What does it take to achieve the most natural “untouched” result that ensures you will look refreshed but not “done?”… the answer is training, experience and expertise. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Tina West looked to the best in the field for training and has never stopped training during her 2 decades of practice. Advances in non-invasive and minimally invasive procedures continue to prove that prevention and maintenance are the cornerstones of looking refreshed and natural over time!
Prior to walking into the West Institute, I visited another doctor's office, waited about an hour and a half, spoke to the dermatologist for about three minutes and immediately someone brought ice over to me to begin the botox process. Well, I wasn't there for botox and I was terrified at how quickly they wanted me in and out. I had never had any injections and I don't believe you should ever bargain shop for cosmetic procedures but after hearing that the cost of Restylane was so high, I decided why not. BIG MISTAKE! After scheduling an appointment with Dr. West who was recommended through an old friend, I already felt confident with my decision. I was greeted by lovely Holly who has the prettiest smile to match her (no wonder she sits at the front desk!), and only waited a few minutes before seeing Dr. West. Next, another pretty lady named Tracy (an extension of Dr. West... I mean really) came in to tell me what would be done, comforted me with the "amazing numbing cream" guarantee (that’s how she got me) and took a look at my eyes to better understand what I disliked about them. Dr. West was extremely professional yet easy going, took time to hear me out, and told me what I could expect after the procedure. She was very friendly and inviting which truly made me a lot more comfortable with everything. Did I mention how stylish she is?? After answering all my questions and more, I was sent off with a moisturizer that I now love and knew I wouldn't be visiting any other offices. The day of my appointment, I came in early for my complimentary facial with Chelsea (yes, another beauty) and immediately after, I could feel and see my skin improving. SERIOUSLY! As a former Rodan and Fields user who spent thousands of dollars on various regimens month after month, ONE facial with Chelsea was all I needed to never look back! My acne scars and complexion had improved dramatically by day two and I only spent 45 minutes with her! Tracy put numbing cream under my eyes and a little over my cheeks for a little over 25 minutes probably because I was acting like a nervous wreck and just like she said, painless! That numbing cream truly is the bomb.com. Dr. West spoke to me the entire time while injecting... making sure I was aware of what was happening, comfortable, and breathing! Ten minutes later I was done and held an ice pack under both eyes for a few minutes and then I was off! So easy! Because there was supposed to be swelling, Dr. West saved half the syringe for my follow up appointment two weeks later to ensure we were injecting where needed once the swelling subsided. Once I was finished, Dawn (surprise! Also beautiful) had all the products from my facial along with a regimen waiting for me. She explained when and how to use them all which made checking out easy and fast but not in a rushed way… efficient! Zero swelling, zero pain, zero puffiness, and I didn't even feel it when the numbing cream finally wore off! WHAT IS THIS MAGICAL PLACE you ask? The West Institute! Between the facility, professionalism, and squad of beauties that are very knowledgeable, kind, and helpful… I really am not sure why I’m writing this review because the place speaks for itself! I most definitely will return for any cosmetic needs in the future because the experience, facility, and staff are GRADE A! Highly recommended! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!
