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Changing First the Skin, Now the Face of America: Exclusive Interview with Dr. Kathy Fields of Rodan+Fields

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Today FutureDerm.com readers get a real treat – we have none other than Dr. Kathy Fields, M.D. here for an interview!  Dr. Fields is a Stanford-trained, board-certified dermatologist who has been in private practice in San Francisco since 1987. In her own medical and surgical dermatology practice, Dr. Fields devotes her time to both cosmetic dermatology as well as treating disorders of the skin, hair and nails.

Dr. Fields is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at UCSF, a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, and a member of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.  Dr. Fields has been named one of America’s Top Dermatologists, one of America’s Top Physicians, and one of the Best Doctors in the Bay Area in California.  As if that’s not enough, Dr. Fields is also one of the creators of ProActiv, as well as the Rodan+Fields skin care line.  Now she is revolutionizing the country with her new direct-to-consumer business, which she kindly talks about with us today.  Thank you for meeting with us, Dr. Fields!

Let’s talk about your first big development, Pro-Activ.  That must have been so exciting!

When we see patients, we can really get into the mental state.  We found that insurance companies were not paying for acne visits, and they definitely were not paying for acne medication.  So most people just stayed at home and suffered, and that made us crazy because they missed opportunities: job interviews, the prom.  The insurance companies felt there was a difference between a need and a want with acne, but we didn’t.  We looked for a solution you could get without a doctor.

Pro-Activ was a radical departure from other acne treatments.  It was like brushing your teeth:  a prevention, not an active treatment.  We saw this could work as well as pills.
People say they got their life back.  It actually changes your life.  We’re #1 in the world today and why?  The answer is because that it works.  We’re trying to get as many simple remedies to work.  You don’t have to clob anybody.

One of our readers submitted a question for you, asking how long Pro-Activ needs to be used to maintain results.

Dr. Fields:  One of the most surprising facts about acne is that it is a chronic disease.  It’s not like a cavity.  Teenagers have the honor of acne for seven years.  Then, some patients in their 20s and 30s have acne again, and this kind of acne lasts 20 years.

When your skin is clear, this means that the medicine is working.  However, if your hormones are still pumping out the factors that are producing acne, so long as you are using Pro-Activ, it is suppressing those factors.  You must keep using it.  Some people find their skin stays clear if they use it every other day.  It’s a trial-and-error process.

Let’s talk about your new line of sun-specific essentials, Rodan+Fields Essentials.  What makes it special?

Dr. Fields:  Straight avobenzone, the number one UVA protector, has a short UVA half-life.  Colorless carotenoids, found in the Essentials Lip Protector, Reverse SPF 55, and Anti-Age Peptide System, stabilize the UVA component in sunscreens.  Colorless carotenoids also stop UV penetration and UV-induced free radical generation.  Unlike other stabilizing ingredients, colorless carotenoids are also not greasy.

What lead to the development of colorless carotenoids?

Dr. Fields:  The goal is to always get the best protection or healing or transformational benefits.  The products need to make a difference.  In addition, it was desired to make the sunscreen longer-lasting and cosmetically elegant so people can use it.

You also have a new company that is getting a lot of buzz on the internet.  Some experts are saying it’s the next big Mary Kay enterprise.  Can you tell us more?

Dr. Fields:  Our next company is direct-to-consumer, yes, the Mary Kay model.  We are proud to be able to offer people a game-changer for their lives.  Not everybody can be a great effortless salesperson.  But you can be an incredibly shy person with a passion for what you are doing and be incredibly successful.  We will make our first millionaire this year, and more are coming up.  However, perhaps even more importantly, we are building self-esteem, jobs, general communities.  When someone comes up to you and says, “I lost my job, I lost my husband to cancer, and I was praying and one of your representatives met me and gave me this opportunity to get back into life, and I have more than a job but I have an opportunity now,” and that is truly amazing. You work as a team, coming together, particularly in a time of recession and crisis, and that has been incredibly rewarding.

This sounds amazing.  How many people are involved?

Dr. Fields:  Approximately 12,000 people across the country.  Naturally, during the course of each month, more are rolled in and others roll out, but this is normal for this type of business.  One of the people is a psychiatrist who quit her day job.  She feels that her higher purpose is to change lives.  Again, this is so satisfying.

What type of income can be expected?

Dr. Fields:  Income is variable.  If you work seven days a week, you could be a six-figure member.  Or if you work part-time with, say, your book club, you could make a few hundred dollars a month.  No one will ever fire you.  You do it yourself, you pick up the rhythm.  We help train you.  The only thing stopping you is your energy.  You build your own team.  You’re building your own team and who you like and the team and concentrate more on like-minded people.  Makes it all just snowball.  And, of course, you can get customer support all the time.

It sound like you’re creating more than just clear skin, but a legacy.

Dr. Fields:  Doctors love to work making a difference.  We tell others, you’ve got to make enough money to survive, but after that, you need a purpose if you really want to make it.  We’re changing the skin of America, and I think we need to change the face of America.  By making people feel great in their skin.  Be all you can be without being held back.

We travel a lot and go to different communities.  Business meetings and research and development are our favorite.  We look over everything.  We are not launching anything unless it is amazing.  It’s got to be “wow.”  We’re making those decisions unless it is “wow.”  We always seek to learn something.  How can we be better?  How can we use this to make make us more successful?

How can FutureDerm.com readers get involved?

Dr. Fields:  Go online to rodanandfields.com.  They will be able to to find a consultant in their area.

Lastly, in your opinion, why should readers continue to read blogs like FutureDerm.com?

Dr. Fields:  There is so much mis-information and hype everywhere out there.  People run every week to the “Cream of the Week.”  The benefit of the higher calling is to give good evidential information to tell what is real and what is a lie; to help the consumer.  It is so overwhelming, and there is also so much politics involved in some of the ingredients.   Unfortunately a lot of misinformation goes the wrong way.  No one wants cancer from a cosmetic, like in the case of the rumors about parabens.  By the way, you see parabens all over the place.  Did you know you just ate a spoonful of parabens?  Answers just aren’t going to be known without propagating the right information.

Thank you, Dr. Fields!

Dr. Fields:  You’re welcome!

Be sure to keep up Dr. Fields!  Her website is RodanandFields.com, Twitter @DrKFields, and Facebook Rodan+Fields.

 

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