John Rippy Site

Spring Is Here—Are Your Legs Ready?

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 19:29:36 GMT

Spring has officially arrived, bringing warmer days, lighter layers, and more time outdoors. If visible veins make you hesitant about shorts, dresses, or sandals, you’re far from alone. Nearly 55% of Americans experience some form of vein disease, including spider veins, bulging varicose veins, and uncomfortable leg symptoms.

Those blue, purple, or raised veins aren’t just a cosmetic concern. They can cause daily discomfort and, in some cases, signal an underlying vein condition. The good news? Because vein issues are often medical—not cosmetic—most insurance plans cover evaluation and treatment.

Varicose Veins: What You Should Know This Spring

Varicose veins are common, treatable, and often progressive if left unaddressed. Understanding the cause, symptoms, and available treatments now can help you feel more comfortable—and confident—as you head into the warmer months.

What Are Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins develop when the valves inside your veins weaken or fail. Instead of blood flowing efficiently back to the heart, it pools in the vein, causing it to stretch, twist, and become visible beneath the skin—most often in the legs.

What Causes Varicose Veins?

Several factors can increase your risk, including:
Family history — Genetics play a significant role
Age — Veins naturally lose elasticity over time (though younger adults can be affected)
Hormonal changes — Pregnancy, menopause, and hormonal fluctuations make women more susceptible
Excess weight — Added pressure on leg veins impacts circulation
Prolonged sitting or standing — Common in many modern jobs and lifestyles

Signs & Symptoms to Watch For

Varicose veins don’t always cause pain at first—but symptoms often worsen over time. Common warning signs include:
Heavy, tired, or aching legs
Swollen ankles or lower legs
Visible blue or purple bulging veins
Burning, itching, or throbbing sensations
Skin discoloration or texture changes

If these symptoms sound familiar, your veins may be trying to tell you something.

Why Spring Is the Perfect Time for Treatment

Starting treatment in the spring gives you a head start before summer. Many vein treatments require compression stockings and limited sun exposure afterward—making the cooler spring months ideal for beginning care. By starting now, you can experience relief from symptoms and feel more confident as summer approaches.

It’s also important to remember that untreated vein disease can lead to more serious problems, including:

Chronic leg pain and fatigue
Slow-healing venous ulcers
Skin infections and inflammation
Increased risk of blood clots (DVT)
Sudden bleeding from surface veins

Addressing vein issues early—before symptoms worsen—can help prevent complications and improve daily comfort.

Modern, Minimally Invasive Treatment Options

Today’s vein treatments are quick, effective, and require little to no downtime.

Depending on your condition, options may include:
Lifestyle support – Movement, weight management, and circulation-friendly habits
Compression therapy – Medical-grade stockings to reduce swelling and improve blood flow
Advanced in-office procedures, such as:
Radiofrequency Ablation & VenaSeal™ to close damaged veins
Varithena® & Sclerotherapy injections for smaller or surface veins

Most patients return to normal activities quickly—and see noticeable improvement.

Step Into Spring with Healthier Legs

You don’t have to live with discomfort or feel self-conscious this season. Scheduling an evaluation now means you’ll be ahead of summer—and on your way to healthier, more comfortable legs.

At Genesis Laser & Vein, we specialize in advanced vein care tailored to your needs. Most insurance plans cover treatment, so getting started may be easier than you think.

Call 573-761-2601 today to schedule your consultation.

Mid-Summer Check-In: Don’t Let Vein Issues Slow You Down!

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 20:32:39 GMT

Mid-Summer Check-In: Don’t Let Vein Issues Slow You Down!
As we settle into the heart of summer—complete with lake weekends, baseball games, family vacations, and backyard barbecues—vein treatments might not be top of mind. But believe it or not, now is actually a great time to consider addressing those vein issues you've been putting off.

Here’s why mid-summer is the sweet spot to start your treatment:

• Flexible Scheduling: Since many people wait until fall to begin vein treatments, our summer schedule tends to be more open. That means it’s easier to book appointments at times that actually work for you—not just the leftovers.

• Vein treatments are a process: If you’re thinking you can knock this out in one visit, think again! Vein treatment typically involves a series of sessions over several months. Waiting until fall might mean you won’t complete treatment by year-end—especially with holiday schedules and insurance deductibles resetting in January. Starting now helps you stay ahead.

• Compression stockings in the summer? Yes, it's possible—and not as miserable as you’d think. We offer sheer and open-toe styles that are lightweight and much more breathable. And since you only need to wear them for a few days after treatment, they won’t interfere with your summer fun for long.

If you’re still not ready to dive into treatment just yet, here are some simple ways to manage your symptoms and stay comfortable for the rest of the season:

• Elevate your legs: Whether you’re on your feet all day at a ballpark or sitting for hours on a road trip or flight, elevating your legs when you can helps reduce swelling, heaviness, and fatigue.

• Compression stockings (yes, again): If daytime wear feels too warm, try wearing them in the evening or even overnight when you're relaxing in the AC. Every bit helps your circulation.

• Keep moving: Staying active helps keep blood flowing and symptoms at bay. Walking, swimming, and even chasing kids around the backyard all make a difference.

It’s not too late to start treatment this year—and you’ll be glad you did when fall (and deductible season) rolls around.

Enjoy the rest of your summer—and don’t let vein issues hold you back!

Stephanie Pitts, FNP-BC

Achieve Your New Year’s Resolutions with Genesis Medspa

rbarfield@genesisjcmo.com (Rachel Barfield) — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 20:55:04 GMT

Achieve Your New Year’s Resolutions with Genesis Medspa

1. Weight Loss Support with Semaglutide

If weight loss is part of your New Year’s plan, our Semaglutide program can provide the assistance you need. Semaglutide is a revolutionary medication that supports healthy weight management by reducing appetite, improving blood sugar regulation, and enhancing feelings of fullness. With our personalized guidance, you’ll have the tools to succeed in achieving and maintaining your weight-loss goals.

2. SkinFit Membership: Glow All Year Long

Achieving great skin isn't an overnight transformation. It’s like expecting chiseled abs after a single gym session—it simply doesn’t happen! While we do provide standalone treatments, the real transformation occurs through consistent care. That’s where our SkinFit Membership steps in.

You’ll have a personal aesthetic provider who tailors services to your unique needs and beauty aspirations. Even better, you’ll have these services consistently available, coupled with perks like a 25% discount on premium SkinMedica & Colorescience products, exclusive pricing on advanced treatments, and targeted solutions for your skincare concerns. Membership grants you the ability to follow a regimen that yields measurable results while fostering relationships with our caring team, invested in your well-being. Commit to glowing skin as part of your self-care resolution this year.

3. Sculpt Your Dream Body with CoolSculpting

Say goodbye to stubborn fat and hello to a more sculpted you! CoolSculpting is a non-invasive, FDA-cleared treatment that freezes and eliminates fat cells in targeted areas, like the abdomen, thighs, or arms. It’s perfect for those looking to refine their shape and feel more confident in their body. With no surgery or downtime, CoolSculpting can fit seamlessly into your 2025 goals.

4. Refresh and Restore with Botox & Fillers

Feel more confident and rejuvenated this year with our expert Botox and filler treatments. Whether you’re looking to smooth wrinkles, add volume to your lips, or restore youthful contours to your face, these treatments offer subtle yet impactful results. Botox minimizes fine lines and wrinkles, while Juvéderm fillers restore volume and enhance your natural beauty. Start the year with a refreshed, confident look.

5. Balance Your Hormones with BioTE Hormone Replacement

Achieving your health goals isn’t just about how you look—it’s also about how you feel. BioTE® Hormone Replacement Therapy helps restore hormonal balance, which can improve energy levels, mood, sleep, and overall well-being. This innovative treatment uses bioidentical hormones to safely and effectively address symptoms of hormone imbalance, helping you feel your best in 2025.

6. Elevate Your Wellness with Medical-Grade Nutraceuticals

Give your body the nutrients it needs with our medical-grade nutraceuticals. Unlike over-the-counter vitamins, these supplements are clinically tested for superior absorption, potency, and effectiveness. They’re tailored to your specific health needs, supporting everything from immune health to anti-aging and weight management. Make nutraceuticals a cornerstone of your wellness routine this year.

Why Choose Genesis Medspa?

At Genesis Medspa, we take pride in helping our clients achieve their goals with expert care, advanced treatments, and personalized plans. Our experienced team will work with you to create a strategy that aligns with your unique needs and aspirations.

Ready to Make 2025 Your Best Year Yet?

Don’t let your resolutions fade as the year progresses. Let us help you stay committed and confident in your journey.

Call us at 573-761-2601 or visit us today to learn more about our programs and services.

Together, we’ll make your New Year’s goals a reality.

Achieve Radiant Skin with the Skinvive Injection and Diamond Glow Combo

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 14:33:49 GMT

Achieve Radiant Skin with the Skinvive Injection and Diamond Glow Combo

Are you looking to rejuvenate your skin and achieve a radiant, youthful complexion? Combining the Skinvive with the Diamond Glow treatment offers a powerful and effective solution for skin rejuvenation. This dynamic duo works synergistically to hydrate, exfoliate, and revitalize your skin, leaving you with a glowing, smooth, and refreshed appearance.

What is Skinvive?

The Skinvive is a cutting-edge treatment designed to enhance skin hydration and texture. It involves the use of hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring substance in the skin that retains moisture and keeps the skin plump and hydrated. The Skinvive delivers HA directly into the skin, providing deep hydration and improving skin elasticity.

Benefits of Skinvive

Deep Hydration: HA attracts and retains water, providing intense hydration to the skin.

Improved Skin Texture: Enhances skin smoothness and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Boosts Radiance: Hydrated skin appears more radiant and youthful.

Long-Lasting Results: The effects can last several months, making it a convenient option for maintaining healthy skin.

What is Diamond Glow?

Diamond Glow is a non-invasive skin resurfacing treatment that exfoliates, extracts, and infuses the skin with nourishing serums. Using a diamond-tipped wand, this treatment gently removes dead skin cells and impurities, while simultaneously delivering customized serums into the skin.

Benefits of Diamond Glow

Exfoliation: Removes dead skin cells, revealing fresh, new skin underneath.

Deep Cleansing: Extracts impurities from pores, reducing the likelihood of breakouts.

Serum Infusion: Infuses the skin with customized serums tailored to your specific skin concerns.

Instant Results: Leaves the skin looking brighter, smoother, and more radiant immediately after treatment.

The Power of Combining Skinvive and Diamond Glow

When combined, Skinvive and Diamond Glow create a comprehensive skincare regimen that addresses multiple skin concerns. Here’s how they work together to enhance your skin’s health and appearance:

Improved Skin Texture and Clarity: The exfoliation and extraction process of Diamond Glow, combined with the hydrating and plumping effects of Skinvive, result in smoother, clearer skin with a more even tone.

Long-Lasting Radiance: While Diamond Glow provides immediate results, the Skinvive ensures that your skin remains hydrated and radiant for months.

Customizable Treatments: Both treatments can be tailored to address your unique skin concerns, whether it’s dryness, dullness, fine lines, or uneven texture.

What to Expect During the Combo Treatment

Consultation: Your journey begins with a thorough consultation to assess your skin and determine the best treatment plan. Your provider will discuss your goals and tailor the treatments to meet your needs.

Diamond Glow Treatment: The first step involves the Diamond Glow treatment, which exfoliates and prepares your skin for optimal absorption of the Skinvive.

Skinvive: Following the Diamond Glow, the Skinvive is administered to deliver deep hydration and improve skin texture.

Post-Treatment Care: Your provider will offer post-treatment care instructions to ensure you get the best results. This might include recommendations for skincare products and sun protection.

Embrace Radiant, Rejuvenated Skin

Combining Skinvive and Diamond Glow offers a powerful approach to achieving and maintaining radiant, youthful skin. Whether you’re preparing for a special occasion or seeking to enhance your everyday appearance, this combo treatment can provide significant improvements in skin hydration, texture, and overall radiance.

If you’re ready to transform your skin and experience the benefits of this dynamic duo, contact Genesis Medspa to schedule a consultation. Embrace the journey to radiant, rejuvenated skin with the Skinvive and Diamond Glow combo!

Understanding Cellulite and How Sculpt Can Help

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 21:03:12 GMT

Sculpt by Sentient: A Novel Treatment To Tackle Cellulite

Cellulite: a common cosmetic concern that affects many of us, regardless of age or body type. Characterized by dimpled, lumpy skin, often on the thighs, buttocks, and abdomen, cellulite can be a source of frustration and self-consciousness. But what exactly is cellulite? How can you effectively manage it? Enter Sculpt by Sentient , a novel treatment designed to tackle this issue head-on.

What is Cellulite?

Cellulite occurs when fat deposits push through the connective tissue beneath the skin, creating a

puckered or dimpled appearance. Factors contributing to cellulite include:

- Genetics: Your parents predispose you to cellulite.

- Hormones: Estrogen, insulin, and other hormones play a role in cellulite formation.

- Lifestyle: Poor diet, lack of exercise, and dehydration can exacerbate cellulite.

- Aging: As we age, skin loses elasticity, making cellulite more noticeable.

While cellulite is entirely normal and poses no health risks, many people seek ways to reduce its

appearance for aesthetic reasons.

Introducing Sculpt by Sentient:

Sculpt by Sentient is a revolutionary service that offers a non-invasive solution to combat

cellulite. Utilizing advanced technology Sculpt aims to smooth and firm your skin, giving you a

more toned and refined appearance.

How Does Sculpt Work?
Sculpt combines several innovative techniques to target cellulite effectively:

1. Radiofrequency Therapy: This treatment uses radiofrequency energy to heat the deeper layers of the skin, promoting collagen production and improving skin elasticity. The result is a reduction in the dimpled appearance of cellulite.

2. Laser Therapy: Laser treatments can penetrate the skin to break down fat cells and stimulate collagen production. This helps to smooth out the skin’s surface and reduce the visualization of cellulite.

3. Mechanical Massage: Specialized devices are used to massage the affected areas, enhancing blood flow and lymphatic drainage. This process helps to reduce fluid retention and improve skin texture.

What to Expect During the Treatment?

Sculpt treatments are by design comfortable and convenient, with no downtime. Here’s what you

can expect during your sessions:

- Consultation: Your journey begins with a thorough consultation to assess your skin and cellulite concerns. This helps in creating a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.

- Treatment Sessions: Each session typically lasts between 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the areas being treated. You may experience a warming sensation or gentle pressure during the procedures, but most clients find the experience relaxing.

- Results: While some clients notice improvements after just one session, optimal results are usually seen after a series of treatments. Your provider will recommend a schedule that suits your goals and skin type.

Benefits of Sculpt

- Non-Invasive: No surgery or needles involved.

- Quick and Convenient: Treatments are relatively short with no downtime.

- Effective: Targets the root causes of cellulite, promoting long-term results.

- Customizable: Treatments are tailored to your specific needs and concerns.

Embrace Smoother, Firmer Skin

Cellulite doesn’t have to be a source of frustration. With Sculpt, you can take proactive steps to reduce its appearance and boost your confidence. Whether you’re preparing for a special event or simply want to feel more comfortable in your skin, Sculpt offers a reliable and effective solution.

If you’re ready to tackle cellulite and achieve smoother, firmer skin, contact us at the Genesis Medspa today to schedule your complimentary consultation. Embrace the journey to a more confident you!

Influencer Skincare: Why Following the Trend Might Not Work for You

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 22:17:33 GMT

Skincare Truths: Why Your Favorite Influencer's Routine Might Not Be Your Best Bet

In today’s digital age, social media influencers hold considerable sway over consumer behavior, especially in the realm of beauty and skincare. With millions of followers hanging onto their every recommendation, it’s easy to fall into the trap of emulating their routines, hoping to achieve the same flawless complexion they flaunt on Instagram. However, when it comes to skincare, one size definitely does not fit all. While your favorite influencer’s regimen might work wonders for them, it could spell disaster for your skin. Here’s why you should think twice before blindly following their advice.

Different Skin Types Require Different Approaches:

Your skin is as unique as you are. Factors such as genetics, environment, lifestyle, and hormonal fluctuations all influence its behavior. What works for someone with oily, acne-prone skin may not be suitable for someone with dry, sensitive skin. Following a skincare routine tailored to your specific skin type and concerns is crucial for achieving optimal results.

Ingredient Sensitivities and Allergies:

Just because a product is hyped up by influencers doesn’t mean it’s suitable for everyone. Many skincare products contain potent active ingredients that can cause irritation, allergic reactions, or exacerbate existing skin conditions. What works wonders for one person may trigger a breakout or rash in another. It’s essential to patch-test new products and be aware of any sensitivities you may have.

Overloading Your Skin:

Influencers often showcase extensive skincare routines involving multiple products, from cleansers and toners to serums and creams. While layering products can be beneficial, overloading your skin with too many active ingredients can disrupt its natural balance and lead to irritation, inflammation, and even long-term damage. Keeping your routine simple and targeted is key to maintaining healthy skin.

Marketing Hype vs. Scientific Evidence:

It’s no secret that influencers are often sponsored or gifted products in exchange for promotion. While many genuinely believe in the efficacy of the products they endorse, it’s essential to approach skincare recommendations with a critical eye. Just because a product is trendy or endorsed by a celebrity doesn’t necessarily mean it’s backed by scientific evidence or suitable for your skin’s needs.

Check out our online store that has SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE BASED products!

Consulting with Professionals:

Instead of blindly following the latest skincare trends, consider seeking advice from skincare professionals such as dermatologists, esthetic nurses, or estheticians. These experts can assess your skin’s unique needs, recommend tailored treatments and products, and provide invaluable guidance on achieving your skincare goals safely and effectively. Genesis has a skincare membership called Skin Fit that makes it easy to take care of your individual skin concerns, all while having a skincare coach to walk the journey with you. Plus, enjoy product discounts all year round and unique monthly promotions just for members.

Find more details about our membership programs here !

At Genesis Medspa, we understand the allure of skincare influencers and the temptation to emulate their routines. However, we also recognize the importance of personalized skincare tailored to your individual needs. Our team of experienced professionals is dedicated to helping you achieve radiant, healthy skin through customized treatments and expert guidance. Don’t let influencer hype dictate your skincare choices—invest in a regimen that’s truly tailored to you. Your skin will thank you for it.

Preparing for the Party Season: Your Ultimate Treatment Timeline

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 15:58:14 GMT

The festive season is rapidly approaching, and it's time to get ready for all those holiday gatherings and parties. At Genesis Medspa, we understand the importance of looking and feeling your best during this celebratory time. We've created the perfect treatment timeline to ensure you're not only party-ready but also set for glowing skin and confidence that will last well into the new year. Plus, many of our treatments offer long-lasting results that can carry you through the summer of 2024, making it a win-win situation when you plan ahead.

1 Week Before: The Perfect Glow

As the big event approaches, start with treatments that will give you an instant boost and leave you radiant. Consider the following treatments:

Illuminize Peel: This gentle chemical peel will remove dead skin cells, improve your skin's texture, and give you a healthy, youthful glow.
Diamond Glow with Dermaplaning: This exfoliating treatment, coupled with dermaplaning, will leave your skin smoother and more radiant.
Brow Wax & Tint: Frame your face with perfectly shaped and tinted brows.
Lash Lift & Tint: Enhance your lashes for a wide-eyed, awake look that will make your eyes pop.

These treatments, when done a week before your event, provide immediate results with little to no downtime, ensuring you look your best for that special night.

2 Weeks Before: Wrinkle-Free and Rejuvenated

Two weeks before the big party, consider treatments that target fine lines, wrinkles, and overall rejuvenation:

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light): This non-invasive procedure treats sun damage, age spots, and redness, leaving your skin clearer and more even-toned.
Botox: Smooth out wrinkles and lines with this trusted injectable treatment that has been a go-to for many looking to refresh their appearance.
Chemical Peel: Opt for a deeper peel to address more significant skin concerns, such as acne scars or uneven pigmentation.

Allowing two weeks for these treatments ensures that you'll see the full benefits and can confidently step into the party season with a rejuvenated appearance.

2-4 Weeks Before: Plump and Pout

For a little extra volume and fullness, turn to facial and lip fillers:

Facial Fillers: Enhance your cheeks, jawline, or nasolabial folds for a more youthful and lifted look.
Lip Fillers: Achieve plumper, well-defined lips that will complement your overall appearance.

4-6 Weeks Before: Microneedling Magic

Microneedling is an excellent way to address skin texture, fine lines, and acne scars. The procedure stimulates collagen production, improving the appearance and texture of your skin. For even more enhanced results, consider microneedling with Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) to promote quicker healing and boost the rejuvenating effects. Plan this treatment 4-6 weeks ahead of your special event to allow your skin to reap the benefits fully.

3 Months Before: Sculpt and Define

For a more long-term transformation, think about body contouring and fat reduction:

CoolSculpting: Freeze away unwanted fat in those stubborn areas that don't respond to diet and exercise, sculpting your body for a more confident you.
Sculpt Body Contouring Services: Sentient Sculpt is a device that uses microwave energy to destroy fat and cellulite deep in the tissue while working to tighten skin at the same time. It uses up to 80% of the energy generated to penetrate the fat under the skin, destroying fat cells, and the fibrous bands in the dermis that cause cellulite. The other 20% of the energy is used in the upper layers of the skin, tightening and contracting skin to improve its appearance.

These treatments typically require a few months to see the full results, so plan them three months before your party season begins.

With this comprehensive treatment timeline, you'll be well-prepared to shine during the festive season and beyond. Each treatment is designed to address specific concerns and enhance your natural beauty. By planning ahead, you can enjoy a stress-free and exciting holiday season while looking your best. Get ready to turn heads at every party, and let the new year find you radiating with confidence and beauty.

Repair & Refresh Your Skin

Sat, 01 Jul 2023 06:02:00 GMT

Are you tired of looking in the mirror and seeing the signs of aging, sun damage, or just the wear and tear of everyday life? Get ready to turn up the heat with Tixel, the skin resurfacing treatment that’s hotter than your morning coffee and twice as refreshing. This innovative treatment uses cutting-edge technology to rejuvenate your skin and leave you looking and feeling refreshed. So, what exactly is skin resurfacing? Essentially, it’s a process that removes the outer layers of your skin to reveal the healthier, more vibrant skin underneath. (Think of it like peeling a carrot.) This can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, sun damage, and even acne scars. This is the best part – Tixel is non-invasive and has minimal downtime. Tixel uses heat to create tiny microchannels in the skin, which stimulate the body’s natural healing process and encourage the growth of new, healthy skin cells. Plus, because Tixel uses heat rather than lasers or chemicals, it’s a safer and more comfortable option. This method is less invasive and leads to less tissue damage, resulting in minimal downtime. Of course, it’s important to remember that Tixel is only part of the equation when it comes to healthy, glowing skin. To truly maintain those amazing results, you need to take good care of your skin at home. This includes using high-quality skincare products, avoiding excessive sun exposure, and staying hydrated. Think of Tixel as the hero of your skincare routine, and your at-home regimen as the trusty sidekick along with your Aesthetic Provider’s tips and tricks. Together, they’ll help you achieve your skincare goals.

Complement Your Natural Beauty

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 06:02:00 GMT

Cosmetic fillers are a great way to enhance areas on the face or simply put back volume that time took away. They can volumize the cheeks, sharpen the chin and jawlines, volumize the lips, and soften unwanted wrinkles. Done in the right hands, cosmetic fillers will help bring back a younger, more youthful version of you! Injecting filler is an art that requires precision, ongoing training, and an eye for detail. For the best results, it is important that you choose an injector who is highly educated and stays current with the latest techniques.

It is important to remember that fillers only replace volume; they don’t stop the movement of the face, which leads to a different kind of wrinkle. If you have wrinkles created from repetitive facial expressions, then your treatment of choice is Botox.

The goal isn’t to have people notice that you have had filler but for them to compliment your natural beauty. At Genesis, we take great pride in helping you achieve a natural look. You will have to block out a little time in your schedule, as some bruising and swelling could happen after injections. Achieve your best look – come in and let us evaluate you so you can see what your options are! At Genesis, we love enhancing the seasons of your life!

A Natural Approach to Menopause

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 20:00:00 GMT

The good news is bioidentical hormone replacement can relieve these symptoms and even provide protection against chronic health conditions. Not to be confused with synthetic hormones that come with the risk of blood clots and cancers, bioidentical hormones are naturally made from plant-based materials and have little to no increased risk of cardiovascular disease or cancer, but instead are shown by research studies to protect against these conditions and can be used long term without an increase in risk.

Hormone replacement does not have to wait until menopause. Women begin to lose testosterone around age 30 and may begin to experience symptoms in their early 30s. Then there is “perimenopause” when hormone fluctuations can trigger an array of symptoms at random times including changes in menstrual cycles, heavy bleeding, hot flashes, night sweats, and worsening PMS symptoms to name a few. Bioidentical hormones can help with these changes, too.

We don’t want to exclude men. Men also start to lose hormones in their 30s, sometimes termed “andropause”. Although it’s usually a more gradual decline than in women, when testosterone levels drop, men may experience fatigue, loss of muscle mass, joint pain, weight gain, brain fog, decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and more. Synthetic testosterone replacement via injections can be beneficial but the patient may have substantial fluctuations in symptoms between injections and come with multiple risks of long-term complications. Bioidentical testosterone can deliver more consistent symptom relief without weekly injections and provide health protection against heart disease, cancers, osteoporosis, and dementia.

Thyroid conditions are more common in women but occur in men as well, and the risk increases with age. Common symptoms associated with low thyroid include cold intolerance, fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, constipation, dry skin, hair, and nails, and changes in menstruation. Thyroid hormones affect our reproductive hormones and contribute to the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. Natural replacement of the active thyroid hormone in conjunction with other bioidentical hormones just adds another level of symptom control.

The bottom line: bioidentical hormones are safe, effective, and beneficial for many people. If you have experienced the symptoms mentioned above, meet with a provider at Genesis to begin your journey into bioidentical hormone therapy.

Our Sweet 16

Thu, 04 May 2023 12:00:00 GMT

This year also marks, for me, 16 years of being a client of Genesis. As some of you know, Dr. Prasad and Barb are my parents, so I was exposed to great skincare products and sun protection from a young age. As I have grown up, and when I began my career at Genesis eight years ago, I tried even more of the services and products we offer. I can’t say enough how much they have changed my life. Everything I have tried has been fabulous, from vein care and Biote Hormone Replacement to routine facials and Botox. At 31, I feel younger than I used to and feel more confident in my skin than ever before.

I have grown up around a lot of my Genesis team, and we have added some newer faces as the years have passed. They are amazing! I feel privileged to work with such a solid and passionate group of people.

I think this place is pretty magical and you can feel it when you come through our doors. So, I invite you to hang out with us, meet the team, and experience all the fabulousness Genesis offers this month. Find something that will help you feel better or be more confident. You deserve it!

CoolSculpt With the Pros

Wed, 03 May 2023 20:00:00 GMT

So, what is CoolSculpting ? CoolSculpting works by cryolipolysis, which is the freezing of fat cells. Once your fat cells are frozen, they become injured and can no longer survive, so they die! Bye-bye fat cells! Our body will then get rid of those dead fat cells through our waste. This process happens on its own, which means you don’t have to do a thing! After your treatment, there is NO downtime! You will probably be a little sore, and tender to touch for a few days, but it shouldn’t stop you from doing your normal activities.

I like to say that CoolSculpting is a five-month journey. You come in for round one of your treatment, and then eight weeks later, you will return for round two. Round two typically is the same as round one! After that last round, you will return in three months. At that point, we will take your final photos and you will see your final results!

Everyone always asks when will I start to see results… that is a tough question to answer because everyone is different! You may see results by the time you start your second round, but sometimes it takes a little longer. Let’s face it, we can be our own worst critics and looking in the mirror every day doesn’t help. As your body slowly takes its new shape you may not notice the full transformation until you see your initial photos in comparison to your end results.

So that is my teacher talk. Speaking from my own personal CoolSculpting, it just works! I was working out and still had those trouble spots that I just couldn’t get rid of! After CoolSculpting, I was so happy with what I saw in the mirror!

If you are interested in learning more about this treatment, schedule a complimentary consult and let us educate you on the service and, more importantly, help you achieve your goals!

More Than a Sunscreen

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 16:00:00 GMT

The meaning behind the acronym SPF is none other than the light of your life – no, not your significant other or your kids, the other one. The SUN! SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. But why do we need to be protected from the sun?

The sun emits different types of UV rays: UVA, UVB and UVC. These rays penetrate deep into the skin and rapidly age your skin, and can cause different types of skin cancer. The shorter rays cause immediate damage to the skin. Tan skin is sick skin. That’s where SPF comes in, to protect you from the sun’s harmful rays in all seasons.

One thing to remember is to reapply, reapply, reapply. Most sunscreens can only protect you for 90 minutes, so reapplying is just as important as your initial application. (Do you think I said the word reapply enough in this paragraph? Ha-ha!) Now that we have covered SPF and why we need to be protected from the sun every month of the year, let’s jump into mineral and chemical sunscreens.

Chemical sunscreens will penetrate the skin and absorb UV radiation through chemical bonds. When reading that last sentence did the words chemical, absorb and skin stick out to you? They did to me. You probably didn’t expect to be soaking up anything other than sunshine, did you? Chemicals cannot only be harmful when absorbed into the bloodstream (especially years and years’ worth of applying; who knows how long this stuff hangs out in our system?) but they are harmful to marine life as well.

Mineral sunscreens work by providing a protective layer on top of the skin, deflecting the sun’s rays and dispersing the energy. It starts protecting immediately after it is applied. Colorescience mineral sunscreens offer beautiful and safe protection. The Sunforgettable Brush is formulated with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for easy reapplication. The Total Face Shield collection is formulated with zinc oxide and makes the perfect initial application. This collection includes everything from glow to matte to bronze to light/medium coverage with the Flex series. It’s a beautiful way to stay protected and not have the iconic white-covered lifeguard nose. The fact that this company can create such beautiful colors out of minerals that are safe for the skin and available to anyone deserves a round of applause. From sunlight to pollution to free radicals, Colorescience goes above and beyond!

Latest in Weight Loss Support

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 20:00:00 GMT

So, what is insulin resistance? It’s exactly like it sounds, our bodies can become resistant to our own insulin, which in turn increases the amount of insulin needed to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. The more insulin we have, the more resistant we become, and this process continues in a spiral. Being insulin resistant does not mean that you are a diabetic, but it does increase the risk of diabetes and other metabolic conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity.

Several new medications have become available in the past few years that are intended for the treatment of type 2 diabetes but also help with weight loss and are now being used for this sole purpose, even in non-diabetic patients. One of these medications is semaglutide, also know by the brand names Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus. Semaglutide, when paired with lifestyle changes of eating healthy and regular exercise, can assist in your weight loss journey and improve insulin resistance for a healthier future.

So, if weight gain or difficulty losing weight is a struggle for you, I encourage you to schedule an appointment with me. Let us help you evaluate whether insulin resistance or other hormonal imbalances may be contributing to your struggle with weight, take a deep dive into lifestyle habits, and see if semaglutide might be a good option for you.

Pregnancy and Varicose Veins

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 20:00:00 GMT

When you become pregnant, one of the early changes that occurs is your blood volume expands. If you have more blood in your veins, it is like blowing air into a balloon. Remember that the basic problem in vein disease is that the walls are not as strong as they should be. Therefore, any varicose veins you already have will look bigger very quickly and you may notice new ones popping up.

As your baby gets bigger, it will occupy more of the space in your pelvis. Remember that your leg veins drain into the pelvic veins. As the baby gets bigger and bigger, it will press on the pelvic veins and cause the blood trying to exit the legs to back up. Also, the pressure inside the veins will increase. The result will be an increase in the size of the existing varicose veins, increased swelling in the legs, and new veins appearing on the surface of your legs.

Lastly, when you are pregnant, you will produce hormones that are designed to relax collagen. The reason for this is to allow a widening of the pelvis so your baby can come out safely. Unfortunately, these hormones have an effect on all of your collagen. So, if you have existing varicose veins, they will get worse. If you haven’t developed any, you will be more prone to getting them as time goes on. This effect gets worse with each subsequent pregnancy, so the more children you have, the more likely you are to develop vein disease.

The good news is that after the birth of your child, issues one and two go away! Unfortunately, issue three, the hormonal effect, is cumulative and stays with you. So, once you are pregnant, it would be beneficial to wear medical grade compression hose until delivery. The hose will reduce your leg swelling, reduce the risk of blood clots, and make the legs feel better. They will not reduce the risk of developing vein disease. However, once you have delivered, you should seek care to treat your varicose veins. We would love to see you at the Genesis Laser & Vein Center!

The Dreaded Deductible

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 06:00:00 GMT

I have worked as a vein care nurse for 15 years. I can tell you that vein treatments are unlike having a knee or shoulder fixed, where you go in for one extensive procedure and a few follow-up appointments. Vein treatments are a process that takes several months’ worth of small treatments to treat the bad veins that have developed over many years. Waiting to start vein treatments in November or December does not give Dr. Prasad and our staff at Genesis Laser and Vein the amount of time needed before the end of the year to adequately treat your current vein disease.

Every year I hear the same thing from many of our clients. In the first half of the year, patients tell me they have a new deductible, so they only want to schedule vein treatments once they have whittled down a chunk of that deductible. When they come in the spring, they may have the deductible well on its way to being met, but insurance companies often require a six-week to three-month conservative treatment trial, including compression hose. By then, it’s vacation season, and they don’t want to wear compression hose when it’s hot! Most patients finally make it back in during the fall. However, that is the busiest time of year for a vein clinic. Medical providers only have so many appointments before the year’s end. Remember, it took a lifetime to develop bad veins, so it will take several months to get those veins under control. Don’t procrastinate.

