Ask An Aesthetician: Q&A with Lisa Best

Looking for a Lunchtime Get Away?

 

Can’t get enough of our spa services and products? Become a Spa Member at Seasons – The Spa and enjoy our services all year long! For more information about the Spa Membership Program, visit our website or contact the Spa Concierge at 318.255.1155.

New! Extended Hours at Seasons – The Spa

A visit to the spa is a great way to escape from the stresses of everyday life. Seasons The Spa now has extended hours of service beginning July 1st, 2011. We will now be open Tuesday through Saturday for retail and spa services. Visit Seasons The Spa to experience the ultimate in relaxation, rejuvenation and renewal of the mind, body, and spirit. Contact the Spa Concierge for your appointment: 318.255.1155.

• Tuesday – 9 am – 7 pm
• Wednesday – 9 am – 6 pm
• Thursday – 9 am – 7 pm
• Friday – 9 am – 6 pm
• Saturday – 9 am – 3 pm

For a list of our services, please visit our spa services page.

 

Dedicated to Excellence: Anna Stephens, WHNP

Deciding to undergo a cosmetic procedure like Botox treatment or dermal fillers can be stressful if you are not sure who to trust or what to expect. Making sure you choose a licensed and trained injector is very important. Botox treatment and dermal filler injections are a fusion of art and science and the injector should be highly knowledgeable about the physiology and anatomy of the body.

At Seasons, we pride ourselves on having a knowledgable and certified staff and encourage educational courses to stay up to date on the latest procedures. Make sure you choose someone who is certified as well as qualified to administer Botox or dermal fillers. To find a certified Botox or Juvederm administrator in your area, you can visit www.botox.com or www.juvederm.com and search under “find a doctor”.

Anna Stephens, WHNP, performs Botox treatments and dermal filler procedures at Seasons – The Spa in Ruston and Seasons Medical Aesthetics in Monroe. She has had advanced training in injecting Botox and receives regular education on injecting.

“We are constantly learning, evolving, adding services, and exploring new technologies to offer our clients the superior service they have come to expect,” said Stephens. “Our clients are not the only ones who have noticed! Seasons – The Spa was named ‘Best of the Delta – Best Medi-Spa 2010′ by Delta Style Magazine and Seasons was voted ‘Best Small Business 2010′ by Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and Louisiana Tech University College of Business.”

Anna Stephens is known for her warm, personal demeanor and passion for extraordinary results and client satisfaction. Establishing a personal relationship that allows her to understand her patient’s concerns and desires is a key part of her success. Anna’s educational background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Northwestern State University and a Master of Science in Nursing with certification as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner from Northwestern State University. She also has special training in numerous aesthetic procedures.

Anna has been injecting Botox and dermal fillers for over 3 years. She attends advanced training every 4-6 months with a clinical trainer from Merz Aesthetics, makers of Radiesse dermal filler. In 2008 and 2010, Anna attended training with Empire Medical. Empire Medical offers training in cosmetic procedures including Botox and many types of dermal fillers. In addition, Anna has received advanced training from Allergan, makers of Botox and Juvederm. She feels educating herself on a regular basis is most important for her technique and for the satisfaction of her clients.

What we value the most at Seasons are the heartfelt words of a satisfied client. Cindy Cardova, a Seasons client, described Anna as “smart and beautiful.” And we certainly agree with that. She went on to say this about her Seasons experience: “I would come see you every day if I could. It is scary to walk into a place where you don’t know the skill and experience level of the personnel. I would highly recommend [Anna] to any woman seeking these services.”

To schedule a consultation for Botox or dermal filler treatments, contact the Spa Concierge at Seasons The Spa in Ruston at 318.255.1155 or Seasons Medical Aesthetics in association with It’s Permanent in Monroe 318.340.1778.

Medi-Spa, Botox and Fillers Defined: Q&A with Anna Stephens, WHNP

What is a Medi-Spa (Medical Spa)?

A medical spa is a hybrid between a medical clinic and a day spa that operates under the supervision of a physician. Dr. Nathan Goodyear is the overseeing physician at Seasons – The Spa and Seasons Medical Aesthetics. The spa menus at medi-spas will vary, but you can usually receive treatments such as laser hair removal, IPL (intense pulsed light) treatments, microdermabrasion, photofacials, injectables like Botox and dermal fillers, and chemical peels. For a the spa menu at Seasons, visit: www.seasonswc.com.

 

Compared to other day and medi-spas, what makes Seasons the best choice?

