MD Optimal Health & Aesthetics

MD Optimal Health & Aesthetics operates from a suite in Columbia, Maryland, offering in-person visits at the Columbia office as well as virtual visits. The practice combines medical aesthetics with medically supervised weight loss and says it aims for expert-level care in a warm, approachable setting, with an emphasis on long-term relationships with clients. Office hours are Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Wednesday and Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Saturday 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM; the office is closed Sundays and Mondays. The phone number is (240) 444-5957. The site reports a 5.0 rating from more than 82 reviews.

Neurotoxin injections are offered with Botox at $16 per unit, Daxxify at $10 per unit and Dysport at $5 per unit. The site gives typical unit counts for an upper face treatment of 64 to 70 units for Botox, 64 to 75 for Daxxify and 100 to 130 for Dysport. Treatments take about five to ten minutes and involve no anesthesia or incisions. They can address forehead lines, frown lines, crow's feet, gummy smiles, lip flips, under-eye jelly rolls and neckbands. Results typically begin within 24 to 48 hours, reach full effect at two to four weeks and last several months. Clients are asked to stay upright for four hours afterward and to avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting and rubbing the treated areas that day. Botox is not recommended during pregnancy, while breastfeeding or with certain neurological disorders. The site suggests booking neurotoxin and filler appointments two to three weeks before a special event. Melissa keeps detailed records of each Botox treatment so that care can be tailored to the way each client's facial muscles move.

Dermal fillers are primarily the RHA Collection of hyaluronic acid fillers, which the site describes as FDA-approved for dynamic wrinkles and folds. Typical placement areas include the cheeks, chin, jawline, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, temples and lips, and fillers are also offered for the under-eye area. Most RHA fillers contain a local anesthetic, and numbing cream is available for treated areas. Results are visible right after treatment and are typically best at about two to four weeks, lasting roughly nine to fifteen months depending on the area and product. Mild swelling, redness or bruising at the injection sites is common and usually settles within a few days. Clients are advised to avoid strenuous exercise and excessive sun or heat for the first 24 hours. Facial rejuvenation with filler is priced at $1,199 for two syringes, $1,699 for three and $2,199 for four, and lip filler is $575. Melissa recommends filler only when it suits a client's goals and facial structure.

Chemical peels include the ZO Stimulator Peel, which is designed by dermatologist Dr. Zein Obagi and formulated with lactic, citric and salicylic acids. The procedure takes about 30 minutes, has no downtime according to the site, and is typically done as a series spaced two to four weeks apart. The site says it addresses sun damage, acne scars and fine lines, and that the peel is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding because of its salicylic acid. The ZO 3-Step Peel involves about one week of downtime. The Xtetic Cosmelan Peel is a four-phase depigmenting treatment in which the first phase is done in the office and phases two through four are done at home; the site calls Cosmelan the world's leading depigmenting method. Chemical peels generally take 30 to 60 minutes, depending on depth. Medium peels typically require five to seven days of downtime, and deep peels may need a few weeks. Consultations are held before peels to check skin readiness and contraindications, and Melissa assesses skin concerns and how much downtime a client can manage before recommending a peel.

Procell Microchanneling creates fine vertical channels in the skin using a stamping method and is paired with a microchannel delivery serum containing growth factors suspended in hyaluronic acid. The site says it can also be used on the scalp for thinning hair. A typical plan is three to six treatments spaced about four weeks apart, with skin feeling like a mild sunburn for 24 to 48 hours afterward; makeup and direct sun are to be avoided on the first day. Melissa plans and performs these treatments herself, adjusting depth and intensity for each client. PRX Derm Perfexion is a non-invasive topical treatment applied without needles, using a formula of trichloroacetic acid, kojic acid and hydrogen peroxide. The site says it is clinically proven to tighten, tone and lift skin and that it has no downtime. A face and neck session takes about 20 minutes, excluding consultation. The site recommends a series of four to six treatments with maintenance every four to eight weeks, and says it can be used on the face, neck, décolletage, hands, arms, glutes, thighs, stomach and back. A home care kit is provided after each session. Medical-grade skin care containing prescription-strength ingredients such as retinols, AHAs, BHAs, antioxidants and peptides is also sold, with personalized routine advice.

The medical weight loss program is medically supervised and includes prescription medications, supplements, meal planning and personalized habit coaching. Options include tirzepatide, semaglutide, GLP-1 Squared (semaglutide and tirzepatide together) and Super Semaglutide, with GLP-1 therapy priced at $325 to $600 per month depending on medication and dosage. Oral options include Contrave (naltrexone and bupropion), priced at $70 to $100 per month with home delivery, or metformin. The program includes online visits, unlimited follow-ups, regular check-ins, medication and supply shipping on a 28-day cycle, and management of side effects. Melissa reviews each patient's health history and lifestyle in a private consultation, in person or virtually, and manages dosing and progress tracking personally. Candidates typically have a BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 or higher with a weight-related health condition. The site cites clinical trials showing 15% to 22% average body weight loss on these medications. Lipotropic and B12 injections are also offered.

Combines clinical nursing expertise with one-on-one attention, with the owner personally overseeing each step of care and recommending treatments only when they suit a client's goals and needs.

The Columbia suite is described by the site as a warm, approachable environment.