Confession #8: Hair Today. Gone Tomorrow.

I love a good birthday card. Maxine cards are my favorites — you know, the little old lady with the purple hair. I even have some Maxine slippers with purple hair that my sister-in-law gave me when I turned 40. My kids think they are hilarious. 

Well, I found another hilarious birthday card at the Beehive the other day. I just have to share it with you. It’s not a Maxine card, but it shares the same sarcastic view of life-as-an-aging-woman. “These aren’t chin hairs…they’re stray eyebrows!” is the comment on the front of the card. Those words are decoratively written on a sign held by an obviously-more-mature-but-trying-to-look-younger lady wearing a sash that says “Miss Optimistic.” Inside the card are the words “Happy Birthday to an ageless beauty.”

What is ageless beauty? And how about those stray eyebrows? I’ll save the ageless beauty column for a rainy day, but sister, we are going to talk about those stray eyebrows.

One of the most difficult parts of growing older is hair. And hair is one of those outside garnishments which envelopes the self-esteem of every self-respecting, card-carrying Southern woman! You know, we already have the challenges of heat and humidity around here. But there are also internal challenges that wreak havoc on our pursuit of a “good hair day”.

Did you know that hormones, the body’s communication system, can greatly affect your hair? Two years ago, I was suffering from a great amount of hair loss due to an undiscovered thyroid issue. Handfuls of hair, I’m telling you! Clean out my hairbrush every day kind of hair loss. And to make matters worse, I was growing hair in places I didn’t want it — my ears, my face, my chin, etc.! That was due to an elevated testosterone level. After having my hormones tested and discovering how out-of-whack my hormone levels were, I tried bioidentical hormones, achieved a better hormone balance and the hair started staying on my head instead of jumping off my head and into my hairbrush! Plus, the random hair growth in unwanted places decreased dramatically!

So why am I bringing up a subject we’d rather not talk about? Especially in the holiday/New Year issue of The Minute Magazine? Well, here’s my answer. ‘Tis the season! We’ve got to look good for our holiday parties. And then there’s that whole issue of “New Year/New You” for 2010. With holidays and New Year resolutions approaching, there’s no time like the present to talk about hair!

Hair Tip #1: Hormone Balance

It doesn’t matter what you do, if you don’t solve your body’s mysteries, you will just have to continually deal with this problem. So let’s start with hormone testing. If your doctor doesn’t test hormones, then find one who does. And make sure that you are retested on a periodic basis. Hormones can become unbalanced again due to stress or other events in your body. So this is a constant monitoring process. You and your doctor should have an ongoing dialogue about your hormone levels. And moms, this can affect your teenagers, too. As their hormones fluctuate, hair growth can result. Hormone testing can  be beneficial for teenagers, too.

Hair Tip #2: Waxing

Waxing is a method of semi-permanent hair removal which removes the hair from the root cause. Almost any area of the body can be waxed, including eyebrows, face, bikini area, legs, arms, back, abdomen and feet. New hairs will not grow back in the waxed area for two to eight weeks. I’ve used this method of hair removal since I was a teenager for my brows and lip. It works well, is relatively inexpensive, and available at most salons.

Hair Tip #3: Waxing with Epilar Treatment

This treatment begins with waxing, followed by application of an inhibitor gel and an activator gel. This treatment works on all skin and hair types and can be used on all body parts. The procedure targets hair follicles left empty after waxing, specifically hairs that are active and in the growth phase. Epilar application will also increase the intervals for depilation and leave skin smooth and soft between treatments. I haven’t personally tried this, but I know it is very effective for women who might have a lot of hair on their cheeks and would just prefer to have smoother skin.

Hair Tip #4: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

FDA approved for permanent hair reduction, intense pulsed light is fast and very effective in eliminating large areas of unwanted hair. Light is absorbed by the pigment in the hair and converted to heat in the follicle. The heat damages the follicle and disables it from growing new hair. IPL is excellent for areas such as the lip, under arms, or even the bikini area. This treatment lasts only 10 to 15 minutes, works best on darker hair, and is usually recommended in a series of four to six treatments. I have had IPL treatments under my arms. And yes, I rarely have to shave there anymore. This is truly one of my small joys in life! No more itchy, scratchy, five-o’clock shadow in my pits!

Hair Tip #5: Electrolysis

FDA approved for permanent hair removal, electrolysis is a procedure in which individual follicles are destroyed with chemical or heat energy. The hair is then removed with tweezers. Once the follicle is destroyed, it can never reproduce hair. Electrolysis can only be performed by a Licensed Electrologist. Electrolysis works on all hair and skin colors and is great for small areas that can’t be treated with IPL like ears, eyebrows, and for white-blonde, red or gray hair. Many factors influence hair growth, so the number of sessions needed to remove hair permanently from an area will vary. Treatments typically occur once a week and last 15 minutes to one hour. Electrolysis is on my list of things to do. I’d like to never again see a hair on my big toe again! Can anyone relate to that? This is also great for those “stray eyebrow hairs” that show up on your chin!