To make this initial cost easier we offer CareCredit , which can spread your deductible payments out over six to twelve months. It is offered as “same as cash” with no interest if paid within six to twelve months. This way, you can continue with treatment and pay off the deductible over a longer period of time instead of all at once. At Genesis Laser and Vein, having your consult or visit early in the year will allow you to meet your conservative management trial if your insurance requires it, submit for authorization, and proceed with treatment before the end of the year. Start now and wrap up that initial treatment plan in 2023. While you’re at it, throw in those other healthcare items on your wish list this year while your deductible is met. Make 2023 the year you take care of you!

Did You Forget Who You Were When You Felt Good?

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 18:13:00 GMT

The years have passed, and bam! I am 33 and didn’t recognize who I was anymore. I am a mom, wife, daughter, sister, aunt and employee. That is who I am. So many things had changed in the last few years. I decided it was time to figure out who this new me was.

For the past two years, I have been coasting through life. I felt okay but I was overweight, and I felt stuck. So, I made some changes. To sum up the journey, I have currently lost a total of 53 pounds. The lifestyle changes and this journey were to find a better version of myself. I am still on my way, but I have found my path.

I started Biote , which is bioidentical hormone therapy. I have been on Biote for about nine months, and this was the kick-start I needed. We have all been at a point where we feel like we are floating in limbo. That was me. I am not the person I was ten years ago, and I didn’t know who I wanted to become in my thirties. I found myself asking questions about wearing outfits that I might be too old for, after all I go by “Mom” now. As I said, LIMBO. Okay. Enough with the old.

I am a mom now, and sometimes it is okay to ask yourself if you are too old to wear an outfit, but that’s not the only thing about me I questioned. Biote pushed me over the edge to climb up the ladder. My ladder has been steep on certain days, but I can’t stop climbing it.

The first Biote round set in motion the changes that I will hopefully get to experience for the rest of my life. I have energy and fewer mood swings and am now a sexual being again. The energy makes me feel like a contributing member of society, not like I am walking through the sets of everyday life in a monotone manner. I feel alive, and I have the hype you feel after working out at the gym. I have the energy to be a mom, wife, and all I dream of being. The new mood stability has allowed me to keep a productive mind and a good headspace consistently. The libido boost showed me that I still “got it” in the bedroom and could once again enjoy an actual sex life with my husband. My husband has no complaints about my Biote treatments (it’s okay to laugh).

If I could experience these feelings every day, I don’t know why I would ever return. I have chosen to invest in myself because I can’t be a great mom, wife, daughter, sister, aunt or employee without Biote enhancing my best self. I am not okay with settling for being a reduced version of myself, and this therapy helped me find my way back.

Sleep Like a Baby

Fri, 06 Jan 2023 15:00:00 GMT

Don’t you wish it were just that easy? One of the most overlooked aspects of health is sleep. There are times when you can sleep all night, but still wake up tired. Frequently this is because you have been asleep, but you didn’t get any rest. You never achieved the REM phase of sleep. If you don’t get into the REM phase of sleep, your body will not rest and repair itself optimally. Thus, you will awake tired and unrefreshed. People will try to help their sleep in any manner of ways. Most commonly this is alcohol. While alcohol will help you fall asleep, or pass out, it will not allow you to get into the REM phase of sleep. Thus, you will not be refreshed or rejuvenated when you awaken. Pills like valium, Benadryl, codeine, etc. do the same thing. They also will create a dependency so you will have to use them forever and likely in larger doses as time goes on. At Genesis, we want to assist you in your wellness journey, and nothing is more important than getting a good night’s rest. If you are struggling to sleep well, then a supplement such as Best Night Sleep may be useful to you. It has all-natural ingredients to assist in getting to sleep as well as promoting the REM phase of sleep. It has the all-natural nutraceuticals, L-theanine and melatonin. These all help you get your best night’s rest. You may also need some other aspects of your health and lifestyle adjusted to get the rest you need, and we can help you there, too. So, if sleep is a problem for you, come in and let us help you get you the rest you deserve!

Letter From My Younger Self

Thu, 05 Jan 2023 15:00:00 GMT

As I get myself ready for my mile marker 60th birthday this June, I have been doing some looking back and reflecting on how I have used the past 60 years. Would my younger self approve? For the next 6 months I thought I would share what my younger self might have to say to me in this newsletter. I hope it resonates with you, too.

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You are perfect just the way you are. Sure, set goals and dream big! I am! At the end of the day, remember you like yourself and you are loved no matter what you do this year or what you look like. To the people that really love you, none of that matters.

From your 10-year-old you!

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As I tried to put myself into my 10-year-old mind I remember how loved I felt and how I still believed I could do and be anything. The world hadn’t taught me otherwise. As you set your goals for the New Year, remember to be kind to yourself. Enjoy the journey even when you’re not perfect, none of us are. Yes, the services we do can enhance what you already are – so enjoy them – but at the end of the day it is just the icing on a fabulous cake.

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Happy New Year!

Yes, Your Legs Can Feel Good Again!

Wed, 04 Jan 2023 17:00:00 GMT

As we age, we have been conditioned to put up with aches and pains as “part of getting older!” With newer discoveries and treatments, that is not always the case for your legs. Do you wish your legs would feel lighter, more energetic, less sluggish, and even look better? At the Genesis Laser & Vein Center we can help you achieve this. Vein disease is a progressive disease that starts when you are young. Like a lot of medical conditions, the earlier you begin treatment, the better the results are. A common misconception is that if they don’t hurt, it is okay. This couldn’t be further from the truth. When you have vein disease, the main risk when you are younger is a higher risk of blood clots. If we reduce the amount of blood pooling in your legs, the risk goes down. Plus, your legs will feel lighter and more energetic! Also, as you treat the surface veins, you will be less self-conscious about the looks and hopefully be more active. As the years go on, you will need ongoing treatment. But if you start earlier, these treatments are less frequent, and the results are better. So, if you want to live your best and healthiest life, come in and let us evaluate you. We can then help your legs stay healthy, which is far better than trying to fix things when they break!

Small Habits

Tue, 03 Jan 2023 16:00:00 GMT

For example, one thing I want to work on is taking my NP thyroid. If you have visited Genesis Wellness Clinic and had HRT you KNOW the struggle. NP is stingier with its absorption, so it must be taken in the morning 30-60 minutes before eating or drinking anything. NP thyroid is naturally derived and can help symptoms from your thyroid not producing enough thyroid hormone. Some of these symptoms include moodiness, forgetfulness, loss of energy and persistent fatigue, joint aches, problems concentrating, and more.

It makes such a huge difference in my daily life. With that being said, I also LOVE coffee and need it to survive. So sometimes it’s very difficult for me to be awake and not head straight for the coffee pot. For my solution I plan on setting an alarm 30 minutes before I must get up. NP on my nightstand and glass of water ready for me to just roll over and take it. That way, when I have to get up, I can take my other supplements, have my coffee, and be ready to take on the day.

I’m excited for 2023. If you want to work on your health this year, come visit us at Genesis Wellness or Laser and Vein . If you have been good about your health and you want to work on your confidence, come and visit us at the Medspa. One thing I love about where I work is that we can help change your life from the inside out AND from the outside in. We get to experience these changes with you and love every minute of it.

Have a blessed 2023, and we look forward to seeing you around the office!

How Genesis Can Help You Tackle the Holidays

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 19:00:00 GMT

Let’s start with your legs. If you have leg symptoms such as swelling, heaviness, restlessness, no energy, or itching to name a few, you likely have vein disease. To get you through the holidays, you should wear thigh high compression hose. This will make your legs feel better and allow you to power through the long days.

Also, if you are traveling over the holidays, your hose are mandatory as this will reduce the chances of you developing a DVT, deep venous thrombosis, or the dangerous type of blood clot. Hose are important when travel is two or more hours in the car or any length of plane flight. No compression hose? Stop by Genesis and we can measure you for a pair. Sigvaris compression hose come in many stylish options perfect for your holiday outfits.

How about your energy? B12 supplementation can boost your mood and energy to get you through the day. We can give you a B12 for that quick fix. What about an IV for immune support or if you overindulged at the office party? Come and see the variety of IV therapies at the Genesis Wellness division. We can recommend the right one for you. Also, higher vitamin D levels have been shown to boost your immune system and make you less prone to being seriously sick from all those pesky viruses that are floating around. We can give you a shot for the quick boost and then start you on a daily Vitamin D supplement that is properly absorbed.

Lastly, let’s not forget your skin. Winter weather can take its toll on facial skin. A Diamond Glow or Hydrafacial are quick and easy treatments to get your skin glowing for those holiday events. And don’t forget Genesis for one-stop gift card shopping for those on your list. They make great stocking stuffers. Treat yourself and treat a friend, too!

So happy holidays and Merry Christmas! We at Genesis wish you a safe and joyous season and will be here to help you through it!

My Winter Wellness Plan

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 20:00:00 GMT

I am really thankful to be a part of the Genesis team and know all there is to help keep me healthy! So, this month I wanted to share with you what I do to help maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep my immune system healthy.

I start every day with exercise. That is my time of the day to focus on me! I love the endorphin rush that I get from a good workout! I also work out because I love to snack and indulge in a few adult beverages every now and then. Now with that said, I know what I put in my body also fuels my body, so I do try to make good food choices most of the time.

Every three months I see one of the wellness providers for hormone replacement (pellets). This has been life changing for me. I have so much energy, I sleep at night, and have more mental focus. Sleep is so important; if you are not sleeping your body never gets to repair itself!

On a monthly basis I get a B12 injection. This is something new that we have been doing here and has really been an extra boost! The B12 injections will help increase your mood, energy level, brain function, and can help the body repair itself. And then on the daily I take several different nutraceuticals. My daily regimen includes Methyl Factors (all the Bs), Multi-Strain Probiotic (good gut health), DIM (helps with detox and keeping my hormones going down the right pathways), Daily Multi, and ADK10 (Vitamin D helps increase your immune system and bone health). If I start to get really sore from my workouts I take BPC-157 – that one is filled with great peptides to help repair my bod! And the last thing that I do is IV therapy when I feel like I need an extra boost!

So, if you are already thinking about the upcoming holiday season and you want to be on your A-game, we have so many options to help! Don’t let a weak immune system keep you away from your family and friends this holiday season. Put yourself on your to-do list and remember that you are important, too! And remember being healthy now is important, but it is also important for your health in the future! So, with all of that said, I hope that each and every one of you has the best holiday season yet and you get to feel so much love and happiness!

Not Your Grandma’s Compression Hose

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 20:00:00 GMT

When we stand for long periods of time, our veins have a harder time working properly due to gravity and the pressure on our legs, which is what causes those tired and heavy legs and can lead to swelling. Or if you are traveling, sitting still in a car or airplane also decreases circulation from the lack of muscle action helping pump on your blood vessels, which increases your risk of swelling and potentially blood clots. Wearing compression stockings, whether you need vein treatment or not, can help keep that circulation moving and keep you feeling better both on your feet and during travel so you can enjoy all the festivities that this time of year brings.

Now “compression stockings” doesn’t have to mean those ugly, thick, and uncomfortable hose that our grandmothers used to wear. The Sigvaris brand of compression stockings that we carry come in a variety of fabrics and colors. They are tailored to your legs so that they fit well and are comfortable to wear. They come in a variety of colors from skin tone and black to even a deep burgundy or navy blue. So you can even pull off that cute fall skirt and boots with your compression stockings and no one will know that your stylish leggings are actually making your legs healthier and feel so much better.

Come by the vein center and talk with one of our nurses about what compression stockings can do for you this fall. Happy Thanksgiving!

Come on Barb Let’s Go Party…

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 20:00:00 GMT

I did, however, ask myself why the Barbie theme bothered me. I loved playing Barbies when I was a kid. Thinking back, it was a fun way to play out all the different ways I could be a woman in this world. Yes, Barbie had a very uniform look, but her possibilities were only limited by my imagination. And after all she is a doll.

I can also say I did not get my body image ideal from her. Even as a kid I knew real women didn’t look like that. So, I am going to embrace the theme in the mode it was intended. We can be “any Barbie” we want: teacher, astronaut, mother, fireman, even President.

Barbie taught us we could dream big and that’s a deeper lesson… and if there are any tips and tricks we have to help with those dreams, then all the better. Look for the details on our Promotions page and come on Barbie let’s go party!!

Why Do I Need an Ultrasound?

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 18:00:00 GMT

October is Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month. In recognition of this I thought I would address one of the more frequent questions people will ask when first seeking treatment for venous disease: “Why do I need an ultrasound?” Patients will also comment: “But I only want the little veins treated so that my legs look better.” The most important thing we do at Genesis is educate you about vein disease. Addressing these questions is almost always part of that education. The answer to both questions lies in the fact that the bigger internal veins let blood flow backwards towards your feet and drive it to the surface. Thus, the ugly surface veins have a source inside your legs! In order to properly identify the damaged vessels and determine a treatment plan, an ultrasound must be done. If you don’t identify the source of a problem, you shouldn’t expect it to go away. That is why it is mandatory for all new patients to have an ultrasound so that we can treat you the medically correct way. If we don’t, the veins will all come back, and you will not lower the risks of progressive vein disease. Insurance companies also require an ultrasound along with symptom documentation to determine if your treatments are eligible for insurance coverage. Without this you will be left paying the full cost of treatment out of pocket. So come and see us at the Genesis Laser & Vein Center to get your legs healthier and more beautiful the medically correct way and ensure that the insurance company will pick up their part, too!

New Service: B12 Injections

Mon, 19 Sep 2022 18:00:00 GMT

Now, let’s start with the basics:

What is B12?

B12 is an essential water-soluble nutrient that’s found almost exclusively in animal-sourced foods.

Why do you need it?

B12 is crucial to our bodies as it’s directly involved with: developing red blood cells, maintaining energy, healthy brain function, increasing metabolism, and it even supports a balanced mood! Unfortunately, studies have shown that nearly 40{d855275bb5a53a691922ddbe09fd77e36a4f35d1f88aaf3bcf40ae4b44ffef7b} of the population is low-normal/deficient in this key nutrient. B12 deficiencies are directly linked to feelings of fatigue, weight gain, depression, memory loss and anemia, amongst other symptoms.

So, what can you do and how can we help?

Well, first let us tell you that not all B12 shots are the same! There are two forms of vitamin B12 – Cyanocobalamin and Methylcobalamin.

Cyanocobalamin is the chemically synthesized form of vitamin B12. This is what you’ll most commonly find in drugstore supplements and clinics. While this is a cheaper (yet stable) option – it must be converted by the body before it can be utilized in its active form.

Methylcobalamin , however, is the naturally occurring form of B12 – meaning that it’s already in its active state and much easier for the body to directly absorb. When comparing the two in a clinical setting, most patients who received an injection of Methylcobalamin reported a significant difference in energy and mood that lasted a week or more. Those who received an injection of Cyanocobalamin reported mostly no significant difference in energy or mood.

When it comes to your health, we consider quality to be a higher priority than cost. Which is why we only offer the methylated version of B12 injections and supplements. We are happy to accommodate an injection during your already scheduled appointment, or give us a call and we can schedule one for you!

Football and Compression Hose

Sun, 18 Sep 2022 21:00:00 GMT

I frequently get asked about why you should wear compression hose while travelling. Vein disease is a chronic, progressive disease and there is only so much that treatment will do. After you have had treatment, your blood clot risk is diminished, but still higher than the people without vein disease. This is because you also can have bad veins that are located in your calf muscle. Unfortunately, we cannot identify these reliably and even if we could, current treatments cannot safely treat these. There is a very high rate of blood clot formation if we try to treat the calf varices.

Thus, we are left with a compromise. If you wear your thigh high graded compression hose, you will lower your blood clot risk while traveling. Traveling is defined as 2 or more hours in a car regardless of how many stops and any plane travel. Multiple studies have confirmed that the risk is lower while travelling with thigh high graded compression hose. Your legs will also feel better when you arrive at your destination.

I hope you all get to enjoy your favorite football team this fall and do yourself a favor and don’t forget to put your hose on if you have to travel to see them! Your legs will thank you.

The Sun & Your Veins

Sat, 13 Aug 2022 06:00:00 GMT

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Remember that the basic genetic defect in vein disease is weak collagen. If you have vein disease and you spend a lot of time out in the sun, you may actually be accelerating the formation of surface varicose veins! So, while you are enjoying the outdoors, remember to use a mineral based sunscreen on your legs. Not only will it slow down the formation of new varicose veins, but it will also keep your leg skin as tight as possible.

If you have visible varicose veins, come and see us so we can keep your legs healthy and beautiful!

Don’t Let Stress Urinary Incontinence Affect Your Summer

Fri, 12 Aug 2022 06:00:00 GMT

Prior to having my own vaginal rejuvenation treatment, when I would think of those things I would instantly think about peeing my pants! After having 3 babies I really struggled with stress incontinence. I was always worried about when it would happen, and so I would find myself not doing the things that I love. My kids would laugh at me when I would jump on the trampoline for 2 jumps and then have to get off and go to the bathroom! And they just couldn’t understand what I was doing!

I also love to run, but there was nothing worse than being out on the open road and just peeing my pants with every stride that I took. It really stinks when you are trying to focus and have a good workout, but those lovely little dribbles just totally distracted me! Having this treatment was so life changing for me! The only thing that I wish I would have done differently was do it sooner!

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Often, I think about how life changing this treatment was for me and think that I can’t be the only mom out there! We often put everyone else before ourselves and sometimes we just shouldn’t! If you are reading this and you also struggle with stress urinary incontinence, you should really think about coming in and talking with us. The consultation is complimentary, so all it will cost you is a little bit of your time (which I know is a hot commodity as well!). The consult can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. During your consult we will teach you about the treatment and how it can help you, as well as what to expect during and after the treatment.

Vaginal rejuvenation doesn’t just treat stress incontinence, it will also help with vaginal dryness, decrease in sensation, and vaginal laxity. So, if you can mark yes to any of these symptoms you should come see us! We can help you no longer dread those trampolines, summertime sneezes or jumping! Enjoy the last bit of summer and soak up the sunshine (with your sunscreen on, of course)!

Aging with Confidence

Thu, 11 Aug 2022 12:00:00 GMT

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First, the vein care I have received over the past 15 years has helped keep those pesky varicose veins from popping up all over. Unlike my mom and grandma, I am not embarrassed to show my legs due to a highway of veins. Yes, there are a few, but I know all too well what they would look like if I did not keep up with my treatments. Plus, my legs feel good to boot!

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Second, I got rid of my menopause belly thanks to CoolSculpting. My abdomen was never the area of choice for fat to deposit when I gained weight, but menopause changed that. Two CoolSculpting treatments later my abdomen was back to its pre-menopause state and stays that way if I maintain my weight.

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Finally, bioidentical hormone replacement has helped me maintain muscle mass, which helps me keep my weight in check. Of course, all of this only helps if I continue to do my part – maintaining a healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise.

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So, thank you Genesis for adding a boost of confidence to my vacation and giving me a hand in my journey to stay healthy and active as I age. Call us if you would like to find out how Genesis can partner on your aging journey. After all, there is no anti-aging, just aging as best as we can. The benefits, like being grandma to Charlotte, far outweigh the downside!

Skin Discoloration Changes and Vein Disease

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 14:00:00 GMT

Have you ever noticed the brown discoloration on some people’s or maybe your own legs? This is a sign of longstanding, untreated vein disease. If they don’t get treatment, they will likely progress to developing an ulcer on the leg. This is the result of vein disease and can be prevented by early intervention. So how do veins turn the skin brown? The basic problem is increased pressure in the legs. When the internal veins allow blood to flow towards the feet and not back to the heart, some of the fluid leaks out into the tissues. This eventually causes the legs to swell. When the pressure internally is high, it decreases the blood flow to the skin. The first thing that happens is you lose hair from the ankles, and it progresses towards the knees over time. As the pressure continues to increase over time, eventually the blood flow to the skin is so poor that the skin begins to die from the inside out. Skin that has turned brown is very damaged and will be prone to infections and sores. This process takes place over 40, 50, 60 years and starts at birth since vein disease is hereditary. However, if you get early treatment, you can avoid these problems. If your legs are discolored or if you have any visible varicose veins, you likely have vein disease. So come see us at Genesis Laser & Vein. The sooner you get treatment, the healthier your legs will be and the better they will look!

Hot Flashes, Brain Fog and Sleepless Nights

Mon, 13 Jun 2022 14:00:00 GMT

I will forever be in debt to Dr. Ferris for bringing bioidentical hormone replacement to Genesis. Prior to that, those three phrases described my life. I had the privilege to attend the initial training for BioTE hormone replacement therapy and I will admit I was skeptical. While I knew he was passionate about the therapy, I had reservations about its use for me. Wasn’t this just part of the normal progression of time?

Once there, however, I decided to give it a try and I haven’t turned back. The more I have educated myself on the treatment the more I am convinced of the health benefits. Also, the sadder I am that more people aren’t given the information and treatment options available. There are a lot of misconceptions around hormone usage, and because of this people are missing out on relief from symptoms that are affecting their quality of life. But don’t take my word for it. Set up your own visit with Dr. Ferris or Stephanie Pitts, NP and find out about how bioidentical hormone replacement could improve your menopause experience. What do you have to lose…hot flashes, brain fog and sleepless nights.

PRP Microneedling

Fri, 10 Jun 2022 18:00:00 GMT

Microneedling is a procedure that uses small pin pricks to cause skin wounds that then encourage your body to produce collagen and elastin. What is PRP? PRP is short for Platelet Rich Plasma. Your platelets have an abundance of growth factors which help your body heal itself after an injury. When we harvest them and concentrate them, we can use them to grow new collagen in your skin. Combining the two is a treatment designed to maximize collagen production therapy. I compare microneedling to core aerifying your yard in the fall. When you poke holes in the dirt, the grass grows back better in the spring. Controlled injuries will affect a positive change in the skin. The procedure jump-starts your body’s healing process by sending collagen and elastin to repair the injury, thus smoothing fine lines and wrinkles and helping with acne, pores, scars, stretch marks and sun damage. Adding PRP to microneedling is like adding seed and fertilizer to the yard after aerifying it. You will get a boosted outcome. We add the PRP topically and then the device injects it into your skin. The PRP further stimulates collagen production and accelerates the healing. So, if you want the best results from your microneedling, be sure to ask us to add PRP to your procedure. You will be amazed at the results this two-pronged treatment can give you!

Aging Is Just Another Word for Living

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 22:00:00 GMT

I have really enjoyed the 50s. Yes, there are some downsides to getting older. My knees are no longer my friend. I got tired of covering my roots and have embraced my grey hair for both the good and bad of that. I have experienced many other small changes that I’ve just learned to live with and adapt to.

There are also many positives: grandkids and the fun that brings, cutting back at work and letting the next generation take the lead, new amounts of free time, more time to spend with my husband now that the kids aren’t taking up as much time (most of the time that is a positive!), and the confidence and clarity that only experience can bring.

So, what Genesis message do I have from all that? I guess my best Genesis advice is find your 49, or 59 or whatever age it is. There are so many options in our world as to how that looks. Figure out yours and that doesn’t have to look like anyone else. There are so many esthetic, health and wellness opportunities. So many ways to grow and learn in our world. Explore and define your aging plan. Let’s face it, there is no anti-aging. My grandma always said she was going to celebrate every birthday because she wasn’t ready for the alternative.

We will all age if we are lucky. Embrace it and enjoy the stage you’re in. I and all of our staff thank you for letting us be part of your journey. The relationships we make with you and each other are the best part of what we do. Happy June!

Know Your Sunscreens

Thu, 19 May 2022 06:00:00 GMT

Chemical sunscreens work by binding ultraviolet radiation and upon binding the ultraviolet rays are deactivated. If you are not reapplying every two hours, you are effectively unprotected as the product has been deactivated. Chemicals are also being absorbed into your body at levels 15-20 times higher than previously believed! The FDA has issued a report recommending the discontinued use of chemical sunscreens. Lastly, chemical sunscreens do not protect you from the blue light radiation emitted from your phone, tablets, computers, TVs, etc. In my opinion, these attributes make chemical sunscreens a less than desirable option.

Mineral sunscreens contain inert zinc and titanium and will cause no harm or breakouts if the sunscreen is a pure mineral product. You can easily check this by putting it in water. Pure minerals will float, any fillers or other substances will cloud the water. Mineral sunscreens work by reflecting away the harmful radiation from the sun and devices we use. This also has a cooling effect on the skin. Theoretically, if you don’t touch your face or sweat them off, they will last until you wash them off. As an added protection we do think it is best to reapply regularly.

At Genesis, we offer only mineral sunscreen products, whether it is a stand-alone sunscreen or incorporated into our Colorescience makeup products. These sunscreens come in a variety of shades so we can help you look your best while protecting your skin!

The Sun Isn’t Enough

Wed, 18 May 2022 20:00:00 GMT

Vitamin D has been shown to play a vital role in achieving optimal health. Vitamin D helps keep your bones strong, fight off infection, and some data indicates it may lower your cancer, diabetes, and heart disease risk. Many people feel that being out in the sun will give them adequate amounts of Vitamin D, but studies have shown that is not the case. It is very important to supplement your Vitamin D to maintain levels that keep you healthy. It is especially important as we age because it reduces the risk of osteoporosis and the fractures that come with it. There is no universal agreement on what levels of Vitamin D are considered optimal. The studies have conflicting data. However, in the wellness community, it is generally accepted that levels over 80 and possibly even closer to 100 should be maintained for optimum body health. Different labs will post different normal ranges, but in general we believe you should maintain your levels on the higher end of the range. Also, Vitamin D supplements must be absorbed correctly. Many times, people are taking supplements, but they are not properly absorbed, or the dose is far too low. It is important to choose quality supplements to ensure the supplements are manufactured for proper absorption. Monitoring lab values is the best way to ensure you have adequate levels of Vitamin D. At Genesis, monitoring Vitamin D is part of the full workup done when evaluating you for hormone replacement. If Vitamin D deficiency is a problem for you, we will address this in our wellness recommendations. Our Wellness division is happy to help you begin the journey towards optimizing your health.

Sunsational May

Wed, 18 May 2022 19:00:00 GMT

The 2022 dates for spring are March 20th through June 21st. I don’t know about you but I feel like Missouri goes straight from winter to summer. Barely a spring in sight. We have hardly stopped wearing our winter jackets and it is already 90! It is a rare day that you get that perfect sunny day with a pleasant temperature. When it happens, it is amazing, but unfortunately those type of days are few and far between. I guess that is why our Sunsational celebration hits at the perfect time. It is sunny and yes, hot. Time to tweak your makeup and product plan for the new hotter weather and make sure you are stocked up on extra sun protection products. It is also time to think about getting ready to bare the body, and any treatments you may want to add to boost your confidence in that department. This year our Sunsational theme is a Secret Garden theme. Of course we always love an excuse to dress up, but on top of that we love sharing all of our product and service secrets to help you all look and feel your best this summer. This year we will also have information on our wellness offerings to help you feel your best and get out and enjoy yourself as things warm up. We hope you will take time out of your day to stop by, have a snack and visit with us! We love catching up with each and every one of you. Let’s make this May the most Sunsational yet!

The Sunny Side of Vein Treatments

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 15:00:00 GMT

Along with green eyes and a love of the outdoors, I realized at the age of 24 I had also inherited my dad’s vein disease. This started during my first pregnancy, and I was introduced to maternity compression hose for the first time. It was not love at first sight, but did relieve the aches and pains in my legs. After each pregnancy, the pain from the varicose veins decreased enough to manage. Over the years it progressed and invited friends to the party: spider veins.

I grew very self-conscious of my legs, and if I wore shorts (only around the house), the kids would say, “Oh Mom do your owies hurt?” Yes, they did! I thought about getting treatment, but heard awful stories of how painful the process was and that is was not effective. I resigned to have legs that looked and felt terrible.

When I turned 48, I was very aware that the symptoms had increased and my capabilities of getting through my evenings had decreased. I started realizing how much I had to rest my legs after work before I started another activity. I started doing some of the dinner prep at the kitchen table, so I could sit and rest my legs. I also realized how often I was taking turns propping one leg and leaning on the other while standing to get relief. I have always been an active person by walking, biking, or kayaking, but these activities proved less desirable with the heaviness in my legs. The night bouts of restless legs and charley horses were the finale in my decision to seek treatment and get my life back.

I spoke to my primary care doctor, got an ultrasound and then a referral. I did not have a good feeling with the initial referral, so I waited a month or so. I then decided to look into other options as the symptoms and sleepless nights reminded me it was needed. I called Genesis Laser & Vein and felt so comfortable right away on the phone. As I walked in on my appointment day the office was calm and soothing music was playing. The staff was just as kind and welcoming as they were on the phone. My experience has always been a great one. Then after meeting with Dr. Prasad, I knew I was where I needed to be.

The day of my first procedure I was so scared and could not seem to relax; the nurses were so sweet and chatted with me to help me feel calm. Dr. Prasad came in, said hello and realized I was a nervous wreck. He put his hand on my shoulder and said let’s walk through everything again, until you are ready. After I felt better, he started and we all chatted through the procedure and it was over very quickly. I have loved how the staff and Dr. Prasad never try to hurry the visit, but always answer my questions and help me feel reassured. They are wonderful!

After the first two procedures, my restless legs were no more. Shortly after the restless legs were gone, my charley horses were gone, too. This is a process, but with each week I notice more energy back in my legs. I am not propping my legs up at night to rest before the next task, unless I want to. I am back to feeling capable in completing my days, including the things I love. Would I do this again? YES PLEASE, but sooner, much sooner.

Thanks Mom and Dad!

Wed, 09 Mar 2022 15:00:00 GMT

Have you noticed that as you get older you look more like one parent or the other? It is true that we are our parents’ children. One “genetic gift” is the stubborn fat deposits that just won’t leave. I know my dad gave me my short waist, love handles and double chin. I had these trouble spots when I weighed 115 pounds in high school! They have stayed with me despite exercise and diet and no matter what weight I was. That is until CoolSculpting arrived at Genesis. CoolSculpting is the secret weapon in the war on fat. It is important to start with the fact that it is not a weight loss tool. It will also not get rid of the internal visceral fat, which presents as tight and barrel-like around your abdomen area. You will have to lose this type of fat the old-fashioned way. However, for those stubborn external fat pockets, we now have an option to freeze them away. The saying is “if you can squeeze it, we can freeze it!” If this is of interest, we are happy to inform you that we have recently upgraded to the CoolSculpting Elite, the latest in fat-freezing technology. We are also fortunate to have Kimberly Hentges, a CoolSculpting University instructor, on staff to keep our providers up on the latest treatment pearls. We know you have a choice in where you go. That is why we strive to keep the latest technology and the most advanced trained personnel at Genesis Medspa. So, if you want to say bye-bye to those love handles, food baby or man boobs, come see us today to discuss your options.

Luck of the Irish

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 15:00:00 GMT

Everyone has a smidge of Irish in them in March. But for me this is always a time to think fondly of my Irish heritage and how a large part of my family left troubling situations in their homeland and came to this country with a dream of a better life. As time marches on I can see the struggles that had to be overcome, the successes and failures that happened along the way, and how my family lineage has changed over time. Each generation picks up these successes and failures and builds upon them in their own way. Like all good Irish I love a good story, and to me these family journeys are what make the best of stories. Our bodies also tell a historical story. Each of our parents leave a genetic thumbprint on us and their parents left one on them. Just like our family histories, we cannot erase these thumbprints. We must pick up both the good and the bad and write our own story. There are parts we will not be able to take out, but we can edit how they are told. For example, I inherited red hair and green eyes from the Irish side of my family. I also inherited fair skin, which makes me more susceptible to sun damage and skin cancer. I can embrace these physical traits but work towards not succumbing to the negative side by practicing proper sun protection. I cannot change the fact that I cannot stay in the sun and not burn like my Indian husband. I can however limit my risks. This is just one example of the many ways our genetics starts a story and how we then can influence how it is told. I hope you will enjoy our other blog post later this month on how genetics effects our health and wellness. Take some time this March to celebrate your family heritage and make your wellness plan for staying on top of your genetic risks. May the Luck of the Irish be with you all!

Loving Your Love Life

Thu, 24 Feb 2022 16:00:00 GMT

At Genesis, we say you can and should expect more from your love life. The treatment advancements for women are out there now! The problem is no one is talking about them. I also think we have been conditioned to accept less. Well, give yourself some loving this month and come in and learn about these life changing treatments. We offer three options for improving your sexual gratification.

Hormone Replacement Therapy
nSometimes our lack of desire is related to an imbalance in our hormones. We are tired and run down and this can dampen our interest in all things. This is for some the first step to change. We offer a full hormone balancing consultation to determine if hormone replacement therapy is a good option for you. This process will include drawing a lab panel, reviewing symptoms, and then creating a plan to address any hormone or vitamin deficiencies. You will leave with a customized plan to not only spice up your love life, but your health and mood, too!

Vaginal Rejuvenation
nIf loss of lubrication or sensation is a problem, vaginal rejuvenation is a great option. Many perimenopause or post menopause women suffer from this. Chemotherapy or a history of a hysterectomy may also contribute to lubrication issues. A simple in-office laser treatment can help with this. This treatment is also great for women who have lost tightness due to childbirth. And there is a bonus of helping with stress incontinence! Another treatment so many women don’t even know is out there for them.

O-SHOT
nThe name kind of speaks for itself but this treatment is all about increasing your sensation and satisfaction. We utilize PRP derived from your own blood to stimulate collagen and nerve regeneration in all the areas that make your sex life sizzle. This treatment also can have the added benefit of assisting with urinary incontinence.

All these treatments are available at Genesis and this month we are offering a complimentary appointment to come in and explore if any of them are right for you. You can choose to meet with Robert Ferris, MD OBGYN or Stephanie Pitts, NP. Enjoying your love life again is possible!

Battling the Brownn

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 15:00:00 GMT

Esthetic treatments have advanced. There now are multiple tools to tackle unwanted pigment. You need a modality that not only attacks the surface pigment but also the pigment below. At Genesis we have multiple options to help with this.

