Medical Doctor
Lifestyle Medicine Specialist
Aesthetic Medicine Practitioner
Dr Karen L Hartzenberg obtained her MBChB degree from the University of Cape Town in 2008. She completed her internship and community service through the South African Military Health Service and practiced as a general practitioner and emergency medicine medical officer for a number of years. She completed her Diploma in Aesthetic Medicine through the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine in 2012. She completed her Master of Clinical Practice specializing in Lifestyle Medicine at the end of 2013.
She has a passion for health promotion and prevention of ill health through lifestyle and behavioural interventions. It is a well-recognized fact that many diseases like obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, arthritis, stroke and depression may be prevented or treated through lifestyle change. Dr Hartzenberg combines traditional pharmacological treatment (medication) with counseling and nutrition and physical activity interventions that are client-specific to support her patients to improve their health. She also uses minimally invasive aesthetic procedures like Botox, fillers, chemical peels, derma-rolling and mesotherapy to help her patients look their best. Beauty should be a reflection of health, and Dr Hartzenberg aims to assist her patients to achieve optimal well-being inside and out.
What is Lifestyle Medicine?
Lifestyle Medicine (LM) is a branch of medicine, in the same way that surgery or paediatrics or psychiatry are all branches of medicine.
Lifestyle Medicine is the use of evidence-based lifestyle interventions to treat and prevent lifestyle-related diseases. It empowers individuals with the knowledge and life skills to make effective behaviour changes that address the underlying causes of disease.
Lifestyle Medicine is concerned predominantly with management of health problems related to unhealthy lifestyle, these include:
weight problems and obesity
diabetes
high cholesterol
high blood pressure
heart disease
joint disease
stress
sleep problems
LM is also concerned with the prevention of ill health, and the promotion of optimal well-being.
Lifestyle Medicine aims to address the cause of ill health, which often relates to how one lives one's life.
What is Aesthetic Medicine?
Aesthetic Medicine is a field of medical practice that involves minimally invasive procedures to improve the appearance, especially of the face, neck, and hands. Commonly used interventions include botulinum toxin (Botox) injections, fillers, chemical peels, skin conditioning and mesotherapy.
Specific concerns that may be addressed by aesthetic medicine interventions include:
Signs of ageing
Wrinkles
Pigmentation problems
Acne and other scars
Sagging or loose skin
Dry or dull-looking skin
Asymmetry
Cellulite
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lifestyle Medicine 'Real' medicine?
Lifestyle Medicine can only be practised by health professionals - either doctors or registered nurses under the supervision of doctors. It is definitely real medicine because it involves taking a history, performing an examination, doing special investigations as necessary, forming a problem list and treatment goals, and implementing a management plan… The same steps followed in any medical consultation. Lifestyle Medicine practitioners prescribe medication when necessary, but have the knowledge and skills to assess and manage the source of many health problems - poor lifestyle.
Is Lifestyle Medicine an alternative therapy?
Lifestyle Medicine is not an alternative therapy. It is a branch of Western medicine and is practiced in first-world countries like Australia, America, the UK and Belgium. The principles underlying Lifestyle Medicine are based on rigorous scientific research and clinical trials. The recommendations proposed by Lifestyle Medicine practitioners are always backed by science.
Do Lifestyle Medicine practitioners believe in medication?
Lifestyle Medicine practitioners use medication to treat their patients all the time. But, Lifestyle Medicine practitioners believe that through changes in behaviour, it is possible to reduce the amount of medication required to keep health problems under control. It is possible for a patient who has been taking medication for years to change the way they live which brings about positive health benefits that allows him/her to stop taking medication.
Can't my normal GP do what a Lifestyle Medicine practitioner does?
The honest answer is 'YES", however, your normal GP is unlikely to have the level of knowledge and skill in lifestyle assessment and management because of the limited training he/she received at university in the fields of nutrition/dietetics, exercise physiology, psychology and environmental impact on health. Your normal GP is also unlikely to want to spend the time that is required to do a thorough Lifestyle Medicine assessment because he/she cannot charge you extra for his/her time.
Can't I go to a dietitian?
Again, the answer is 'YES', however a dietitian is trained in dietary assessment and dietary advice only. A dietitian cannot do a physical examination or interpret investigation findings or prescribe medications.
What about my other health problems?
Dr Hartzenberg is a qualified and experienced medical doctor. She is able to assess and treat any complaint that you would have seen your usual GP about. However, she takes a more comprehensive approach. For instance, if you come with a chest infection, she will be more thorough and go more in-depth about your lifestyle habits, such as… ask around smoking habits and exposures at work that may contribute to your current problem. She will tailor your treatment option according to the nature of any chronic conditions you have.
Why combine Lifestyle Medicine with Aesthetic Medicine?
It is true that many doctors now practice aesthetic medicine. That is the use of injections, chemical peels and other procedures to enhance a person's appearance. Many do not look at how lifestyle factors contribute to the ageing process. Diet, exercise, sleep patterns and psychological well-being all contribute to the appearance of the skin, face and body. Combining Lifestyle Medicine with Aesthetic Medicine, you get the best of both worlds - health and beauty from the inside out.