Whew! That’s it. Five tips for hair! And none of them involved cutting, highlighting, styling, weaving, extensions, horse shampoo, or other strange products. While this conversation has been geared towards my lady friends, it applies to our men as well. The ear hair that you would like to see disappear from your honey’s ears (this will help him actually hear the honey-do list you so lovingly give him) can be permanently gone, not to mention the nose hair. I do recommend that you LOVINGLY and DELICATELY talk to your honey about getting his coiffure in order PRIOR to the company’s Christmas party! After all, guys are as sensitive about their hair as we girls are. They just use fewer products — hair gels, straighteners, hairspray, to name a few. This is the moment when you can educate your man about hair removal. And after you make your own appointment, make him an appointment, too!

So if you, like me, would like to reduce or eliminate the hair issues in your life, then join me on the appointment calendar at my favorite two places for hair reduction and removal: Seasons Medical Aesthetics and It’s Permanent. You can find Seasons Medical Aesthetics & Spa in Ruston at 411 E. Vaughn Ave., Suite 201. You can find Seasons Medical Aesthetics in association with It’s Permanent in Monroe at 1033 N. 6th Street. And to make an appointment or get more information about any of these procedures, contact our Ruston office at 318-255-3223 or in Monroe at 318-340-1778. In the meantime, girls, let’s put our best hair (and hair removed) forward!

Seasons Spotlight: Anna Stephens, Nurse Practitioner

My name is Anna Stephens, and I am an RNC, BSN, MSN, WHNP-C. What in the world do all those letters mean?

It all began with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Northwestern State University (BSN).  I worked in Labor and Delivery for seven years and absolutely LOVED it!  After 1½ years working in the hospital, I decided that I could do more for women’s health with a higher degree.

I then earned my Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), also from Northwestern State University.  After four years of part-time school and part-time work, I became a Certified Registered Nurse (RNC) and a Certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP-C).

So now that you know what all the letters mean, let me explain how that helps me to help you at Seasons.

Some of you may see me for a medical visit — hormone evaluation, annual exam, female problems. Some of you may see me for “fun” visits — Botox, Juvederm, Radiesse, microdermabrasions, IPL treatments, or even skin evaluations. My goal is to see all of you for everything!  How much fun would we have?! I love what I am doing at Seasons.  It is so much fun to see women feel better and then be able to help them look better as well.  The two truly go hand-in-hand!

In addition to my nursing education, I have had many trainings for medical aesthetics services. I am a certified injector for both Botox and Juvederm.  Since becoming certified, I furthered my training with one-on-one advanced training from Allergan, the makers of Botox and Juvederm, and am now a certified advanced injector.

I also have one-on-one training every four months with an expert trainer from Bioform Medical, the makers of Radiesse.  By having an expert train me, I am able to stay up-to-date on the latest injection techniques, thus offering my clients the most current treatments!  It is so much fun to see the immediate improvements on the faces of my patients following a Botox, Juvederm or Radiesse treatment.

In the area of skin care, I have attended Obagi Medical training workshops and have been educated on the Obagi Medical Skin care line. Healthy skin is so important and with Obagi the skin becomes healthy from the inside out. These are truly amazing products that offer truly amazing results!

I also have trained with Guinot, another pharmaceutical- grade skin care line available at Seasons. Guinot is manufactured in Paris and uses natural fruit acids and enzymes to give you a more gentle skin care than Obagi but with the same fabulous results!

The face is the first thing people see when they meet us…what better reason to offer them the healthiest, most beautiful, youthful, radiant face we can? I look forward to meeting you. Let’s work together to achieve your beauty, skin care and health needs!

Confession #3: What A Nice Surprise — Wink, Wink!

At the ripe old age of 41, I have become a skeptic. A doubter. I am now in the “you have to prove it to me” club.

No. I’m not a skeptic about all things. But when it comes to beauty products, my eyebrow is raised when I see a new product. Sure. I want the wrinkles to diminish. I want fuller lips and longer eyelashes. I just don’t necessarily believe what I read anymore.

I have good news for my fellow skeptics out there! Latisse works!

Seasons Medical Aesthetics & It’s Permanent have been carrying Latisse for about 2 months. I have always had decent eyelashes and never thought I needed “longer, thicker, and darker” eyelashes. But I wanted to try this product just because I liked the website and I have a good opinion of the manufacturer, Allergan. So in mid-May, I got my hands on one of the first products we received and, for the last 6 weeks, have been applying Latisse to my eyelashes every night.

