Meet The Derm Of Two Cities, Dr. Jordan Carqueville
[email protected] | July 28, 23
Jordan Carqueville, MD, didn’t plan on becoming a dermatologist and dermatopathologist. In fact, she almost pursued an entirely different career path within the field of art history. Fortunately for her patients, a specific hurdle stood in her way.
“There was a moment when I thought I was going to become a museum curator,” said Dr. Carqueville, who has been practicing in Chicago for seven years. “The reason I didn’t was you had to know two languages aside from English. I knew Spanish. I was like, ‘Oh man, I have to learn another language? I guess I’ll just go to medical school.’”
After earning her undergraduate degree from Washington University® in St. Louis and attending Rush Medical College℠ of the Rush University Medical Center® for medical school, Dr. Carqueville completed her dermatology residency at the John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County℠. Once she completed that, she went to UCLA® for her dermatopathology fellowship, and trained in aesthetic dermatology in Los Angeles. However, her education wasn’t over quite yet.
Currently, the 38-year-old is enrolled in a one-year advanced aesthetic training, and she’s studying Mohs micrographic skin cancer surgery in Spokane, Washington. That means the Chicago native spends three weeks each month in Washington State and flies home to Illinois one week each month to see her patients.
Thankfully, she isn’t going at it alone. Her husband Marc and their two kids have moved to Washington full-time to support her. Read on to discover Dr. Carqueville’s skincare regimen, the product she uses while flying between states, and the treatments she loves.
Spotlyte: For someone who loves art history, what made dermatology so intriguing to you?
Dr. Jordan Carqueville: Dermatology is so visual. It’s so much about pattern recognition and identifying nuances of visual change — whether that’s in a rash or identifying skin cancer, or looking at histology under the microscope. A more obvious responsibility is the aesthetic part of it. It seems to be a perfect nexus of science and visual for me.
Spotlyte: Speaking of skin, what is your morning skincare routine?
JC: I cleanse my face. I’ll cleanse usually with a La Roche-Posay® cleanser or whatever I have sample-wise. Then I’ll use a few drops of SkinCeuticals® C E Ferulic®, [followed by] the Senté® Intensive Bio Complete CreamTM. [And] I’ll put on some of the Elta MD® tinted moisturizing sunscreen.
Spotlyte: What does your nightly skincare routine entail?
JC: I’ll cleanse using La Roche-Posay cleanser. I remove any excess eye makeup with baby oil. I’ll put on a [prescription] retinoid, followed by a triple lipid SkinCeuticals moisturizer. I’ll also use the SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex®.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Retinol shouldn’t be used by women who are pregnant, considering getting pregnant, or nursing. Please consult with your doctor before use.
Spotlyte: Has your career influenced your husband’s skincare routine?
JC: Marc uses St. Ives® scrub — usually the generic one. I don’t think he uses a moisturizer or anything.
Spotlyte: What about medical aesthetics?
JC: He’s never done a procedure. I ask him all the time, but he says no. He won’t let me touch him. I keep trying. I hope one day he’ll let me try injectable wrinkle reducer on him. He doesn’t do anything.
Spotlyte: Do you get injectables?
JC: I have had filler in my cheeks and in my lips, [and] I get injectable wrinkle reducers in my forehead and glabella [frown lines].
EDITOR’S NOTE: Injectable wrinkle reducers temporarily smooth the look of moderate to severe wrinkles in certain areas of the face, including the forehead, frown lines, and crow’s feet; they should not be used more frequently than every three months. Injectable filler is a temporary treatment that adds volume to areas of the face such as the lips, cheeks, and laugh lines. Like any medical treatment, both injectable wrinkle reducers and injectable fillers have potential risks and side effects. Talk to a licensed provider to see if they’re right for you.
Spotlyte: Do you get any laser treatments?
JC: I do. The biggest thing that I’m a fan of is a CO₂ resurfacing laser. It’s a great correction and preventative investment. It stimulates your collagen. That’s probably my number one treatment that I do once a year.
The other thing I do is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), because I tend to get freckles. Despite all my sunscreen use, I still get some pigment. I use an IPL once or twice a year.
I like PRP, too. I do PRP on the face [after] every time I do a resurfacing laser — about once a year. I’d like to start using it just for hair quality as well.
Spotlyte: What are the most frequently asked questions you get from people who are visiting you in the office?
JC: They ask me mostly about age-related changes. Skin texture and pigmentation probably [are the top concerns]. Hallowing and dark circles under the eyes [are the next most] common. Most of my patients are in their late twenties, thirties, and forties.
Spotlyte: Are dermatological treatments and requests different, between Washington and Chicago?
JC: In Chicago, I have a younger demographic. In Washington, I’m doing a lot more skin cancer surgery and tumor extirpation.
Spotlyte: Despite your husband’s resistance to skincare advice, you’ve shared that he’s a huge cheerleader of yours.
JC: The biggest supporter in my life is my husband Marc. While I’m in surgery all day and then trying to manage my practice in Chicago, he is fielding calls, helping get patients to the right people. He’s doing so much as a supportive role and as a father.
He makes dinner every night, takes care of the kids, and is helping me with my practice in Chicago. The whole family is here. He’s an attorney. He’s really busy himself, managing that career, as well as helping mine and our family. Our family teamwork is insane right now.
Spotlyte: On your Instagram®, there’s a picture of your three-year-old daughter Simone reading a dermatology book. Do you think she’ll follow in your footsteps?
JC: She tells me that she actually is a doctor. She’ll put on my clothes and tell me she’s seeing patients. She has her a little play lab coat. She’ll put on my shoes and then her lab coat. She’ll take a book and she’ll say, “I’ll see you later. I’m going to see my patients.”
Spotlyte: You have a 10-month-old as well.
JC: Ryan. He keeps me busy. He’s got perfect skin.
Spotlyte: Have your kids taught you anything about beauty or dermatology?
JC: I just look at them and think, “Wow, I wish I never did tanning beds.” I wish I had never laid out. We’re really good about sun protective clothing and sunscreen. They have such beautiful skin that’s untouched.
Spotlyte: You spend a lot of time in the air traveling back and forth. Do you have a specific skincare trick for flights?
JC: I always carry a hyaluronic acid serum in my bag. I apply that, usually in the middle of the flight or at the end.
Spotlyte: What excites you most about your job?
JC: Positive change and intervention, whether that be removing skin cancer or making someone [achieve their aesthetic goals].
Spotlyte: Are there any challenging parts of your job?
JC: The most challenging part is staying on time. I really love the relationship I have with my patients. I like to take my time [with] the procedure. I like to talk to my patients and have a good connection with them.
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