Frequently Asked Questions

There are many reasons as to why we insist on a consultation. Dr. Kennea made a video on this very subject which you can watch HERE. The two most prevalent reasons are patient centred. Firstly, we go to great lengths to help patients avoid buyers remorse. This most often occurs when patients pay a deposit, or go straight to the Doctors chair, and feel pressured to say yes. We want patients to feel educated and empowered. This helps us to build a truly great relationship with patients, which in turn builds trust, and understanding. Both of these are intrinsic elements to allowing us to understand how to meet your needs. 

All of our consultations are complimentary. Dr. Kennea explains why that is the case, and always will be. Watch Video We believe in our treatments and our treatment outcomes, and we want you to believe in us. To do that, we believe that we need to build relationships, which builds trust and enables a balanced and productive Client-Doctor relationship.

MD Codes™️ is an innovative methodology of facial aesthetic injection techniques using neuromodulators (Botox) and dermal fillers (Juvederm) founded by Dr Mauricio de Maio.

Dr de Maio created these techniques after noticing an alarming trend of facial distortion and imbalance in patients having injectable aesthetic treatments.

Dr de Maio developed a more natural approach to facial augmentation based on “emotional attributes” which we recognize by way of sadness, tired angry and saggy appearances.

This methodology, practised by Dr Kennea who has studied under Dr de Maio and other industry leaders, leads the physician to a different starting point. Historically, unnatural results have arisen out of “chasing” the lines and folds that typically concern patients. These are referred to as ‘Distractors’. They distract the patient from the cause of these lines and folds.

First we undertake a full comprehensive facial analysis during a complimentary consultation, aimed at educating our patients and ensuring a clear aesthetic plan to achieve a natural and positive outcome.

It’s like building a house. We first build the “FOUNDATION” which supports the house, we then begin to frame the house by providing symmetry, balance and “CONTOUR”, next we address the distractions which are the wallpaper and paint (lips, lines and eyes). “REFINEMENT”

That old arch enemy, ageing, begins to rob your skin of the natural moisture needed to remain supple and healthy in your thirties. Lifestyle can accelerate that; for example excessive sun exposure.

That’s right, at the tender age of 35, our bodies stop making collagen.

Hyaluronic Acid production is also in decline, along with that other fantastic component of youthful skin, Elastin. The holy trilogy of skin health.

You are, it is fair to say, from that age on, hemorrhaging moisture from your skin. This is especially apparent for those of us that live in harsher environments. Whistler, at this time of year (winter) literally sucks the moisture out. 

Despite what many people think, Botox is in fact an excellent preventative treatment. The most satisfactory use of Botox is when people start to use Botox at the first sign of static lines.  A static line is a line you can see when the face is at rest. Because young people will rapidly heal those lines over the three-to-four-month window that Botox is active, we can prevent those lines from ever developing.

And then there is managing your skin. So in truth, the earlier you start, the more you can prevent. Ideally mid to late twenties is a great time to start getting advice, using a higher quality skincare regime, and preventing lines, wrinkles and sagging from developing. 

Unfortunately there are no regulatory bodies in place in Canada, or anywhere actually, that set a minimum standard of education for injectors. Many injectors undertake a 1-2 day training course, which coupled with medical knowledge and experience allows them to inject botox, and on occasion very low doses of Dermal Filler.

However, continuous ongoing training, mentorship, study and accreditation are available for those injectors looking to offer patients the best experience and results possible. Dr. Kennea has studied under the Allergan Medical Institute (AMI) continuously for the past 6 years. She has undertaken several mentorships, most notably she continues to be a mentor of Dr. Mauricio De Maio, the world renowned expert and founder of the MD Codes. Dr. Kennea was appointed to the Canadian faculty of seven physicians, hand picked by AMI in 2020, and in 2022, was invited to lead the Canadian Faculty.

The faculty are dedicated to broadening education, standardizing techniques and sharing the expertise and knowledge with other injectors from across North America. Dr. Kennea has recently been invited to run a new training facility sponsored by Allergan and MedSpa Partners in Vancouver in 2023. Suffice to say, with Dr. kennea you are in the hands of one of Canadas foremost experts on aesthetic medicine.

Whist I will never over-treat a younger patient, as many of them can manage with lower Botox doses, there is significant scientific evidence from the literature that higher doses result in better longevity and more satisfied patient outcomes.

The most satisfactory use of Botox I see is when people start to use Botox at the first sign of static lines. A static line is a line you can see when the face is at rest. Because young people will rapidly heal those lines over the three-to-four-month window that the Botox is active, we can prevent those lines from ever developing. This is why Botox is described as preventative.

Patients need to trust their injector. Would someone go to a dentist and tell them how much amalgam to use in a filling? Patients need to understand that everyone’s facial anatomy, rate of volume loss, muscle strength, static lines, etc., are different; therefore, patients can’t predict or determine how much Botox they need based on anecdotal evidence from the internet or ‘what a friend had done.’

Restoring volume to the ageing face, the 7 Point Shape for younger patients, Softlift™ non-surgical facelift, Botox, Lip correction and under-eye correction.