We are constantly learning, evolving, adding services, and exploring new technologies to offer our clients the superior service they have come to expect. Our clients are not the only ones who have noticed! Seasons – The Spa was named ‘Best of the Delta – Best Medi-Spa 2010′ by Delta Style Magazine and Seasons was voted ‘Best Small Business 2010′ by Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and Louisiana Tech University College of Business.

What types of training have you received for medical spa procedures?

I attend advanced training every 4-6 months with a clinical trainer from Merz Aesthetics, makers of Radiesse dermal filler. I’ve also attended training with Empire Medical in 2008 and again in 2010. Empire Medical offers a more general type of training including Botox and many types of dermal fillers. In addition, I’ve received advanced training from Allergan, makers of Botox and Juvederm.

How much experience have you had with facial fillers in the lips or nasolabial folds?

I have been injecting this area for over 3 years.

How will I choose the filler that is safest and best for me?

At your personal consultation, we will discuss your beauty goals as well as discuss different options available. After determining what areas most concern you, we will decide which filler best suits your needs. Not all fillers can be used in all areas of the face.

Does insurance cover medi-spa procedures or is financing available?

The type of medical insurance that most of us have will not cover medical spa procedures. These procedures are considered cosmetic by almost all insurance companies. Fortunately, the cost involved for most medical spa procedures is minimal and there are other options for paying for medical spa procedures such as credit cards and Care Credit financing. For more information about Care Credit, please contact our Ruston office at 318.255.1155.

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A Beginner’s Guide to Botox: Saying Goodbye to Wrinkles!



Have you been making the ‘scrunchy face’ in the mirror lately? Wondering when those frown lines and crows feet got there? I know I do it. And yes I know, it’s part of getting older. But if you aren’t satisfied with that, there is a solution: Botox!

If you’ve never had Botox, you may have some questions or concerns. We have compiled a list of FAQ’s to help you decide whether Botox is the right procedure for you. Here is your Beginner’s Guide to Botox!

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• Does it hurt? You should expect to feel a small sting. The needle used for the injection is so small that the procedure is almost painless but we do provide ice cubies to help numb the area before an injection.
• Is it safe? The FDA approved Botox for use in reducing glabellar lines after clinical trials demonstrated that it is both safe and effective in its use for up to 120 days. A risk associated with Botox is if Botox is injected into the wrong facial area, it could cause ptosis or “droopy eyelids.” This not a permanent complication, as it goes away with time. A small percentage of patients also experience headaches, flu-like symptoms or become nauseous following the procedure.
• Will my face look like I have had plastic surgery? For people who have never had Botox, sometimes the preconceived notion is that you will have a frozen, expressionless face. That is not the case. Media images of scarred or deformed celebrities are usually the result of a plastic surgical procedure (such as a face lift) gone wrong. Botox is not surgery and scarring or deformity would be nearly impossible. A properly administered Botox treatment by a qualified professional should never leave you expressionless. Insider’s tip: Check out real results from Botox clients! You can visit the Botox website for Before & After photos.
  

  Uh-oh! When did I get those?