It works. Did I say that loud enough? IT WORKS. And I didn’t even know that I wanted longer, thicker, darker eyelashes. But I do. They are beautiful. My eyes look better (takes attention off other areas you don’t want your friends looking at…), and I love it. And it’s easy. One drop on the little tiny applicator (a small brush) and wipe gently across your eyelashes. Repeat for the other eye.

Again, let me reiterate: I didn’t think my eyelashes needed help. But now I have a nice frame of lashes around my eyes. I think I’m even more likely to wear no makeup and not feel badly about it!

For more information, check out the Latisse website. Brooke Shields makes a stunning case for how well the product works. While we might all aspire to eyelashes like hers, I don’t think Latisse is going to make us all as beautiful as she is! But that’s okay. Prettier eyelashes are a small check in the win column of life. And I am happy with that! Wink. Wink. (Did you see my beautiful eyelashes?)

Latisse is available at Seasons Medical Aesthetics & Spa, 921 N. Trenton St., Ruston, LA, and at Seasons Medical Aesthetics & It’s Permanent, 1033 N. 6th St., Monroe, LA.

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• Allergan Announces the Latisse Make a Wish Campaign (ducknetweb.blogspot.com)

Fuller Lips, Fewer Wrinkles

Have you ever wished for fuller lips? Have your lips seemed to “disappear” the older you’ve gotten? How would you like your lipstick to last longer? If any of these questions spark your interest, then Juvéderm® may be the answer you’re looking for.

As we age, our skin changes. Over time the natural volume of youthful skin begins to diminish as wrinkles and folds form. But you don’t have to just sit back and let it happen!

This product is a smooth consistency gel made of hyaluronic acid—a naturally occurring substance in your skin that helps to add volume and hydration. Your healthcare professional eases hyaluronic gel under the skin to instantly restore your skin’s volume and smooth away facial wrinkles and folds—like your “smile lines” or “parentheses.” Technically, these are nasolabial folds—the creases that run from the bottom of your nose to the corners of your mouth and lips.

First, we give you a dental block using Lidocaine to numb the nerves associated with the lip, then the gel is injected slowly and evenly. After the injection, the product is gently massaged to insure an even result. The procedure is virtually painless, and the results are absolutely fabulous! Your lips will have a smooth, natural look and feel—so everyone will notice (but no one will know).

The process takes about 30 minutes and results are immediate. Plus, there’s minimal recovery or downtime. So you can step into your doctor’s office for treatment and step right back into your life!

Call or come by for a complimentary consultation and let us help you achieve the younger, fuller, more supple lips you desire. Call Seasons Medical Aesthetics at 255-3223 or It’s Permanent at 340-1778 to schedule your consultation.

Have You Lost Your Glow?

Then exfoliate!

With the exposure to the sun, free radicals and the inevitable process of aging over time, our skin begins to lose its smooth, fresh appearance. We began to see age spots, blemishes, fine lines and wrinkles on the skin. This affects how we and others view ourselves - regardless of how young we feel inside.

At Seasons Medical Aesthetics we offer several ways to remove those dull unsightly and lifeless skin cells. We realize each person’s skin reacts differently that’s why we continue searching and learning new ways to restore the beauty in you.

These treatments listed below will help YOU “Get your Glow On”

• Guinot Beaute Nerve Double peeling treatment
• Medical Microderm
• Chemical peels
• Obagi Medical

If you are ready to “get your glow on,” call us today. We’ll provide a free evaluation appointment to determine the right treatment for YOU!

Lisa Best, Clinical Aesthetician

Complimentary Services at the Seasons Fall Spectacular

Relax, renew, rejuvenate.

That’s our motto for the second annual Seasons Fall Spectacular. We’ve been very busy preparing for the event these last few weeks, and patients are going to have a wonderful time. Space is limited, so be sure to download our flier and RSVP at 318.255.3223.

Our month of educational opportunities and complimentary services will begin with the Day of Discovery on September 4 at the Squire Creek Country Club. (Let me tell you, you should come out for the event just to have an excuse to experience this beautiful country club.)

But we’re also going to have some really interesting things for you to see. Patients will have a chance to see live demonstrations of botox, dermal fillers, and and much more. You hear these procedures talked about in the media quite a bit, but we’re going to cut through all the talk and show you exactly what the possibilities are.

I’m particularly excited to demonstrate two new resources available in our Seasons offices. We’ll be offering live demonstrations of both Smooth Shape and the Visia Imaging System. Representatives from these companies will be there too.

You’ll discover new technologies that will help you achieve your personal health and beauty goals. You’ll be able to draw on the expertise of our aestheticians who will help you renew your healthy glow. And we’ll show you how skin care can leave you looking younger and feeling rejuvenated.

This is your opportunity to experience our services, ask questions, see demonstrations, hear professionals, enjoy a little food, and visualize the new you! And best of all…

Everything is complimentary!