I have spent the last 17 years focusing all my energies, time and money on helping my daughter maximize her potential. It is finally time to start on myself. I have started on the Korean 10 step program for my skin and the results were wonderful but it let me to want to even out my skin tone. So a trip to the West Institute in Bethesda, Md and after a consultation on decided on a fraxel treatment I went in today. I was nervous as heck after reading all the reviews on here. They put numbing cream on my face for 40 minutes and gave me a pain pill (tramadol). Then they added another layer of numbing cream for 20 more minutes. The treatment isn't comfortable but I handled it. Let's say that I am a big baby and don't react well to pain. Mostly the part that she did feels like you burned yourself badly. They blow cold air on your face which helps but I was wiggling and squeezing the stress ball. After the procedure, they did a light therapy treatment for 15 minutes to speed up healing. They also hand you the air hose and I was blowing cold air on my face. Finally they remove the eye guards, then slather three different creams on that I get to take home Once I got home, I mixed up cellerate Rx powdered wound care with aloe Vera and spreed it all over my face. The burning sensation stopped immediately. This is a product that is something we have access to because my husband invested in the company. If this helps, I will pass on the info to my dermatologist. Updated on 8 Mar 2017: Well sad so good. I washed my face and then applied the moisturizing product recommended. Second step was mixing cellerateRX with aloe Vera moisturizer. This stops the burning feeling immediately. I slept with all that on and some looking like this. Updated on 9 Mar 2017: No pain but I can't stand the texture of my skin. I am counting the moments until this starts sloughing off. I follow my 10 step but add multiple layers of moisturizer as my skin soaks it up as soon as I put it on. I don't look that horrible but I sure don't look very good yet. Updated on 11 Mar 2017: After flying to California with skin that felt like sandpaper but didn't look that bad today is much better. A long shower and most of the dead skin sloughed off. I have a few spots (my bad areas that haven't sloughed off yet). I religiously used my Korean 10 step products but added something called a sleep mask. I did not like the heavy product they sent me home with and I wasn't running the risk of getting any breakouts. That said, I did not have even one whitehead through this procedure. I credit the fact that I did my Korean 10 steps religiously for 6 weeks before doing the fraxel. Updated on 11 Mar 2017: Thanks to the miracles of modern iPhones I have done some side by side close ups with the before fraxel office visit and today's day five photo. Changing my rating to worth it already!!!!! Updated on 20 Mar 2017: Apparently I reached my limit of photos but the results are amazing. I tried to post my photo from today but can't. Updated on 1 Jun 2017:
I am a longtime patient of Dr. West at the West Institute in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Dr. West uses the most up-to-date lasers and equipment. She is realistic and honest about the results she expects. Her credentials are outstanding, and she has a wonderfully warm yet professional demeanor. She is a perfectionist too, so you can be assured you will get the best results possible. The West Institute is tastefully decorated and extremely clean. The staff is highly knowledgeable of their areas of expertise and compassionate towards their patients. I have never had to wait long to be seen and the doctor and staff never rushes me, and they listen to all my concerns no matter how small they may be. Recently, Dr. West performed four Infini Radiofrequency (RF) treatments spaced a month apart on my face. The following is what I experienced before, during, and after each procedure at the West Institute. Upon arrival, I was pleasantly greeted with heartfelt smiles from Holly and Sheena who oversee the front desk. These two ladies take care of all the administrative needs and ensure your visit is pleasant. They are warm and friendly and make you feel right at home. Shortly after arriving, Sheena escorted me to the procedure room where I was greeted by Tracy who is Dr. West’s highly efficient medical assistant. Tracy gently prepped me for the procedure by placing numbing cream on the areas to be treated. Thirty minutes later, Dr. West injected nerve blockers to keep me from feeling any discomfort during the procedure. I waited another thirty minutes for the nerve blockers to take full effect before Dr. West began the treatment. During the procedure, Dr. West used a handheld device with microneedles and pressed it against my skin sending radiofrequency energy to multiple layers below the surface. She made three passes with the device at varying depths. Meanwhile, Tracy directed a cool air wand over the area Dr. West just treated. Throughout the treatment, both Tracy and Dr. West continually asked me if I was comfortable or feeling any pain. (In my case, I experienced minimal discomfort during all four procedures.) After the procedure, the treated areas looked sunburned. They did not hurt at all. The entire procedure starting with the one hour numbing period lasted approximately one hour and ten minutes. After the first treatment, I was given a tube of Cicalfate restorative skin cream to place on the treated areas as needed. I used the cream at night, and it worked quickly. With my skin tone, I was able to leave the house the next day using only tinted sunscreen. I noticed positive results after my first treatment. With each successive procedure, the results continued to improve the texture of my skin. I highly recommend Infini RF and the West Institute if you want younger looking skin.