Our medical grade peels help slough off unwanted pigment and attack the pigment below the surface, too. These peels are only available to providers in medically supervised offices. There is a variety of options for how aggressive you want to get with these peels. Downtime can vary between none and a week. These peels are done in a series and produce stunning results.

We also have machines that attack the surface and deep pigment with lasers, light with radiofrequency, or ultrasound technology. Having multiple options allows us to choose a treatment best for your skin type and concerns. All have minimal to no downtime. Again, this is best done in an initial series.

Your initial treatment or series will address the visible and minimize the underlying pigment. It took a lifetime to accumulate this pigment and once you have begun to produce it you will need to continue to keep ahead of it. You can do this by following a simple at home routine of products that suppress the creation of new pigment and continue to work on eliminating the remaining underlying pigment. Follow this with protecting your skin against the sun and blue light with the new superscreens and you will be on your way to luminous skin. We’ve got the edge on pigment reduction and winter is the time to take advantage of it. Call our office to set up a consult or ask your provider if these treatments are right for you.

Why Should I Treat My Veins Now?

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 14:00:00 GMT

Vein disease is no different. It has nothing to do with cosmetics, but there is a visual advantage for early treatment. I joke that you can diagnose vein disease by who is wearing jeans at the barbeque in July. Who wears jeans in July in Missouri? This is a bonus for early treatment but not the only one. Vein disease can actually cause you harm if left untreated.

The biggest risk to a younger patient is the increased risk of blood clots. When you have more blood pooling in your legs, it will tend to clot when you are not moving, like during travel or illness. As you age, the legs will become damaged, which increases the chance of infection or sores on your legs. These risks can be reduced if you get treatment while you are young. Also, symptoms like heaviness, aching, swelling, fatigue, tiredness, pain and itching may start. This may make you less likely to keep up with your exercise routine or other physical activities you enjoy.

So, this year, treat yourself to healthier legs by being proactive. Our minimally invasive treatments will leave no scars and have very little if any downtime. Schedule a consultation to learn about proactive treatment for your vein disease. Winter is a great time to start.

How You Love Yourself Is How You Teach Others to Love You

Fri, 04 Feb 2022 15:00:00 GMT

We need to leave room in our day/week/year for the things that keep us going! I know for me my morning runs and yoga classes are essential. Less than 4 of those a week and I am getting cranky. I also need my morning prayer and journal time, thus my early pre-dawn wakeup habit. One or two vacation trips a year are also key to my sanity.

What is it that you need? Are you giving yourself permission to take that time? Maybe as you are thinking about Valentine’s plans for others, put in a few self-love plans for yourself. You’re worth it!

At Genesis we also offer a few ways you can show yourself some love, too. Be sure to check out our February promotions and blog posts, including:

I hope you and yours stay warm and enjoy this loving season! Happy Valentine’s Day!

Top Reasons to Start Vein Treatment in January

Mon, 24 Jan 2022 06:00:00 GMT

Hit Your Deductible Early
nSo often people will be scrambling in October to get their legs treated because they have already met their deductible. Unfortunately, by the time they come in for a consult, get approval and get on the busy end-of-year schedule they are almost always looking at getting one or two treatments in and having the rest trailing over to the next year. Why not take the opposite approach and get in early and get those treatments going now? Most clients will meet their deductible at some point in their initial vein treatment process and by getting started early you have the best chance of getting all, or at least the vast majority of your initial treatment done in the calendar year. Of course there is always maintenance care for chronic vein disease, but this is often minimal compared to the initial treatment. This also allows you the full year to get other things on your wellness/health care wish list done and a whole year to do it!

Hose Can be Hot
nMany insurance companies require you to complete a hose trial prior to treatment, which can last between 6 weeks and 3 months. If vein disease is your problem the hose will give you some symptom relief. Why not do this when you also get the benefit of the warmth they provide? Hose can be hot in the summer, so get this extended hose requirement over now. Also, you will have to wear them after treatments, so getting your treatments done during cooler weather is a plus!

P.S. We always recommend Sigvaris compression hose for their exceptional breathability, which helps if you must wear them in the summer.

So, resolve to make 2022 the year you treat yourself to legs that feel good again! Call our office for information on setting up a consult with Dr. Prasad, our vein specialist, or a free vein screening with our nursing staff for more information on getting your legs treated this year.

I Don’t Feel Good, But My Labs Are Normal!

Mon, 17 Jan 2022 15:00:00 GMT

What do we mean by that? Let’s use thyroid hormone (free T3) as an example. Normal lab range is 2.2-4.5 depending on the lab that is used. If you are feeling tired and fatigued, and your T3 is 2.5, you may be told that this is normal and not the cause of your fatigue. An alternative option is to prescribe desiccated thyroid until your symptoms of fatigue are reduced. If you are already on desiccated thyroid, you would use this same principal and increase your dosage to maximize your results until you feel better. Many people will need values over 4.5 in order to feel well for a variety of reasons and there are rarely any side effects. Some doctors will “worry” about higher doses of T3, but there are no studies to prove serious side effects from desiccated thyroid supplementation.

Another aspect to look at is the medications being used to address your lab values. For example, Synthroid is a very common thyroid replacement drug. As its name implies, it is synthetic T4. Unfortunately, your body does not readily convert that to free T3, which is the bioactive form needed for your health. Synthroid does however reduce the TSH level, which can be used to judge adequate thyroid replacement. Thus the interaction: “your labs are normal”, “but doctor, I still feel bad.” If that is the case with you, don’t stop inquiring why the treatment you are receiving is not delivering the results you wish to achieve. Maybe it is your treatment option that needs to be changed.

Robert Ferris, MD and Stephanie Pitts, NP specialize in addressing your health concerns with a focus on optimizing your wellness through hormone replacement and supplement usage. If you are interested in learning more about how to stay well and optimize your health, come see us at Genesis Wellness. We can help you understand how you can help yourself live better!

A New Year and a New Opportunity for a Healthier, Happier You

Mon, 03 Jan 2022 15:00:00 GMT

First, January 1st put in place a huge change in my role at Genesis. I have officially passed over the day-to-day management of our offices to our management team. That does not mean I won’t be around, just that I will be around in a different capacity. I will continue to be in the office on Wednesdays and Thursdays working with our management team to make sure we are delivering to you the best services, products and customer experience, and providing a positive workplace culture for our staff. I just will now have a whole team helping deliver those results for you. This will allow me to get back to some of the things I have not had time to do, parts of my job I loved. One of those tasks was my monthly blog for the newsletter. So, I hope those of you that enjoyed that will be happy to hear I am back at the keyboards, and it is an easy skip if all you want is to see the promos. I know I will enjoy getting a chance to reach out to our clients again in this monthly newsletter.

My word for the year, at work, was resiliency. I think it is a quality we all need to have in growing supply to keep up with the world we live in. Both personally and professionally, these changes have made me take a sharp look at where I/we place our time, talent, and treasure. I know from talking to friends, family, and other business owners that I am not alone in that. Thus, my role change and many of the changes we have made at Genesis.

So, as we enter 2022 I hope that you feel like me, more hopeful, better equipped for challenges, and confident in your resiliency to tackle whatever 2022 brings you. And if Genesis is a place you choose to share your time and treasure, know that we will work hard to make sure it is time and treasure wisely spent. We appreciate your continued trust in us and will work hard to earn it!

Happy New Year!

The New Norm Is There Is No Norm

Thu, 10 Sep 2020 23:00:00 GMT

So, what does that mean for all of us? For me I think it means we must be more adaptable, ready to make changes on the fly and not get too settled or count too much on routine. Probably all good traits to have, but it certainly can be stress inducing.

What we can do, however, is control our own personal habits. This gives us the best chance of navigating all the stressors we currently face. Check out our promotions this month. They are designed to enhance your health and well-being and give you the extra energy you need to face the challenges of the day. Or join our wellness challenge and get some extra motivation. Who knows, maybe you’ll feel a little of the excitement you used to feel during your own back-to-school days.

Sauna for the Soul

Tue, 08 Sep 2020 14:16:00 GMT

Infrared saunas are a hugely untapped fountain of health and happiness – they feel seriously amazing and are even better for our health. By using different types of infrared light, they heat our bodies from the inside out by heating our core first. Don’t be alarmed if you don’t sweat for the first or even multiple sessions – the more active you are and the more often your core is heated, the more quickly this happens, so you’ll be more likely to get a good sweat.

Most infrared saunas that you run across only have one type of light, most commonly the far light. At Genesis we have Sunlighten Infrared Saunas, which have all three types of light. This is important because they each do different things for our body:

Mid: goes a little deeper, into our muscles and joints, so it works well for pain relief and relaxation.

Far: penetrates the deepest parts of our body, including into our organs, so it releases those deep toxins and helps with weight loss.

There are preprogrammed sessions such as relaxation and detox, and we can also create custom sessions.

We could literally use an infrared sauna 7 days a week (staying properly hydrated, of course) and that would be GOOD for us. Sadly, Genesis is only open 6 days a week. We have two saunas, however, that you can schedule Monday through Saturday. Pricing is by the sauna, so you can even bring a friend or significant other along to join you in your session.

Through September, if you have never tried our infrared sauna , it is only $5! So grab some water, come relax, and feel like the first day of spring!

My Personal Experience with Stress Incontinency

Fri, 14 Aug 2020 19:00:00 GMT

I started initially with vaginal rejuvenation using radio frequency. This treatment is called Vitalia. It is done in a series of 3 treatments, 1 month apart. The treatment is very comfortable to have done. It is performed by having a small probe inserted into the vagina, and the probe is then moved back and forth. The total time for this treatment is about 45 minutes. After the treatment you have no downtime at all. You may feel some fullness for a day, but after that it’s business as usual. After my third treatment I could tell a difference in my incontinence and it was so great! I could jump on the trampoline with my son and could exercise while not having to worry about peeing my pants. For the next 2 years I did a maintenance treatment every 6 months just to maintain my results. This treatment can also help ladies who struggle with vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, decrease in sensation, and vaginal laxity.

Well fast forward a couple of years and I had another baby! From the get-go that was my hardest pregnancy… guess it was preparing me for my crazy life that was to come. (On a side note… 3 kids… holy moly, they keep me on my toes and keep me hopping, which means I don’t have time to be worrying about peeing my pants.) During that pregnancy, my stress incontinence reared its ugly head again. Obviously I didn’t do any treatments during pregnancy, but afterward I knew I had to start back on treatments again. Like I said earlier, 3rd pregnancy and 3rd kid did me in. I didn’t really start working out again until probably 10 months after delivery. That is when I really noticed how bad my incontinence was again.

I started back on treatments and this time I started with a different treatment. I had the O-Shot. If you don’t know what the O-Shot is, it is where we draw your own blood, spin it down, and then extract off the top portion, which is called PRP (platelet rich plasma). Dr. Ferris then takes the PRP and injects it into the vaginal area. The purpose of this treatment is to cause your body to repair itself. Pretty cool, right… repair your body with your own goods! This treatment is done in the office, you are here for about an hour, but the injection time is less than 5 minutes! We use numbing cream to help with the needle stick and I will have to say, I never felt a one. The really great thing about this treatment is that there is no downtime either.

About a month after this treatment I decided to start another series of Vitalia as well. I am currently about 2 months out from my last Vitalia treatment and I am happy to report that I have a HUGE difference in my stress incontinence. I went from having to wear a jumbo pad while working out to just a light day panty liner on some days, not every day. I highly recommend this treatment, and I think every woman should invest in herself a little… because no one deserves to have to pee their pants.

Himalayan Salt

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 06:00:00 GMT

Mined from the Himalayan mountains in Pakistan, 100{d855275bb5a53a691922ddbe09fd77e36a4f35d1f88aaf3bcf40ae4b44ffef7b} pure pink Himalayan salt contains naturally occurring minerals and salts. It is certified organic, antimicrobial and antibacterial.

A few ways Himalayan salt benefits the body:

Three of my favorite ways to use the salt stones:

For massage: Holding more tension in your body than you would like? Schedule a massage treatment and add stones to the neck, back and shoulder area OR get a full body stone massage with the Himalayan salt stones.

As a deodorant: A natural alternative to traditional deodorants and antiperspirants, Himalayan salt provides a protective barrier against odor-causing bacteria.

For warming or cooling sensations: These stones are versatile in their ability to be heated or cooled. Warm stones soothe the body, while cooled stones provide relief for aches and pains.

Stay Cool in Summer!

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 01:00:00 GMT

CoolSculpting is our choice for getting rid of those stubborn areas, and it’s very simple and noninvasive. It involves sitting in a comfy chair for a little bit of time while 1-2 applicators are applied to the area(s) you choose. You feel a cooling sensation for 20-40 minutes, and then there is a 2 minute massage to the treatment area. That’s it! Super simple. I literally sat there and watched Netflix.

Just to go a little deeper into this process, what’s happening here is the device is freezing those fat cells. The massage brings heat back to the treated area. There’s a little discomfort, no pain. It’s just like when you make snowmen, and you come back inside and your hands are FREEZING, and they kind of tingle when they start to warm back up. And just like that, then your lymph system starts the process of detoxing those dead fat cells out of your body! Using our infrared sauna can help this process, along with dry brushing, which stimulates the lymph system.

A few additional details to know:

The Year of the Staycation

Tue, 16 Jun 2020 19:00:00 GMT

If you’re looking for a small day trip, Hermann is only an hour drive from Jefferson City and has so much to offer during the summer months. Hermann is well known for its wineries, but it is also host to many outdoor live music festivities. Hermann’s Wine and Jazz Fest features artists from all over Missouri. Local vendors set up for food and drinks in the outdoor amphitheater with plenty of space to be socially distant while relaxing with the family and listening to fun music.

Hermann’s downtown area is full of beautiful stores, perfect for window shopping while taking a stroll around the town square. Make sure to stop off at Ricky’s Chocolate Box, Hermann’s delicious candy store, for some sweet treats for the ride home.

Staycation-ing in Missouri can also mean getting out into nature and away from the hustle and bustle. Echo Bluff State Park is located in Eminence and is one of my favorite places. The park sits right along the Current River which is part of the historic Osage Waterways. Echo Bluff offers amenities for any type of camper. From tent camping sites to beautiful cabins and lodges, anyone can create a little home away from home here. Around the park you will find playgrounds, river access for kayaking, swimming or fishing, gorgeous trails for hiking or biking, and even a restaurant in case you’re too tired from all your daily activities to cook. Echo Bluff is really a place where you are able to take in all the beauty Missouri has to offer.

Maybe life has got you a little too busy right now for a day or weekend trip. Genesis can help with that! From June to July we are offering our very own Staycation Spa Package. This four hour experience includes a Himalayan Salt Glow Body Treatment, Hot Stone Massage, and our Signature Manicure and Pedicure. All of these services are infused with our Laminaria oil to create the most luxurious experience possible. With all the added stress that the past few months has brought, this treatment was designed for ultimate relaxation. We might not be able to bring you to the beach, but we will do our best to have you so relaxed and refreshed that you feel like you just went on that tropical vacation.

However you decide to spend your summer, I hope that you take time for the small things and look for the fun in the unexpected and the unplanned. Hope to see you soon!

Protect Your Skin’s Barrier

Fri, 01 May 2020 01:00:00 GMT

More recently I look to my hands. Going back into work at the Medspa this week means constant hand washing and use of hand sanitizer. The top of my hands feel like alligator skin because I have stripped the barrier. They need more than moisture to recover from this.

Many clients come in with a compromised skin barrier. The common things that they tell me are that their skin is super dry and sensitive and they can’t find anything that will soothe and make it feel hydrated. They have tried endless thick heavy products and nothing seems to sink in. Well, when you have a compromised skin barrier, nothing will quench the dryness without gently removing the dull dead layer of skin that lives on top. So really, the thought behind the Carmex is spot on… in moderation.

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Our skin’s barrier is made up of keratinocytes, which are the little bricks that form the protective wall on the surface of our skin. Each little brick holds the skin together and prevents our skin from losing water (transepidermal water loss), which plays a huge role in our skin’s hydration and healthy function. The bricks also prevent “bad” things or aggressors from entering our skin. When our “brick wall” is healthy, our skin appears supple, healthy and youthful. Over time the keratinocytes can become unhealthy; sun, chemicals, pollution, aging and so many other reasons contribute to the build up of keratin. Picture your brick wall cracking, and you keep adding more bricks and mortar but never fixing the underlying issue. This causes your skin to feel rough, red and unhealthy, showing more lines and wrinkles.

The fine line or balance that comes with getting a healthy skin barrier is that some mild exfoliation is needed. One of the best gentle options for exfoliation comes from acids. Alpha hydroxy acids, like lactic or glycolic, gently “eat” away the buildup of keratin while hydrating and soothing. Beta hydroxy acids, like salicylic acid, will encourage the sloughing off of the keratin buildup. This in combination with a gentle physical exfoliation, like a granular scrub, allows your skin to accept hydration and to rebuild its natural barrier function.

For the face, the SkinMedica AHA/BHA cleanser and cream are the perfect combo to remove that layer of dead dry skin.

After you have prepared your skin and removed some of the keratin buildup, it is very important to look for products with ingredients like niacinamides and antioxidants. These will encourage the stimulation of healthy cells as well as restoring the protective barrier.

Pep Up is my absolute favorite for antioxidant protection and its ability to recharge and repair the skin and its barrier.

Redness Relief is my go-to for anyone with redness in their skin along with a compromised barrier. It has an ingredient called niacinamide, or vitamin B3, that keeps your lipid barrier healthy, in turn helping your skin to retain its own moisture while reducing inflammation and redness.

For very compromised or post-procedure skin, TNS Ceramide Treatment Cream is an absolute must for restoring the skin’s lipid barrier.

All of Colorescience’s Total Protection products will assist in protecting from the sun and the environment, and maintaining the skin’s natural barrier. Even Up and All Calm are the final step in your complete barrier protection for your face. They are actually corrective treatment products that also serve as makeup primers and SPF. The entire line of Colorescience is made to correct, protect, and make the skin instantly beautiful.

We have so many options for helping you keep or repair your skin’s healthy barrier functions. Call us at 573-761-2601 to set up a virtual consult to walk you through your best options!

Products to exfoliate and repair your skin’s barrier:

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Dry vs. Dehydrated Skin

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 03:00:00 GMT

True dry skin is lacking moisture or our natural oils, usually from over-stripping with a harshncleanser or living in a climate where the air is very dry. Oil dry skin is very vulnerable to becomingnirritated and very sensitive to anything that you apply to it. It commonly looks red and feels rough.

Currently I think of my hands when I think of dry skin. The constant use of antibacterial soap and handnsanitizer has left them beyond dry. A few key ingredients to restore moisture are ceramides, essentialnfatty acids, and other active ingredients that will restore the lipid barrier. Dermal Repair and Pep UP are nwonderful for restoring moisture for dry skin.

Dehydrated, or water-lacking skin, can still appear smooth but lines and wrinkles appear morenprominent. Think of a grape and a raisin: the raisin is just the grape without all its water. Humectantsnare products that draw water into the skin, and hyaluronic acid is our go-to for dehydrated skin. HA5 isna product that will deliver instant hydration along with supporting the skin’s natural ability to retainnmoisture, changing your skin back to a plump healthy grape. For some clients that tend to have morenoily skin this is enough moisture for daily use, and for everyone else this applied with a little water prior to your moisturizer is a game changer.

Protection is always key in dealing with either dry or dehydrated skin. Colorescience’s EnviroScreen technology uses patented active ingredients, Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, that createna barrier preventing free radical formation and oxidative stress, blocking UVA/UVB and blue lightndamage. All of this, while hydrating and moisturizing at the same time. Total Protection Face and BodynShield SPF 50 are my go-tos to maintain moisture and protect.

Let us help you decide if your skin is dry or dehydrated. We would love to see you for a virtual consult.

Dry Skin Package
nAvene Oil Cleanser
nDermal Repair
nPep Up
nTotal Face Shield SPF 50
n Buy Now

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Dehydrated Skin Package
nFacial Cleanser
nHA5
nReplenish Hydrate
nTotal Face Shield SPF 50
n Buy Now

Spring Cleaning Your Body

Tue, 21 Apr 2020 22:00:00 GMT

A little slower pace and time for self-reflection gives us a more meaningful time for body spring cleaning. The winter months leave our skin dry and rough, especially our feet – I have heard countless people say how badly they need a pedicure. Baby Foot foot peel is a fantastic way to remove all the dead layers, uncovering healthy soft feet. Yes, for now you may have to polish your toes at home, but if you are open to the thought, remove your polish and let your nails “breathe”, taking a little polish break. What better time than quarantine time??

Olive oil and sea salt or sugar, with the addition of your favorite essential oil, can make a great at homenskin polish. Applied to dry skin, this makes a gommage or a more aggressive exfoliation; the addition ofnwater will break down the scrub and when rinsed off the olive oil gives a nice amount of hydration.

Supracor’s Stimulite Bath Mitt is another great way to exfoliate your body at home – it cleans, exfoliates and massages your skin. It needs just a touch of soap to create a foamy lather. Or you can also use it dry, brushing your body with upward strokes toward the heart, stimulating the lymph system and releasing the toxins thatnproduce cellulite. Naturally antifungal and antibacterial, it can be washed/sanitized in the dishwasher, sonyou will never need another bath sponge that you wonder if it’s time to throw away.

Take time to take care of you – take a bath, take a walk, drink your water, or find a great yoga routine that you can do at home. We all want more “time” and we finally have it, so enjoy the slow down. We are taking advantage of this time by thinking of all the ways that we can pamper you when we get to see you again!nUntil then, we miss your face.

Why We Can’t Send Medical Grade Peels Home

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 18:00:00 GMT

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The AHA/BHA cleanser and moisturizer are a way to give yourself a great exfoliation and brightening until we can see you again. Use the cleanser with a minimal amount of water, scrub, massage, and leave on as a mask for 5 minutes before rinsing with water. Applying the AHA/BHA moisturizer will continue exfoliating with gentle acids, leaving your skin smooth and glowing.

Don’t forget your daily sun protection though! Even though this is a more gentle option for home use, it still leaves the skin fresh and vulnerable to sun damage.

We can’t wait to get our hands back on our clients! Until then, we miss your face.

Schedule a peel appointment for when we return, or call and register for our Spring Cleaning Retro Peel Party .

Hormones and Your Immune System

Thu, 16 Apr 2020 15:00:00 GMT

While these may seem straightforward, it is amazing to me how often they are not being followed by clients who then wonder why they are sick! In addition to the above, hormone optimization throughout life has been shown to boost your immune system and maintain optimum infection fighting capability. While the scope of this subject is beyond this brief writing, I would like to share some ways that you can make the odds more in your favor. The BioTe method we utilize has been shown to positively impact your health risks in a very convenient manner.

Many studies have shown that an imbalance of estrogen, testosterone and progesterone will decrease many aspects of your immune response. Proper optimization of these hormones will not only impact your infection fighting response, but will help reduce the risk of getting the other chronic diseases that affect us such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, dementia, osteoporosis, and breast cancer to name a few.

In addition to the above hormones, certain supplements can further reduce your risk of infections:

Vitamin A has been shown to increase the barrier function in your lungs, making you less prone to viral infections. It also boosts the function of white blood cells which help clear infections.

Vitamin D has been shown to have antiviral effects, and was shown in a recent study to reduce the risk of respiratory infections by over 40{d855275bb5a53a691922ddbe09fd77e36a4f35d1f88aaf3bcf40ae4b44ffef7b}.

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Zinc and iodine also play important roles. Zinc inhibits virus reproduction in high doses, and iodine maintains thyroid balance, which affects the entire body and immune system.

All of these vitamins and minerals can be found in our A-D-K and iodine supplements. Adding these to your daily regimen will go a long way to enhance your ability to fight off infections. Combine that with a healthy lifestyle and BioTe hormone pellets, and the odds will be as much in your favor as possible! We hope to see you soon at the Genesis Medspa to help you with this valuable service, but until then we can schedule a virtual consult to get the process rolling. Call us at 573-761-2601 to schedule your consultation.

Can’t Get in for Your Spring Peel? How to Do a Good Home Exfoliation

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 14:00:00 GMT

AHA/BHA cleanser combines alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids, and jojoba spheres to help physically exfoliate skin, and AHA/BHA cream uses the same gentle acids to exfoliate, brighten, and reduce the appearance of fine lines. Use once or twice a week at bedtime and wake up feeling smooth, soft and glowing. It’s my weekly routine – preferably Sunday nights during a hot bath.

You can purchase this kit online or for pick up. Call in your order if you have Brilliant Distinctions dollars to use.

AHA/BHA cleanser and cream duo: Regular: $91 | Sale Price: $68 + free shipping

Duo + HA5: Regular: $269 | Sale Price: $201

Shop here! Use code “stayhome” for special price!

Adapting to Change

Tue, 14 Apr 2020 21:00:00 GMT

I have learned quite a few things in these past few weeks about myself, our business, and what is important and what isn’t. I also have thought a lot about things I like and miss about my pre-COVID-19 life and things I don’t want to go back to. For this week’s “Touch In on Tuesday” I will focus on one of these lessons:

Things work best when you go with the flow, take the day as it comes and adapt!! Not that plans are unnecessary, but you need to be more fluid. Let them loosely frame your life and be open to the way things show up on the day to day!

So, from a Genesis Medspa perspective, I would encourage you all to evaluate what you do at home. Maybe spend some time reflecting on how you take care of yourself. Do you have good lifestyle habits? Would now be a time to try and integrate them into your routine? Exercise, healthy eating, and a good self-care routine could be established, and then you could start thinking about how you can keep it going once this is over. What can you take out of your routine to have the ability to add these things in?

For example, in Brandi’s new blog post, you can learn how to do a good home exfoliation .

Take care until we can see you again!

The Opposite of Love Is Not Hate, It Is Indifferencen

Wed, 19 Feb 2020 16:00:00 GMT

If you’re like most women you probably spend your love in service to your kids, parents, spouse, friends and co-workers. We are great at dishing it out! But how many of us would confidently stand up and say I love myself??? We are so quick to point out our flaws or where we fall short. What is the commentary that you give to yourself?

Being in the aesthetic industry can raise that bar even higher if you let it. So, this Valentine month I want to remind all of us that beauty starts on the inside. It starts with how we live our life, not what we look like doing it. We love what we do here. There are so many tips, tricks and treatments that can help you look great, but the real beauty is the canvas they go on. Nothing we do will make you more beautiful than the soul you already are.

So, think of what we do as the cherry on top. You bring us your unique beauty and we will help remind you how special you really are! Because after all the opposite of love isn’t hate, it’s indifference. Show yourself some love: let your self-talk be positive, notice your gifts, celebrate your talents, and treat yourself once in a while whether it is nails, a new purse, or a HydraFacial. Find the things that bring you joy and remember we think you’re perfect just the way you are!

P.S. We do have a few non-negotiables, however, like WEAR YOUR SUNSCREEN!

Your 90-Day Skin Care Plan

Fri, 17 Jan 2020 01:00:00 GMT

Instead of looking for a new skin care brand, look for a new consultation. I have the privilege of being one of our plan managers that help to guide you through this daunting process. Skin care and medical esthetic treatments are my passion and have been for the past 15 years. I have heard it all and do my absolute best to make sure that your consultation meets you where you are comfortable. My clients use shampoo on their face, own tanning beds, and don’t reapply their sunscreen… but we all must start somewhere. My job is to listen to your goals, educate you on your options, and make a plan that works within your budget and lifestyle. Small, simple changes can make a huge difference!

What to Expect in Your Skin Care Consultation

Communication is Key

We will start with an intake of what you are currently using on your skin and review what goals you are looking to achieve. I want to know if you are a tired mom of little kids that barely finds time to go to the bathroom and can’t fathom taking time for “steps” in a routine, or if you have tried it all and are ready for something that is going to make a meaningful change. There is help for both of you and it’s never too late.

The Picture Tells a Story

Next, I will cleanse your skin to prepare you for our VISIA photo analysis . This photo session will let us both have a very non-subjective look into what’s going on with your skin. The program will take your age and your skin type to assess everything from brown spots to red veins to wrinkles… it even gives a True Skin Age. Fun numbers to have, but the most important part of the photo session is that it’s documenting the beginning. Results take time and the photos are a great way to see that progress. It keeps you accountable for keeping up with your home care and keeps me accountable in that we are directing you towards seeing that desired improvement. So much fun!!

90-Day Plan Time

Like I mentioned earlier, results take time. We create a plan that will address the next 3 months for your home skin care regimen and services. 80{d855275bb5a53a691922ddbe09fd77e36a4f35d1f88aaf3bcf40ae4b44ffef7b} of your results come from your home regimen. It would be like going to the dentist and never brushing your teeth in between cleanings and expecting to have healthy white teeth. Your home skin care is everything.

The science behind SkinMedica products sets the bar high for results-driven skin care. With continued use the ingredients can make significant changes in any skin care concern. One of my favorite clients has only used skin care and Botox and has continued to see improvement over the past 10 years with her follow-up VISIA appointments.

Once we have discussed how your new products fit into your budget and lifestyle, I will review exactly how to use morning and night. Often this means making the most of what you have at home and adding the products that are going to benefit you the most. Next, we set a plan for your treatment options. We have so many great options from the facials to lasers to Botox/filler to cosmetic surgery, totally customized to how quickly you want to see the changes or if you are just looking for a little relaxation. Our providers are second to none; we have an excellent team and I will do my best to match you with someone that you adore.

The Finishing Touch

My goal is that everyone feels educated, excited and heard, and that we have pointed them in the right direction after their consult. My goal is also that no one leaves our business without sun protection, so every skin care consult ends with the Colorescience Finishing Touch. Colorescience is not just makeup, it’s a healthy lifestyle for your skin, and once you try it you will be in love… sun protected and beautifully in love.

Keeping You in the Game

Follow up is key. I am here to make sure that you are able to use your products, that you keep up with your treatment plan, and that you get results! This is the toughest process for most of our clients because life gets busy. I want everyone to have that fantastic “after” photo and am here as an ally to keep you motivated.

Helping people see the beauty in themselves is the best part of my job. I love all of our products and services and want to help guide you to get the most out of your Genesis Experience. Pick up the phone, make the consult . I look forward to seeing you soon!!

What Is the Difference Between Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery?

Sat, 23 Nov 2019 20:00:00 GMT

I completed my general surgery residency and served as a general surgeon and assistant professor of surgery in the United States Navy. As a board-certified general surgeon, I had two avenues in which to pursue a career in esthetic surgery: a plastic and reconstructive surgery fellowship or a cosmetic surgery fellowship.

A plastic and reconstructive surgery fellowship is a two-year program in which time is divided between trauma, reconstruction, hand surgery, pediatric/congenital defects, disorders, and cosmetic surgery (elective esthetic surgery). A cosmetic surgery fellowship through the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) is twelve months in duration and the entire twelve months are spent learning and performing cosmetic surgery. My goal in choosing a fellowship program was to obtain the best training that would prepare me to provide the highest level of surgical expertise, personalized service, and results from day one. As my career focus was not on reconstructive surgery and academia, I chose to pursue a cosmetic surgery fellowship.

I completed my cosmetic surgery fellowship with Dr. Mark Mandell-Brown (President-Elect, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery) in Cincinnati, Ohio. During my twelve months I completed a full range of face, body and breast surgeries and procedures (over 600). I learned the latest techniques and innovations, and continue to attend national meetings and conferences to stay on the cutting edge. I am a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and am board-certified with the American Board of Surgery and American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.

I chose to leave behind a lucrative general surgery practice to pursue my passion for esthetic surgery. Although I enjoyed general surgery, my interests and ultimate career goals have always been cosmetic surgery. I find helping a patient attain their esthetic goals and boosting their self-confidence extremely rewarding. I love being a cosmetic surgeon.

You Have a Choice in Breast Augmentation at Genesis

Fri, 04 Oct 2019 19:00:00 GMT

Once you’ve made the decision to have breast augmentation, there are additional factors to consider to ensure you achieve your overall esthetic goals. First, where do you want your incision? The majority of my patients prefer the incision located on their breast fold (infra-mammary fold). The infra-mammary fold incision heals well and is hidden with a bra or bikini top. I also offer incisions located in the axilla (underarm) and around the areola. Some women choose the axillary incision because they do not want a visible scar anywhere on their breast. The areolar incision is usually recommended when a breast lift is indicated in conjunction with the augmentation. No one incision is better than the other. It is a matter of personal preference. If you have your heart set on a specific incision, make sure your cosmetic surgeon is experienced in performing the augmentation with your incision of choice. Now that you have made the decision on where you want your incision to be, what type of implant do you prefer, saline or silicone? Both implants have silicone shells. The only difference is the saline implant is filled at the time of surgery with sterile saline, and the silicone implant comes pre-filled with gummy silicone. Durability, overall appearance, and results are about the same for both. The only caveat being saline implants are not recommended in very thin women with minimal breast tissue as the rippling of the implant may be more noticeable. Implants also come in a multitude of firmness (silicone implants) and profiles. At Genesis, we use Natrelle Implants as they offer the greatest number of options in firmness and profiles currently on the market. This allows me to customize the augmentation process to help you achieve your goals.

So Long Summer Skin

Mon, 30 Sep 2019 18:00:00 GMT

For my family, summer means countless hours behind our boat surfing, skiing, wakeboarding, playing, and just enjoying time with family and friends. We bought a new boat this year and even though it is super exciting it was a little bittersweet thinking of all the years and time that we had spent on our Malibu. In my cleaning, I came across the reason that my family stays so sun protected even while we’re out: I found eight Sunforgettable brushes, six tubes of SPF 35 Lip Shine, and countless gray tubes of SkinMedica SPF. What can I say, I am a true product junkie.