A Day of Discovery presented by Seasons Medical Aesthetics and Spa
Squire Creek Country Club, Choudrant, LA
Complimentary services: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Info sessions: 12 Noon - 1 p.m.; 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Have You Ever Wondered What You Will Look Like As You Age?

Recently, we’ve added a service at Seasons that has got me really excited. In fact, if you come to the Fall Seasons Spectacular, you’ll have a chance to participate in a free demonstration.

It’s called the Visia System. And it makes a digital image of your face to show us the damaged skin areas—wrinkles, sunspots, hyperpigmentation, and irregularities in the contour of the face. Then we can run simulations of different therapy options. This allows patients to see the effect certain procedures will have on their appearance.

Of course, we can also show you what you will look like if we don’t take any steps to intervene. That is, the system will show you what you will look like as you age naturally. It is very realistic.

We had a very small event a few weeks ago, and every lady lined up to try out the Visia System.

Here’s the other thing I love about Visia. It also allows us to monitor your therapy. We take the image before treatment, then see whether or not the treatment is working. The system can also compare a patient’s face to other women of their age.

A lot of women want to know what they might look like. And how certain procedures can have a positive effect on their appearance as they age.

We Want You To Look Your Best

At Seasons, we love helping people look their best. We want every patient to be beautiful.

Our aestheticians are trained in microdermabrasion, chemical peels, electrolysis, permanent makeup, and Intense Photo Light therapy or IPL. (IPL is a way to use very strong flashes of light in place of lasers—for hair removal, acne, skin rejuvenation, hyper pigmentation, and very small spider veins.)

I have to stop there for a moment.

Most of this stuff wasn’t around when I was a kid suffering from acne. My brother and I just dealt with our zits. I think we had some medicated wipes for our faces or something. Even though we weren’t “greasers,” we were terrified by commercials like this one…

…but we had to wait until after acne before we found our miracle girls. (And we’ve both been married to our original sweethearts now for many years.) But back to medicine and skin care.

Over-the-counter skin care isn’t enough for many people. Seasons uses treatment like microdermabrasion, chemical peels, facials, electrolysis, and IPL to address all aspects of a patient’s skin care.

Take acne. Forget the commercial. At Seasons, we might first do a chemical peel to get down to that healthiest layer of skin. There are three layers to your skin—the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. A chemical peel takes off the top layer of skin—the old dead layer. This leaves you with a more youthful layer of skin, so you look more youthful. (Obagi Blue Peel is one of the brands that we use.)

Then we look for a skin product line that best fits the patient’s skin type—like deep cleansing facial products that gets into those pores and clean things out. IPL will actually kill the bacteria in those pores with acne.

We’re just looking at a multi-prong approach to acne—or any skin disorder.

There’s so many different skin types, you have to be careful what kind of product you use on your face. This is why I am cautious about over-the-counter cleansers for acne. You may be getting something that dries your skin out. If that’s not what your skin type needs, you could be making your acne even worse. The professionals at Seasons are able to evaluate each patient’s skin type and work through our protocol of skin care and product lines and treatment options.

Skin treatments are hardly the only thing we do, though. I am a doctor after all! If my patients need medicine, I can prescribe what they need.

On the other hand, if people just need an old fashioned pore extraction, we give them that, too.

Hair Removal: What’s best?

There are so many methods of removing unwanted hair, but some temporary methods—like waxing, tweezing, threading or using depilatories—can irritate the skin and actually cause increased hair growth.

Electrolysis

Thankfully, electrolysis was discovered by an ophthalmologist over 100 years ago. It is the only FDA approved form of “permanent” hair removal. It’s permanent because it is the only method that destroys the hair follicle.

Don’t worry, destruction is a process of weakening the follicle through multiple treatments. Electrolysis works for all hair regardless of color because its target is the follicle. For the same reason, it is tolerated by all skin types.

Be aware that  it is a slow, tedious procedure, and will require a commitment of time and money from the client. That said, electrolysis is the treatment of choice for small areas like the brow bone, lip, ears, chin, fingers and toes and other areas where the hair is too light for laser or IPL devices.

IPL and Laser

Spa Treatments Can Restore Confidence

A lot of my patients want to look better. So naturally, I want to help them with that. At our spas, Seasons Medical Aesthetics and It’s Permanent, we help restore a woman’s youthful appearance and so restore her confidence.

We are a full service medical spa with a wide range of offerings: facials, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, acne treatment, hair treatment, hair removal, treatments for hyper-pigmented areas of the face, even a natural lift of the face without any kind of surgery. We address wrinkles with botox and dermal fillers.

We’re a visual society. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to change elements of your physical appearance. For many women, looking better means having more self-confidence.

A visit to a spa can also be a kind of a spiritual renewal for many women. They walk away with confidence. They’re able to say, “I feel good about who I am.”

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