Dr. Kristen L Biggs: Unparalleled in her Field

Dr. Kristen L. Biggs Unparalleled in her Field Photos Terry Behal

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r. Kristen L. Biggs is the kind of doctor from whom you immediately feel a sense of competency and trust. The feeling is well founded; Dr. Biggs is the only board-certified vascular surgeon in Santa Fe. She completed a six-year general surgery residency program at The University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, followed by a twoyear vascular surgery fellowship at UCLA. Additionally, she is double board-certified in general surgery and vascular surgery.

Originally from Texas, Dr. Biggs relocated to Albuquerque in 2008 to become assistant professor of vascular surgery at the University of New Mexico Hospital.

Always interested in staying current in her field, she happily accepted an additional mentorship position as the associate program director of general surgery. Additionally, she served as the medical director of the UNM Vein Center from 2010 until she founded her own practice in Santa Fe in July of 2012.

“It’s so important to me to uphold the highest standard of care when treating patients,” Dr. Biggs says. “That’s always my focus. When I finished my fellowship training and was looking at different vascular surgery positions across the country, I fell in love with New Mexico.

Not only is this a beautiful place to live, but I love the people here. For these reasons, I knew this is where I wanted to start my practice. This is where my husband and I want to raise our family.”

Dr. Biggs and her husband, Jonathan, have three young children: Carter and the twins, Lauren and Jackson.

Dr. Biggs’s practice began as a center where one could receive quality medical care for venous problems and skin care concerns. It has evolved to become a center of excellence and a destination location for the most advanced laser skin care, body sculpting and varicose vein treatment in the southwest.

As the largest esthetics practice in northern New Mexico, the highly

trained and experienced team strives to be the leader in advanced skin care rejuvenation techniques. The center celebrates many points of distinction.

It was the first in New Mexico to offer MiXto Pro® Microfractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing, the only center in Santa Fe to offer DualSculpting with CoolSculpting® technology, the first vein center in New Mexico to be accredited in Superficial Venous Treatment and Management by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC), and the first non-pilot vein center to be accredited by the IAC in the entire nation. Dr. Biggs most recently purchased Eden Medispa, further augmenting her already impressive array of services.

Dr. Biggs’s professional, welcoming approach and considerate team of staff aim to provide knowledgeable and thorough explanations of services and products, superior treatment techniques and the utmost level of patient and client care, enabling you to have an extraordinary experience.

PREVIOUS PAGE Dr. Biggs ABOVE Dr. Biggs and her team

Given Dr. Biggs’s extensive training in vascular surgery, she makes an ideal doctor for seeking out vein treatments.

“A lot of doctors who do venous work are not vascular surgeons, interestingly enough,” she describes. “I, on the other hand, approach patients differently because the veins routinely shut down for venous disease are the same vessels utilized when making a bypass for people who have arterial problems. For people who have arterial disease, it’s important to have availability of those vessels because they may need them to save their limb from amputation. Non-vascular surgeons doing venous work don’t always understand this and will potentially burn bridges for patients, costing them a literal arm or a leg.”

To briefly explain, veins return oxygen-poor blood to the heart. Normal leg veins have one-way valves that help maintain blood flow against the force of gravity. The valves can become non-functional for a variety of reasons including genetics, hormonal changes, pregnancy, prolonged standing and a history of blood clots. When the valves are not working correctly, gravity acts on the blood in the venous system, causing the veins to become swollen with twisted, bluish cords known as varicose veins. The underlying valve problem can also contribute to symptoms of leg fatique, aching, pain, and swelling after standing for long periods. Untreated valve problems can progress to skin breakdown and the formation of an ulcer or sores close to the ankle. The spectrum of vein problems Dr. Biggs treats ranges from spider veins to varicose veins and venous stasis ulcers, and her surgical prowess ensures treatments are effective and long lasting.

There’s no need to get a referral to see Dr. Biggs if a patient has a concern.

“It constitutes a real medical risk.

This is more than a cosmetic issue; it truly warrants medical attention and intervention,” Dr. Biggs notes. Oftentimes consultation, evaluation with ultrasound and the surgical procedures to address venous problems are covered by health insurance. Dr. Biggs’s office accepts most major forms of health insurance, including Medicare.

because often when lasers are performed it’s done with topical anesthetic only.

Having a surgeon like myself perform this procedure allows patients to have one of the most aggressive treatments available to create dramatic results with minimal to no discomfort.”