• When will I see results? Don’t be surprised if you glance in the mirror without noticing an immediate difference. It may take up to 48 hours to see results and up to 14 days to see the full effect. So give the Botox time to work its magic – the wait will be worth it. Insider’s Tip: if you are planning on attending a special event and want to look ‘refreshed’, make sure to schedule your Botox 2 weeks prior to the date to make sure your Botox has had a chance to take effect.
• Who will be doing the injections and how do I verify their certification? Do your research! Make sure that you are seeing someone who is certified as well as qualified to administer Botox. To find a certified administrator in your area, you can visit www.botox.com and search under “find a doctor”. Anna Stephens, NP performs Botox procedures at Seasons – The Spa in Ruston and Seasons Medical Aesthetics in Monroe. She has had advanced training in injecting Botox and receives regular education on injecting.
• What’s the difference between dermal fillers and Botox? It is important to keep in mind that Botox is not a wrinkle filler – in other words, it will not plump the skin or erase deep wrinkles and permanent lines. It works on expression lines that eventually turn into deep creases and permanent wrinkles.
• Where can Botox be injected? The most common place Botox is injected is in the face (between the eyebrows, above the eyebrows, around the eyes, in the forehead, and around the mouth). For cosmetic reasons, Botox can also be injected in the neck. To treat excessive sweating, Botox can be injected in the feet, palms, underarms, and forehead.
• How long does the procedure take? The procedure will take about 30 minutes and patients can return to work immediately after. There may be the appearance of a small bump at the injection site that lasts 10-15 minutes. The makers of Botox do recommend that users not lay flat for four hours after the injection so the Botox doesn’t migrate.
• I want to get Botox but I don’t want anyone to know. Are my procedures confidential? They are absolutely confidential! We have lots of clients that love their results but don’t want to share with their co-workers (or even their spouse) that they have had Botox injections. We understand and comply with HIPPA to ensure that your medical records are confidential. Insider’s tip: Let the spa concierge know that you would prefer the utmost privacy at your appointment. We will make sure not to call for a reminder appointment. At Seasons, you also have the option of going directly to the treatment room and leaving through our privacy door. The concierge will take your payment in the treatment room so you will not have to check out in the spa lobby.
• How long will my results last? Botox isn’t permanent. Results vary but typically last three to six months.
• What is the cost? At Seasons, the cost for Botox is $250 per area. To determine what an area is, we recommend a consultation with our expert Botox injector (consultations are always complementary). Insider’s tip: Be sure to check out our website and Facebook page for specials on services such as Botox. Seasons also offers the Brilliant Distinctions Program for patients who wish to earn discounts on their Botox procedure.
• Does Botox work best in conjunction with other services or products? By itself, Botox is a great cosmetic procedure. However, there are ways to optimize your Botox results. The best way to optimize results is to use sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection to prevent future wrinkles and sundamage. Seasons carries skin care products that help reverse wrinkling by brands such as Obagi and Guinot and has a menu of corrective facials to help you look healthy and youthful.

So you have decided to get Botox. Now what?

Schedule a complementary consultation to meet with our Nurse Practitioner, Anna Stephens to discuss your desired results, cost, and to answer any other questions you may have. Make an appointment to treat your mild to moderate wrinkles at our Ruston location 255-1155 or in Monroe 340-1778. Appointments in Ruston can be scheduled on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Appointments in Monroe are available on Tuesday only.

Still unsure if this is the right procedure for you?

Come in and visit with our Nurse Practitioner, Anna Stephens. Consultations are complementary and confidential. She will help determine the best cosmetic regimen for you. If you aren’t ready for Botox, we have other skin rejuventation services and products to help you look your best!

Excessive Sweating? We Can Help!

Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, is a common disorder that effects millions of people. Without treatment, excessive sweating can be uncontrollable and unanticipated. Often times, people who suffer from Hyperhidrosis will modify their lifestyle and wardrobe to conceal their condition.

This disorder can be embarrassing and cause withdrawal from social settings, physical activity and even relationships. The good news is, Hyperhidrosis is treatable. Fortunately with advances in medicine, you have many options to treat excessive sweating of the hands, feet, face and underarms.

At Seasons – The Spa, we offer a treatment for excessive underarm sweating using a minimally invasive procedure. With little to no downtime, results will appear in as little as 5 days. Although not a permanent solution, you will see results for as long as 9 months. Break free from the barriers of Hyperhidrosis and start living life!

Preparing for your Hyperhidrosis Treatment:

• Shave your underarms
• Abstain from using over-the-counter deodorants or antiperspirants for 24 hours prior to treatment.
• Avoid exercise, hot beverages or any situation that may cause you to sweat for 1 hour prior to treatment.

For more information about treating Hyprhidrosis, please call Seasons – The Spa at 318.255.1155.

Wellness Open House

The staff at Seasons would like to invite the public to wine and dine with them at their Wellness Open House from 5-8 p.m. Oct. 21. Guests can take a tour of Seasons’ new location at beautiful Northpointe Office Park in Ruston, learn about the many new services they now offer, and help raise money for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

On hand will be Seasons’ friendly and highly-trained aestheticians Lisa Best and Joy Smith, massage therapists Bethany Cox and Aaron Jennings, RNs Susan McWhorter, Jennifer Johnson, and Amanda Williams, registered dietitian Valerie Costanza, nurse practitioner Anna Stephens, as well as board-certified and fellowship trained Metabolic Specialist Dr. Nathan Goodyear. In addition to the entire Seasons staff, representatives from respected companies such as Guinot, Xymogen, Allergan, Sprayology, and more will attend.

Guests can freely make their way through Seasons Wellness Center and Seasons — The Spa by following the event maps available at the door. They’ll find stations set up throughout the facility where they can test Seasons’ products and services, ask questions and learn more about what Seasons has to offer.
With the purchase of a gift card during the event and during the entire month of October, the business will donate 10 percent of the total to Susan G. Komen for the Cure in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Gift wrapping is complimentary.