As for other areas of our aesthetic practice, the vast majority of our patients understand the benefit of healthy skin. Laser, BBL and Microneedling ensure that skin has bountiful collagen production, as well has reversing sun damage, improving skin tone and texture, and reducing the risks of sun exposure in the future with annual skin assessments

Myth: If you start using Botox, you will always need to use it: not true. 
Truth: The fact is patients come to prefer their face with Botox! I often say to patients, even if they did Botox once or twice per year, you will still delay the progression of your static lines.

Myth: Botox leads to an emotionless, frozen face.
Truth: The frozen look likely results from excessive use of Botox in the lower face for issues that really should have been tackled with a dermal filler approach. I have many patients whose partners are completely unaware they have Botox regularly, as the results are so natural. We only use Botox in specific muscles to achieve a specific objective, e.g., in the forehead to treat forehead lines or in the frown to prevent frowning.  

Myth: A full syringe of filler leads to an ‘overfilled’ look.
Truth: It takes five full syringes of hyaluronic acid to fill one teaspoon. From the age of 35, the average person loses the equivalent of six syringes of filler per year. This is where education and time are essential for patients to understand their unique needs and trust the physician’s expertise and experience.

Whistler Medical Aesthetics™ is home the broadest range of body sculpting devices in the lower mainland. 

We have always advocated that choice and variability allows us to meet the needs of any patient and any body type. We commonly combine modalities to offer patients unparalleled success. 

 We have Coolsculpting, Emsculpt, Emsculpt NEO, Vanquish ME, Emsella, Emtone, Exilis Ultra 360 Face & Body and Genius RF Microneedling. 

CoolSculpting is a branded, FDA-approved form of fat reduction called cryolipolysis.

CoolSculpting and other forms of cryolipolysis use freezing temperatures to break down fat cells.

Cold does not damage other cells in the way it does fat cells, and so there should be no damage to the skin or underlying tissue.

During the procedure, the practitioner vacuums the skin above the area of fatty tissue into an applicator that cools the fat cells. The cold temperatures numb the area, and some people report feeling a cooling sensation.

Most CoolSculpting procedures take around an hour. There is no recovery time because there is no damage to the skin or tissue. Some people report soreness at the site of CoolSculpting, similar to that they might have after an intense workout or minor muscle injury.

CoolSculpting is a form of cryolipolysis, which is a scientifically proven process of removing fat with a high success rate. CoolSculpting is effective for removing areas of fat from the body, and have fewer side effects than other procedures, such as liposuction, as it is completely non-invasive.

Though this procedure can remove areas of fat, it is not a miracle cure, and people should not expect to see a complete removal of fat. The procedure will not work for everybody, and as experienced providers we will always tell you if the procedure is not suitable for you.

Lifestyle and other factors may also play a role. A person who continues to eat an unhealthful diet and remains sedentary while undergoing CoolSculpting can expect less fat reduction.

Likewise, CoolSculpting cannot tighten loose skin. If the skin has stretched around fatty buildups, a person may have excess skin after the procedure to remove the fat. (See the treatment protocol SkinTyte II)

Yes and No!

We use BBL – Broadband Light which is part of our Sciton Joule Hybrid Fractional Laser system. BBL is part of the Forever Bare protocol. Patients describe it as being far more comfortable than laser, and we find that because the handset is much larger (its light not a laser) the treatment is also quicker. There is little to no downtime, and results are outstanding.

Microneedling is a cosmetic procedure that dermatologists use to encourage collagen production by taking advantage of the body’s natural healing response.

We use Skinpen, which is the only FDA approved device for the treatment of ACNE scars. 

In 2021 we introduced the worlds first and only next generation Micro-needling device, GENIUS RF. 

Genius allows us to address and reduces fine lines, enlarged pores, wrinkles, acne scars, stretch marks and improves skin tightening. This innovative technology with little to no downtime encourages collagen growth and tissue tightening precisely at predetermined depths in the skin.

The Genius™ treatment may treat:

• Face and jowls
• Neck and chest area
• Cheek lines and facial wrinkles
• Acne and surgical scars
• Pore size
• Inner arms 
• Inner thighs
• Abdomen area

In 2019 we introduced Emsculpt to the Sea to Sky Corridor. Emsculpt is our go to body device for both aesthetic outcomes and to rehabilitate; think knee injury, back injury and for momma’s everywhere, repeating tears in the abdomen post birth. 

We added Emsculpt NEO to our clinic in 2021, and we were the first practice in BC to do so. NEO adds RF (Radio Frequency) and this really increases the effectiveness of Emsculpt. Typically we see a 25% more muscle and 30% less fat, as well as circumferential reduction of 1-2 inches. Now that’s progress! 

At Whistler Medical Aesthetics we take skin health to the next level. As the only Physician Directed Aesthetics clinic in Whistler, Dr. Kennea has invested in the most advanced diagnostics available, and has employed leading experts in the aesthetic world. 

Our Visia skin assessment system analyses what the ye can see, and what it cannot, looking beneath the surface to identify skin concerns, disease, or simply to assess what your skin needs and how we can help.