Best Non-Surgical Treatments for Spring

What are the best non-surgical skin treatments for spring? I sat down with my amazing Nurse Practitioner Emily Sespaniak to ask. She believes skincare should be personalized to realize each individuals vision of health and shares a few options that will help them get there.

Dr. Horton: What are non-surgical cosmetic treatments? 

Emily, NP: Non-surgical cosmetic treatments can range from laser skin rejuvenation to injectables (such as wrinkle reducers and dermal fillers) to medical-grade skincare. Many are true “lunch time” procedures with little to no downtime. The goal of these treatments is to help patients look and feel like the best version of themselves. Often I hear people say they “feel great but look tired”. I specialize in creating a custom treatment plan for each patient that leaves them looking refreshed and well-rested, while preserving and enhancing their unique natural beauty.

Dr. Horton: What are the best non-surgical treatments for Spring? 

Emily, NP: Spring is the time to focus on good skincare, with an emphasis on sun protection. This is the time of year to evaluate your current skincare regimen and make necessary changes, as well as freshen up with injectables in advance of summer travel and events. 

Dr. Horton: We’ve worked together for several years, and I’m also a loyal patient of yours. You always help guide me to make the best decisions for a natural beautiful outcome. What is your process and personalized approach with your patients? 

Emily, NP: There is no one-size-fits-all approach in aesthetics. I think as an aesthetic provider it’s important to understand the patient’s lifestyle as well as their aesthetic goals. Are they sun worshippers? Maybe not the best candidate for laser treatments. A busy professional and mom on the go? The less maintenance the better to increase compliance and therefore treatment success. This is how I start to build a personalized treatment plan.

Dr. Horton: Tell us about you and your journey as Nurse Practitioner and Aesthetic Injector.

Emily, NP: I am very detail-oriented, love procedures, and enjoy working with people, which makes the aesthetic field a perfect fit! I was lucky to have been exposed to injectables very early on in my NP journey, and I knew pretty quickly the direction I wanted to take my career.

Dr. Horton: You’re known for having a gentle touch. Why is that so important to your patients?

Emily, NP: Fear of needles and/or discomfort is often the barrier to treatment for many patients. 

During my training, I interned at a primary care office that was beginning to offer Botox to treat medical conditions such as excessive sweating and migraine headaches. These procedures involve several injections (many more than the typical aesthetic Botox treatment), so I learned quickly how important it is to ensure the comfort of the patient. Over the years I’ve honed my technique to optimize for near-painless injections, and this makes the treatment relatively quick and easy. Ensuring comfort puts patients at ease and builds trust. My patients know their comfort is a priority and that they’re in good hands.

Karen M. Horton, MD, FACS

Dr. Karen Horton is an internationally Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in San Francisco, a fitness enthusiast, proud mom to fraternal twin girls, and devoted wife of nearly 3 decades. A surgeon’s daughter, she is proud to have built a successful, women-focused boutique private practice in Pacific Heights. Featuring a brand new Quad A-certified, fully equipped operating room, Dr. Horton offers her patients the highest level of aesthetic care, both surgical and non-surgical, in a modern, bright and discrete setting. She considers it an honor and a privilege to care for her patients! To learn more about Dr. Horton, visit www.drkarenhorton.com and follow her on social at @drkarenhorton.