AT FREEHOLD’S YOUTH FOUNTAIN, A HUSBAND-AND-WIFE TEAM IS HELPING PATIENTS AGE GRACEFULLY

BY JESSICA JONES GORMAN • PHOTOS BY TOM ZAPCIC

Drs. Emil and Rada Shakov were both at the peak of their respective fields in general surgery and gastroenterology when they decided to change lanes.

“I was seeking a more fulfilling way to help patients,” noted Dr. Emil Shakov, a board-certified surgeon with extensive experience and training in advanced surgical techniques. Fellowship trained in GI, bariatrics, and minimally invasive surgery, the doctor desired to perform techniques that were elective rather than critical.

“General surgery involves a lot of stress and causes you to burn out quickly,” he continued. “I loved being a surgeon and felt privileged to perform procedures that would resolve sickness and disease. But I decided to pursue elective surgery instead because there is no sadness or grim outcomes. In this field, patients come to you because they choose to make improvements in their lives. It’s a pleasant process from start to finish.”

So he continued his medical education at the American Academy of Procedural Medicine and the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine, studying advanced aesthetics, anti-aging, weight loss, and hair transplantation.

Along with his wife, Dr. Rada Shakov, he launched the Youth Fountain in Freehold.

“I worked with a group of gastroenterologists and also became burned out so I took a sabbatical from gastro and started taking courses in aesthetic medicine,” said Dr. Rada Shakov. “I felt it was the right time to do something different and since I’ve always had a love of makeup and was knowledgeable in weight loss strategies, I used my sabbatical to explore aesthetic techniques. I attended courses, conferences, and webinars and kept on top of all of the advancements in this ever-changing industry. When we opened the Youth Fountain in 2015 I put that knowledge into action.”

Extensively trained in aesthetics and non-surgical weight loss, Dr. Rada Shakov is a master injector using Botox, Dysport, and dermal filler treatments like Juvederm, Versa, and Restylane. She specializes in the Plasma Facelift, Breast lift, Love Shot for Her, and Love Shot for Him. She also performs Cool Sculpting, EmSculpt, and tru Sculpt 3D.

Dr. Emil Shakov, also an expert in neurotoxins and dermal filler treatments, uses a combination of medical grade chemical peels and laser treatments to treat facial spots and discoloration, acne, fine lines, wrinkles, scars, and skin tone and texture issues. Platelet Rich Plasma therapies is also one of his specialties.

“It wasn’t an easy task to build this practice from scratch,” explained Dr. Rada Shakov. “It took a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to get to where we are today, but it was entirely worth it. To help patients look on the outside how they feel on the inside, and to allow the vision they have of themselves to reflect back at them in the mirror that is the most fulfilling part of this process.”

Married since 2003, the couple met in medical school and was surprised to discover they were both originally from Baku, a city on the Caspian Sea in the former Soviet Union.

“Our patients appreciate the fact that we are a husband-and-wife team,” said Dr. Rada Shakov. “We collaborate on every new innovation together and test each service before we offer it to our patients. We don’t employ physician extenders here we do each and every injection and treatment ourselves.”

Together Drs. Shakov use laser vein treatments to treat unwanted varicose veins as well as cutting-edge cosmetic lasers for skin rejuvenation, skin tightening, hair reduction, vascular and pigmented lesions, cellulite reduction, and body circumference treatments.

Dr. Emil Shakov is also trained in hair transplantation and provides medical and surgical hair-loss treatments including PRP Therapy.

“One of the most exciting treatments we’re offering now is Pep Factor,” noted Dr. Emil Shakov, describing the state of the art technological solution for scalp rejuvenation that involves the injection of collagen into the scalp to stimulate the hair follicles and foster growth. “The results happen quickly in a matter of a few weeks. It’s an amazing product. We perform it on patients who may not be a candidate for a hair transplant.”

And while the doctors have recently introduced new techniques like Thread Lifts, a minimally invasive procedure that inserts absorbable surgical sutures composed of biodegradable polymers to lift and tighten skin for up to 15 months per treatment, their most popular services are injectables.

“Believe it or not, even in this day and age of mask wearing, dermal fillers and lip injections are our most popular services,” said Dr. Rada Shakov. “Peels, laser therapies, and body contouring are always in season too, but patients have developed a level of comfortability with Botox and Dysport so they are definitely in demand.”

But no matter the process, Drs. Shakov have one goal: to help their patients turn back the hands of time.

“The field has progressed and continues to progress on a daily basis,” Dr. Emil Shakov concluded. “But when some new product or technique hits the field we’re on top of it. We attend every industry event and conference and learn from the leaders in this field. We want our patients to feel as beautiful, healthy, and special on the inside as well as the outside.”

The Youth Fountain
501 Iron Bridge Road, Suite 9, Freehold / 732.333.5992 / theyouthfountain.com