PREVIOUS PAGE Dr. Biggs and Medical Assistant Kathy Farris ABOVE L–R Fraxel Laser, Mixto before and after

Dr. Biggs’ center carries the gamut of skin care services, including MiXto Pro® Micro Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing, Fraxel® DUAL 1550/1927 Laser Resurfacing, BOTOX® Cosmetic and Xeomin®, dermal fillers (including Juvéderm® Ultra XC, Juvéderm® UltraPlus XC, Restylane-L®, Perlane-L®, Radiesse® and Voluma® XC), chemical peels, microdermabrasion, dermaplaning, laser treatment of facial blood vessels and laser hair removal.

Of note is the MiXto Pro® Micro Fractional CO2 laser, an ablative fractionated laser operating at a 10,600 nm wavelength, which superheats water molecules in the skin causing vaporization of skin

cells in a precise skin-peeling effect. This laser is fractionated, meaning instead of acting on the entire surface area of the treated skin, only a fraction of the skin is targeted with heat energy. Only one treatment is required to produce dramatic results, but the healing process involves approximately seven to 10 days of social downtime.

“I am the first person to have this technology in the state and I operate it at an aggressive level to render the best cosmetic results,” Dr. Biggs says.

“I employ a number of advanced nerve block techniques to anesthetize the entire face. This is a point of distinction

An alternative for those who cannot afford to take over a week off from social obligations to heal, the Fraxel® DUAL 1550/1927 contains both a 1550 nm wavelength erbium laser and a 1927 nm wavelength thulium laser, and is classified as a non-ablative, fractionated laser. This laser targets water in the dermis, more gently heating it to cause controlled thermal damage. Because it is less aggressive, usually three to five treatments spaced four to six weeks apart produce the most optimal results.

Social downtime is minimal, lasting zero to three days. This procedure is also offered at Dr. Biggs’s office.

“Laser resurfacing accomplishes results that a surgical facelift cannot, such as stimulating collagen and thereby improving overall skin quality,” Dr. Biggs describes.

Add to the list of impressive services Dr. Biggs’s center offers: it is the only practice in Santa Fe with CoolSculpting®.

CoolSculpting® is an FDA-approved, effective alternative to liposuction and other surgical procedures for fat reduction. This non-surgical procedure uses cooling technology to reduce bumps, bulges and areas of stubborn fat resistant to diet and exercise.

CoolSculpting® works by targeting the fat cells in a certain area and freezing them, which allows them to be reabsorbed by the body. When the CoolSculpting® applicator is applied to the treatment area, the cold triggers a death signal in the fat cells without harming other tissue, skin or blood vessels. The fat cells then die over a period of two to three months and are removed via the lymphatic system.

“This is ideal for people within 30 lb. of their ideal weight who have a stubborn bulge they can’t get rid of,” Dr. Biggs explains. “Essentially what it accomplishes is toning of the body. It sculpts inner thighs, abdominals and love handles.”

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Dr. Biggs’s CoolSculpting® team members have received advanced training in CoolSculpting® techniques. The center offers DualSculpting, which uses two machines to treat two areas (such as love handles) at the same time, shortening overall treatment time. Because the procedure is completely non-surgical, there is usually no downtime required.

When combined with good diet and exercise, CoolSculpting® can permanently reduce the fatty tissue. Most individuals notice a visible reduction of fat in the treated area as early as three weeks after treatment. The most dramatic results are usually seen within two to three months after treatment.

TOP–BOTTOM Cool Sculpting, CoolSculpting before and after NEXT PAGE TOP–BOTTOM Dr. Biggs and Lynn Cordahi, MSN, FNP-BC

For the patient looking for non-invasive treatment, Dr. Biggs also offers chemical peels, microdermabrasion, dermaplaning, cosmetic injectables including BOTOX® Cosmetic and six different dermal fillers, and medical-grade skin care product lines like SkinCeuticals, SkinMedica®, Clarisonic®, Latisse®, Revision® Skin Care and Avène.

“Lynn Cordahi, MSN, FNP-BC, has 30 years of experience, eight of those with cosmetic injectibles,” says Dr. Biggs. “She is very skilled and has an eye for creating balanced, esthetically pleasing results.

She has quite the patient following. When she came to my center, she brought her expertise, specifically with Voluma® XC.” A hot item, Voluma® XC is currently the only product on the market FDA approved for up to two years duration for mid face augmentation. For a filler patient who wants to go back less frequently than annually for treatment, this product is ideal.

“Our cosmetics practice philosophy is that people should look like an improved, refreshed version of themselves, not overly augmented,” reflects Dr. Biggs.

“We want people to look natural and healthy. Our entire team is of this mindset because we recognize our patients are a reflection of us.” From venous procedures, CoolSculpting® and the array of skin treatments from topical to aggressive, Dr. Biggs and her excellent staff are unparalleled in their skill and expertise.

Kristen L. Biggs, MD, Skin Care & Vein Centre, PC 409 St. Michaels Drive, Suites A&B 505.695.7070 www.kristenlbiggsmd.com