To Lift or Not to Lift

Mon, 30 Sep 2019 06:00:00 GMT

Something to consider when deciding to undergo breast augmentation is whether you will need a breast lift in conjunction with the augmentation. A breast lift involves removing skin (sometimes breast tissue as well) and tightening. Several factors determine whether a lift is necessary to help you reach your desired goal: n Position of your nipple in relation to the infra-mammary fold (crease where the breast meets the chest wall) Location of your breast tissue Your goal cup size post augmentation n Ideally your nipple should be at or above your infra-mammary fold. Unfortunately, with time, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and effects of gravity, skin becomes lax and breast tissue migrates south. If the amount of ptosis (sagging) is minimal, this can be addressed with placement of an implant if the implant being placed is large enough to fill out the overlying skin envelope. However, if you do not want to dramatically increase your bust size or the overlying skin envelope is too much to be offset by the implant, a lift will be necessary. Sometimes the nipple is positioned above the infra-mammary fold but the breast appears bottom heavy with the majority of the breast tissue below the nipple. This phenomenon is referred to as pseudo-ptosis. If pseudo-ptosis is present, it will be necessary to remove a portion of the skin and breast tissue along with augmentation. You can receive your personal recommendations by visiting us for a consultation at Genesis Medspa. I look forward to meeting you and helping you achieve your aesthetic goals.

National Healthy Aging Month

Mon, 02 Sep 2019 06:00:00 GMT

Today is the oldest I have ever been. Does that make me old? To my kids kind of, to my granddaughter absolutely, to my dad absolutely not. But what about me? How do I feel? In all honesty, not so bad. I am enjoying my 50s and I have been lucky to work in an industry that stresses the importance of making healthy choices. Not a day goes by that I don’t see an article or get info on the latest tips for looking and feeling our best. Healthy aging has almost become an obsession in our day.

But today I am one day older, and if I can continue to wake up each day and be mindful of the small things I need to do, like eat healthy, get physical activity, brush my teeth, take care of my skin and hygiene, minimize my stress, keep myself social and at the end of the day get enough rest (I could go on and on), then maybe this aging thing won’t be so bad. I know it is going to get harder – I have had a front row seat to viewing that as caretaker for my parent – but I hope to continue to embrace it while doing what I can to keep myself as active and happy as I can.

So on the flip side I am the youngest I’ll ever be again, so I better enjoy it. I wish I could go back to my 20-year-old self and tell her to stand tall and confident. To not stress about wearing a swimsuit because she had almost invisible cellulite and to appreciate that this is probably as good as it will ever be! Or my thirty-year-old self and tell her to snuggle up with those babies and ignore the changes that pregnancy made and the circles that sleepless nights gave. There are blessings and joys to this age that slip by so fast. Or my 40s me and tell her to not fret that she can’t run a marathon by 40 like she had on her bucket list, that there would come a day when she would be thankful that she enjoyed running and could do it at all.

So, what will the future me look back and want to tell me today?

Maybe we should all stop and ask ourselves that question. Will she or he be happy with how we are caring for ourselves mentally and physically? Thank us for giving it the best shot possible to feel our best? What will she chastise us for not appreciating? I most certainly don’t know the answers, but I am going to continue to try and find them and surround myself with positive mentors and role models to push me along. So this September, look at your habits and lifestyle and vow to do your best to age as healthy as you can. We would be honored to play any small part in that we can.

Not All Microneedling Is the Same

Fri, 10 May 2019 21:00:00 GMT

You may be aware of the buzz surrounding microneedling and the FDA as of late. One of the most serious issues is that of transmission of blood-borne diseases from one person to another. Microneedling is not currently regulated by the FDA, but the FDA did issue a statement on it to define what standards devices need to meet in order to maintain patient safety. The majority of microneedling devices used in the medspa setting are designed to break the skin in order to stimulate new tissue healing, resulting in a more youthful look. They can also smooth wrinkles, scars and cellulite. However, when a device is designed for use on different people, it must be able to be cleaned and not transmit tissue or blood from one person to another. You shouldn’t have to think or worry about this when you come in excited for a youth-enhancing treatment, but unfortunately the majority of devices being used today do not meet this standard and will place you at risk. Here at the Genesis Medspa, we offer the only FDA-approved microneedling device, SkinPen. This device has a totally isolated disposable needle attachment, with no possibility of tissue or blood retained in the handpiece. We at Genesis are proud to offer the best services with the best safety for our clients.

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Fri, 12 Apr 2019 20:00:00 GMT

It’s the same with our skin. Unless we hydrate and protect it from damage, we are not going to have a magnificent complexion. Hormones and diet can also wreak havoc. Thankfully we live in a time of neverending research and development in the area of aging skin.

Maturing women and men have been taking better care of their bodies, and want their looks to reflect how they feel. I know being in my fifties doesn’t feel the way I thought it would. I still, for the most part, feel as young as I did in my thirties, hopefully just a little wiser.

The good news is there are now so many options to help maintain a great complexion and healthy-looking skin. There is no one answer, so enlisting the help of professionals will help you choose the right treatments and products for the results you desire. Whether it is pigment removal, redness relief, wrinkle reduction, or addressing laxity and loss of volume – there are options.

I have a brown thumb, so my yard and garden would not be what they are today without the help of the professionals I use. They help me choose plants that will work in my setting and help with the maintenance needed to keep things looking beautiful. I would definitely not have the time or ability to have the yard I have without them. That is what we would like to be for your skin. Let us help you take the guesswork out of skin care and offer you the services you can only receive from medically-based clinicians. This spring let your beauty bloom! We would be honored to help in the transformation.

P.S. A shout-out to Longfellow’s for your garden help!!

Take the Luck Out of Great Skin

Sat, 16 Mar 2019 14:00:00 GMT

Modern esthetic medicine takes the luck out of great skin. Even if you are a pigmented mess there is hope. Our esthetic staff is trained and ready to help you banish the browns and smooth away wrinkles. The technological advances in both treatment options and homecare allow us to erase much of the sins of the past. Once your skin is glowing, we can help you maintain your results and prevent future damage.

I am a prime example of this. My family is of Irish German descent and we all have the tendency to get huge brown spots as we age. In my thirties and early forties that mostly showed up as dull dusky skin, with a peppering of pigment. I did not do myself any favors with my excessive sun exposure and tanning in my younger days.

Luckily, I had a Triniti skin series 11 years ago and haven’t turned back. That initial series brought huge improvements in my skin and I have worked to maintain those results over the past 11 years. I have an annual Triniti maintenance and keep up with my homecare routine. Occasionally I will add in an extra peel. I also am a daily sunscreen user and do my best to protect my skin in the summer.

I will forever need to keep at keeping that long-ago sun damage at bay, but I don’t need luck! I have the tools to do it: the products, services, and staff at Genesis Medspa! They are my lucky charm! And you’re in luck – they can be yours, too. Contact us to schedule your Visia Analysis today!

Love Your Lips

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 14:04:00 GMT

There is no denying my genetics when it comes to my smile. It’s a little crooked and I barely have any upper lip. It’s something that makes me me , but also something that has bothered me slightly. I often thought about getting lip filler, but never went through with it. So, when given the opportunity to actually go through with it, I was excited and a little nervous. The product I had injected looks natural and is very soft. It enhances my lips without necessarily making them look augmented. It was a great first-time experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
n – Ashley, RN

To be 100{d855275bb5a53a691922ddbe09fd77e36a4f35d1f88aaf3bcf40ae4b44ffef7b} honest, I was terrified of getting filler. The nurse and Dr. Prasad were understanding and amazing! I had very little swelling and one minuscule bruise on the inside of my lip. The overall procedure was easy, with minimal pain. I chose to get the Volbella filler because it was targeting my main goal, hydration, and it is a great filler to start out with because it is so subtle. My lips before were always dry and cracked. I also felt that my lips weren’t in proportion to the rest of my face when I smiled. My main goals were to get my lips looking healthy, moisturized, and the way they looked when I had my braces. A plus is that my husband loves them as well.
n – Austin, LMT

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t so sure about getting filler in my lips at first. I was pretty content with my lips as they were and was terrified of the injection process. But so totally worth it! I never imagined the difference it would make. I received Volbella and I LOVE the natural volume and hydration it gave me. Dr. Prasad did an amazing job at making the right side of my upper lip symmetrical with the left side. Before, when applying lipstick, I would always have to shape the lipstick to make my lips look even on both sides, but not anymore! I also definitely let my nerves get the best of me because the injection process was a piece of cake. We applied numbing cream before the injections, which was probably the weirdest feeling of the whole process. Next, Dr. Prasad assessed the area and we discussed what look I wanted to go for. Me being a newbie with filler and not sure exactly what I even wanted, and Dr. Prasad being the pro, I told him to do whatever he thought would look nice. As we started the injections, Ashley was really good about adding a distraction by applying a Foreo brush to my temple area, to get my focus elsewhere. During the injections I felt very mild pricks and pinches and then wa-lah… beautiful lips! I am so happy with the results and wouldn’t change a thing!
n – Jayda

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Every woman wants instant results, which is very hard to achieve with treatments that are non-invasive. I would describe myself as a minimalist when it comes to my skin care and makeup routine, which is one of the reasons I have turned to filler and Botox. I have an instant flawless hydrating plumped look without the hard work. The filler I recently received in my lip is Juvederm, which is my absolute favorite. One of the best things about this syringe is that I only need to keep up with this treatment once every 6 months to maintain my luscious lips. I would recommend this product to any patient that wants to receive results.
n – Kayla K.

I am a 53-year-old female who has worked in the skin care industry since 1992, so imagine how many different options have been available for me to try over the years. When I was younger, I was always looking for the lip product/color/gloss that was pretty or gave me a fun cosmetic look. As I have aged, my goals have been all about protection and repair (but of course still looking pretty). Volumizing and plumping up the moisture in my shrinking lips has been a journey for improvement over the last few years. Lip volume looks and means something different to everyone. I have always liked the shape of my lips, but find myself missing the smooth fullness I once had, not to mention trying to correct symmetry. Enter Allergan’s lineup of lip filler: multiple options for what your lips need, what you want to see happen, and most importantly having an injector that helps you achieve your goal. If you are considering lip injections, meet with your provider, consider bringing a photo of your younger self, and give a clear explanation of what you want and also what you don’t want. Remember, everyone’s definition of filler will be different. What does lip filler mean to you?
n – Kim

There are so many bad images of lip filler out there, right!? The first time I decided to take the plunge I was super nervous! But after I finally decided to do it, I couldn’t have been happier! I love the subtle enhancement that I got and then I was addicted! When the little bit of swelling went down, I realized that I wanted them bigger! So this time I decided to use a different type of filler and get more of an augmentation. And again, I was thrilled with them!
n – Kimberly, RN

If you have ever thought of getting lip injections, I highly recommend it! I have had lip filler before; I usually get a syringe of Juvederm once a year. Dr. Prasad and Kimberly talked to me about Volbella this time for my injection. I was very interested in this product because it was a little more defining for me. I am a huge lipstick wearer and love my lips. I wanted a little fullness, but really wanted more contouring and lip definition. Volbella was an excellent choice! I love it, and I mean LOVE it! Volbella customized my lips and helped focus on areas that I was concerned with, such as vermillion lines (lip border) and my cupid’s bow. My results were very pleasing, and I have a beautiful natural full shape to my lips. I love fillers; they are an immediate result with little if any downtime, and filled lips feel no different than natural lips. So, any real important advice I can give? Yes, make sure that you know your facility and provider; it’s very important to have your filler done by someone with experience and knowledge. Injections are just as much an art as they are a science. Here at Genesis Medspa, we take pride in being skilled in both aspects. My favorite things about Volbella are softness, more natural lips, definition, less swelling, and longer-lasting results (about 12 months).
n – La Jeana

Friday. French Fries. Filler. Frappé. Flannel. A few of my favorite “f” words. Filler is the only one that’s long lasting, that I get to see every day, and is always appropriate. And it isn’t even bad for me!
n – Tabatha

LIPS! LIPS! LIPS! Everyone here has been talking about their lips. I thought mine had fared pretty well over the 60+ years, but I agreed to watch a live demonstration on lip injections and what they could mean for this ol’ aging pucker. I was intrigued when they said, “go back to a picture from 10-20-30 years ago and really look at the plumpness in your lips.” I thought to myself, hmmm… I haven’t lost that much volume and shape. So, being the overachiever that I am, I went back to my wedding photo. HOLY MOLY where did my lips go?! Needless to say, I jumped on the bandwagon and got Juvederm filler. I was surprised that there was minimal pain and I only had one small bruise that was easily covered up. So for the real test, I went home to that same husband I married 38 years ago and his remark and face was priceless. He has called me Luscious Lips ever since and it makes me feel like a schoolgirl every time he asks “can I KISS those LUSCIOUS LIPS?” So in my golden years I’m going with whatever it takes, right?
n – Ruth

nnn

I never thought of my lips as being too thin, but I was interested in making them just a bit plumper. I did start to see a few lines in my lips in the past few years. I didn’t want to overdo it because you can easily put more in, but removing filler would be more difficult. I am very pleased with my decision because my lips look full, but still natural looking. In the future I may want to do more, but at this time they are KISSABLE LIPS!
n – Stephanie

Interested in trying lip filler yourself? Schedule a complimentary consultation to learn more.

Schedule this month and receive a FREE HA5 Smooth and Plump Lip System. This two-step treatment is clinically shown to plump the appearance of lips while providing the same smoothing and hydrating benefits of HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator.

Learn more about lip filler here!

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Why It’s Good to Meet Your Insurance Deductible Early in the Year

Sat, 19 Jan 2019 15:00:00 GMT

Near the end of every year I hear over and over “But I’ve met my deductible, can’t you please get me in before the end of the year?”. I personally was in that situation last year, having met my deductible and out of pocket in November. There were several things that needed attention, but I waited too long, and was unable to get everything taken care of last year while my insurance was paying 100{d855275bb5a53a691922ddbe09fd77e36a4f35d1f88aaf3bcf40ae4b44ffef7b} because medical providers have only so many appointments remaining before end of year. I guess I will be paying my deductible again this January to finish up what I started late last year.

At Genesis Laser and Vein, having your consult or visit in January or February will allow you to meet your stocking trial if required by your insurance, submit for authorization, and proceed with treatment that will allow you to finish up before the end of the year. We offer GreenSky Payment Plans that can spread your deductible payments over six to twelve months depending on the amount. It is offered as “same as cash” with no interest if paid within the six to twelve months. This way you can proceed with treatment and pay off the deductible over a longer time period instead of all at once upfront.

Do you have questions about insurance and your vein care? Please give me a call. I like to discuss insurance deductibles, coverage and benefits, and would be glad to help.

Shirley Mosley
nBack Office Coordinator
n573-761-5277

Sunscreen Is Just for Summer. Except it Isn’t!n

Wed, 16 Jan 2019 17:00:00 GMT

UVA = deep penetration = photoaging (soooo… uvA for aging)

UVB = sunburns and cancer (uvB for burns – or for BUMMER because cancer)

What about the winter? Especially in the winter! The snow nearly doubles your exposure to UV rays because of how it reflects. Also, interestingly, not to get all green, but our ozone layer, “Earth’s Sunscreen”, is thinnest in the winter (in the Northern Hemisphere anyway). AND we’re closest to the sun during the winter.

Sunscreen is even important in the car. UVB rays go through glass. The cancer rays! That should be their real name.

Even if you can’t see the sun. Wear it. Clouds filter out the sunlight, but not the UVB rays (cancer rays). Even just being on concrete (among other things, but I’ll spare you the list) makes you more vulnerable to those harmful rays. What about in the shade? Wear it. Not all shade is equal, and either way, some of those rays bounce off molecules in the air and still get to our lovely skin.

Are you starting to feel like the sun is tricky?

Sunscreen shouldn’t really be an option. Do yourself a favor… Wear it. Every two hours. Even in the car. On cloudy days. In the shade. In the winter.

Looking for an amazing non-greasy, easy to apply and reapply, protects against all types of UV rays sunscreen? We’ve got you covered at Genesis Medspa. Come by and pick up your own bottle of the #1 antiaging product out there.

A Goal Without a Plan is Just a Wish

Sun, 13 Jan 2019 06:00:00 GMT

This is also our philosophy on how you should tackle your skin health. You need to decide what your goal is, make a plan and stick to it. Then set regular intervals to evaluate your plan. That is why we always offer our clients a 90-day plan. Make this the year that you make and stick to your plan. Here is what that looks like:

The clients that follow this approach always get the best results! It is our secret for success. We hope that this year you will take advantage of this plan management program. Schedule your VISIA plan appointment with Brandi, Kim or Stephanie and make sure your skin health wishes come true!

Try this approach for your other resolutions, too, and let 2019 be the year your wishes come true.

Choose to Treat Your Vein Disease in 2019!

Sat, 12 Jan 2019 12:00:00 GMT

“This is an elective procedure that I can wait to do until I don’t have to pay out of pocket.”

I would like to challenge this line of thought. I had my vein care done over 10 years ago. Why? Call me the guinea pig! Whenever Dr. Prasad is trialing new procedures, I am usually the first name that gets thrown in the hat. I can honestly say I would have never chosen to seek vein care at that time of my life otherwise. I did have visible veins, and parents and grandparents who suffered horribly from vein disease. My legs did ache at the end of the day, I could barely tolerate long car rides, and plane travel was miserable. But these changes happened slowly over time and I just learned to live with them. Thank goodness I was put in the position to do it for someone else because I would have never taken the time to do it for myself. Who knows when I would have started taking care of my legs.

So what did I gain?

I also prevented many of my symptoms from getting worse. I am convinced I would not have been able to maintain the level of exercise I have or continue to enjoy the types of traveling I do. I still have vein disease and always will, but with 1 to 2 treatments a year I can keep ahead of it and enjoy my active life.

So what’s your story going to be?

You have a choice! Choose to treat your vein disease. You’re worth it! Life is too short to sit on the sidelines. Join me in doing the best we can to stay active, stay fit and enjoy life. A great resolution to have for 2019!

Happy New Year!

Buh-Bye Brown Spot

Wed, 21 Nov 2018 14:00:00 GMT

I will be the first to admit that I am an overachiever in the sun protection department… I start every day with Lumivive, TNS Recovery Complex, my Colorescience Total Protection Face and Body along with my Even Up, my Pressed Mineral SPF 20, Total Eye, and Sunforgettable Brush SPF 50. I am protected from UVA, UVB, blue light and any other little free radical damager that wants to attack my skin. I live on the lake, spend lots of time outside, and love to vacation at the beach or in the mountains where we get plenty of sun. For the past 15 years my skin has been protected, taken care of by the best of the best products and treatments. But… prior to that my story was a little different.

I have always worn sunscreen and have always been pretty aware that it was necessary. At an early age my mom started teaching me the benefits of wearing sun protection as she laid next to me on the beach slathered in the best smelling suntan oil that made her skin a lovely shade of brown. Little did I know the damage this was causing. We spent many summers on the beach in the sun and at the pool. I was a lifeguard all through high school, and I may have even laid in a tanning bed getting ready for prom a time or two… or 20.

I am turning 40 this year and the evidence of the sins from my sun tanning past have just started emerging. They are very minimal, and I feel very lucky that I started protecting and taking care of my skin at an early age, but I still had this one brown spot. That first spot that drives you crazy and your eye always goes directly to. Most of you wouldn’t know I had it – the Corrector Palette is a pretty amazing thing for concealing, and I highly suggest it if you don’t have one.

But I no longer have to cover my brown spot. I had one treatment with the Picoway Laser and it is completely destroyed. The treatment is very easy to go through and has minimal side effects. My brown spot got a little darker, which again was very easy to conceal with my Corrector Palette, and within a week it flaked off. Amazing!

Here are my photos – the first one is the day after treatment, and the second one is the week following treatment.

The moral of my brown spot story is…

Pigment Buster Package with PicoWay
n3 PicoWay Skin Rejuvenation Treatments
nSkinMedica Lytera 2.0 Pigment Corrector
Regular: $1351 Sale: $1197

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Let’s Be Well

Fri, 02 Nov 2018 16:00:00 GMT

In the last decade or so, I have spent an increasing amount of time trying to educate myself on how to stay healthy. There is a tremendous, growing body of information on health maintenance, wellness, and optimal aging that is rooted in research and hard science. What I mean by that is the information is obtained by medical researchers across the world applying the same standards as they do to discovering new cancer cures.

However, some of the new information conflicts with currently accepted recommendations from the medical community. This may lead to doctors disagreeing on what is best for you. I have also found that the lay press routinely picks snippets of information from a medical study and then portrays it as the whole truth without explaining the study’s complete findings. The net effect on patients is confusion and mistrust of the medical community. I think we all can understand that seeking consistent, reliable information in today’s world is challenging.

My point in writing this is that there are many factors that we can control to improve our chance of staying healthy. If we embrace wellness and healthy aging, research shows we can lower our odds of many major illnesses. The basic outline is very simple: eat clean, sleep 7-8 hours daily, exercise 30 minutes or more daily, minimize visceral fat, maintain hormonal balance throughout life, minimize environmental toxins, no smoking, and minimal alcohol intake. Most of this seems obvious and the majority of it is free! You just have to do it.

Healthcare in the United States is very good, but we are making ourselves sicker through our lifestyles and food choices. Take control of your health and be well. Your body will thank you.

Exercise and Compression Hose

Wed, 10 Oct 2018 15:00:00 GMT

So recently, I stopped using the sleeves but have continued to exercise. The intensity of my exercise routines continued to increase, and I began to notice that my legs felt rather sore and heavy at work. I usually am at the gym by 5:30am and then am on my feet at work all day. I hadn’t ever had any issues with my legs, even after years of standing in operating rooms and office days. This was a new and very annoying phenomenon, and I really didn’t put two and two together at first. This went on for about 3 months before I had the revelation that the only change was being too lazy to put on the sleeves before going to the gym.

A few weeks ago, I began wearing them again. What a surprise! My legs weren’t heavy and achy at work. This in retrospect all seems a little silly, but I am writing this blog to relate my experience to you so that all of you will benefit from wearing these compression sleeves while you exercise. However, you must remember that the sleeves are not a substitute for thigh high compression for those of you with vein disease. They are for use only during the period of exercise, and will be of value to everyone whether you have venous disease or not.

So, if you enjoy running, walking or any other form of aerobic exercise, come and get a pair of our exercise compression sleeves. Your legs will thank you!

Recapturing My Youthful Mojo

Fri, 14 Sep 2018 06:00:00 GMT

How has it changed my life? Well, the first symptom that was relieved was my lack of sleep. I probably hadn’t had a full night of sleep in over 10 years. I would wake up any time between 1:00 and 3:00 and often would be up for the rest of the night. After having the pellets for only two weeks, I slept a full night of sleep. This continues to be the norm, and when I do start to have trouble sleeping, it is my indication that it is time for another pellet.

The benefits of getting a full night’s sleep are many. I have way more energy, no foggy brain, much more motivation to exercise, and am way less crabby. I often joke that if everyone was pelleted the world would be a better place. For me this was the main benefit and what keeps me coming back. I have had other added bonuses, such as no more watery eyes due to improved lubrication, I lost a pant size due to better muscle building, and my husband looks way more attractive to me than he did last year! Those are all great, but the sleep is my why.

Recently, life issues had me postpone my pellet insertion a few weeks too long and I started to feel like my old normal. I honestly don’t know how I put up with it and would never put up with it again.

The best part about the whole process is that BioTE is all natural and gives the added benefit of improvements in heart disease, osteoporosis and memory loss, all risk factors that run in my family. Call to schedule your consultation and find out if pellet therapy is right for you! Dr. Ferris, board-certified gynecologist and hormone replacement expert, will be happy to educate you on this treatment.

Recapturing My Youthful Body

Wed, 12 Sep 2018 06:00:00 GMT

Most of us have those stubborn areas of fat that just don’t seem to want to go away no matter how much we diet and exercise. I have been exercising consistently for the past year and have maintained a steady weight. My frustration has been the post-menopausal belly and rubbing inner thighs. So those are the areas I have decided to tackle. I have had one CoolSculpting treatment in each area and I am due for my second. I can’t give you my total transformation experience, but I can already tell that I am super pleased with my abdomen. I’ve always had a very flat stomach, so the menopause pooch really did me in. I hated how any clothes felt that had a waist. In the past month I find myself digging out the jeans I have been avoiding, and overall I am way more comfortable in my clothes. Am I ready to dig out a teeny bikini? Probably not! Even if I could, I think I am a bit past the bikini stage, but if I had to I would probably not die of embarrassment like I would have a few months ago. My inner thighs didn’t bother me so much for their look – I think that area needs a bit of a contour – but I did not like the rubbing. This was another new phenomenon for me. It is better, but not gone yet; I’m expecting treatment number two will knock that annoyance off, too. CoolSculpting is something we (the Genesis Company) entered into very cautiously. Body contouring and fat reduction is hard to accomplish, so we really wanted to make sure the technology was where it needed to be. The upgraded handpieces and additional size options really make this treatment the gold standard for non-invasive fat removal. If stubborn areas of fat bother you, make an appointment with us to learn how CoolSculpting can help you recapture your youthful body.

Recapturing My Youthful Skin

Mon, 10 Sep 2018 06:00:00 GMT

Fall is the time to assess your skin and get those maintenance treatments going. For me it means getting my semiannual peel followed by a Triniti Plus maintenance treatment. The peel helps me get rid of any dead layers of skin that have accumulated over the past six months. If you have been out in the sun, there is a chance some old pigment has resurfaced, and now that summer is over it is safe to get that skin peeled off. This also allows all my daily products to be better absorbed. I will follow this with my annual Trinti Plus, which not only helps with pigment but also with fine lines and wrinkles and a little bit of improved laxity. I am always amazed at how this one-two punch really brightens and lightens my skin.

With my hectic schedule I need to maximize benefits in the least amount of time possible. What’s your routine? If you don’t have one, schedule your VISIA analysis and get a customized plan to address your goals. Our estheticians will review your goals and make sure the plan fits your budget and lifestyle. Youthful skin is just a consult away!

CoolSculpting University

Tue, 14 Aug 2018 10:00:00 GMT

My favorite part was meeting other providers from all over the nation, sharing treatment pearls and our outstanding results. There were no doubters and no one who had anything negative to say about the treatment or results…which is astounding. We learned best practices on how to ensure that we give a full and precise treatment. Most of the day on Saturday was spent marking areas, pinching fat, and making treatment plans. It is fascinating to see how many different viewpoints people can have and refreshing to see it through someone else’s eyes.

At Genesis, we strive to be the best of the best and only offer treatments that give amazing results. We have graduated from CoolSculpting University and are a fully accredited and certified CoolSculpting practice. We are building an outstanding portfolio of before and after photos of clients who truly feel better about themselves. It is true: confidence comes from within, and the best part of my job is seeing that light in someone’s eyes as they begin to see themselves the way they feel. My favorite is hearing that a client was able to wear one of their favorite shirts or dresses that they haven’t been able to wear in years and feel that they rocked it.

What are you waiting for? Come in and visit with us about starting your CoolSculpting journey.

What’s Normal?

Wed, 27 Jun 2018 19:00:00 GMT

“Normal” lab values may be better referred to as “reference ranges” in many physicians’ minds. If you are feeling sluggish and tired, you may have a thyroid panel checked. Normal values, as stated on the lab results sheet, will vary slightly from lab to lab. Also, there is a wide range of “normal”. For example, the free T3 level, which is an important predictor of proper thyroid function, has a range of 2.0-4.4 in the lab we use. If your level is 2.1 and you are still feeling sluggish despite taking your thyroid supplement daily, you may be told that it can’t be your thyroid because your labs are “normal”. Newer thinking would suggest that increasing your thyroid supplement to achieve a higher level of “normal” may be of benefit. This level would be approximately in the 90th percentile of “normal” and for this lab it would be 4. This is called hormone optimization and is the hallmark of feeling well.

Hormones should be optimized in order to feel well and perform your best as you age. Some of the important ones are thyroid, testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, Vitamin D, and others. Optimizing these levels is clearly a newer way of approaching wellness than just saying “normal”. Numerous medical studies have proven the benefit of hormonal optimization instead of just relying on “normal”. I myself am a living example of how life has changed once I got optimized! I haven’t felt this good in years and am physically fitter now than I was in my twenties. When you are ready to live life as well as you can, come in and let us check your hormone levels. You will be amazed as to what a difference there is between “normal” and optimized!

Why Choose Genesis Laser & Vein?

Tue, 10 Apr 2018 15:00:00 GMT

We know you have a choice when it comes to your vein care, so why choose us?

First, our experience.
Dr. Prasad has been performing vein procedures his entire career, maintaining board certification in surgery and phlebology. When he first started practicing medicine in 1996, all vein care was performed in operating rooms. As a surgeon, he performed many venous procedures. He then partnered with SSM Health-St. Mary’s to open the Comprehensive Wound Healing Center in 2001, which remains open to this day.

With the knowledge that many ulcers are caused by poor venous circulation and with the new advancements in laser to treat vein disease, Dr. Prasad felt he could provide patients with a better outcome for wound healing and vein disease if he began to offer laser treatments as an option. This led to the opening of the Laser & Vein Center in 2007. Here he provided the most comprehensive and latest treatments for the care of the vein patient. Now all treatments could be treated in the office without general anesthesia and with minimal pain and downtime.

Dr. Prasad continues to remain at the forefront of medical breakthroughs to treat vein disease. Today, Genesis Laser & Vein offers cutting-edge vein care with the addition of Varithena and VenaSeal. These are two of the newest options to treat vein disease, and Genesis Laser & Vein Center is the only practice in Mid-Missouri to offer these treatments to our patients. These two new treatments are non-laser-based, and the advantages include no pain, no anesthesia, and no numbness at the treatment site, and sometimes do not require the patient to wear compression hose!

Second, the patient experience.
At Genesis Laser & Vein Center, we value your time. We strive to keep our appointments on time and see you in a timely fashion. We are a stand-alone clinic, which only treats vein disease. You will not be exposed to other patients who may be sick or have other serious illnesses. When you are at Genesis Laser & Vein Center, you will only be with other patients seeking care of the same disease. This allows you to discuss your disease and experience with people who are going through the same process, if you are so inclined.

Our clinic’s aesthetics and the patient flow are second to none. Here, your time and our knowledge of your disease take center stage. Our main goal is to educate you on vein disease and set appropriate expectations for your treatment process and results. The soothing ambiance and calming sounds allow you to enjoy your visit and have the opportunity to fully understand vein disease through the exceptional education provided by our staff. We feel that education is the key to your success and welcome any and all questions. Further, we feel that once you understand vein disease, you will be your own best advocate to receive the care you want and deserve.

Lastly, our staff.
From the front desk to the office staff and nurses, we have the most educated staff who desire to provide you with the best customer service possible. Here, you are the reason we come to work every day. At Genesis, we have routine continuing education for all aspects of the clinic. If there are issues, we will address them in a prompt, courteous manner. We will never refer you to another phone number or email should you have questions. You will deal directly with the staff you have come to know and can meet with any of our staff from front to back in person to answer any questions you have, from billing and scheduling to client care.

In closing, we know you have a choice. It is our sincere hope that you choose us for your vein treatments. We will value that choice by always aiming to provide the care and service you deserve.

My CoolSculpting Journey

Fri, 02 Mar 2018 08:00:00 GMT

CoolSculpting is a technology that has been around for a few years and I have observed many colleagues using it across the country. I have always had a healthy dose of skepticism when it comes to non-invasive fat reduction, and many of them do not permanently remove fat cells; they reduce the fat within the cells at best or nothing at all.

So, I took the leap and had the reps do CoolSculpting on my love handles. I had no pain during the procedure, which lasted around 30 minutes per side. The massaging afterwards to warm the area was a little uncomfortable, but tolerable, especially when you understand that this will increase the number of fat cells destroyed permanently. Afterwards, I went to the gym daily without any pain. The area was a little sensitive to touch, but I didn’t curtail my daily work or exercise routine.

My second treatment one month later included what we call dual sculpting. I did the abdominal fat and the love handles. No problems again with pain during the procedure, but the massage was a little uncomfortable. The tenderness to touch and some numbness lasted about 10 days this time, but again didn’t stop me from my normal exercise routine.

It’s now been two weeks and my pictures are unbelievable! The abdomen is significantly reduced and so are the love handles. I actually am 2 pounds heavier now and still can see the change! The changes will continue for the next few months and the skin will tighten. I cannot wait to see the final results and am really excited to share CoolSculpting with all of you.

Beholding Beauty: A New Blog Name For Our New Business

Sat, 27 Jan 2018 12:00:00 GMT

The new name of my blog is Beholding Beauty. You can follow this and other blogs on our website, our newsletter, or watch for them on Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram. I hope you will choose to follow mine! It was difficult to choose the new blog name, so I thought, for my first blog post, I would share how I decided upon this name, Beholding Beauty.

I have to admit I was a bit overwhelmed to try to find a way to name a blog with my lofty goals. I want this blog to share our passion for what we do, give you insight into our philosophy, and an idea of who we are as a company, plus keep you up to date on what is going on in our industry and maybe add a bit of inspiration along the way. Whew! How can I name that? What we do alone spans a pretty broad spectrum from services that improve your health and enhance wellness, to services that improve the way you look and feel. Is there a way to embody all that!? But I did finally settle upon the name.

So why Beholding Beauty? Well to me, beauty defines it all. Beauty is seeing a grandma get to enjoy time running around nwith the grandkids again or gardening after missing out on those joys due to painful legs or lack of energy; beauty is watching a high performing athlete master their skills; beauty is seeing a couple get to renew the intimacy in their relationship; beauty is helping people get rid of the things that keep them hidden and embarrassed; and beauty is seeing someone appreciate the beauty that is unique to them. We not only get to see this beauty on a daily basis, but get to help enhance it in people’s lives every day. That is why we are so passionate about what we do and why it is so rewarding.