Purchasing a gift card or just simply making a donation to Susan G. Komen for the Cure at this event enters guests into a drawing to win a Seasons Spa Package featuring Smooth Shapes. The lucky winner will say good-bye to cellulite with this pain-free treatment that uses dynamic laser and light energy to tighten and smooth skin. The Smooth Shapes treatment also regenerates collagen, improves circulation, and restores metabolic processes. The package includes a series of eight treatments and is valued at $2,000. Additional door prizes will also be awarded.

So, save the date, get a babysitter, and come join us for a fun event for a good cause.

Seasons Team Members Take Advanced Course in The Big Easy

Susan McWhorter, RN and Anna Stephens, WHNP, recently returned from New Orleans where they received comprehensive Aesthetic training for Botox and dermal filler procedures. Anna has previously received advanced training but it was Susan’s first opportunity to complete a course in Botox and dermal fillers. The Aesthetics course was a comprehensive certification program that provided Anna and Susan with extensive, hands-on, live patient training along with lectures and written materials. They learned essential physiology and anatomy of unique facial skin types to help in determining the best treatment for their patient’s desired results.

Being a nurse has always been my passion. In 2005, I became a Registered Nurse and have always been interested in furthering my education to help my patients. I wanted to complete a course on Botox and dermal fillers because I have had Botox and was thrilled with the results. I wanted to be able to offer that experience to others. Being a nurse for the past 5 years, having extensive knowledge about the human anatomy and giving injections on a daily basis has prepared me for this next step in my career. I felt I could successfully apply my knowledge towards the use of Botox and dermal fillers.

The course I recently completed was an in depth muscle training course with lots of hands-on practice. I studied the uses of Botox and creating desired looks for patients such as: bringing up the eyes, helping to move the eyes further apart, and relax and smooth the muscles to lift the eyebrows. Botox is also great for pre-existing conditions such as hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), brow asymmetry, frown lines, sad smile (down-turned smile), gummy smile, bunny lines (nose), and smoker’s lines (mouth). Our course instructor is an expert physician who worked closely with me to ensure my sculpting technique with dermal fillers were sufficient. I now have ease and comfort and feel 100% confident in performing procedures. This course provided me with the ability to use Botox, Juvederm, Prevelle and other collagen products on patients.- Susan McWhorter, RN.

I love my job and I love New Orleans. Taking an advanced course on Botox and Dermal fillers in The Big Easy? Yes, Please! Susan and I were more than happy to support the city’s economy while furthering our education in aesthetics.

I have previously completed an advanced course in Botox and dermal fillers but I wanted to learn different techniques and stay up on the newest and best products. The instructor was really engaging and taught more efficient methods. One interesting fact: Botox isn’t just for your “mean face”- There are over 90 different uses for Botox! This advanced course taught cosmetic applications that focus on the art and science of Botox and dermal fillers. At our training course, we were introduced to a new product, Prevelle Silk. Prevelle Silk is a dermal filler that compliments Botox because it lasts 3-4 months. This product is great for those who may be interested in dermal fillers but not ready for a longer lasting product like Juvederm or Radiesse. The Prevelle Silk is mixed with lidocaine which makes the procedure virtually pain-free. I enjoyed how smooth Prevelle Silk was to inject so I decided to jump in the chair – I had Susan inject my lips! This was my first opportunity using Prevelle Silk and I really enjoyed the results. -Anna Stephens, WHNP

Book your next appointment with Anna or Susan at Seasons – The Spa at 318.255.1155 or It’s Permanent at 318.340.1778.

Looking to Regain Your Youthful Appearance?

Radiesse is the new standard in facial contouring and augmentation using cosmetic fillers. Unlike other fillers, Radiesse uses a unique calcium-based microsphere technology. Radiesse works with your body adding volume to safely contour, correct, and beautify facial features. Treatment with Radiesse dermal filler is safe, simple, affordable and convenient.

Immediately after the injection, you will notice a more youthful and natural-looking appearance and results typically last one year. At Seasons, our patients are most pleased with the immediate results and little-to-no down time.

Radiesse can be used in many places including:

• smile lines
• marionette lines
• cheeks
• nose
• chin
• jaw line
• even your hands!

Always on the run? You can have your Radiesse treatment done on your lunch hour!

For an appointment or more information on Radiesse, contact Seasons – The Spa in Ruston at 318.255.3223 or Seasons Medical Aesthetics – in association with It’s Permanent – in Monroe at 318.340.1778.

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