From lungs to luxury skincare – Dr Kimberley Johnson talks healthcare journey
Published:Sunday | June 9, 2024 | 12:09 AMJada Powell - Sunday Gleaner Writer
Ageing is an inevitable process that has fascinated and challenged humanity for centuries. The intricate dance of cellular senescence, genetic predispositions, and environmental factors paints a complex picture of why and how our bodies age over time. Dr Kimberley Johnson, an American Board certified medical aesthetic and anti-ageing physician, delves into these mechanisms, offering a unique perspective shaped by her diverse medical background.
In 2021, Dr Johnson’s career took an unexpected turn. “I became ill while working in pulmonology and, while on leave, I decided that I needed to prioritise my health. So I went on a self-care journey which started with making more effort on treating my skin issues, including hormonal acne.” This personal experience led her to a profound realisation about the importance of self-care and sparked a transition from treating pulmonary conditions to focusing on aesthetic and anti-ageing medicine. “The great demand for treatment of skin issues in people of colour propelled me to do the specialisation,” she explained.
Dr Johnson’s journey is not just a personal evolution but a professional one, integrating her extensive medical background into her approach to aesthetic and anti-ageing treatments. “Being a doctor for so many years has made me very clinical, scientific, and evidence-based in my approach to skincare and [the] delivery of results in a short period of time,” she noted. This method is holistic, addressing not only aesthetics but also the prevention of age-related chronic illnesses.
Environmental factors and lifestyle choices play significant roles in how we age, influencing everything from cell regeneration to inflammation levels. “Sugars destroy our collagen, causing sagging and rough textured skin. There are specific vitamins that help to promote cellular regeneration and decrease inflammation, which are the foundation of ageing,” Dr Johnson points out.
Genetics also play a crucial part in ageing, with different ethnicities showing varying signs of ageing at different times. “From my practice, persons with skin of colour tend to show signs of ageing later than their Caucasian counterparts and tend to require less cosmetic procedures,” Dr Johnson observes. She tailors her anti-ageing treatments to meet individual needs, ensuring equity in healthcare. “For those who can’t afford the regenerative cosmetic techniques, I will always choose skincare products that will still give results, but over a longer time frame.”
Advancements in regenerative medicine are particularly promising for anti-ageing treatments. Dr Johnson highlights Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) as a significant breakthrough. “PRF is being converted to a gel-like consistency which can be used as natural filler with effects lasting longer than synthetic Hyaluronic Acid Filler, as it stimulates your own collagen production. It is also being used in the treatment of stretch marks and sagging skin, with the addition of microneedling and in hair restoration.”
For readers looking to incorporate effective anti-ageing strategies into their routines, Dr Johnson offers practical advice: “You are what you consume. While we might enjoy the benefits of skincare products and cosmetic procedures, a healthy and preventative lifestyle will always serve us better in the longevity battle. We want to age not only looking good but feeling good.”
Looking ahead, Dr Johnson anticipates exciting trends in anti-ageing medicine and aesthetic treatments. Bio-skincare, utilising our own blood products or anti-ageing compounds from plants, and vitamin therapy to treat and prevent illnesses associated with ageing are on the horizon. These advancements promise to maintain a youthful, more natural appearance, with fewer side effects.
Dr Johnson’s journey from pulmonology to anti-ageing medicine exemplifies a dedication to holistic health and wellness. Her expertise, informed by years of medical practice and personal experience, continues to shape the future of aesthetic and anti-ageing treatments, offering hope and practical solutions to those seeking to age gracefully. Most recently, Dr Johnson celebrated the opening of a second location of her facility, Skyn by Dr Kym Aesthetic & Medical Centre, further expanding her mission to provide first-class healthcare, skin, and cosmetic treatment.