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So I will use this forum to behold a bit of the beauty that crosses our door every day! I hope you will enjoy the journey and take a bit of time this January to behold all the beauty that graces your world, too!

The New Year is Upon Us and We Can’t Help Thinking Resolutions!

Thu, 28 Dec 2017 06:00:00 GMT

Every year we set resolutions and with high resolve and excitement we set off to make the next year better than the last. We start strong, but by mid-March our enthusiasm has dwindled, and we tell ourselves the next year will be the year. Well, this year we are going to commit to the following-through bit. A big one for us is making sure that every visit to our Medspa or Vein Center is perfect. We are up for the challenge of seeing it through. We hope you continue to be a part of our journey in 2018 and notice our commitment to making your visit a pleasurable experience. Check out our personal resolutions on Facebook, and we would love to hear your intentions for 2018! 🙂

All I Want for Christmas Is My Botox Done: 9 Reasons to Get Botox Now

Wed, 18 Oct 2017 22:20:00 GMT

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Reason #6 to be Excited This Summer About the ‘Med’ in MedSpa: Our Tans

Wed, 14 Jun 2017 12:00:00 GMT

A lot of the country has switched over to spray tanning, through various methods such as an individual spraying them down or a machine that does that instead. We love our VersaSpa. It NEVER looks orange. One time, I decided to try darker than I normally go, and even though it was darker than I’d planned, it still looked really pretty and not orange at all.

I love that I have the privacy of my own room, with the booth in it, and that the booth is open so I don’t feel claustrophobic, or like I’m in one of those horror movies where the tanning booth could get stuck closed and I might die a long and painful death. The things we worry about!

*BONUS MedSpa Secret: You can actually come in for ONLY the moisturizer and conditioner treatments, say for instance during the winter when you’re dry and need that extra boost for better feeling and looking skin, or if you already have the perfect complexion and just want those benefits all year long.

Reason #5 to be Excited This Summer About the ‘Med’ in MedSpa: Our Pedicures

Tue, 13 Jun 2017 12:00:00 GMT

The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) simulated exaggerated unsanitary pedicure conditions for seven consecutive days. Each day, they were filled with fresh water, oils, pathogenic microorganisms (there are five and I won’t bore you with the long names that look like they’re a foreign language, but I will tell you included were Staph and E. Coli – for serious), and a nutrient source for the microorganisms.

They circulated all of this every day for an hour before draining. They waited until day seven to clean the jets – and they were only hand cleaned, using store bought cleaner (Lysol) – rinsed the bowls, and then circulated fresh water for five minutes, and proceeded to test the water. It was still 99.9{d855275bb5a53a691922ddbe09fd77e36a4f35d1f88aaf3bcf40ae4b44ffef7b} hygienic. These jets are the first and only certified for disinfection from NSF International.

Podiatrists send their patients here to our MedSpa for their pedicures because we’re so sterile, we sterilize all tools after each and every use, AND our nail technicians have actually been trained by a podiatrist as well. It’s all pretty impressive if I do say so myself.

Reason #4 to be Excited This Summer About the ‘Med’ in MedSpa: Signature Treatments

Mon, 12 Jun 2017 12:00:00 GMT

We provide all the traditional spa treatments and services: manicures, pedicures, massages, body treatments, facials, microderms. However, spa-ing here at the JCMG LVC MedSpa gives you a SPECIAL option, called “The Signature Treatment”. A Signature Treatment firstly allows you to choose aromatherapy based on your individual needs that day: headache relief, a feeling of peace and tranquility to combat anxiety from the day or simply because it feels good, relaxation, etc. A Signature Treatment also gives you a good deal more massage, and how could that ever be a bad thing? You’re already in love aren’t you? I know, but wait! There’s more. It also includes a hydrating paraffin mask (on your hands during a manicure/facial/microderm) and Leg Vitality mask (which feels amazing during pedicures). The Leg Vitality mask can be purchased off the shelf actually, though we run out rather quickly. This feels fantastic for those with vein issues. So… MY only question is: Can I please have a Signature Life? *BONUS MedSpa Secret: Headache Relief also comes in a convenient reusable inhaler that you can purchase and take home with you. From personal experience with a long history of, at times, debilitating tension migraines, I can tell you this drastically improves a tension headache AND migraine, sometimes even diminishing it entirely, relaxing me to the point of feeling like I just drank a glass of red wine.

Reason #3 to be Excited This Summer About the ‘Med’ in MedSpa: The Products

Sun, 11 Jun 2017 12:00:00 GMT

Product Secret #1: Baby Feet
nIt’s a foot peel, consisting of plastic booties with 17 types of natural extracts that you leave on for an hour, resulting in your feet starting to peel 1-2 days later, lasting for around 5 days. It’s incredible. It doesn’t hurt. You get new, beautiful, soft feet. I’ve never seen anything like it in my life.

Product Secret #2: The Corrector Palette from Colorescience
nThis is the ultimate beauty tool. It’s a compact with 6 shades of coverage; I use it to cover my under-eye color, the redness in my cheeks and nose, any other pigmentation, as well as any blemishes or bruising from any procedures. Seriously, no one can tell when I have any skin issues because of this. So if you stay up all night, get filler, have a bad beat up, laser treatments, whatever – no one has to know.

Product Secret #3: Visia
nThis is a machine that does a photoanalysis. It’s super cool, showing you 6 layers of your skin, so the expert here can see exactly where your damage is, and tell you exactly what to do to correct it and look like you’ve always wanted.

Product Secret #5: Growth Factors
nThe “Med” in MedSpa is short for medical, meaning we have a doctor onsite who gets access to high quality products, and therefore his patients can take advantage of this access as well. Growth factors would be one of those special access products, maybe the most important one. As we age, our body stops making new skin cells at a rapid rate, resulting in the dreaded wrinkles, sagging skin, dryness… all kinds of things that none of us think of when we describe beauty. Growth factors tell your skin cells that hey, this one cell needs to be replaced, pass it on and make new ones dude. AND THEN YOU DO. It was actually first used on burn victims. You can’t time travel, but your skin can!

I have more secrets, but these are a few of my favorite things. You’re welcome.

Reason #2 to be Excited This Summer About the ‘Med’ in MedSpa: The Water

Sat, 10 Jun 2017 12:00:00 GMT

Some spas give you bottled water. Some provide distilled water. The JCMG LVC MedSpa is a member of the Pure Inventions family, a company that creates different serums to add to water for individualized benefits. This means you can do things like EXTRA grow your hair while drinking tasty water. Grow my hair? Yes, please. The box says the Hair, Skin & Nails is pear flavored – I say it’s Fruit Roll-Up flavored. Right now we’re loving the Blueberry + White tea, which smells and tastes amazing, plus fights free radicals and supports brain function and eye health. Another popular favorite is the Pomegranate + Acai Berry, for its taste and support of collagen production (because everyone loves beautiful skin). There’s even one to help you sleep! At The MedSpa, we happily provide the benefits of keeping 4-5 flavors out in pitchers for our patients to relax with while they prepare for their appointment, or as they leave to finish up their day. Obviously we’re obsessed with our water.

Reason #1 to be Excited This Summer About the ‘Med’ in MedSpa: Infrared Sauna Therapy

Fri, 09 Jun 2017 12:00:00 GMT

Gone are the days when we sit in saunas and suffocatingly sweat ourselves to weight loss. Here are the days when we take advantage of technology using different wavelengths of light to benefit our entire bodies. JCMG LVC MedSpa happens to be the only place within miles with a special sauna that uses all the available wavelengths, so Jeff City can reap the benefits for every part of the body, including skin, joints and organs to name a few. Use the pain relief setting for after a workout (or just because), the relaxation after work, or Dr. Prasad’s favorite – the cardiovascular – to burn up to 600 calories in one sitting. For real. Come learn about Chromotherapy and pick a color to add additional benefit to your infrared sesh. I’m a Blue Relaxation. How do YOU sauna?

5 Things to Know About Filler

Wed, 11 Jan 2017 23:00:00 GMT

Let me tell you guys, filler really is incredible. There is no downtime and it is more affordable than surgery. Yes! I just needed the right doctor I could trust. Fast forward to this year and I began working alongside Dr. Prasad and assisting him with his Botox and filler patients. I get to see him do incredible work on everyone that comes into this office. I immediately knew I needed him to do my filler.

I scheduled my appointment for two weeks before Christmas. This worked out perfectly! My treatment was painless. I had no topical numbing and was completely fine. The filler itself has numbing medication in it, which helps. Dr. Prasad decided I would need two syringes of Radiesse and I love how it turned out. It looks so natural. It gave me the chin that I have always wanted.

If you are thinking about filler or are on the fence, then you NEED to come in for a consult with Dr. Prasad. Filler isn’t just for the lips or for celebrities. We do some pretty incredible treatments with it in our office: scar revision, hand rejuvenation, mini facelifts, and so much more!

I decided to answer five of the most frequently asked questions about fillers below. Also, check out my before and after photos; pretty amazing, right?

1. What are Dermal Fillers
nAs we age, we lose collagen and elasticity in the skin, which causes deep folds and sagging. Dermal fillers are biocompatible, injectable gels that create lift and add volume to key areas of the face that show signs of aging. The results are instant, with the procedure taking 30 minutes or less. During the procedure you will be made comfortable with the use of lidocaine. Many clients enjoy a youthful look by filling in the folds around the mouth, restoring cheek height, and refreshing lips and other areas. At your consultation, your practitioner will go over your options and help you achieve the results you are looking for.

2. How long do fillers last?
nBecause each face is so different, outcomes will vary. Most fillers advertise they last up to one year; however, this depends on the initial amount of filler used, age of the client, desired results, and the depth of the folds and wrinkles. In general, based on our experience, fillers can last between 9 and 12 months.

4. Do people bruise after dermal filler treatments?
nAny time a needle is injected into the skin, there will be a chance of bruising. To decrease your chances of bruising, it is good to avoid blood thinning agents such as ibuprofen and aspirin for one to two weeks prior to your appointment. Always consult with your doctor before changing your medications if you are under a doctor’s care. At your consultation, benefits and risks will be discussed in detail.

5. Can I work out or continue my normal routine after treatment?
nYou will be able to continue your normal routine; there is no “downtime” for injectable treatments. We recommend, however, not to do highly vigorous exercise for 6 hours after treatment, as well as to avoid direct sun exposure. It is best to keep the head upright for 4 hours to allow the product to settle into the designated areas. You can apply makeup after treatment as you normally would.

Why the “Plinky-Plunky Music”?

Tue, 10 Jan 2017 20:10:00 GMT

We regularly get asked about the music playing in the background at the MedSpa. “Why the instrumental/ambient/space music? Why no words?”

The effects of sound and music choices are apparent in our everyday life. For example, we experience the energizing effect of sound and music every time we hear music with a heavy beat. Just think of the last time you heard a favorite dance hit and couldn’t help but start dancing along or singing in your car.

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We choose less intense beats for body work because we want to encourage relaxation and calm rather than the normal rush-rush of everyday life. We want our guests to have a mini-vacation each time they come to see us. Often during a massage with a soothing song in the background, I find that not only do strokes become more rhythmic and fluid, but my breathing and my guest’s will often synchronize – possibly even our pulses, though I’ve never tried to verify this.

Part of the reason we tend to stay away from songs with lyrics or “popular” music is the memories they may bring up for us or the guest – and though fond memories are wonderful, they can also be painful if associated with loss or a hard time. It is our goal that the MedSpa be a place that encourages physical, mental and emotional well-being for our clients. Instrumental or ambient music also tends to be unfamiliar, so time passes without meter, allowing our guests to get lost in the experience and their minds to wander.

Come join us at the JCMG MedSpa for a mini-vacation: zone out, bliss out, relax, refresh. We don’t mind if you hum along.

Meet Austin, Licensed Massage Therapist

Thu, 08 Dec 2016 23:00:00 GMT

Hello everyone! I am so excited to become part of the blogging world! My name is Austin Schroeder and I started my massage journey in March of 2015. I was born and raised on a farm in the small town of Babbtown. My family and I raise registered Black Herefords. My favorite things to do are to work on the farm and spend time with my family, and to show heifers and bulls across the United States. I have always cared about others and their feelings. I wanted to find a profession where I could do just that. That is when I found Massage Therapy. I knew that becoming a Licensed Massage Therapist would give me the satisfaction I was looking for in helping others through my hands. Massage helps a person feel good about themself and helps them gain self-confidence. After learning about all the benefits that massage has on a person’s mind and body, I was even more excited about becoming a Licensed Massage Therapist. Massage not only helps to relieve headaches, muscle aches/tension and stress, but also helps people with anxiety and depression, and improves sleep, immunity, mood and physical fitness. In addition it helps people with carpal tunnel syndrome, plantar fasciitis, tennis/golfer’s elbow, sciatica, and fibromyalgia. Another type of massage that I find very interesting is animal massage. It is not yet a popular thing, but will be. My dog and show cattle love to be massaged. Massaging my cattle dog helps her joints and muscles stay loose so that she can keep up with the cattle herd. Massaging my show cattle helps them to be more relaxed before entering the show ring and also helps them to walk in a clean straight line. Over the next few months I will be talking about the benefits a person gets when receiving a massage each month. Love,nAustin

5 Tips for Relaxing and Decompressing This Holiday Season

Fri, 02 Dec 2016 06:00:00 GMT

Let me help you relax and decompress during the stressful yet fun holiday season.

2. Exercise
nYes, that dreaded word. No one can find the time, and even if you can it is tough to stay on the bandwagon! The physical benefits of exercise – improving physical condition and fighting disease – have long been established, and physicians always encourage staying physically active. Exercise is also considered vital for maintaining mental fitness, and it can reduce stress. Personally I have noticed a HUGE difference in mood when I keep exercise in my daily routine. Studies show that it is very effective at reducing fatigue, improving alertness and concentration, and at enhancing overall cognitive function. This can be especially helpful when stress has depleted your energy or ability to concentrate. Scientists have found that regular participation in aerobic exercise has been shown to decrease overall levels of tension, elevate and stabilize mood, improve sleep, and improve self-esteem. Even five minutes of aerobic exercise can stimulate anti-anxiety effects.

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3. Sauna
nLet’s face it…the more stressed you are, the more cortisol your body produces. Cortisol is a “fight or flight” hormone made in the adrenal glands that raises heart rate and blood pressure, and leads to the deposit of excess calories in the midsection. Scientific evidence shows that infrared sauna therapy helps the body maintain healthy levels of cortisol. While cortisol levels stay the same or rise slightly during a sauna therapy session, they drop immediately afterward. In fact, our Sunlighten saunas have been clinically shown to reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure with regular use. So step into one of our saunas and let us help you melt that stress away!

4. Do something that makes YOU happy
nSure enough…you can take your own stress away by doing something that you love. Whether it is taking a walk, listening to your favorite songs over and over, journaling, singing your favorite song as loud as you can and dancing around like no one is watching, praying, or something that I like to do is color with my children. Yep, coloring really does clear the mind and has a meditative feeling once you lose yourself with staying inside those lines. The meditative coloring state can soon vanish when your toddler decides to pour their juice all over your page. But hey, you got a few minutes of bliss in, right?

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5. Massage Therapy
nLast but NOT least…what would be better to pamper yourself after enduring hours of conversation and thousands of family photos than to get an hour of uninterrupted tranquility and body relaxation? Massage is proven to lower your heart rate and blood pressure, relax your muscles, and increase the production of endorphins, your body’s natural “feel good” chemical. Our MedSpa offers four skill-certified massage therapists who are more than willing to help you find your “peace”.

“Massage is a luxury you can’t afford to miss.” ~Anonymous

I hope your holidays are blessed with an abundance of love, laughter and good health!

Dos and Don’ts for Fall Skin Care and Makeup

Wed, 30 Nov 2016 07:00:00 GMT

Since fall is officially upon us, I decided to make a little list of Dos and Don’ts to help out anyone struggling to stay on trend! Of course, I am all about expressing yourself however you want, but sometimes it’s nice to have a little guide to help along the way!

DON’T – Forget to exfoliate!
nAs the humidity subsidies and the winter dry months move in, your skin can become flaky and cause your makeup to look patchy! Exfoliating and getting facials regularly can help keep your skin looking fresh!

DO – Focus on hydration for the skin!
nThe fall and winter months can be very drying and damaging to the skin. Keeping your skin hydrated will keep it looking healthy and help your makeup stay on longer. My favorite product to keep skin plump and hydrated is SkinMedica’s HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator. This product helps smooth fine lines and supports the skin’s ability to naturally replenish its own hyaluronic acid. I think it’s great for all skin types!!

DON’T – Skip sunscreen!
nHarmful rays can still affect your skin even during the fall months. Keeping a layer of sunscreen on your skin will prevent sun damage that can cause premature aging and even skin cancer!! Colorescience has loose powder mineral sunscreen brushes that can easily fit in your handbag to be reapplied throughout the day!

DO – Wear berry toned lip colors!
nFall is the perfect time to bust out some dark and even vampy lip colors that don’t exactly fit into the rest of the year. Butter London’s LIPPY Moisture Matte Lipstick in the shade Ruby Murray is a beautiful berry toned lipstick that is right on trend. If you’re not comfortable with a super dark lip, maybe try a mauve toned color. For example, butter London’s LIPPY gloss in the shade Toff is a safe mauve option!

DON’T – Wear overly bright colors!
nThis season revolves around warm toned and dark colors, and most likely your summer tan has faded. At this point, wearing a bring neon pink lip can wash out your skin and clash with fall time outfits. It’s best to stay with neutrals, nudes and berry toned lip colors.

DO – WARM TONES!!
nFall is all about warm, rich colors!! Cranberries and oranges for eye shadow can really channel your inner love for fall. If you’re not into color, you can always stick with nudes and neutrals like browns and taupes. This year a bronze/copper lid and really smoking out the lower lash line is all the rage. So to create the perfect fall smokey eye, all you need to do is sweep some warm brown through the crease, throw some bronze or copper on your lid, and smoke out your lower lash line and you’re done! Liner is optional!!

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DON’T – Over-highlight your face!
nThis year highlighting has become more popular than ever. Everyone has been all about having a summer glow that is visible from outer space. But this fall we are taking things down a notch. A little highlight is always acceptable, but more natural looking highlights will be more on trend for the fall season. If you have a deeper complexion, gold highlighters will be more flattering. For all my fair-skinned ladies out there, more champagne colors will complement your complexion.

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Here is a little inspiration picture for Fall Glam makeup! My lovely model Sarah is wearing The Colorescience Beauty On The Go eyeshadow palette, butter London Brow Tint, Blinc mascara, and butter London Toff LIPPY Gloss. The perfect fall combination for any skin tone.

Sarah’s Post-Turkey Detox

Wed, 23 Nov 2016 11:00:00 GMT

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Sarah here. I am excited to get this blog up and running. I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoy writing for you all! Turkey day is just around the corner. It’s usually the time that we all indulge! I know I have a hard time saying no to another serving of pie or turkey. Don’t even get me started on mashed potatoes. I am so guilty! I keep telling myself it’s a holiday and I am allowed to splurge. I just hate that “I can’t get off the couch for a week” feeling. This year is going to be different; I have a post-Thanksgiving DETOX plan! I will be taking full advantage of our infrared sauna and body wraps. If you haven’t done either, you are missing out.

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Our bodies are the unfortunate collectors of hundreds of the 80,000 chemicals and metals currently in use in our air, water, food, cosmetics and soil. The best way to eliminate metals and chemicals is through SWEAT. A 30-minute session in our sauna has been documented to burn 300 to 600 calories! How many other ways can you sit still and read a book and burn as many calories as you would in a 45-minute jog?

In August 1981, the Journal of the American Medical Association (AMA) stated, “Many of us who run do so to place a demand on our cardiovascular system, not to build leg muscles. Regular use of a sauna imparts a similar stress on the cardiovascular system, and its regular use may be as effective a means of cardiovascular conditioning and burning calories as regular exercise.” Yes, you read that right. You can sit and burn calories! That sounds good to me.

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I am going to give you a breakdown of my 4-week detox plan, and I hope you come in and follow it, too!

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Week 1: 1 weight loss sauna session, followed by Baltic Sea Mud Wrap

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Week 2: 1 weight loss sauna session

Week 3: 1 weight loss sauna session, followed by the Firmi-Sea Seaweed Wrap

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Week 4: 1 weight loss sauna session, followed by a 60 minute Swedish massage

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This is the perfect plan to get rid of toxins and improve your overall well-being. Come December I will be feeling fabulous and ready for the holiday parties! If you follow along I would love to hear about it!

Heritage: Who I Came Fromn

Wed, 16 Nov 2016 04:45:00 GMT

My mom’s mom, Virginia (“GG” to my sisters and myself), was a natural beauty and lived to be 91. She shared many things with me, including her recipe for Au Gratin Potatoes, and they are truly delicious. When I complained that she must have left out a “secret” ingredient because mine didn’t exactly taste like the ones she made, she told me, “Food prepared for you by someone who loves you always tastes better than food you make for yourself.” Now I prepare them when I know I can share them with my family – just one of the incredible lessons she patiently shared with me.

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I recommend Epsom salt soaks regularly to our massage guests who have deep joint pain or recent muscle strains. Epsom salts are made of magnesium sulfate, which forms in crystals that look a lot like large crystal or flake-style table salt.

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Epsom salts can be applied locally to a sprain/strain by soaking towels or wraps in Epsom salt solution and applying those to the affected area, or a bath can be prepared by dissolving Epsom salts in warm water for a full body soak.

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Imagine my delight in discovering that the Med Spa not only carries a local honey variety in the store, but that I also got to design one of our body treatments around this local honey and the benefits it offers to skin! Honey is naturally antibacterial so it’s a great skin purifier. Honey is full of antioxidants, which help slow the aging process. Honey is extremely moisturizing and soothing, giving skin a warm glow.

Come see us at the JCMG Laser & Vein Med Spa – we have the perfect combination of traditional treatments and the latest technologies to offer every level of relaxation and beauty enhancements to our guests.

If Nothing Ever Changed, There’d Be No Butterflies

Sun, 30 Oct 2016 18:00:00 GMT

“If nothing ever changed, there’d be no butterflies.” – Unknown

I had a few butterflies floating around before I came back, and to say a few might be an understatement. I worried about balance! As working women we have a lot to balance on a daily basis. But with all the worry, I was still very ready and excited to come back to work!

I was most excited about being able to come back and be a full time esthetic nurse! I have had the pleasure of working in Dr. Prasad’s esthetic clinic for several years now, but now I get to focus all my time here and I am SO excited about that! The change is going to be so great; I never imagined I would be doing this in my nursing career! But that is what is so great about nursing… you can do whatever you want.

I hope that everyone is ready for the change of season! Fall is my favorite season. I love all things fall: the leaves changing, the cooler air, hayrides, pumpkin everything, and wine! When the leaves start turning to their beautiful colors, stop and take a moment to enjoy the season of your life that you are in… because in a blink of an eye it will change, too!

Halloween Makeup

Fri, 28 Oct 2016 18:00:00 GMT

In the Halloween look I created here, I used torn paper towels and liquid latex to create a skin peeling effect. Purple, brown and red shadows mixed together create a perfect bruise, and some fake blood helps add a little gore.

One of my favorite things about this look is that I totally winged it! It only took about 20 minutes to complete! As someone who is usually a perfectionist, being able to relax and just have fun with a look is the best thing ever. These looks are never going to look exactly like an inspiration picture, but it doesn’t have to! Everyone’s artistic ability and face shape are different. And when it comes to these kinds of looks, the messier the better.

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Removing the liquid latex from the skin can be a little tricky. Usually any kind of oil (coconut oil is my favorite) will make the removal process much easier. I like to apply coconut oil and then lay a warm and wet towel over the latex area. Let it sit for about ten minutes, then gently scrub off the latex from the skin!

This is just the beginning of the possibilities that can be created with this makeup technique. I look forward to sharing more makeup tips and tricks with you in the future!

XO Jennnnn_beauty

Meet Jayme, Licensed Massage Therapist

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 18:00:00 GMT

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lao Tzu

Post graduation I found myself on another adventure that led me to discover a second passion: fitness. I embarked on my lifestyle change a few months after I graduated from massage school, and have since changed my life completely. Being a massage therapist and gym junkie, I am able to combine the skills I have picked up and apply them to every aspect of my life and my clients’ lives.

When most people think of massage, they oftentimes associate it with being an EXTRA thing, or a bonus after everything else is taken care of, and not something that can greatly impact day-to-day life. In the fitness world, athletes push their bodies to the extreme in order to meet certain goals and expectations. What these athletes are starting to realize is how truly beneficial massage can be in terms of performance, goals, etc. Massage is starting to be looked at as one of the NECESSARY items that one needs to be their best self.

Over the next several months, I am going to break down the benefits of massage in the fitness world, stretching and focus work after a specific workout, massage and DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness), the emotional/spiritual connection that comes from fitness and massage combined, and I am going to shine light on how truly incredible massage therapy is.

Hydration vs. Moisture

Tue, 18 Oct 2016 18:00:00 GMT

THE DIFFERENCE

Dehydrated skin lacks water and therefore needs hydration. Dry skin lacks oil and needs to be moisturized. Both skin types need hydration and moisturizer because the two products serve a different purpose for the skin. Dehydrated skin can be moisturized and still feel tight, whereas dry skin can be hydrated but not have enough oil, leading to flaky skin. While moisturizers are formulated to seal moisture into the skin, hydrating products are designed to increase the water content of the skin.

We offer the following hydrating and moisturizing products to address both issues:

HYDRATING PRODUCTS

MOISTURIZING PRODUCTS

HOW TO APPLY

What a Difference Eight Years Makes

Thu, 06 Oct 2016 21:00:00 GMT

Our one facility is now two beautiful businesses, JCMG Laser & Vein Center and JCMG Medspa. The best of both worlds right here in Jefferson City!

The new facility, JCMG Medspa, is for all ages and YOU choose your “experience”. Are you a teen that suffers from acne, is curious about simple makeup tips, or just wants to start a skin care routine? Maybe your 20’s are bringing thoughts of what you can do now to keep wrinkles and brown spots from forming.

Are you in your 30’s or 40’s? You’re probably spending time taking care of others – kids, jobs, your spouse – and you’re probably not getting enough sleep. Collagen loss really starts to manifest during our 40’s, and we also begin noticing other things that have slowly started showing up: uneven skin tone, wrinkles and texture changes.

And then there’s the phase that I’m in…50 and menopause! Dry skin, laxity, s l o w e r rate of skin cell turnover, which means dead skin cells are collecting on the surface, making lines look deeper, brown spots darker, and the skin’s overall appearance duller, less plump and less youthful. For those of you 60+, focus on skin hydration and continuing to reverse the signs of aging.

So, where do you fit in to this scenario? Are you ready for your JCMG Medspa experience? Whether it’s a makeup lesson, skin care advice, massage, mani/pedis, Sunlighten Infrared sauna, skin rejuvenation, lasers, injectables, body contouring, hair removal… the wonderful list goes on. Let us educate you on the many options available to you at our Medspa.

Isn’t it time for your extraordinary JCMG experience!!?? Still not sure? Join us October 27 for our annual open house event , and come see for yourself what a difference our services can make!

Recharge With New Medspa Services

Thu, 06 Oct 2016 20:00:00 GMT

For me the downside has been longer than normal hours, extra work, and a bit of added stress. I share this not to make you feel sorry for me, but to share what an amazing staff I have and how they have recharged my battery and helped me to remember to slow down and give into a little self-care.

We have so many recharging services: massage, manicures, pedicures, even our facial services now have extra pampering added on. I, however, have been notorious for encouraging others to take care of themselves but not practicing what I preach. I have been faithful with my home care, but anything that has required time has fallen off my schedule. I am sure many of you can relate. How many times have you motored on, giving to everyone and everything in your life, and not stopped to take those minutes for yourself.

So a big thank you to my staff for forcing me to stop and enjoy what we have to offer. They have tricked me by calling it a way to ensure our new services, staff, etc. are offering the quality I expect, but the result has been transformative for me. I have had bi-weekly massages and my back feels better than ever, plus I have left each session feeling mentally and physically recharged. Regular pedicures have made my feet look like they have not looked since I was in my twenties. I actually have nail polish on and not gnarly scuffed up nails, and my skin is beginning to get that post-procedure glow again.

And guess what, I have still managed to complete what needs to be completed, fulfilled my obligations, and the world hasn’t fallen apart yet. Are there a few things that have maybe dropped off my plate? Probably, but we all have survived. Remembering what it feels like to be loved and cared for reminds me why we do what we do in the first place.

So again, thanks to my amazing staff on this anniversary celebration month. They are what brings life to our building, equipment and services. I hope you will take an opportunity to take advantage of some of our pampering services and celebrate yourself a little this month, too. And you may on occasion see me sitting right next to you doing the same! Make room for what nourishes your soul and if no one has pulled you aside lately to remind you: Remember you are worth it!

What is a Chemical Peel?

Thu, 04 Aug 2016 20:00:00 GMT

At the Laser and Vein MedSpa we use SkinMedica peels, a peel line only available to physician-directed skin care offices. These peels vary in the amount of exfoliation each typically produces, as well as the recovery time. For best results, we recommend an initial series of three to six peels, supported by the appropriate SkinMedica skin care regimen. After your initial series you will need occasional maintenance peels to maintain your results. We can help create a plan to keep your skin glowing all year long. Below is a list of the available SkinMedica peels. Schedule a consult with me or one of my fellow skin care experts, and we can help you choose the peel and home care routine that best meet your personal goals.

Vitalize Peel
nThe Vitalize Peel is the most popular SkinMedica peel, used for improving the appearance of mild to moderate skin imperfections, including sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles, acne, acne scarring, and melasma. Typically, patients experience mild to moderate peeling approximately two to three days after the procedure; the peeling lasts three to five days. This peel can be repeated every three to four weeks.

Rejuvenize Peel
nThe Rejuvenize Peel is the strongest of the SkinMedica peels, targeting the deeper layers of the epidermis for enhanced exfoliation. It improves the appearance of moderate to severe skin imperfections, including sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles, acne scarring, and melasma. Typically, patients experience moderate peeling that starts approximately two to three days after the procedure and can last up to five days. This peel can be repeated every four to six weeks.

Introducing Kimmie Wright, Massage Therapist and Blogger

Thu, 04 Aug 2016 15:00:00 GMT

Hi everyone!

After being in such a tense environment I realized my calling…to be a massage therapist…to HELP these people achieve stress relief and ultimate relaxation. I’ve always had a “people pleaser” personality; making someone feel good about themselves always gave me the best feeling inside, and I got the opportunity to start on this path that led to a greater meaning in my life…a feeling of giving someone the ability to know how GREAT they can feel.

“Take care of your body…it’s the only place you have to live.” – Jim Rohn

I’d like to spend time over the course of the next few months explaining the MANY benefits of massage therapy. From my experience over the past 9 years of being a Licensed Massage Therapist, I know there are more than just physical benefits with massage therapy. There are also spiritual and emotional benefits. I’ve addressed everything from sports injuries to bereavement.

“You can choose to subsidize your illness or invest in your wellness.” – Anonymous

A Beautiful, Glowing Tan… Without the Risks

Tue, 03 May 2016 17:25:00 GMT

Everyone loves a beautiful, glowing tan, especially in the warmer months. But not everyone enjoys spending hours under the harsh sun, whose rays can cause skin cancer, dry out your skin, and speed up the aging process. Luckily, there’s an easy solution. Spray tanning gives you all the benefits of real sunbathing without any of the negative side effects. A natural, healthy tan makes you look fitter and healthier, and helps you feel more attractive in as little as 15 minutes. It’s an instant result, which you’ll appreciate with your busy lifestyle. Our VersaSpa is paraben free, gluten free, cruelty free and non-comedogenic. It uses a fine mist applicator to spritz your body with a high quality tanning product that is formulated with green tea extract to help reduce free radical damage and environmental stress on the skin, and ginger root extract to help increase circulation. Skip the health risks of sunbathing and consider spray tanning instead, which is a risk free alternative with incredibly natural results. Spray tanning also gives you the benefit of a smooth, consistent color all over. When tanning on the beach or at a pool, you open yourself up to strange tan lines as you constantly have to shift and turn to achieve an even look. With a spray tan, all of the guesswork is taken out of it. You have control over what level of shade you want, and the color is applied all over in thin, even strokes. The end result is a tan that actually looks better than one achieved from the sun. Luckily, the results are easy to try out for yourself – just make an appointment today! Give it a shot and you won’t look back. Friends and family are sure to ask what the secret is to your beautiful, healthy glow in no time.

10 Reasons You Should Get a Chemical Peel This Month

Wed, 02 Mar 2016 10:00:00 GMT

Are you interested in younger looking, smooth, wrinkle free skin? Are you bothered by acne, blackheads, or acne scarring, or do you just feel a bit “dull”? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then a chemical peel is right for you. In fact, a series of chemical peels is right for you. I am talking about our SkinMedica Vitalize or Rejuvenize peels. They penetrate to a level below our skin’s surface, improving the texture and the overall color of the skin. Each peel removes another layer of dead, damaged skin. Yes, it does cause a few days of visible peeling, no worse than what your skin may look like peeling after a sunburn. You are able to wear makeup the entire time and usually, unless someone is in your personal space, it is barely noticeable. The wonderful benefits really do outweigh the small amount of downtime. The peel is repeated every 4-6 weeks and the procedure lasts a little less than an hour. During the treatment you will experience a mild warmth from the peeling solution, but by the time you leave you will feel and look completely normal. You are just 90 days away from smooth, even, youthful skin! Here are ten reasons you should get a chemical peel this month: n Improve texture n Lessen fine lines and wrinkles n Decrease brown spots and hyperpigmentation n Unclog pores and reduce acne n Improve minor scarring n Increase cell turnover and build collagen n Boost the efficacy of your at-home treatment products n Leave skin smooth n Get an overall “dewy” glow n Your skin will thank you n nn

Preparing for Summer-Ready Legs

Wed, 10 Feb 2016 16:11:00 GMT

Hair Removal
nLaser hair removal is my favorite method to remove hair and the best way to get smoother legs. Fighting stubble in summer is very time-consuming and can lead to unsightly cuts from shaving.

n n

Cellulite
nThere is no cure for cellulite but there are ways to help create a smooth and toned appearance. VelaShape III can achieve these results in 3-4 treatments, 2 weeks apart! I will maintain my results more often in the summer with a treatment once a month!

