With more than 10 years of experience under her belt, Dr. Jennifer Trent practices medicine and writes journal articles and text books in Dermatology, in our interview with the Florida-based Dermatologist.

Name: Dr. Jennifer Trent
Clinic: American Dermatology Associates, Inc.
Location: Sarasota, FL
Website: http://www.americandermatology.net/

Brief Bio:

Jennifer Trent, MD FAAD completed a 6 year combined BS-MD at the University of Miami with an undergraduate major in biology and a minor in chemistry. While in medical school, she interrupted her formal course to participate in a 2 year research fellowship in Dermatology at the University of Miami. The focus of her work was hos-pital care of dermatology patients, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and wound care. Dr. Trent graduated from Medical School with research distinction as well as the Univer-sity of Miami Department of Dermatology’s medical student of the year award.

She completed her internship in internal medicine and her residency in Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital. Dr. Trent has presented her research on toxic epidermal necrolysis and methicillin resistance staphylococcus aureus several times at the Society of Investigative Dermatol-ogy and the annual American Academy of Dermatology meetings. She was recipient of the Celia and Samuel Resnik Award for dermatology research from the University of Miami Department of Dermatology and the prestigious Young Investigators award for research from the American Academy of Dermatology for her work on toxic epider-mal necrolysis. Dr. Trent has also received several awards for teaching from the Uni-versity of Miami Department of Dermatology.

At what point in your life did you discover your interest in cosmetic medicine?

Ever since I started medical school, I was also fascinated by the skin. How it exists as this beautiful intermediary between the harsh environment and our delicate bodies. It is a strong but vulnerable gatekeeper. During my residency at the prestigious University of Miami Department of Dermatology, I learned that dermatologists are artists. We can “re-sculpt” the face with an assortment of injectable fillers and Botox, and remove unwanted spots or wrinkles with a “brushstroke” of a laser. We can transform people by recreating their outside to reflect their inner beauty and making them look as good as they feel.

What can you tell us about your clinic? 

I have been injecting fillers and Botox for 15 years. I worked for a world renowned cosmetic dermatologist in Miami before opening my own clinic in 2005 in Sarasota, Florida. I began as a solo practitioner. Now I hired an Esthetician and Plastic surgeon to work with me. I have always done all Botox, filler and laser procedures myself. I truly enjoy making people feel better about themselves. I would never delegate these procedures to anyone else.

What do you look for in staff? 

Staff can make or break your office. I always look for enthusiastic team players. I can teach them dermatology, but I can’t teach enthusiasm. I like when they are excited over a new procedure, because their excitement is contagious to the patients. I like to offer them free treatments, not only to make them happy, but also so they can intelligently discuss the procedures with patients. They are my walking billboards.

What lasers are available in your clinic?

I currently own 2 platforms. My Lumenis laser has a Nd:YAG head for treating broken blood vessels on the face and spider veins on the legs, A 810nm Diode head for hair removal, and an IPL for photo rejuvenation. My Sciton laser has a BBL head which is similar to my IPL but with longer wavelengths, a Contour Erbium head for traditional resurfacing to remove wrinkles, and a Profractional Erbium head for fractionated resurfacing to improve wrinkles, acne scars, and surgical scars. It is not easy choosing a laser. There are so many available. Before I purchased them, I asked colleagues which lasers they liked and why they liked them, as well as which companies they liked. I first reviewed the studies published on the lasers, and then, I always tested the lasers myself see if the results were true and reproducible.

How do you market your clinic?

When I first opened my practice, I advertised a lot in newspapers and local magazines. And that was great back then, but it is not the best way now. I hired an internet marketing company who takes care of social media posts, google and the internet rankings, as well as keeping my website up to date. I also have a full time marketing per-son in my office, who takes care of internal marketing campaigns for existing patients, running events and outside marketing to other doctors and the community.

Which procedures do you perform often in the clinic?

I do more fillers than any other procedure. To me, it is the most rewarding and the most fun. I love to see people’s amazed expressions when they look in the mirror after I have finished. The results are immediate and offer immediate gratification to the patient. With Botox, you have to wait sometimes a few days to 2 weeks for the results. With lasers, you have to wait days to weeks as well.

In your career in medicine, what lesson could you share to us?

The most important lesson I have learned over the years, was to always listen to my gut. If I don’t think the procedure is the right one for the patient or won’t give the results I know the patient wants, I inform the patient that it shouldn’t be done. People see procedures advertised all over today. They will come in and ask for it by name. Oftentimes it is not going to help them reach their goals. I educate them on the procedures they really need. If they don’t listen, I explain to them that they will not get the look they are trying to achieve. Honesty and integrity are my trademarks. Once that is understood, the patients come back repeatedly. They know that they are receiving the best advice.

Finally, what advice can you tell your fellow physicians?

First and foremost, you have to educate the patients. Tell them why their face is sagging or why they have wrinkles. Tell them everything that is available to fix their problems, and everything you have to offer them. Before and after photos are priceless. I have a large photo album full of all my procedures. I always treat the staff and put their photos in the album. That way patients can see actual results and they see that there is no photo trickery. It also helps for patients to ask non-physicians what their experiences are with the procedures. Sometimes patients don’t want to feel “dumb” by asking doctors questions. But they have no problem asking my staff. They feel more comfortable.


About Dr. Trent

Dr. Trent is a world recognized dermatologist, who has published over 40 articles in peer-reviewed journals and 6 chapters in various dermatologic text books on surgery and wound care. She also co-authored a textbook on dermatologic diseases and therapy, which was published by McGraw-Hill Co., Inc. She has been interviewed by the American Academy of Dermatology’s Dialogues in Dermatology. Dr. Trent has served on several committees at Doctor’s Hospital of Sarasota and for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery and on the Sarasota Board of the American Cancer Society. She is currently Medical Director of American Dermatology Associates, Inc. and voluntary Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the University of Miami.