances the absorption of serums and stimulates collagen production, making it an excellent low-downtime option for clients seeking gentle yet effective rejuvenation.
For more advanced wrinkle concerns, NeoGen Plasma provides full-surface skin regeneration using customized energy levels. Low-energy NeoGen gently treats fine lines and uneven texture, while medium-energy and high-
Botox Cosmetic, Dysport and hyaluronic acid injectable fillers involve the use of small needles to inject the product at specific areas of the face. Most clients do not describe the treatments as painful, but they may experience a temporary discomfort, such as a pin prick. Clients are encouraged to arrive 30 minutes prior to injectable filler appointments for the application of numbing cream to treatment areas. At Medical Aesthetics of Muskoka, Dr. Kents uses an advanced technique to inject fillers, which involves the use of a blunt-tipped cannula under the skin. This technique substantially reduces the number of injection sites to one small poke per treatment area. The use of cannulas results in significantly less bruising, swelling and discomfort. Hyaluronic acid injectable fillers also contain an anesthetic medication called lidocaine, which increases the comfort of the injection. Ice packs can be applied at the injection sites to lessen any discomfort.
Exposure to sun and hormones are believed to trigger many brown spots on the face. A common feature of these dark spots is the increased production of melanin by certain melanocytes (skin colour cells) in the skin. Melanocytes are triggered by sun exposure and cause you to become darker when you get a suntan. Hormones can also trigger melanin production, such as during pregnancy, with the use of birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy.
Sun protection and avoidance can help decrease the appearance of dark spots. However, in order to lighten these dark spots, you may require medical treatments, including advanced laser light treatments, microneedling, and/or cosmeceuticals, to provide satisfactory results. At Medical Aesthetics of Muskoka, Dr. Kents will recommend the appropriate laser treatments and skin care products to improve the hyperpigmentation and/or redness of the face.
The term “cosmeceuticals” is a combination of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. These skin care products contain biologically active ingredients that can improve your skin’s vitality and appearance.
At Medical Aesthetics of Muskoka, we carry cosmeceuticals that are manufactured and tested at pharmaceutical standards. Most skin care products available through drug stores and department stores are not subject to rigid safety and quality testing, which can result in lower quality and less effective products. The medical grade products at Medical Aesthetics of Muskoka provide treatments and maintenance options for a wide range of skin conditions.
A proper skin care regime is important to maintain our skin’s health and vitality. A basic protocol, which is appropriate for most clients, would include a cleanser, followed by a moisturizer, and as a last step, a broad-spectrum sun protection. It is often beneficial to include an exfoliation step several times a week, depending on your skin’s age and condition.
As we age, many individuals require the addition of specialized products to their skin care routine in order to improve their skin’s condition. An advanced or active treatment to target specific skin needs can be very beneficial at addressing concerns such as redness, wrinkles, acne and hyperpigmentation. Products specific to the eye area can provide further protection and rejuvenation of this sensitive area of the face. At Medical Aesthetics of Muskoka, we place a priority in individualizing a skin care regime that addresses your needs, priorities and lifestyle.
The steps of an excellent skin care regime can include:
Cleansing the skin is important to remove impurities (including dirt, make-up, and sweat) and prepares the skin for the penetration of active ingredients in subsequent skin care product application. Many clients benefit from cleansing 1-2 times a day. The frequency of cleansing, as well as the product used, will depend on the client’s skin type and condition.
Exfoliation helps to achieve a fresh, brighter complexion. After the age of 30, skin turnover begins to slow down and natural exfoliation decreases. This leads to a dull, uneven complexion. The removal of dead skin cells (exfoliation) allows better penetration of active ingredients and brightens the skin’s appearance. Regular exfoliation (2-4 times a week) can also decrease skin oil secretion, reducing acne and pore size. Methods of exfoliation include physical (such as microdermabrasion and facial scrubs) and chemical (such as lactic acid, glycolic acid, and retinol).
Advanced and active treatments provide clients with specific therapies for particular skin concerns. Many clients over the age of 30 will not find basic skin care regimes sufficient to maintain their skin’s vitality. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory and photo-protective properties. It stimulates collagen synthesis and promotes wound healing. Hyaluronic acid, which has higher concentration in younger skin and decreases in concentration as skin ages, increases skin hydration to plump up the skin, smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles. Hydroquinone and arbutin are cosmeceuticals ingredients used to control hyperpigmentation. Copper and growth factors promote the healing of the effects of aging, encourage healthy dermal restructuring and heal wrinkles and stretch marks. Incorporating one or more of these treatments into a daily skin care regime can significantly improve the condition and vitality of the skin’s appearance.
The skin around the eye area is particularly sensitive and deserves special care and consideration. However, it is often neglected in basic skin care regimes. The eye area often shows signs of aging at an earlier age than other parts of the face. It contains no sebaceous glands, which makes it prone to dryness. The skin around the eye is thinner, more sensitive, has minimal fat padding and is also prone to puffiness. Eye movements and squinting stress this delicate area further. Investment in an advanced eye treatment can slow the progression of aging, and refresh and rejuvenate this area.
Moisturizing is important because dry skin has a decreased capacity to heal, and is more susceptible to skin damage from irritants, such as sun exposure or harsh detergents. Aging skin has a reduced ability to maintain moisture, and therefore requires even greater attention to moisturizing. Many advanced skin care products at Medical Aesthetics of Muskoka contain active ingredients that have moisturizing effects, so not all clients will require a separate moisturizing step.
Sun protection, while listed as the final step, is one of the most important parts of a skin care regime. Using a product containing broad-spectrum sun protection with at least SFP 30 will reduce the damage caused by harmful UVA and UVB sun rays. It will also decrease the sun’s effects on inflammation and hyperpigmentation in clients with rosacea and melasma. Sun protection needs to be applied 15-30 minutes prior to sun exposure, and reapplied throughout the day.