Exfoliate
nSkinMedica GlyPro Daily Firming Lotion hydrates and removes dead skin cells to reveal healthy, radiant skin. This is my favorite lotion because there is caffeine added to help blood flow to reduce the dimpling appearance of cellulite.

n n

Tan
nNothing slims down my legs like a great tan! My favorite method is the VersaSpa because it has premium ingredients for a longer lasting tan. To ensure my tan looks its best, I like to prepare my legs with at-home products specially designed for VersaSpa. I love the Gradual Tanning Spa Butter because it can be used daily to build and maintain my color.

Hydration
nThis is the most important step inside and outside the body. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps skin maintain a glow. I try to drink half my weight in ounces every day. To keep the glow on my legs I like to use different moisturizers depending on the occasion. I like the Bliss Blood Orange + White Pepper Body Butter for the energizing smell and all natural ingredients. It wakes me right up in the morning! When I need my legs to glow in an evening gown or skirts, I like to add Colorescience Bronze Kiss Illuminating serum to my legs. With a single pump it can illuminate my skin any time of the year.

Prepare now for summer-ready legs and make your appointment today!

Keeping Your Skin Hydrated During the Dry Winter Months

Fri, 05 Feb 2016 06:05:00 GMT

Simple Steps to Benefit Your Health & Heart

Wed, 03 Feb 2016 15:21:00 GMT

It’s clear that healthy eating and living (like exercising more!) are your best weapons to fight cardiovascular disease. It’s not as hard as you may think! Remember, it’s the overall pattern of your choices that counts. Make the simple steps below part of your life for long-term benefits to your health and your heart.

Use up at least as many calories as you take in.

If you are trying not to gain weight, don’t eat more calories than you know you can burn up every day. Increase the amount and intensity of your physical activity to match the number of calories you take in. Regular physical activity can help you maintain your weight, keep off weight that you lose and help you reach physical and cardiovascular fitness. If it’s hard to schedule regular exercise sessions, try aiming for sessions of at last 10 minutes spread throughout the week.

If you would benefit from lowering your blood pressure or cholesterol, the American Heart Association recommends 40 minutes of aerobic exercise of moderate to vigorous intensity three to four times a week.

Eat less of the nutrient-poor foods.

The right number of calories to eat each day is based on your age and physical activity level and whether you’re trying to gain, lose or maintain your weight. You could use your daily allotment of calories on a few high-calorie foods and beverages, but you probably wouldn’t get the nutrients your body needs to be healthy. Limit foods and beverages high in calories but low in nutrients. Also limit the amount of saturated fat, trans fat and sodium you eat. Read Nutrition Facts labels carefully — the Nutrition Facts panel tells you the amount of healthy and unhealthy nutrients in a food or beverage.

Eat a variety of nutritious foods from all the food groups.

You may be eating plenty of food, but your body may not be getting the nutrients it needs to be healthy. Nutrient-rich foods have minerals, protein, whole grains and other nutrients but are lower in calories. They may help you control your weight, cholesterol and blood pressure. Limit saturated fat, trans fat, sodium, red meat, sweets and sugar-sweetened beverages. If you choose to eat red meat, compare labels and select the leanest cuts available.

Also, don’t smoke – and avoid secondhand smoke.

The American Heart Association’s Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations

Getting That Perfect Wedding Glow

Mon, 18 Jan 2016 18:22:00 GMT

My normal skin care routine includes SkinMedica Facial Cleanser in the mornings and Illuminating Cleanser from Colorescience in the evenings. I love the Illuminating Cleanser at night, because it removes my makeup so well and absorbs oil. It contains salicylic acid so it’s perfect for my acne-prone skin. I also use SkinMedica’s Acne Treatment Lotion, Retinol .25, Ultra Sheer Moisturizer, TNS Essential Serum and Latisse. I can’t say enough how much these products have transformed my skin and lengthened my eyelashes. I have pictures to prove it!

The estheticians use VISIA Complexion Analysis at their appointments. VISIA scans your skin and captures key visual information – using multi-spectral imaging and analysis – of eight areas that affect your skin’s health and appearance. They use the VISIA to measure your skin pigmentation, pore size, porphyrins (evidence of bacteria), UV spots, photodamage (typically from sun damage), texture and wrinkles. At an appointment a while back we compared my photos from 2008 to my most recent VISIA, and although I have aged six years, my skin is healthier, tighter and younger looking.

Aside from the awesome products, my esthetician had me start a peel regimen. I started with a microderm to “sand away” any dead skin. Then I did a series of Vitalize peels (one every six weeks) up until a few months before the big day. The peels really help tighten pores, improve skin texture, and smooth out ruddy complexions. The month before the wedding we stopped messing with my face and I just continued my skin care routine at home. My esthetician suggested not doing an event peel because of the sensitivity of my skin. Two weeks before I got all my waxing done and my eyebrows shaped and tinted. The day before, I came in for a manicure, pedicure and spray tan.

On the big day my skin was even and blemish free. Quite the feat since I had been super stressed the previous two weeks. I got my makeup done the day of by a makeup artist from the Laser & Vein Center. She used all Colorescience makeup and did an amazing job giving me the natural bridal makeup I desired.

I am so grateful I worked closely with my esthetician leading up to our wedding. It was like having a personal trainer for my face. She helped with my “cold face” and it was one less thing I had to stress about. I definitely suggest any bride-to-be come in for a complimentary skin care consultation and build a personal plan with one of our amazing estheticians.

Wedding Day Beauty Prep

Tue, 12 Jan 2016 06:06:00 GMT

All of this didn’t come together overnight though. This involved many, many months of planning – multiple road trips to antique shops to hunt for unique, vintage decor (and yes, I dragged my poor husband along with me every time), emptying the shelves of Hobby Lobby out of anything and everything in the right shades of teal and gold, trying on countless white wedding gowns, checking the future forecast multiple times a day for a month prior to the big day, and let’s not even talk about all the pre-wedding workouts and diets I tried and failed. With all of the stresses of wedding planning, I am so glad I had the help of the wonderful esthetics team here at JCMG LVC to make my skin care routine simple and effective.

Six months prior to my wedding, I started with a VISIA Analysis and consultation with Kim. The VISIA identified what condition all the layers of my skin were in and helped to determine a treatment plan just right for me. Kim jump-started me on a plan that would have my skin healthy and glowing before my big day.

My treatment consisted of several products to use routinely – TNS Recovery serum twice daily, Lytera brightening serum twice daily, Retinol .25 every evening, and Ultra Sheer moisturizer twice daily. Kim also recommended a series of peels for me. I started with the Vitalize peel and finished with an Illuminize peel. And last but not least, we can’t forget about Latisse! My favorite product! I followed this routine religiously and my skin has never looked or felt better. My pore size has decreased, I have fewer blackheads than ever before (something I have always struggled with), and my fine lines have diminished.

Now that my skin was in great shape, it was time to think about what makeup to use for the occasion. I knew I wanted something that would be long lasting. Colorescience products are what I went with. All of these products look and feel natural, and allow your skin to breathe – on top of lasting all day (even through all the happy tears)! I used Bronze Kiss Illuminating Serum, brightening primer, Girl From Ipanema pressed powder, and Clarifying Setting Mist as my base. With the help of Kelly RN, I was contoured to perfection (this makes all the difference in photography).

If you are a bride-to-be, I highly recommend coming in for a consultation several months before your wedding. The estheticians will educate you on all the services and products we offer to have you looking and feeling your best on the most memorable day of your life!

Smoking and Its Effects on the Skin

Mon, 04 Jan 2016 13:00:00 GMT

Since the 1970’s, studies have shown that smoking results in more premature facial wrinkling than sun exposure. Lines around the eyes called “crow’s feet” can develop at an earlier age. The skin under the eyes is very delicate, and smoking damages this delicate tissue.

Multiple vertical lines around the mouth can also occur and are called “smoker’s lines”. Smoking delivers a one-two punch to the area around your mouth. Smokers use certain muscles around their lips that cause them to have dynamic wrinkles that nonsmokers do not. Second, you have the loss of elasticity. Together, these factors can lead to deep lines around the lips.

The thousands of chemicals in cigarette smoke cause a breakdown in the major structural components of the skin, elastin and collagen. When these components are damaged, your skin loses its firmness, elasticity and strength.

These effects continue into old age. By the age of 70, smoking 30 cigarettes a day could lead to the equivalent of an extra 14 years of skin aging.

It is not certain exactly how smoking causes early aging of the facial skin. Theories include:

When you quit smoking, you make your skin more resistant to premature aging. As for the wrinkles and age spots you already have, all is not lost. There are products former smokers can use to make their skin look better. These include topical retinoids and antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E. It is also recommended to wear sunscreen every day.

For more dramatic results, some former smokers choose to have cosmetic procedures. Laser skin resurfacing and chemical peels remove outer layers of skin, where the damage is most visible.

Experts agree that giving up cigarettes is very difficult. But if you’re telling yourself it’s impossible, think again. While there are 45 million smokers in the U.S., there are at least 48 million former smokers. If 48 million people could quit, so can you!

Love Your Body with VelaShape III

Thu, 17 Dec 2015 06:01:00 GMT

Feeling confident comes from looking and feeling YOUR best. To each and every one of us, that means something different. If you struggle with a tummy bulge, cellulite that keeps you from wearing some of your favorite styles, or you’re just interested in maintaining your shape, VelaShape III just might be your answer.

An estimated 85-98{d855275bb5a53a691922ddbe09fd77e36a4f35d1f88aaf3bcf40ae4b44ffef7b} percent of Americans over the age of 16 have cellulite, regardless of their size, shape or weight. VelaShape III is an non-invasive, external approach to contour your body. This amazing technology uses a powerful combination of infrared light and bi-polar radio frequency with a vacuum delivery. What does that mean? Let me break it down:

These combined energies deep heat fat cells and the surrounding tissue to reduce circumference AND reveal a reduction in the appearance of cellulite. We recommend four treatments spaced 1-2 weeks apart as results are accumulative.

Wondering if this treatment is for you? See us for a complimentary assessment and start your VelaShape III journey.

The result: Celebrate this upcoming New Year’s looking and feeling your best with VelaShape III.

Creating Your Perfect Eyebrows

Thu, 05 Nov 2015 19:00:00 GMT

“We might all lust after Cara Delevingne’s strong statement eyebrows, but the real trick to a great set of arches is finding the best shape for your own face and features.”-Eleanor Pendleton Eyebrows are the frames of the eyes, and when correctly shaped they can give symmetry to the face. Brows can be shaped many different ways such as waxing, tweezing, threading and bleaching. No matter which way you choose to groom them, just keep them natural. I recently darkened my hair for fall, and the rule is to keep your brow color two shades darker than your hair. I love having my brows tinted to give them a bold, full look, but to keep them perfectly shaped I use the Colorescience brow palette. This brow palette is customizable to all brow colors, so when I go back to blonde this summer I can still create the perfect brow. nn Here are some quick key tips for perfect eyebrows: n Have a professional groom your brows. You can only see one angle and they can see all angles of the brow. Use the right tools and brow color palette. Use the 4-point brow as an application guide. Build your brow by brushing from the outer to the inner corner. Use the lightest color to highlight the brow bone to enhance the shape. n Make an appointment today for a consult to learn how to create your perfect eyebrows!

Veins Are Not a Cosmetic Problem

Tue, 27 Oct 2015 18:19:00 GMT

For years, I had treated venous disease. However, before modern techniques came along, I had only surgical interventions to offer my patients. Because of the nature of the treatments and the perception that veins were primarily a cosmetic concern, both myself and my patients tended to wait until there was a severe problem before considering treatment. Frequently, patients would present to me with a sore or ulcer on the leg and would need help in getting it healed. These ulcers are very challenging problems and require highly specialized and expensive care. Eventually, in cooperation with St. Mary’s Hospital, we opened the wound care center. This center has helped hundreds of people heal these terrible wounds. The better question, however, is how do we not get these terrible ulcers? Research into the cause of the wounds revealed that up to 70{d855275bb5a53a691922ddbe09fd77e36a4f35d1f88aaf3bcf40ae4b44ffef7b} of leg ulcers begin from vein disease.

So, you can now see why it is important to treat venous disease. If you keep your legs healthy when you are young, you will be less prone to getting bigger problems as you get older. If you are experiencing pain, swelling, restlessness, tired or heavy legs with no energy, call us to schedule an evaluation to see if you have venous disease. Remember, it is not about what you see on the surface, but what is underneath the skin causing the problem.

My Life-Changing Vein Care Experience

Tue, 27 Oct 2015 16:39:00 GMT

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I thought I would reflect on how being exposed to what we do has changed me personally. I can honestly say my health and well-being would be different if I had not started working here. It all started just like the LVC started, with vein treatments. I have horrible vein disease. It runs in both sides of my family, and having four kids, it was almost a guarantee I would develop this disease. If I did not work here, however, I would have just accepted this as a part of aging and probably waited to seek treatment or not even realized I could be treated.

Lucky for me it didn’t happen that way! I did get evaluated, received treatment, and continue to return to keep ahead of this chronic problem. So instead of legs that ache so badly I can hardly stand a two hour car ride without stopping, I am able to travel long distances, even on airlines, with minimal discomfort. Instead of giving up running because of heaviness and pain in my legs, I am able to keep up a weekly run schedule. Instead of coming home with aching, swelling legs after long days of standing, I am able to continue to do the things I need to do without paying for it afterwards. Plus, I have the added bonus of not being thoroughly embarrassed to wear a skirt or shorts. So I am adding to my anniversary celebration list gratitude for better leg health. I am so glad I didn’t suffer needlessly with a disease that has such a simple treatment option that was covered by my insurance!

I am proud to work for a company that has done this life-changing service for so many others. So again, thank you for your trust in us. For you procrastinators out there, now is the time to take the jump and start taking care of yourself. Next year you can be celebrating, too. Stay tuned for my next blurb on how our esthetic services have also brought change to my life.

Acne Myth-Busting

Tue, 29 Sep 2015 17:07:00 GMT

So what is acne? The textbook definition is a skin disorder that occurs when hair follicles become plugged with dead skin nncells and oil. This combination is responsible for allowing a bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) to flourish nninside the follicle instead of remaining on the skin’s surface. This begins a domino effect, the final stage of which is when the nnfollicle wall breaks down and all the bacteria “spills” to nearby skin, leading to lesions.

Acne is an inflammatory disorder, and it’s important to remember that while treating it. Anything you can do to reduce nninflammation will help acne to heal faster. The reverse is true as well: MAKING THE INFLAMMATION WORSE WILL MAKE THE ACNE nnWORSE.

So, let’s put some myths to rest:

Myth #1: Food causes acne.
nEating an overall healthy and nutritious diet will result in better looking skin.

Myth #2: Poor hygiene causes acne.
nWhile proper hygiene is important, acne is not caused by dirty skin.

Myth #3: Pop those pimples!
nDon’t you dare!! This may give you immediate gratification, but it actually makes the inflammation worse and will slow down the nnhealing process. Popping pimples pushes the inflammation further down, causing more redness and swelling, increasing the risk of discoloration and scarring, and – you guessed it – nncausing it to stay around longer.

Myth #4: Moisturizer breaks me out.
nPick moisturizing products wisely. Oily or acneic skin still needs hydration to heal and tolerate corrective skin care. Avoid nnheavy creams and focus on lotion or serum forms; they will feel fabulous…like giving your skin a drink of water!

Myth #5: The sun dries up my acne.
nNo, it doesn’t. Sun exposure will only irritate and dry out your skin (which will promote more oil) and cause premature aging. This nnbehavior will just lengthen the healing process.

Myth #6: Sunscreen causes acne.
nFinding an SPF that you love and will wear daily will save your skin later. The better your skin is protected while it is healing, nnthe less prone you will be to hyperpigmentation and scarring. Also, reducing the amount of heat the skin holds on to will nndiscourage excess oil production.

Myth #7, and the final for this blog post: Just let acne run its course.
nJust like any disease or condition, acne needs treatment. Getting the proper attention can allow you to minimize its effects and nncontrol the condition. Do not delay this process. Starting a proper personalized skin care and treatment plan will keep breakouts nnunder control and prevent scarring and pigmentation.

At JCMG Laser and Vein Center, we offer many ways to address your skin concerns. You do not have to wait for acne to “run its nncourse”. We invite you to come in and learn more about your acne clearing options . Begin your journey to healthier skin at JCMG nnLaser and Vein Center.

Changing Colors with the Season

Mon, 21 Sep 2015 18:00:00 GMT

As summer comes to an end and autumn begins, we start to see nature get ready for winter. There is a changing of colors to warmer tones. Well, I decided to do the same by changing my hair color from a cool blonde to a warm caramel brown. I absolutely love it! This was the start of my fall makeover. Next I decided to keep up on my VersaSpa tan because I would like to keep a healthy glow year round. The VersaSpa is so fast and easy to use, and a bronze glow always gives my skin a pick-me-up from head to toe. Next I changed my Colorescience makeup to warmer tones to warm up my complexion. Nothing gives a healthy glow faster than blush and bronzer. I chose Coral Blush and Santa Fe Bronzer because of their warm undertones. The key for a great look is to harmonize my makeup, so I chose a lip color in the same family. The Red Lip Serum and the Coral Lip Shine work beautifully. Keeping my lips hydrated with lip serum now will save them once cold weather sets in. Their powerful peptides improve the look and feel of my lips and they look great, too. n nn This summer I loved my Seductive Smoke Eye Palette, but for fall I’m ditching the black and infusing some color with Enchanted Earth. The name itself makes you want to use it this fall season. The only way to finish an eye is with an awesome eyebrow! Check out my next blog post about creating the best brow shape for you. I finished my makeover with a classic butter LONDON polish for my nails, La Moss. La Moss is a deep burgundy color and can go with just about anything you wear. If you would like us to choose a fall palette for you, schedule a Colorescience makeover today.

Why I Wanted to Be an Esthetician

Tue, 08 Sep 2015 20:25:00 GMT

Fast forward 12 years and I had just completed a long two years of chemotherapy and radiation. I went to college for two years prior to being sick, but only because I wasn’t sure I could really make a “career” of being an esthetician. After the cancer, I realized that life is too short to pursue something that I’m not passionate about. I checked out a few schools in Kansas City and St. Louis and found myself most impressed with Merrell University.

Listening to my heart and going to esthetics school was one of the best decisions of my life. I love my job, I love this ever-growing field, and I LOVE making people feel good about themselves.

I’m writing this on the plane returning from Chicago and my sixth SkinMedica Advocate Summit. This year I was chosen to be one of the five women on the expert panel that presented at the meeting. It was a great experience and I was totally humbled by it. Kim and I had a chance to experience the newest product that will be launching in the next few months… very exciting, stay tuned for details. The summit is one of my favorite things about my job. It is a great networking event and an opportunity to hear what other practices from around the country are doing. I’m always reminded how innovative and results-driven SkinMedica is as a company.

I am most thankful to be a part of an amazing team with Laser & Vein Center. It is a pleasure and a privilege to work for and with a group of people that are passionate about our field and driven to constantly improve. We are a big “extended” family and we hope that you feel just as at home when you come visit us. It is so true: if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life!

My Summer Takeaways

Wed, 02 Sep 2015 20:00:00 GMT

Takeaway #1: I tanned excessively my whole younger life and I am going to have underlying pigment. No matter how diligent I am now, past sins will pop up when I get out in the sun. I need to accept that all those years in the sun with no protection cannot completely be erased.

Takeaway #2: Hiking, running and being outdoors feels amazing! I am not willing to give up the things I love for “perfect” skin.

So I will do the best I can by following the best-known sun protection practices and using the best sunscreens available, and I will enjoy life! Thank goodness each fall I can go in and clean up with products and services designed to erase the signs of sun damage. If you’ve enjoyed your moment in the sun this summer, now is a great time to come in and receive a VISIA Complexion Analysis. You can see what is going on both on top of and underneath your skin’s surface. Based on this analysis we can come up with your best plan for flawless skin. Enjoy these last days of summer, protect your skin the best you can, and visit us for any “clean up” you may need.

Laser Hair Removal: Timing and Technology Matter

Wed, 02 Sep 2015 18:00:00 GMT

Most of us will have unwanted hair on some part of our body at some point in our lives. What makes hair removal so challenging is that most methods do not permanently destroy the hair follicle. If the follicle is left behind, it will grow back. Also, hair that is not in the active growth phase, or dormant, will not be affected and someday will grow again. The other challenge with laser hair removal is that all the hair follicles are not at the same depth. The importance of the depth is that if the laser energy does not penetrate deep enough, it will not destroy the follicle. That is why home hair removal systems with low power and non-adjustable lasers will not uniformly give the long-term results that medical grade lasers will. When you look at the long-term results of these home-based systems, patients are satisfied with the amount of loss in the beginning, but after a year are generally not pleased.

This is why we counsel you that hair removal must be timed correctly, usually 6-8 weeks between treatments and sometimes longer, in order to catch as many hairs in an active growth phase as possible. Also, you must have approximately 6 treatments for maximum hair reduction followed by intermittent touch-up treatments for 2-3 years. If you follow this protocol, you will have excellent long-term hair loss. Once the follicles are gone, they do not come back. The hair you see growing are dormant follicles that have reactivated. That is why the touch-up sessions are necessary, especially for larger areas like the legs or back.

The technology is equally as important. Not all lasers are the same and you should have different wavelengths of energy in order to treat all skin types. Further, more modern systems have been designed so that the discomfort is minimal. Our LightSheer INFINITY system utilizes a suction system to stretch the skin in order to put the follicles at the same depth while minimizing the amount of energy used. This leads to a super comfortable treatment while reducing the time needed to treat you. We also see fewer touch-up treatments needed after the initial series is completed. At the Laser and Vein Center we have several other lasers that we can adjust for those stubborn hairs that just won’t go away. These lasers require special training and knowledge to use effectively, and all of our staff has ongoing education so as to maximize your results.

Timing of hair removal and the technology employed do matter. The cheapest package and the quickest treatment times do not always mean the best results. Your best option is to choose a facility where you feel comfortable with the knowledge base of the provider, you are offered the best technology options, and there is a good history of successful treatments. Be sure to do your homework before choosing a laser hair removal provider. We hope you will give us the opportunity to share our expertise during one of our complimentary hair removal consultations.

Healing Your Acne from the Inside Out

Fri, 21 Aug 2015 19:00:00 GMT

Now that we’ve covered what you must do to start an acne regimen from the inside, let’s talk eating habits. You are what you eat – I can’t stress that enough. Put down the fast food and be conscientious about what goes in your mouth. Lower your sodium intake to avoid acne flare-ups. Replace canned or frozen veggies with fresh ones. These little lifestyle shifts not only help your skin look better, but you will feel better from the inside out. Clean foods = healthy skin. Ditch the white foods: white bread, white rice, french fries, potato chips, and white refined sugar cause your blood sugar levels to spike, and guess what that leads to??? Acne breakouts.

So now that we are sleeping, elimintating stress, drinking adequate amounts of H20, and eating healthy, let’s optimize our potential and add a few key ingredients for an acne-free life. Remember we are starting the healing process of your skin from the inside. Think of supplements as adding the cherry on top. What every acne warrior needs in their lineup:

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Vitamin A
nAids in shedding dead skin cells that build up and cause acne. Eat a handful of carrots or add 8 oz of vegetable juice to your daily menu.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids
nEPA, an Omega-3 found in fish and seaweed, is arguably the best anti-inflammatory found in nature. Inflammation is at the core of acne. You can calm inflammation internally before it errupts externally. There are two inflammatory chemicals responsible for breakouts: PGE2 and LTB4. Omega-3 inhibits the production of these chemicals. Flaxseed and fish are great sources of EPA.

Zinc
nAids in metabolizing Omega-3s and serves as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Zinc helps slow down oil production that is caused by stress. Studies show acne patients have low levels of zinc. Mushrooms, spinach and roasted cashews are high in zinc.

Selenium
nA mineral that works to protect antioxidants and assists with preventing inflammation. Pairing vitamin E with selenium has been shown to improve acne. Brazil nuts, broccoli and cabbage are packed with selenium.

Acne can be challenging, embarassing, and disrupts how you view your skin. Taking these steps will help you maximize your results when seeking an acne regimen. You now have the resources available to start and stay acne-free.

Back to School Makeup Tips

Tue, 18 Aug 2015 13:00:00 GMT

I had Ryann take a before and after selfie to show her back to school look after her makeup application. The picture shows a more even skin tone and a touch of color to add contour to her face. I asked Ryann what her favorite Colorescience product was and I was shocked. She said she loves her corrector palette because she can cover any pimple or under-eye darkness when she doesn’t sleep enough (teens say they never sleep enough). She also said it is so easy to apply because the back of the palette tells her exactly how to use it. It makes a greater difference in her appearance than any other product. I also asked her how long it takes her to do her makeup for school in the morning and she said about five minutes. I had her take a picture of all the products along with the brushes she uses to apply them.

Ryann likes to practice applying her makeup and finding new ways to change her look for different occasions. As she gets into the school year I will post new looks and even before and after photos from her volleyball games to show how Colorescience stays on.

Makeup is more than just looking good on the outside; it can make you feel good and give you confidence within.

Why Protecting Your Skin from Infrared Radiation is Important

Tue, 28 Jul 2015 22:00:00 GMT

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In the past, we did not have significant levels of IR reaching the earth’s surface due to a more robust ozone layer. Now, scientists have shown an increase in the IR levels. In addition, IR exposure is more significant the further north you are. With a more mobile society, protecting yourself from IR has become a must. When you are exposed to solar IR radiation, it will be converted to heat once it penetrates your skin. Studies have shown that the skin can reach temperatures as high as 40C. When you are exposed to IR repetitively, changes will occur in your skin such as wrinkling. This occurs due to the breakdown of collagen. Also, chronic IR exposure will lead to the formation of tiny red blood vessels in your skin. There is also research that has shown that IR can induce DNA damage in your skin cells, which may lead to increased risk of skin cancer.

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Fortunately, now you can protect yourself more thoroughly. Total Defense and Repair will now give you the most complete protection from the sun. It also will help repair some of the damage that has already occurred. When you are ready to move up to the first supersunscreen, come to the LVC and let us help you pick the perfect one for you.

Reflexology: A Natural Approach to Wellness

Tue, 28 Jul 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Reflexology is the idea that applying pressure to a specific region of the hands or feet will result in a sedative-like effect on the correlating body part. For example, applying pressure to your toes can help alleviate headaches or sinus pressure. These techniques have been used for thousands of years and have no adverse reactions – at worst you are increasing circulation, stimulating your very own healing process, and bringing an overall balance to your body. This holistic approach can target digestive disorders, migraines, sinus problems, PMS or hormone-related issues, back and joint pain, and insomnia, just to name a few conditions.

A typical session lasts anywhere from 25 to 45 minutes. You will be asked to lie down comfortably on a massage-like table. Your feet will be relaxed through reflexing and acupressure type methods starting at the toes down to the heels. You may feel minor sensations or nothing at all. Expect the session to be relaxing – if you fall asleep, don’t be surprised.

I recommend a reflexology treatment every four weeks to maintain overall stress and relaxation management. Treatment is personal to each patient and dependent on your overall health and wellness goals.

Planning Ahead For Your Special Days

Thu, 16 Jul 2015 19:00:00 GMT

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As my daughter’s wedding approached, I had to plan my nail appointments and brow wax, and really that was it. I know you might be saying yeah, but you work at a place that does these things. Well yes, that is true, but it is still hard to find time and sometimes hard to get myself on our busy schedule. I do, however, make sure that I keep up my routine services and stay on a good home care routine. So no need to panic if a special event comes up. I am sure all of us could do more and try harder, but I have a routine that is good enough for me.

So why wait for a big event to start taking care of yourself? When those special days come you can spend your energy on all of the other things that will stress you out like seating charts and what dress to wear. Which is exactly what I did. The week before the wedding I was quite sure that I would convince all my other children to elope, but the magical day came and, in spite of the stress and the few things that didn’t go as planned, it was absolutely perfect. When you’re surrounded by the love of friends and family it is hard to feel anything but beautiful.

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So to all you women of mother-of-the-bride age, find out what your “good enough” is and when those special moments come along, sit back and enjoy!

SkinMedica Total Defense + Repair: The Newest Way to Protect Yourself from the Sun

Thu, 02 Jul 2015 19:29:00 GMT

Believe it or not, this is only part of the message. There are actually three kinds of rays from the sun, and 54{d855275bb5a53a691922ddbe09fd77e36a4f35d1f88aaf3bcf40ae4b44ffef7b} of the sun’s energy comes at us as Infrared-A (IR), which penetrates deeper than the other two culprits! Great, another villain to add to our aging process!

Wouldn’t it be great if a skin care product could actually protect us from ALL three and then go even further and support the skin’s ability to repair and restore itself?

JCMG Laser & Vein Center now offers just that! SkinMedica Total Defense + Repair provides three new options to fight the aging process. It both protects and corrects – genius! You choose your option: Broad Spectrum SPF 34, Broad Spectrum SPF 34 + Tint, or Broad Spectrum SPF 50. All three have the IR advanced skin protection and all are packed with powerful advanced antioxidants and specialty ingredients now known as SOL-IR.

Total Defense + Repair costs $65 and you earn 25 points in Brilliant Distinctions. So many options, so many benefits.

Go ahead and enjoy what summer has to offer and remember – with any sunscreen, apply and reapply to maximize benefits. Stop by JCMG Laser & Vein Center and try this rejuvenating superscreen for yourself. Your skin will thank you!

Colorescience Tint du Soleil: Perfect for Summertime

Thu, 25 Jun 2015 06:00:00 GMT

I am a self-confessed product junkie. Makeup and hair products are my two favorites. I am a sucker for the seasonal lip shade and am in a constant search for the perfect hairspray that smells as amazing as it works. So, as soon as new products enter our office I cannot wait to get my hands on them. The Tint du Soleil is my newest obsession. It is Colorescience’s latest multiple beauty benefit product. It blends healthy skin ingredients like peptides, ceramides, milk lipids and antioxidants with the sun protection of zinc and titanium dioxide. It offers a physical UVA/UVB sun protection factor of 30. So it truly is a hydrating, nutrient-packed, cosmetically elegant sunscreen foundation. 🙂 Not to mention the best part – the coverage! It has a very lightweight non-greasy feel with a fuller coverage look than the Colorescience Crème. There are three shades available: light, medium and tan. I had a chance to use it on myself following my Skin Rejuvenation treatment and I absolutely loved it. Immediately after the treatment my skin was noticeably red, but the redness was instantly covered and concealed by using the Tint alone. Combined with Colorescience’s Pressed Mineral Foundation Compact it will give a full coverage, very finished look. The Tint with a Sunforgettable Brush is the perfect look for summertime. The Tint du Soleil will definitely be added to my makeup regimen. Stop in and let us color match you and receive an introductory 10{d855275bb5a53a691922ddbe09fd77e36a4f35d1f88aaf3bcf40ae4b44ffef7b} discount off the $54 price. I know you will love it. And be sure to check out the new butter LONDON polish and lip colors… before I buy them all!!! n n Get out and enjoy the much needed summertime sun and don’t forget your sunscreen!!

Make a Pledge to Wear Sunscreen

Wed, 13 May 2015 23:16:00 GMT

For those who have followed our newsletters you know you can also count on my annual sunscreen lecture every May! So here it goes. I have done this now for seven years so I am pulling out my mom skills and trying to figure out a new way to give the same lecture! I really struggled this year on what to say. I was given an article a few weeks ago on the tragic loss of a young girl to skin cancer. I hate for this blurb to be a downer or to go for the scare tactic, but after much thought I decided this IS the message I want to get out this year.

Yes, too much sun causes premature aging, brown spots, etc., but the main reason you need to be diligent about your sunscreen application is because of the risk of skin cancer. So here are the facts from skincancer.org :

These are the stats and stats don’t lie. But sometimes the facts hit home better when there is a face to them. So read the article that is the inspiration behind my lecture this year. Then share it with your loved ones who don’t think tanning is a big deal.

Finally, ask yourself: is that tan really worth it? Enjoy the sun this summer, but enjoy it responsibly. Stock up on your sunscreen! Choose the right sunscreens and apply them everywhere your skin is exposed, EVERY DAY. And give the gift of good sunscreen habits to your kids, too. I remember a time when cars didn’t have seat belts in the back seat. I’m sure none of us would even consider not buckling our kids up today. Someday I predict we will be that diligent about sunscreen on kids, too. Let’s be ahead of the curve. We can help you with choosing the proper sunscreens, but if you don’t see us please see someone! And remember it only works if you use it, so choose one you love and apply, apply and reapply!

Healthy Skin for Always

Wed, 13 May 2015 22:14:00 GMT

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Malignant melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, is now one of the most common cancers among people ages 15 to 29 years, and though it constitutes only 3 percent of all skin cancers, it causes 75 percent of cancer deaths. This should be enough to hold our attention.

Too much ultraviolet radiation exposure can cause:

Continue reading Dr. Prasad’s blog post on the Jefferson City Magazine website.

