Medical in North Valley

A savvy staff of nurses and aestheticians wields high-tech equipment to perform image-enhancing services. Fraxel and Zeltiq CoolSculpting lasers help clients to look young enough to order from the kids' menu by smoothing fine lines and contouring figures. Injectable beauty solutions and ultrasonic facials further fight signs of Father Time, and intense pulsed light removes age spots.

There’s a difference between being a practitioner and an ardent supporter. At Abq LASIK Specialists, Dr. Mark Walker and Dr. Eugene Iwanyk would be characterized as the latter, and the numbers show it. Together, the two men have proven their devotion to their eye-correcting art through a combined 100,000 surgeries, with Dr. Walker going so far as perform the surgery on his wife. He’s also had the surgery performed on his own eyes in order to reap its benefits and understand the patient’s experience more fully. A Fellow in Refractive Surgery, Dr. Walker carries into the operating room an advanced specialization in the physiology of the cornea—the area of the eye affected during LASIK. Dr. Iwanyk, on the other hand, has so much experience working with laser systems that he was selected to start a pilot program to perform refractive surgery on US Army soldiers and elite dignitaries so that treaty-signing staring contests wouldn’t be ruined by lens glare. Together, their skillful procedures work to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, ridding patients of their reliance on contacts and glasses.

Dr. Elmer J. Pacheco’s areas of expertise keep the body youthful both inside and out. Examining the body’s inner workings and overseeing in-office lab work are just part of his job. He also specializes in anti-aging medicine, injecting Botox and other dermal fillers to soften the appearance of wrinkles and give adults a chance at competing with their kids in the race for prom queen.

Chiropractors Dr. Benjamin Bowles and Dr. Adrian Velasquez have both experienced the benefits of chiropractic medicine firsthand. The techniques helped Dr. Bowles recover from a spinal injury, and improved Dr. Velasquez’s condition after he emerged from a coma.

Their desire to share the practices that guided them both back to health creates the foundation of Lifesource Chiropractic, where they aim to treat the underlying causes of symptoms. The chiropractic duo employs x-rays and surface electromyography to assess a patient’s physical condition before scheduling appointments, during which they use their hands to gently adjust spines and bring bones back into alignment. The professionals also extend their services to children and infants, tending to the injuries that come from falling on a playground or trying Gumby’s yoga tape.

Guided by owner Heather Badal, Flawless Skin Spa's aesthetic architects refresh skin with an assortment of med-spa services and laser treatments. Registered nurses dispense such skin-smoothing serums as Botox and Juvéderm and tailor facial treatments for specific skin conditions, including age indicators and acne. The creations of featured artist Kevin Tolman complement the beauty of Candela GentleMax lasers, which zap away unwanted hair and tightens surfaces, and RevLite tattoo-removal equipment for ridding unwanted ink.

Trust is a major factor when considering cosmetic surgery or medical aesthetic treatments, which is why Dr. Taghizadeh, New Mexico Facial Plastics, PC's founder, and his technicians spend ample time getting to know clients and understanding their beauty goals. During a complimentary consultation, a staffer chats with clients about beauty concerns, desired outcomes, and their issues with parallel parking before formulating a custom treatment plan. Whether coming in for a noninvasive VelaShape session or a more involved reconstructive surgery, patients can feel at ease, because the same technician sticks with them throughout their entire beauty journey.:m]]