‘Tis the Season for Sunless Tanning

Tue, 05 May 2015 12:00:00 GMT

‘Tis the season… for sunless tanning!!! If you know me, then you know how much I value and preach sun protection and sunscreen. It is the least expensive must-have anti-aging product on the market, and my face and body do not leave home without it. Now, with that being said, I am a girl and I love being tan. Swimsuits, shorts and skirts are so much easier to put on and to feel confident in with bronze, glowing skin. nn VersaSpa Sunless Tanning is the most superior spray tan on the market. We pay special attention to the important ingredients that we apply to our face and body on a daily basis, so why should we compromise on our spray tan. Versa bronzes and hydrates your skin all in one quick session. If you have never experienced it, watch this video to see how simple it is. Preparation before and maintenance following tanning will help you keep that beachy glow as long as possible. Here are a few do’s and dont’s that will ensure you will get the most out of your sunless experience: n DO exfoliate prior to your session and do not use body lotion before being sprayed. DO wear loose-fitting clothing and sandals to avoid any lines. DO make sure to keep your skin very well hydrated with a body lotion in the days prior to tanning, and afterward with a lotion that preferably builds a gradual sunless color to keep a long-lasting tan. DON’T exercise or do anything that makes you perspire 4-6 hours following your spray tan. DON’T plan on a laser treatment within 7-10 days following a spray tan. DON’T take a shower or soak in a bath for at least 6 hours following your tan. DON’T use body lotions that contain alpha or beta hydroxy acids; these will break down your tan in the days following. DON’T forget your sunscreen!!! n

A Plan for Fighting Facial Redness

Mon, 13 Apr 2015 20:54:00 GMT

Even for those who have not received a true rosacea diagnosis, facial redness caused by sun damage, acne or just genetics can make us feel less than confident and beautiful. I have always struggled with facial redness. In my early twenties I underwent chemotherapy and radiation for a sarcoma of my lung and liver. Along with losing my hair, facial redness was a visible side effect of the cancer treatments; my cheeks and nose were always red. At the time, this was the least of my worries, but in the following years as I was getting back to health and feeling like myself, it became a real detriment to my confidence.

My personality is that I want to “fix” the problem instead of just masking it with makeup, so I began researching anti-inflammatory diets and treatments for visible redness. I struggled for years and, quite honestly, only recently eliminated my redness. I completely owe it to my SkinMedica and Colorescience products, along with a few treatments of course. I truly feel that this combination of products used on a daily basis aid in not only concealing my redness but also repairing it.

One of the best ways to begin concealing and correcting your visible redness is the Colorescience Sensitive Skin Kit. It includes the Skin Calming Primer SPF 20, which aids in soothing red or sensitive skin. The golden nude color neutralizes redness and one of the key ingredients, Oat Beta Glucan, is a natural anti-inflammatory that can even be used on post-procedure skin. The Mineral Corrector Palette helps in concealing red, brown and blue discoloration. It even comes with a cheat sheet to show how to correct your individual concealing needs. One of the most important steps in fighting facial redness is sun protection. The Sunforgettable Brush SPF 50 is the easiest way to reapply your minerals and sunscreen. The FDA recommends reapplication every two hours when in the sun, and with this brush it is actually possible. The final step in the kit is the Setting Mist; it melts your minerals into place, leaving your skin looking dewy and fresh all day long.

This month you will not only receive a 20{d855275bb5a53a691922ddbe09fd77e36a4f35d1f88aaf3bcf40ae4b44ffef7b} discount on the Colorescience Sensitive Skin Kit, you will also receive our luxurious kabuki brush as our gift. If facial redness is not an issue for you, we have a kit customized for your needs as well. I promise that you will absolutely fall in love with Colorescience makeup after trying it. It really is not only the best thing for the health of your skin, but you will love the beautiful look that it gives you!

Maybe Old is the New Naked

Wed, 01 Apr 2015 14:27:00 GMT

When I returned home she forwarded me this wonderful article on how the older woman is finally being embraced by advertisers. Hopefully we will no longer see ads for wrinkle creams sporting 20-somethings or fashion only modeled by the young! Alice Ericson of Grey Advertising thinks it is a trend that will continue. Ericson states, “At one point, at Tom Ford, everyone was naked. Maybe old is the new naked.” National ad campaigns like L’Oreal are featuring mature women such as Helen Mirren, Twiggy and Diane Keaton. Yves St Laurent is featuring 71-year-old Joni Mitchell. “They’re icons. They’re amazing,” Ericsson said. “They have substance. They also have wrinkles.”

I welcome this inclusion of the older woman in advertising. I know from creating our own advertising how difficult it has been to find any photos to use of older women and men other than the few models you see everywhere. But I have seen a drastic increase since I started this job seven years ago. That is also why I always love when we focus on our “real” clients and show how they have embraced their own personal beauty. The one warning I would give to the advertising world is not to pigeonhole us. We are too wise at this age to think there is only one way to be beautiful. We are now going to define that for ourselves. I challenge them to show us in all the many varieties we come in.

This spring, embrace your beauty no matter what the age. After all this is YOUR beautiful!

Vein Disease and Deep Venous Thrombosis

Tue, 31 Mar 2015 17:51:00 GMT

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The National Institute of Health states that over 50{d855275bb5a53a691922ddbe09fd77e36a4f35d1f88aaf3bcf40ae4b44ffef7b} of patients with a DVT have no sign or symptom of the blood clot. It also states that sometimes the first sign of a DVT is a blood clot in the lungs. This can be a serious or even fatal occurrence. This was very informative because most doctors, and the public, have the perception that you will always know when you have a DVT. The fact is that most will not have any symptoms. It is important that your DVT risk factors are taken into consideration when making treatment decisions. When we treat patients with complex vein disease, it is known that the risk for DVT will decrease and leg health will increase. There are so many reasons to be proactive about treating vein disease. Decreasing your risk of a DVT, especially if you have other risk factors, should be an important consideration. Yes, you may look better in a pair of shorts after treatment, but that just is a happy bonus. The many health benefits far outweigh the cosmetic bonus.

Things to Be Grateful For

Mon, 30 Mar 2015 20:41:00 GMT

I can’t help but feel blessed. I go to work every day grateful for my opportunities. I love what I do at my “job” and can’t wait to share esthetic advancements with you, our clients and friends. I’ve been participating in the skin care industry since 1992, and I am always saying I cannot believe how much our industry has grown. I am grateful to be a part of it.

It’s 2015 and I am going to be the big 5-0 this year. I can honestly say I never thought I would be welcoming this birthday…but no worries! I am grateful for the “Prasad Perks”. Perfecting protocols takes practice and tweaking until we get it down perfectly…and guess who gets to have those treatments? Me! Grateful!

Recently I have had Ultherapy, lifting lax skin on my face and neck and putting it back up where it’s suppose to be. And currently I am having UltraShape, fat destruction on my stomach and flanks. After two kids, ever-changing hormones, and menopause, my tummy is not as flat or smooth as I would like. Enter our protocol of UltraShape and VelaShape. I finished a series last week and I am proud to say I have lost 2.5 inches off my waist with only a few tiny, painless bruises left from VelaShape. I’m excited to see what the next few months bring and I am even more determined to stay on pace with living a healthy lifestyle as I welcome in my 50s. Advancements in body contouring have been incredible – three sessions, two to four weeks apart, and painless. All done with external ultrasound.

So, thank you to my LVC family for providing me with treatments that “enhance the seasons of my life” – I am truly grateful.

The Truth About Fillers

Mon, 23 Mar 2015 22:16:00 GMT

My philosophy on fillers is that they are meant to enhance your beauty, not detract from it! You should still look like you. There are many different types of fillers available to us today. I have chosen my favorites to carry at the Laser and Vein Center, and feel these options best meet my clients’ needs. Some clients’ goals may be met by one filler option while others may need a combination treatment to best meet their needs. Clients occasionally come in and ask for a filler by name, such as Juvederm. This is perhaps based more on advertising than true need. The filler they are asking for may not properly address their goal. That is why the consultation process is so important. If I understand what their goal for filler is, I can customize their look much more effectively using the various products we have available to us.

My filler menu consists of Voluma, Juvederm Ultra, Juvederm Ultra Plus , and Radiesse . These four options allow me to address any need our clients could have. The purpose of cosmetic fillers is to replace the volume that we lose as we age. Volume loss is a normal part of the aging process and is accelerated by sun damage and lifestyle choices. We replace lost volume by rebuilding the midface and refilling the lower face and other areas such as under the eye, temple hollows, jaw line and lip.

Each filler has subtle differences and areas where they work best. Voluma is used to lift the skin complex and replace the lost fat in the midface. It will last up to two years. Juvederm Ultra is a wonderful filler for any place you want to smooth wrinkles. I use it around the mouth, nose, and under the eyes. However, I can place it safely just about anywhere it might be needed. Juvederm Ultra Plus is my favorite product for the lips and smokers’ lines around the lips. It gives a very natural feel to the lips when touched. Both Juvederm products will last around a year. Radiesse is another volumizing filler that can be used in multiple areas of the face. I use it to replace lost volume in the midface or in the temples when they appear hollowed. It is also indicated to last a year.

The most important thing to remember if you are interested in filler is to talk to us about what your goal is. Once we understand what look you desire, we can tailor the various fillers to achieve those results. Filler does not have to mean duck lips or puffy cheeks, but can be a subtle enhancement that restores the youthful volume time has erased!

Tips for Combating Winter Dryness

Tue, 17 Feb 2015 21:10:00 GMT

It is also important to know that our skin can be both water dry and oil dry. Lipids, our natural oils, are so important in preventing lack of moisture in our skin. They work as a protective layer that holds in our hydration, preventing transepidermal water loss.

So now that you know what happens, how can you prevent it?

Unfortunately, there is no way to press “fast forward” through this dreaded, dry cold season. Hopefully these tips will ease your winter dry skin. Remember that your esthetician is full of helpful tips for your skin in any season of your life. Stay warm friends!

Why We Love SkinMedica Products

Mon, 16 Feb 2015 02:47:00 GMT

I had the pleasure of spending time with the two chief researchers, Rahul Mehta, Ph. D. and Scott Petersen, Ph. D., at SkinMedica. These two super smart people are the brains behind the discoveries. Their insight into the aging face and skin is far ahead of the curve. They will only bring new products to market once they have solid research and results that are published in medical journals reviewed by other doctors. This is what separates SkinMedica from the other skin care offerings that we are bombarded with daily. There are lots of claims and fancy advertising, but no hard science to back it up.

Some of the game-changing products they have brought to the market include: TNS Essential Serum, Lytera, and their retinol products. TNS is the single most important anti-aging serum today, containing an industry leading 94{d855275bb5a53a691922ddbe09fd77e36a4f35d1f88aaf3bcf40ae4b44ffef7b} growth factor concentration! In addition, it is paired with free radical scavenging antioxidants and other skin enhancing formulations all in one easy to use pump. Lytera will visibly reduce brown spots from sun damaged skin in 90 days. Continued use will lead to even better reduction in these unsightly spots. Retinol products are a mainstay of anti-aging and will lead to a reduction in fine wrinkles and increase the tone of the skin. SkinMedica’s retinol has enhanced delivery mechanisms and is much easier to tolerate than current Retin-A products with no sacrifice in results. SkinMedica continues to advance the science of beauty and I am proud to be able to bring these groundbreaking discoveries to you at the JCMG Laser & Vein Center.

A Valentine to Making Positive Change

Fri, 13 Feb 2015 07:00:00 GMT

Technology is also constantly changing, and with the new additions of UltraShape, Ultherapy, advanced technology in hair removal, and the PicoSure for tattoos and skin rejuvenation we have so many more tools in the box for helping our clients. It is fun to have so many options to address clients’ needs.

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And speaking of clients, the clients who shared their stories with us gave me an even greater appreciation of the positive energy our services can bring. We also have had so many of you send in reviews and answer the surveys you are receiving from our appointment reminder program. They are overwhelmingly positive and a great treat in my inbox! Whether it is giving people back the ability to do the things they love or the confidence to go after them, it is so rewarding to get to be a part of positive change.

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So if you’re waking up and choosing a job that isn’t giving you joy, and you have the option to change, maybe it’s time to take a look at what else is out there. I feel blessed to love my job and the people I share it with. So this February my wish for you is that you will find a job you love or maybe find a new way to love the job you have! Happy Valentine’s Day.

Why is Hyaluronic Acid Important?

Tue, 03 Feb 2015 06:00:00 GMT

When we age, we lose hyaluronic acid from various parts of our body. As it relates to the skin, a reduction in hyaluronic acid leads to an increase in the prominence of wrinkles and fine lines.

Hyaluronic acid is getting a lot of attention in the anti-aging world because maintaining a healthy level of moisture in the skin leads to a more youthful appearance. Hyaluronic acid is capable of holding up to 1000 times its weight in water! It also has been shown to improve the skin’s elasticity and protect against free radical damage. Free radicals are produced with sun exposure and will enhance the formation of wrinkles and brown spots.

When you use skin care products with hyaluronic acid, they work by absorbing the available moisture from the environment and water already in the skin. The result of retaining moisture in the skin is a temporary plumping effect on the fine lines and wrinkles as the molecules swell.

Hyaluronic acid is available in an injectable form as well as topical. Injectable hyaluronic acid lasts longer and has more dramatic results since a greater amount of hyaluronic acid is placed deeper in the skin. Topical hyaluronic acid is best for smoothing finer, less prominent wrinkles. Optimal results are achieved when used together.

In summary, adding hyaluronic acid to your anti-aging routine is a great way to improve the youthfulness of your skin.

Looking at the Big Picture

Fri, 16 Jan 2015 06:03:00 GMT

The New Year and birthdays are the two times of year we stop and take a look at where we are, and reflect on how we have moved forward in the past year (or not). We also look at where we would like to be in the future. Many of us set resolutions on how we would like to change. If we look closely at those resolutions there is usually a broader feeling or state of being behind the resolution. For example, we may have a goal to lose 10 pounds and get to the gym 3 times a week. But the real goal may be to be healthier or feel more confident. So this year, instead of choosing a resolution, I am going to look at the big picture. What area of my life am I neglecting or what part of who I am do I want to work on? For me, this year it is going to be to take better care of myself and my health. As a wife, mother, daughter of aging parents and manager of a business, I tend to put my own needs last. This year I am going to add as part of my daily routine a morning question: what do I need to do today to stay healthy and well cared for? I am going to try and keep that question in my mind when I make my daily choices. The “resolutions” may change daily, but I hope by the end of the year I will be in a better habit of choosing what is best for my mental and physical help. Wish me luck! Perhaps consider tweaking how you look at your path for the New Year. Our new ads this year focus on some of those big picture goals. Our clients have shared how they have achieved a feeling of beauty, confidence or a more active lifestyle. We will be continuing to share these stories throughout the year. The JCMG Laser and Vein Center is only a small part of their journey to self-improvement, but we are thankful for the opportunity to help people achieve their goals. We love that we’ve been a small part of helping them love their “big picture”. Happy New Year!

The Connection Between Weight and Health of Your Legs

Fri, 16 Jan 2015 06:02:00 GMT

Obesity is a very common problem in our society. You are considered obese by Western medical standards when you have a BMI of > 30. You can calculate your BMI here . This is a very simplistic way to look at it, but can be a quick guide. I see it every day at the JCMG Laser and Vein Center. People frequently have problems with their legs swelling. This is a symptom of vein disease and is treatable. However, if they are obese, the swelling will continue to be a problem if they do not lose weight.

Other than leg swelling, obesity has a wide variety of detrimental effects. Heart disease and high blood pressure are increased when you are overweight. High cholesterol is more prevalent in obese people. The risk of Type II diabetes is increased with excess weight. Osteoarthritis and back pain are significantly increased when you are overweight and will worsen as your weight increases. Stroke risk, sleep apnea, gallstones, gout and congestive heart failure are also more prevalent. If that isn’t enough, your risk of certain cancers is significantly higher. Obesity has been linked to cancer of the colon in men and women, cancer of the rectum and prostate in men, and cancer of the gallbladder and uterus in women. Obesity may also be associated with breast cancer, particularly in postmenopausal women. Fat tissue is important in the production of estrogen, and prolonged exposure to high levels of estrogen increases the risk of breast cancer.

So as you head into the New Year, resolve to lose some weight. It will serve you well to invest in your body. Maintaining a healthy weight and regular exercise routine will keep you healthier as well as helping your legs!

Latisse is at the Top of My Christmas Wish List

Mon, 01 Dec 2014 09:05:00 GMT

Dear Santa, all I want for Christmas is a new birthday suit because mine is starting to age, two front teeth, and a Red Ryder BB Gun? No, I’ll shoot my eye out. Well at least my eyes will look great with my long lashes because this year I have been a good girl at using my Latisse! When I had my son Bode in 2008, my lashes fell out and never came back like they were before. I started using a lash conditioner on my lashes and they looked better, but when I started using Latisse I noticed right away there was a difference. My lashes were longer in a month and in three months they were fuller and thicker than before having Bode! Latisse is FDA approved and is a prescription to grow eyelashes longer, fuller and darker, and I am here to tell you that it is the BEST there is. Latisse also works great on eyebrows! As Bode gets older so do my lashes, so the only way to keep them in top condition is to continue my Latisse and use non-waterproof mascara and primer. This month is the best time to stock up on Latisse for the year with our BOGO promo with an additional $25 off! So this Christmas I am going to ask Santa for Latisse!

‘Tis the Season to Look and Feel Fabulous

Mon, 01 Dec 2014 06:00:00 GMT

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…right? The holidays are joyful, but with the cheer also comes cold, dry weather, out-of-town guests, stress, sleep deprivation, hours of shopping, numerous parties, and more. In fact, the holidays are a time when I want to be looking my party best. Here are my four must-haves for a glowing complexion: n A touch of Vitamin B – and by that I mean Botox!! A quick way of looking refreshed minus those pesky frown lines and wrinkles. Dermaplaning – a method of exfoliation that uses a blade to remove the upper layer of dead skin cells as well as peach fuzz on the face. It leaves the skin so smooth and makes my makeup look completely flawless. I often follow dermaplaning with the application of the SkinMedica Illuminize Peel solution. This leaves my skin looking bright, radiant and healthy with zero visible flaking. The skin looks its most amazing in the one to three days after treatment, so this is the perfect time to get an extra boost of radiance – perfect for all those pictures! Another option is the old tried and true Microdermabrasion, which will remove dead skin and polish dull skin. Microdermabrasion gently removes the very top layer of skin, revealing a fresh, glowing, younger looking you. Remember, these treatments are not just for the face; I make a special point to pamper the back of my hands and chest as well. n So don’t let the Grinch take the fun out of your holidays. Take time out of your busy schedule to get a professional skin treatment. Let us pamper and rejuvenate your skin and spirit so you have a glowing holiday season.

Sparkle for the Holidays With Colorescience and SkinMedica

Mon, 01 Dec 2014 02:00:00 GMT

‘Tis the season for holiday parties and seeing friends and family we haven’t seen for a while. It’s a time of the year we want to look and feel our best, but barely have a minute to think about it. Here are a few easy tips to add a little sparkle to your holiday look:

Come in to let us help you add a little sparkle to your holiday look. Our Colorescience makeup artist, Meena, will be here on December 11th. She is so full of knowledge and great to work with. If you have not had an appointment with her, I highly recommend it!!

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season. Take the time to enjoy it!

Erasing a Youthful Mistake

Mon, 03 Nov 2014 20:08:00 GMT

Erase a little of your ghosts of tattoos past! A youthful mistake 18 years ago is soon going to be erased forever from the top of my foot! I always thought tattoos were a permanent decision made by living in the moment, but now with the PicoSure Laser that is a thing of the past. Old lasers would break up the tattoo into small pebble-like particles, whereas the PicoSure breaks them up into fine sand-like particle that are easier for the body to break down and get rid of it. This means less pain, fewer treatments and faster recovery time. I just recently received my second tattoo removal treatment with the PicoSure and I am so impressed with the results that I want to share my experience. My tattoo is about the size of a silver dollar and it took Dr. Prasad less than a minute to go over my tattoo with the laser. It was so fast and the pain was like rubber band snap. My tattoo had white frost on top and felt like a sunburn once he was finished. Ointment was applied and a bandage was put on to keep my tattoo out of the sun. I kept a bandage over my tattoo for a week to keep it covered from the sun and from rubbing on my shoes. Today my tattoo has already started to break down more and it has only been a week! I cannot wait for my third treatment in December.

Colorescience Corrector Palette: A Fall Favorite Makeup Accessory

Sun, 02 Nov 2014 21:53:00 GMT

“The most beautiful makeup of a woman is passion. But cosmetics are easier to buy.” – Yves Saint-Laurent

Fall…the time when the weather changes and so do our fashion choices. I love to pull out my sweaters, boots and scarves, and I look forward to adjusting my makeup colors as well. You will often hear me say that there are core products and procedures that are necessary and non-negotiable, but the “accessories” are when we get to have fun and add specialty pieces to our skin care and makeup.

Fall is a time when I focus on corrective treatments to help diminish any signs left over from my summer activities and vacations, and ideally fall/winter is when I focus on maintaining my skin integrity that I have worked so hard to achieve. Unfortunately, some of these treatments can leave bruising, increased “peppering” of brown spots, and even a slight flare of acne.

One of my favorite makeup accessories is our Colorescience Corrector Palette. This one compact has so many variables and is my multitasker. It can be used anywhere. Multiple shades can be mixed and matched to cover any stage of healing. If you’re not having a procedure done, but have discoloration, the Corrector Palette is perfect for covering unwanted spots, can mimic a foundation, and I use it as eyelid and lip neutralizer. It makes the beautiful fall colors more dramatic and true to color. It’s great for traveling as well – one piece that is multifunctional!! The key to mineral makeup working successfully is the way it is laid on the skin and the choice of brush. I also follow the color matching directions on the back of the palette and it hides everything every time!

Sound like something you can’t live without? Join us for our Camouflage Class Wednesday, October 29, 5:30pm – 7:30pm and add some accessories of your own this fall season.

Watch and save these tips for a flawless result:

My Experience at the SkinMedica Advocate Summit

Tue, 28 Oct 2014 22:19:00 GMT

I tend to be a spring and summertime girl, but I must say that this fall season has been absolutely perfect. I was definitely ready to bring out my jeans and sweaters, but dreaded the upcoming time change. This past weekend we took our annual fall boat ride to Ha-Ha-Tonka. We began the morning with sweatshirts and blankets, and by the end of the day we were melting in the 90 degree heat. Definitely the best of both summer and fall with the beautiful changing leaves and the warm sunny day. It is hard to believe that Halloween is this week.

One of my other fall favorites is the SkinMedica Advocate Summit. It is held in October in Carlsbad, California, and this is the fourth year that Kim and I have had the honor of attending. The Summit is held for the top accounts in the nation; we are with the best of the best, including highly accredited practices and teaching hospitals. We are so privileged to have such wonderful clients in our smaller market to make this possible. I am so proud to tell people that we are from a small midwestern town when I am meeting accounts from huge markets like New York, Dallas and Boston.

SkinMedica has the most innovative science behind everything that has their brand on it. Last year we were able to tour the laboratory and assist in formulating a batch of TNS Eye Repair, an amazing experience. I have been in medical skin care for over 10 years and have sold other skin care lines, but SkinMedica by far has my loyalty as a consumer, as well as an esthetician. I could go on and on about what a wonderful experience the Advocate Summit is, not to mention how much I have grown to love southern California. I am so thankful and proud to offer our clients the best of the best and to share our continuing education in this growing field. Attending this event every year reignites my passion for what I do and what we offer at the Laser & Vein Center.

I hope if you are already a client that we give you this same feeling when you come in to visit us. We love what we do, and it is most certainly our passion. I hope that if you are not a skin care client that you may give us a chance to share this with you. I promise we can make you a believer. There is no better time to begin than now!

Undo the Signs of Aging With the Triniti Skin Series

Tue, 30 Sep 2014 06:46:00 GMT

Just like in life, when beginning your skin care journey with us, one of the most important things to remember is that there really is not a “finish line.” I have worked in medical skin care for the past 10 years and have struggled with sun damage, pigmentation, redness and fine lines. I am faithful to my SkinMedica product and preventing sun damage, but I also love the sun, the water and being outside. It has at times been a struggle, but I keep in mind that we get just one face; unlike hair that will grow back if we get a bad cut or color, our skin is ours forever. One bad burn, years of being too tired to wash at night, and forgetting your daily sunscreen can wreak havoc for years to come.

Technology has advanced so much to help us “undo” some of this unwanted damage. Our Syneron Laser has the technology to help improve color, texture and elasticity. The Triniti Skin Series involves SR, which is our Color Correction laser. It is a safe, comfortable treatment with very little downtime. It causes mild “peppering”: that is the damaged pigmentation coming to the surface of the skin. In a few days it is sloughed away and you begin to see your pigmentation lighten. It is my secret weapon against my naturally pink cheeks and the few sun spots that I battle. It is done in a series of treatments that will gradually and safely remove pigment and redness. Sublime is added to a procedure to plump fine lines, aid in skin tightening, and to help soften pitting or scarring. Sublative is the last step in the Triniti. It is not a laser, but a radio frequency that causes minimal injury to resurface your skin’s texture, fine lines, wrinkles, pores and scarring. To be honest, this is my least favorite step…it is a little uncomfortable and has a day or two of downtime. Having said that, it certainly makes the biggest difference, making the results totally worth the downtime and discomfort. All of these procedures can be done separately, but combined together they offer color correction, skin tightening and resurfacing, targeting all three causes of visible aging and giving new life to your face and neck.

Remember that keeping up with your at-home routine as well as coming in for treatments will keep you ahead of the anti-aging battle. Our skin is always a work in progress. We should learn to embrace our imperfections and see the beauty in them while improving, preventing and maintaining what we have the capability to change. My skin at the age of 35 is better than it ever has been, thanks to SkinMedica and all of the amazing procedures that we offer. Hopefully you are enjoying your skin care “journey” with us, and if not, what a great time to begin!

A New Look for Fall With Colorescience

Fri, 26 Sep 2014 06:44:00 GMT

I’ve been a busy girl when it comes to work, school routines, and running my kids to and from games and practices. I don’t have much time or energy to put into my makeup routine in the morning, especially when I also have my daughter Ryann’s makeup to do. I LOVE makeup, but we can all get in a rut and do the same thing over and over because it is fast and easy. Well, fall is here, and I am ready for a fun, fresh look to add to my Colorescience Core Four routine! The fall 2014 Fashion Week had a lot of fun ideas that I can’t wait to try! n Bold eyeliner color. Get rid of the basic black and brown eyeliners and pop some unexpected color like blue and purple! Most can switch a navy for a black, but I may have the urge to try a supermodel electric blue for a day! Fuller brows. I need to remember to use my Colorescience brow kit to fill in my brows. It is such a simple step, allowing me to shape and define my brows to a whole new level. Neutral lips. Well, it seems that the brows take center stage while wearing pale nude lip colors this fall. Using a bold lip color and blotting it can also be an easy way to achieve this look. Colorescience Pink Lip Shine is my favorite lip product and it goes with this trend perfectly! n I can’t wait to try these trends on myself! If you are looking for a little fall inspiration, join us for one of our makeup events this month. Michael McCarthy, Colorescience National Makeup Artist, will be back to teach a class on contouring, camouflaging and choosing the perfect foundation on October 29th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. He will also offer individual makeovers for new color looks on October 30th. Appointments are required for both. I will be learning more from Michael, too, so hope you will join me!

I Rely on SkinMedica for Anti-Aging Skin Care

Fri, 26 Sep 2014 06:41:00 GMT

I truly believe that my product regimen has made a huge difference in my skin and has also allowed me to have such great results with my cosmetic services. Yes, I have had peels, microderms, filler, Botox, laser, etc., but the reason these treatments are so successful and side effects few is because my skin care is consistent and is continually working towards my main goal: slowing down the aging process. Recently there has been a lot of hoopla about hydroquinone (skin bleach) and its safety. Enter Lytera…SkinMedica’s answer to skin brightening and color correction. Use it every day, twice a day, with no “holiday”. It safely and effectively corrects discoloration of not only browns, but other inflammatory colors in the skin that lead to blotchiness. I have stopped chasing away the color…my skin is more even, with less damage, all year round.

So if, like many, you wish to diminish your discoloration, move forward this winter by taking the SkinMedica 90 day challenge. See me for your Visia Analysis (medical photography looking at the inside and outside of your skin) and begin a lasting love of your skin care regimen. I will show you the SkinMedica difference! If you are already a TNS user, rest assured, you are using the BEST. Predictable skin care, predictable results. That’s the LVC way!

I welcome any current LVC client to provide a written testimony about their TNS experience.

I’m Excited About New Laser Hair Removal Technology

Fri, 29 Aug 2014 06:40:00 GMT

Laser hair removal has changed my life! This was the first summer since having laser hair removal done on my legs and I LOVE the convenience of not having to shave my legs every day! I still have a few hairs left, but nothing like I had before. I can wear shorts all the time and not worry about dark, ingrown hairs. I am so excited because JCMG Laser and Vein Center recently purchased Lumenis’s LightSheer INFINITY! This is the “Gold Standard” in hair reduction because it is proven to deliver results faster, can be used on all skin types, and you can use it all year round! My favorite part is the comfort level: it is AMAZING! The vacuum assist and larger spot size make for a faster and less painful treatment. My maintenance treatment on my legs took only 30 minutes! The LightSheer INFINITY is also so easy to operate and I can customize my treatments to each of my patients’ needs. I not only love the Lumenis LightSheer INFINITY as a provider, but as a patient, too!

Melt Away the Years With Ultherapy

Wed, 27 Aug 2014 06:39:00 GMT

Melting away the years – no, I’m not talking about the recent Missouri humidity, I’m talking about Ultherapy, an FDA-cleared ultrasound treatment that targets different levels of the skin cells, causing them to vibrate and generate heat. What happens next is amazing and exciting: existing collagen tightens and new collagen is produced. For me, this treatment has revealed a tighter, more defined jawline, tightened my neck, and given me brows that seem to be lifting every day.

I have been watching and wanting this treatment for over a year and have done my research. I have to remind myself the same thing I reiterate to my clients: be patient, this treatment takes time to build. Results can be seen in weeks, but ideally 3-6 months is the key time frame. I had my treatment 2 weeks before my daughter’s wedding, and no one noticed a thing; the comments have been: “Your skin looks great.” or “You’ve lost weight, haven’t you?”. In addition to treating my face, Dr. Prasad also treated around my lips to help soften and plump for a subtle natural correction.

You all have heard me spill my secrets: Botox, filler, peels, product, etc. I continue to practice what I preach and Ultherapy has been my latest and greatest choice for continuing my journey to repair and maintain my own skin’s health.

Attend our Ultherapy Seminar and day of learning on Thursday, Sept 11 to learn what Ultherapy can do for you. Call today to reserve a one-on-one with Dr. Prasad or join us at 5:30-7:00pm for our group session.

Ultherapy: my uplifting solution for sagging skin.

Skin Rejuvenation for Fall

Tue, 26 Aug 2014 06:38:00 GMT

It is hard to believe that fall is just a few short weeks away, especially as the temperature hits near 100 today. Summer, my favorite time of the year, always goes by way too fast. Our twins are back in school and last week we moved Rachel to Missouri State University in Springfield. It is so bittersweet; we are so excited for her, but miss her terribly at home. It is definitely going to take a little time to adjust for all of us.

After all of my fun in the sun this summer, I was due for a Skin Rejuvenation maintenance treatment. I noticed amazing peppering and almost complete reduction of my two bothersome brown spots. With the continued use of my Lytera, Retinol and TNS, I really feel like my skin has never been in better shape. Next month I will begin a series of Rejuvenize Peels on my arms. I have a little bit of sun damage and scarring from keratosis pilaris. That’s those ugly red bumps that can show up on your arms and legs, and I have dealt with them on my arms my entire life. The use of AHA/BHA Lotion and my Clarisonic brush have made a huge difference; now I am just hoping to improve the color a little bit. I will be taking before and after pics and am hopeful to share some wonderful results. Enjoy these last few weeks of summer and best wishes for a great school year.

A Mother’s Perspective on Teen Acne

Fri, 01 Aug 2014 06:35:00 GMT

August already??!!

Acne is such a difficult condition to treat and manage – and the education process is key. We help treat the current flare, and try to minimize the breakouts and triggers by educating the teen and their parents on what we can and can’t control. Compliance is so important. If the products are not getting on the skin, they will not see success. Patience is also key….it takes time to correct and improve the condition of the skin, and if your teen is like mine, he/she has very little. Our job as their parent is to instill compassion and consistency. Do not blame them….it is not their fault. Get as much education as you can to help them through the process. Making sure everyone’s expectations and goals are set is key for a successful journey – not only to help clear current flares, but to achieve long-term management as well. Acne is a chronic skin condition that can be managed, but not “cured”.

Acne is a chronic inflammatory skin condition caused by blockage of hair follicles in the skin from excess oil and dead skin cells. Bacterial overgrowth in the blocked hair follicle leads to irritated, red, painful, pus-filled pimples. Some things that can contribute to the inflammatory process are genetics (yes, one more thing our kids can blame on us!), hormones, overall poor choices in lifestyle, stress, and environmental exposure, just to name a few. Things we can control are being compliant with a customized product/procedure protocol that may include microdermabrasions, specific chemical peels, and even laser.

That is where we come in. Let us at the LVC evaluate your teen’s skin and review their medical and treatment history, talk to them about compliance, and set realistic goals. We combine our medical grade skin care, lifestyle tips and in-office treatments to help manage their acne symptoms and reduce unwanted or unexpected complications. We cannot manage your acne without your help. It takes time to see a change and not all treatments work the same for everyone. It generally takes 4-6 weeks to start seeing results and another few weeks for clearer skin. We will monitor their progress and make necessary changes to their treatment plan according to the skin’s response. In severe cases, we work alongside a dermatologist to ensure the best outcome for your teen.

I do have to throw out huge kudos to Ryan; he is very compliant. He washes morning and night, uses his Clarisonic brush, and applies his products diligently. SkinMedica has helped with his breakouts, and I rest assured knowing that he will not suffer from scarring. He has allowed me to peel his skin, “vacuum” it with microderms, and is ready and willing to do whatever I recommend. So, with my help and guidance, and lots of support, he will begin his senior year with healthier skin and, with time, grow out of acne!!!

My Routine for Treating and Preventing Acne

Thu, 31 Jul 2014 06:34:00 GMT

Summer seems to have flown by and school is almost here! Preparing my kids for a new school this year has been stressful and my skin has been showing it. Acne is one of the most common skin care problems for people at any age – and I am one of them! I have been fighting my acne since I was a teen. Oily skin is in my genetics, so understanding how to take care of my acne with the right products is the most important key to having clear skin.

My routine for success starts with washing my face with SkinMedica facial cleanser to remove excess oil and makeup. I use the SkinMedica AHA/BHA exfoliating cleanser twice a week to scrub away dead skin and improve my texture. I LOVE this product because my skin feels so smooth after! Next I tone my skin with Purifying toner and then immediately place my TNS Essential Serum on my face and neck. My TNS Essential Serum keeps my skin tone even and helps my blemishes heal faster. I use the SkinMedica Acne Lotion mixed with my SkinMedica Ultra Sheer Moisturizer to help keep me from breaking out. I end my skin care routine with SkinMedica Daily Physical Defense SPF 30 before putting on my Colorescience makeup. At night I have the same routine, but I end with “my best friend”, SkinMedica Retinol Complex .25 in place of my sunscreen. Retinol Complex makes my skin smooth and my pores less visible.

Along with my skin care routine I manage my acne with SkinMedica chemical peels and skin rejuvenation treatments. Both services decrease my oil production and inflammation in my skin. I also try to drink plenty of water and keep a healthy diet full of fruits and veggies.

More persistent cases of acne will probably need stronger medication, which can be prescribed by a dermatologist or your family doctor. At JCMG Laser and Vein Center we have great products and services to compliment acne medications because these medications can be harsh to your skin. Start with a skin consult to create your successful skin care regimen and let us help you manage your skin care concerns.

My Daughters and I Love Colorescience Makeup

Wed, 30 Jul 2014 06:33:00 GMT

Is it really the beginning of August already? They say that time flies the older you get, and I certainly believe that it’s true. In the next few weeks our twins will become juniors in high school and Rachel, the oldest, will be an incoming freshman at Missouri State University in Springfield. We will have lots of back-to-school shopping and preparing for a year of living in the dorm. What a crazy couple of weeks it is going to be…

New makeup and skin care for my girls is definitely on our back-to-school shopping list. They tend to keep it pretty simple with their makeup: Skin Mattifying primer with salicylic acid, pressed mineral foundation, Clarifying Setting mist, and usually just a little bit of mascara. Colorescience is wonderful at concealing acne while still looking natural, letting their pretty teenage skin show through.

A terrible timeless teenage makeup trend has always been the dark black eyeliner. It seems like a rite of passage, beginning around the age of 13 or 14, heavily lining upper and lower lids. I can remember a day when I, too, was guilty of this look. I am definitely a fan of black eyeliner, but when heavily lining around both upper and lower lid, it tends to make your eyes look very small and closed. Teen makeup is better when it looks fresh and youthful. Enjoy this time in life – you will soon be grown and trying to regain your youth. Starting with a simple cleansing routine and mineral makeup with sun protection is a great start for teen girls or even preteen. We offer a tutorial to educate newbies on how to apply makeup and to review skin care basics. Remember to keep it simple and accentuate the positive. Enjoy your back-to-school shopping and look forward to a happy, healthy, great school year!

Hair-Free for Summer With Sugaring

Mon, 30 Jun 2014 06:32:00 GMT

Summer has finally decided to stay and let us play! My family and I have been doing a little DIY outside on our home and going to the pool. Each activity requires tank tops or swimsuits, both revealing unwanted hair or stubble that’s visible in the sunlight. Well, the smartest way to get summer-ready is to have laser hair removal done in the fall, but some of us with blond hair or crazy schedules have to resort to the next best thing…..SUGARING. Sugaring is different from waxing because it is 100{d855275bb5a53a691922ddbe09fd77e36a4f35d1f88aaf3bcf40ae4b44ffef7b} all natural, gently exfoliates the skin, and is water soluble, meaning you can wash it off with plain water. The sugaring technique I use peels the paste off quickly, in the same direction as the hair growth. With regular waxing, the hair is removed in the opposite direction the hair grows. Working in the direction of hair growth makes the discomfort less than waxing and results in less hair breakage. I never reuse the sugar paste and always discard it after each client is treated. Sugaring is also safe and easy to use on all ages. My 12 year old daughter, Ryann, has been sugared under her arms and will never have to experience razor burns, cuts or stubble. Her hair is very fine and her skin is so smooth. I have some blond hairs left on my legs from laser treatments, so I sugar them to keep from shaving every day. So have fun this summer and let the sunlight shine on your hairless, SPF-covered body!

Tan Safely and Beautifully With VersaSpa

Mon, 30 Jun 2014 06:31:00 GMT

The last time I was blogging I was excited and nervous for Brittany and Jeremy’s wedding. I cannot believe that for over a year we planned for this amazing day and, just like June, it is over! Every single detail came off perfectly and the long, stressful planning was worth every single minute and memorable moment. The day was perfect.

Over the past several months, I have put to test many of the tips and tricks I preach to my clients, and I used a few new ones for myself, always striving to make my skin not only appear young and vibrant, but to also make sure that it stays on that path. With today’s technology and our SkinMedica products, I am 100{d855275bb5a53a691922ddbe09fd77e36a4f35d1f88aaf3bcf40ae4b44ffef7b} confident that I am giving my skin the best. That is why I have become obsessive about sun protection and getting my summer glow on with self tanners. I did not always have that obsession; matter of fact, my obsession used to be (MANY YEARS AGO) get as much sun as I could tolerate and then, unfortunately, peel and start that silly process all over again. My journey to repair all that damage has been ongoing, and will be as long as I am having birthdays…and I definitely want lots of those!

My advice: get educated on easy, fun ways to hydrate and color your skin, not just in the summer but all year long. Our VersaSpa is the perfect answer. I was hesitant at first because my skin is dry and challenging, and keeping the color was sooo much work. VersaSpa was another life-saving treatment during my prep for Brit’s wedding. I wanted to look bronzed, not only in my facial appearance, but in my short-sleeved dress…baring my arms, my second “worst” feature. It was easy to get the color, and honestly, easier to keep it. The take-home products helped tremendously. I used the post-tan moisturizer, but the biggest benefit was from the sunless tanning bronzer. Mixing this with my daily moisturizer made the color vibrant and longer lasting…never fading. And not one comment that my color looked ‘fake’. The color is an amazing bronze, not orange.

Like many other things I do to correct, protect and maintain my skin, VersaSpa is a keeper!

My SkinMedica Products Are Essential

Fri, 27 Jun 2014 06:28:00 GMT

SkinMedica focuses on the GRASS approach – growth factors, retinoids, antioxidants, sun protection and specialty ingredients. This simple routine will change your skin in whatever season of life you are in. In the past month, I have had a few women that have seen a very visible “lift” to their lower face and brow area; they are following the GRASS protocol and cannot believe the results they are seeing in as little as 90 days. It really is a small commitment if your goal is winning the anti-aging battle. The science behind TNS Essential Serum is remarkable, but the most important takeaway is that it makes your skin think and look younger. Even if anti-aging is not yet a concern, Vitamin C & E, Retinol and Lytera offer powerful repair and protection. There is absolutely no comparison between SkinMedica and other product lines. So, thank goodness, even for a short time I didn’t have to find a replacement for these wonderful products. Keep it simple and make sure that your dollars go towards the products that offer the most results. Stick to the GRASS regimen and you are guaranteed to see results. If these products are already in your cabinet then you are in great shape…if not let us point you in the right direction!

Get a Summer Glow With VersaSpa

Tue, 03 Jun 2014 06:26:00 GMT

School is out for summer! Warmer weather has finally decided to stay and my family and I are ready to have fun in the sun. Sunscreen is always a part of my skin care regimen daily and when in the sun because there is no such thing as a “healthy” tan. When I was a kid I would lie in tanning beds and outside for hours with baby oil and iodine to achieve the tan I wanted. I usually ended up with red, sunburned skin. I now know that the sun’s deadly rays cause premature aging, wrinkles, sunspots and, in many cases, skin cancer. Getting a tan from the sun is really no longer an option.

I love the VersaSpa sunless tanning because it gives me the healthy sun-kissed glow I want. Yes, I have been embarrassed using sunless tanners that left me orange, and I have my parent’s 30th anniversary pictures to prove it. The VersaSpa is different because it delivers a flawless and natural-looking tan with a three-step process. I love it because of its ability to hide my skin imperfections with bronzers and improve my skin with anti-aging moisturizers. In fact, a tan can quickly and easily make you appear 10 lbs thinner. To get the best spray tan results I like to use the Pre-Tan Exfoliant to exfoliate dead skin cells for a more even absorption. I allow the product to diffuse for two minutes before I rinse off to give my skin a more polished look. The next step I like to use is the Pre-Tan Intensifier because it hydrates my skin once I get out of the shower and also deepens and accelerates the color of my tan. Once I receive my tan I extend the wear by using the Body Cleanser and Post-Tan Moisturizer. The post care is crucial to having long lasting results. During the summer I like to use these products as a part of my daily body skin care regimen to create an overall youthful glow from head to toe.

Fun in the Sun With SkinMedica and Colorescience Sun Protection

Mon, 02 Jun 2014 06:25:00 GMT

As I am packing for my family’s beach vacation, I think of all the hard work put in to “fixing” the damages from too much sun. My favorite memories of growing up are times with my family at the pool or vacations to the beach. Even with all of my knowledge of the harmful effects of the sun, it is still one of my favorite ways to relax. Don’t get me wrong, I am head to toe protected with my SkinMedica SPF 50, Colorescience Sunforgettable Brush, a big hat and sitting under an umbrella, but nonetheless I love the water and sunshine. It really is a lifestyle change when you make the commitment to protect your skin from the sun while still enjoying the great outdoors. Both of our sunscreen lines make protecting your skin from the sun’s damaging rays so simple. I begin my beach or lake days with an application of SkinMedica’s SPF 50, and every two hours or so I reapply my Colorescience SPF 30 brush and my CS Lip Shine SPF 30. It actually cools the skin upon every application – it’s also great on my girls and even my husband. With the protection from my SPF and a little color from our VersaSpa Sunless Tanning, I am beach ready! Don’t forget your SPF for whatever fun June brings your way!!!

My Makeup Tips for Summer Wedding Season

Mon, 19 May 2014 06:22:00 GMT

Whether you are the bride-to-be, bridesmaid, mother of the bride, or attending someone’s special day, the way you look can affect the way you feel. I want to enjoy these magical moments and not think about my makeup.

Preparations for the wedding aren’t the only things that need to be done in advance. Makeup and skin prep should start about a week prior. For me, this has been for the past 20 years! Peels, microderms, Botox, filler, etc. To assure that my skin is glowing, I will make sure to have my Illuminize peel early that week, giving me a beautifully clean palette for my event makeup. I have also been playing around with different looks and applying more makeup accessories than I would wear on a typical day. Using Colorescience eye restoration kit to lighten, brighten and prime my eyes, I create a canvas for foiling my shadow. For a gorgeous foiling effect, spritz your shadow brush and apply the minerals. This gives the shadow a glamorous sheen. Liner and lashes finish a dramatic eye…my Latisse has done wonders for my lashes, but what better excuse to wear fake lashes than your daughter’s wedding! Fun! The illuminating compact in champagne and bronze kiss will soften my temples and highlight cheekbones, leaving me with a sun-kissed look. The final step will be a lip pencil to add a base for a fabulous lip polish and gloss. My goal will be to keep it classic and Colorescience is the perfect makeup: I will have full coverage, perfectly blended, soft, not harsh….all this and my skin will still be able to breathe. It feels and looks non-existent. And did I mention it is water-resistant? Some tears will be shed, I am sure. A shout out to my lovely client, Ann, for the delicate handkerchief she gifted me…it will come in handy.

The day of any big event can be stressful, but with a little practice your makeup can be the easy part. Playing and perfecting my look will definitely make me feel comfortable, confident and beautiful on our special day.

My Experience With VelaShape

Wed, 30 Apr 2014 06:21:00 GMT

Spring is finally here. Flowers are in bloom, the weather is warming up, and it is almost shorts and swimsuit season. For me, this is the time that I stress that I should have been doing a few more squats and lunges this winter…

I really enjoy writing my blog every month; English and writing were always my favorite subjects in school. This month was so difficult for me: focusing on the one thing that I am the most self-conscious about and telling all of you. This really helped to remind me that everyone who comes in for a consultation goes through the same thing. Being our own worst critic seems to be innately inside every woman. We all have something that we are self-conscious about or that we would like improved. So here is one of mine, please be kind…

I have been blessed with cellulite since around the age of 15. I would like to thank my mother for that. Cellulite does not discriminate: no matter what size I am, it has always been there. It affects over 90{d855275bb5a53a691922ddbe09fd77e36a4f35d1f88aaf3bcf40ae4b44ffef7b} of the female population. Structural, genetic, hormonal, circulatory and inflammatory factors can all contribute to the development of cellulite. I really make a habit of maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regimen, but even that does not always get rid of that yucky bumpy stuff that I am so bothered by. VelaShape is a fantastic treatment to help in ways that diet and exercise cannot. It feels like a warm deep tissue massage, helping to smooth and tighten skin. The initial series is once a week for six weeks, and maintenance every six months will help keep your results. I combine my vela treatments with the Vi Body lotion. It has retinol, glycolic acid, and caffeine to promote blood flow and exfoliation. Drinking at least eight glasses of water each day also helps plump your skin and make it look thicker and more supple to camouflage cellulite.

Fighting against cellulite is a difficult and ongoing battle, but these tips have definitely helped me. Sometimes, just taking control of the thing that makes you feel the worst about yourself can make a huge difference. Spring is a time for renewal, and maybe VelaShape can help begin that renewal for you like it has for me!

I Love Sunscreen!

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 06:19:00 GMT

I LOVE SUNSCREEN! And because I love my family they, too, LOVE sunscreen! I have always taught my family about the dangers of the sun and to always wear sunscreen. My son, Bode, has a tiny scar on his cheek from a dog bite. He wears SkinMedica Environmental Defense sunscreen SPF 50 to protect his skin from any pigment issues that can make his scar more noticeable. When Bode runs at recess he doesn’t have to worry about the sunscreen running into his eyes because it is sweat-resistant. My daughter, Ryann, wears Daily Physical Defense sunscreen SPF 30 because she wants to protect her healthy young skin every day from sun damage (she hates freckles). This sunscreen is oil-free and gentle enough so she won’t break out. She will also be wearing the Environmental Defense SPF 50 when playing golf this summer. My husband, Kelly, uses TNS Ultimate Daily Moisture +SPF 20 because he doesn’t like a lot of steps in his regimen and most men don’t. It contains growth factors, hydration and sun protection all in one. I have to keep him looking good, too! 😉 Every day I trust SkinMedica’s sunscreen line to protect myself and the family I love!

Core 4 and a Little More…My Summer Look

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 06:18:00 GMT

Another month has flown by and I am anxious for warm summer days. Warmer days mean sunny days and with that said, I never question if my sun protection is working! Colorescience makes it foolproof. My day always starts with the core 4 steps to achieve a perfect canvas….Prime/Correct/Set/Protect….seriously 4 minutes and I have a soft, natural appearing complexion that is totally protected! Don’t forget to protect your lips: I carry the Sunforgettable lip shine SPF in Rose, it provides the protection that I need and gives a natural shimmer while shielding my lips from the sun.

During the summer I love to change up the colors. Using the Sun Kissed primer and the Sunforgettable SPF in tan shimmer gives me the exact look of sun kissed skin without the damage. The flecks in the shimmery powder are fun and give a look that would make anyone fall in love with their sunscreen! Colorescience is long-lasting and easy to apply, and also great on kids: my granddaughter Leighton thinks she is getting “fairy dust”!

I love this tutorial on the application of the Core 4….watch, learn, and apply!

My Spring Checklist: Botox and Fillers

Wed, 02 Apr 2014 06:15:00 GMT

I’m a big believer that you should practice what you preach, so when my clients ask if I would do Botox and fillers, my response is…absolutely and I already do! I started getting Botox injections many years ago and continue today to soften unwanted wrinkles on my forehead, brows, and crow’s feet. Last year I decided it was time for some filler. I wanted to fill in the cheek area where I was noticing some volume loss. I loved the result and will definitely continue with this treatment as necessary. Most fillers today last 12-16 months or even up to two years. My approach is a conservative one and I want the result to resemble a rested, refreshed and natural look. Injectables are an essential tool in my fight to preserve a youthful appearance. Last week I was fortunate enough to spend a week in the laid-back environment of San Diego, California. It has become one of my favorite places! I enjoyed a lot of downtime – beach, spa, rest and reflection. It was wonderful! This week I am back to work and feeling fabulous. I feel rested and look rejuvenated. My own personal Spring Renewal. Hmmmm…was it all the rest or is it Botox Cosmetic? BOTH! 🙂

Spring Skin Clean-Up

Wed, 02 Apr 2014 06:14:00 GMT

Spring… finally!!! The new season means spring cleaning for my house, my closet and my face. I get so excited to put away sweaters and to start shopping for new spring dresses and clothes. My spring clean-up for my face has been adding the AHA/BHA cleanser to my every-other-night regimen. It gives a wonderful brightening to the skin with a gentle mix of salicylic, glycolic and lactic acids, along with a granular scrub. It is also fantastic for those yucky bumps on the backs of your arms, or keratosis pilaris. A little exfoliation is a great prep for your VersaSpa tan, so you can use it head to toe. Happy spring cleaning!

New Spring Colors for Nails and Lips

Wed, 02 Apr 2014 06:14:00 GMT

The weather is finally warming up and I am ready to treat myself to my first mani-pedi of the season. My daughter has been asking for a light pink or purple polish and she is right on target as those colors are some of the hottest trends this spring season. Leave it to the kids to be on top of the trends. I personally have been rocking the Easter parade pastels trend with Butter London Molly Coddled (a lavender that is the 2014 Pantone color of the year) and Teddy Girl (a bubblegum pink). Robin’s egg blue is also very popular and Butter of London’s Poole is the trend I will try next. Other spring trends are embellished whites, metallics, striped detail and the moon mani. I like them all but I can’t wait to try the metallic Bobby Dazzler, an overcoat that adds a metallic sparkle to any base color. This look is very fashion-forward and ruling the runways! Butter London has also come out with new Lippy balm colors to get our lips ready for spring! My favorites are the Axis Kiss, a punchy pink, and Teddy Boy, a rosy crème, as seen on the runway during New York Fashion Week. This product is the best of both worlds. The Lippy Balm moisturizes like a balm but gives me color like a lipstick. I have been having so much FUN with all the new nail and lip tends. Come by and see what Butter London has to offer in the new spring 2014 nail and lip trends!

I Recommend SkinMedica Chemical Peels

Thu, 27 Feb 2014 06:13:00 GMT

I cannot say enough about my love for chemical peels. I have been using SkinMedica for 5 years now, and the only thing that I like better than my skin care is the peels. Vitalize is my favorite peel series for making a serious change. Smoother, brighter, less lines and a more even tone are the benefits, and the super gratifying peeling phase always lets me know that it is working. It offers the exact same, consistent benefit and side effect with every peel for everyone. Illuminize is my maintenance brightening peel. It is great prior to an event, special occasion or when your day just needs a little brightening. My new love is the Rejuvenize Peels to my chest. Although I am compulsive about sun-protecting my face, I may have slacked a little in earlier years in sun-protecting the rest of my body. So in January, I began my first peel series to my chest. I experienced little to no peeling, some dryness and itching, and I am already noticing a decrease in sun damage and improved smoothness. After treating my face for the past 10 years, I am excited to see the progress in a new area!!

Younger-Looking Eyes With SkinMedica

Thu, 27 Feb 2014 06:12:00 GMT

After turning 30 and having kids I started to see my first signs of aging pop up around my eyes. Puffiness, dark circles and crepey dehydrated skin! I first tried getting more rest and drinking more water, but it wasn’t enough. I started using TNS Eye Repair and after one week I already noticed my under eye skin was more hydrated. I am on my second tub and already see less darkness and healthier skin around my eyes. I also suffer with allergies that cause my eyes to be puffy. To target my puffiness I used SkinMedica Uplifting Eye Serum. In just minutes the puffiness is reduced! Using Uplifting Eye Serum along with my Eye Repair daily keeps my eyes looking their best even during allergy season. A great eye cream should be a part of any skin care regimen. SkinMedica Eye Repair and Uplifting Eye Serum are my favorite eye creams and I know they will be yours, too.

One of My Favorites: Colorescience Mascara

Wed, 26 Feb 2014 06:11:00 GMT

This month I am so excited to share with you a new favorite of mine: Colorescience mascara. Mascara is that one product that I have a hard time finding one that I love. I expect it to make my lashes look amazing without feeling dry, itchy, or seeing clumpy results. My eyes are so sensitive and this has been a hard find for me. Until now! At first I critiqued it, like I always do. It was a dryer formula than the typical mascaras, but then again, Colorescience is not your typical product. It has definitely done what it promises: provides volume, length and conditions lashes for a dramatic, long-lasting finish. No smudging and humidity proof. I love that it makes my lashes dramatically longer and full, and the best part…no itching! Pairing it with my Latisse has given my short stubby lashes life again.

My Experience With Laser Hair Removal

Thu, 30 Jan 2014 06:10:00 GMT

Before laser hair removal I was very self-conscious about the hair on my legs, especially when I wore shorts. I really noticed an increase in dark coarse hairs below my knees after I had my last child. After shaving I would break out and I could still see the shadow from the hair. I was shaving every day! I even waxed a couple times but that was painful and I would have a red rash for a couple days after. I am on my fourth of six laser hair removal treatments and loving my results! I shave once a week to get rid of any light hairs, but the hair has drastically decreased. I also noticed how soft and smooth my legs feel even after I get goose bumps. Laser hair removal changed my life!

Recommendations for Keeping Lips Hydrated

Thu, 30 Jan 2014 06:10:00 GMT

Winter is the absolute worst time for dry, chapped lips. Remembering to keep yourself hydrated, drinking plenty of water and staying out of the cold are things that we all know contribute to preventing winter dryness. My best practice to keep my lips in shape is using my Skin Polisher 2-3 times a week to gently exfoliate my lips, and then using a warm washcloth to remove the product and dead, dry skin. Next, morning and night, I apply either my Colorescience Lip Serum or my SkinMedica Lip Plump, adding both hydration, peptides and a healthy dose of TNS restoring overall health and hydration. During the day, I love my Butter of London Liquid Lipstick; it is a super hydrating, non-sticky dose of color and moisture. I find that if I can keep something on them throughout the day I am less likely to lick my lips and pull away dry skin. It is definitely an ongoing battle on these freezing cold days, so don’t leave home without your favorite lip product!

Get Glowing With SkinMedica Hydrating Complex

Wed, 29 Jan 2014 06:09:00 GMT

Imagine having healthy hydrated skin during these cold winter windy days; that is exactly what my SkinMedica Hydrating Complex does for my skin. This product has helped improve the look of my skin by giving it an immediate “drink of water”. The smooth gel instantly repairs any dry tight feeling leaving my skin glowing and plump. I can tap it anywhere I notice textural dryness and the effects are immediate and long-lasting. I apply it before my facial moisturizer to give my skin an extra boost. The Hydrating Complex has also allowed me to not have to take a winter break from my nightly retinol: I mix a pump of the Hydrating Complex with my retinol, eliminating the risk of irritation. Adding this product to my daily routine has definitely changed the look and feel of my winter skin to healthy and hydrated!

My Experience With Triniti Treatments

Thu, 02 Jan 2014 06:08:00 GMT

I started getting the Triniti treatment when we first received this technology about five years ago. I began with a series of three treatments and have done a maintenance treatment once or twice a year since. A little over a year ago the technology got even better and we added a sublative portion to this treatment. It made a great treatment even better. I know the Triniti is a large reason that I have been able to improve the color, texture and wrinkling of my skin. Winter is a great time to do this treatment because I don’t have to worry about being out in the sun. So I will be getting my annual maintenance treatment soon. Great results on my face without surgery – done in about an hour. I am looking forward to my next treatment because we all know there is no finish line when it comes to anti-aging!

I Recommend SkinMedica Redness Relief CalmPlex

Wed, 01 Jan 2014 06:07:00 GMT

Redness Relief CalmPlex has been a life saver for me through summer and winter months. It is a great pre-makeup moisturizer; I love it under my Crème or Primer. It gives my normal to dry skin the perfect amount of moisture, leaving me feeling dewy and hydrated instead of greasy and heavy. Not to mention that over time I have definitely seen a decrease in the redness in my cheeks. It is one of my favorite products. My husband loves it as well, and uses it every night after his Retinol and Lytera.

I Recommend Colorescience Illuminating Serum

Wed, 01 Jan 2014 06:05:00 GMT

I love adding Colorescience’s Illuminating Serum to my winter makeup bag. It instantly adds extra moisture and gives my skin a dewy, healthy glow. It comes in two colors, Champagne Kiss and Bronze Kiss. My favorite is the Bronze Kiss because it adds a touch of bronze tint to my skin and that extra moisture I need this time of year. Sometimes I use it alone with just a brush of my Sunforgettable sunscreen or, when I want a full makeup look, I add it as the first step in my makeup application. You can also pat it on top of your makeup to freshen it up or instead of your setting mist. It is so quick and easy to use on weekends when I am on the go or when I need a glow on a night on the town. When wearing shorts and skirts, I apply Illuminating Serum combined with my setting mist to my legs to give them a bronzy celebrity shine!

Harlene’s Story: A Year of Beauty

Tue, 03 Dec 2013 06:02:00 GMT

2013 brought a lot of changes in my life. The most pleasant change occurred when I was selected to serve as one of four spokesladies for L&V. The treatments I’ve had and the products that I’ve used in my daily skin care routine brought an awareness of just how important it is to make a commitment to faithfully follow through with my personalized skin care plan that suits my needs and is designed especially for me. Skin care is not a one-size-fits-all and that is what is really unique about L&V. The use of every product and every service is selected to bring the maximum skin care results specifically for me!

In November, I followed up with Dr. Prasad to see how the Radiesse filler was coming along. Later in the month, Kim did a HydroPlus microdermabrasion, a new treatment to me, which not only exfoliated but, in doing so, used natural diamond chips and then the dead skin was vacuumed away from the outer layer of skin. Kim, can’t you find a way to get all those diamond chips to stick together in a ring? You know diamonds are a girl’s best friend! I guarantee you we would be lined out the door if you could find a way to do that! In addition to the HydroPlus and dermablading microdermabrasion, Kim tinted my eyebrows and eyelashes. That is so cool. I love it! The tinting is such a natural look, takes only a few minutes and is totally safe.

I hope that sharing my experiences with you gives you an idea about what you can expect if you choose to become a client. I can tell you that you will be rewarded with caring and experienced aestheticians who will guide you through your own Year of Beauty as I am guided. Come to the open house at the JCMG Laser and Vein Center Annex on December 6th to meet the spokesladies and find out how you can begin your own journey to an improved you!

Kayla’s Story: A Story of Regained Confidence

Mon, 02 Dec 2013 06:01:00 GMT

This holiday season give someone more than just a gift. Give them a story to tell! Kayla has told her story about having acne and how she regained her confidence in herself. After receiving her last sublative treatment, her scars are less noticeable and she has one less thing to worry about. Nothing is holding her back from focusing on her education and farm animals.

Kayla’s story is very similar to a lot of people who suffer with acne. There are many different types of acne and each needs to be addressed accordingly. Kayla loves peels and microderm to maintain her clear skin. This year has been a blast with Kayla and her mother Kim. I can’t wait to share Kayla’s amazing before and after pictures at our happy hour celebration on December 6 from 3:00-5:30. So how do we tell our story? As the saying goes, “a picture is truly worth a thousand words.”

Kim’s Story: Say “SQUINCH!”

Sat, 30 Nov 2013 06:00:00 GMT

There are no escaping photos around the holidays. Facebook, Instagram and Christmas cards have you needing to put on your best “squinch”. Can you squinch? Portraitist Peter Hurley claims the squinch is the act of squinting your eyes in such a way as to ooze confidence and self-assuredness.

Kim received her first Botox injection to her deep creases between her eyes. Botox is injected into muscle and used to improve the look of moderate to severe frown lines. The injection feels like a pinprick and is barely noticeable once leaving the office. Kim started to see her results in the first week and still maintained a natural expression. Botox is a quick and easy step to looking more photogenic this holiday season.

Kim had her last Triniti Plus and loves her results!! Her skin is more even-toned and firm. The three treatments in one make it fast and easy to get healthy looking skin in three months!! After receiving her post microderm to remove the sandpaper feeling from her skin, she is photo ready!

I have been so thankful to work with Kim and her daughter Kayla. On December 6 from 3:00-5:30 we are having a happy hour to celebrate. Please join us and view Kim’s before and after pictures! Say “SQUINCH!”

Harlene’s Story: Beauty Inside and Out

Sat, 30 Nov 2013 05:59:00 GMT

Making people smile…

“Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.” Mother Theresa

As we enter into the final month of 2013, I find myself looking back frequently on what I have accomplished and being thankful for all the great things in my life. Family, friends, health and a fabulous work environment just to name a few. I also take a step back and pinpoint a few things I would like to “work on” going forward. That list is about what I can do to make people around me smile.

That has always been and will continue to be my goal for every person that walks through our doors: give them the best experience that we have to offer. JCMG Laser and Vein Center has that same passion for what we want our patients to experience, and that is why I feel honored to be a part of such a wonderful group of people. Way to go team LVC! I look forward to a fabulous December, a busy month for sure. During the fast-paced excitement of the Holiday Season, remember to take time out for yourself and come see us… we will make you smile.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Brenda’s Story: Thankful for Inner and Outer Beauty

Wed, 27 Nov 2013 05:58:00 GMT

This Thanksgiving I am overwhelmed with gratitude. I try to live my daily life this way, but sometimes the craziness of life seems to get in the way. Not only am I thankful for my loving family, friends and a roof over my head, but I am completely grateful to be a Laser and Vein employee. The Prasads are the most kind, caring and giving people. They make sure that if we offer it, then it must be the best of the best. I’m surrounded by a team of strong, smart women. I feel blessed every day.

This leads me to how thankful I am to have spent the last year with my spokesperson, Brenda. Watching her transformation has been remarkable. Flawless, firm skin, and long beautiful lashes only compliment the inner beauty that she harnesses. It has been such an honor to help someone who has been truly grateful every step of the way. It is such a bittersweet end, but so glad to see the progress made. Be sure to stop by our spokesperson holiday happy hour on December 6th to see Brenda’s before and after photos and to ask her any questions you may have. Happy holidays!

Brenda’s Story: New Healthy Skin

Tue, 26 Nov 2013 05:57:00 GMT

The Holidays are upon us and 2013 is slowly coming to an end, but what a fun and exciting year it has been. Working with the staff at the JCMG Laser and Vein Center was amazing; I have been introduced to events, products, treatments and procedures that I never knew existed. I look good, I feel good and I am ready to show everyone my new healthy skin.

As an “old” sun lover, the SR treatments and the chemical peels eliminated most of my brown spots plus I have firmness and texture back in my skin that the aging process was taking away. I have learned how Botox eliminates fine lines and a little facial filler will bring back the cheeks that we have when we are younger. Also, I now have a daily cleansing routine with products that will help maintain and continue the improvements of my skin.

What a “bucket list” year this was for me; a year I will never forget. I only wish I had known thirty years ago what I know now; my future plans are to schedule regular maintenance procedures/treatments and keep the healthy skin that JCMG Laser and Vein Center has so generously helped me acquire.

Kim’s Story: Botox, Finishing Triniti Plus Treatments, and a Microderm

Tue, 26 Nov 2013 05:56:00 GMT

I started this month with an injection of Botox from Dr. Prasad. This is something that when I began my journey with JCMG Laser & Vein Center I said was one thing that I would never do. However, after 10 months of building a trusting relationship with everyone at the center, I know that they would not allow me the option of doing anything less than beneficial for myself. The Botox was injected in the deep creases I have between my eyes. These are the results of years of showing expressions of concern/anger. The Botox has made it where I am no longer able to force the area between my eyes to make this look. I can only imagine how smooth the area between my eyes would be if I never had any stress in my life or if I had Botox to prevent me from making this expression. During the injection there were a few small pinpricks, but since then everything has been great. Look in the mirror and make an angry face and see if that expression causes you creases. If so, give Botox a try and see if you only have aging to lose!

This month was also my last Triniti Plus treatment. Even though overall this procedure is probably the most uncomfortable that I have experienced, it is by far my most favorite! I have noticed the most changes in my complexion and the firmness of my face as a result of these treatments. Stephanie was a little more aggressive with this treatment since it was my last one of the series and also because my recovery and results have been so great. The evening of my treatment and the following day I felt and looked like I had a moderate sunburn with some mild swelling, but it was far from intolerable. By the second day, the redness had completely subsided and I could only feel that “sandpaper” texture on my skin. I believe my “recovery time” was less with my second and third treatments. This may be because I had fewer problem areas to correct since the first treatment made such a wonderful difference. I am so pleased with the noticeable change in the firmness of my skin at my jawline and cheekbones.

A week after my Triniti Plus I enjoyed a microderm to assist in removing the dead skin from my face. This procedure is always so relaxing and I left with my face feeling refreshed.

Now back to my normal daily routine and use of SkinMedica products to keep the positive changes I have witnessed over this past year and prevent any damage and as much aging as possible.

Kayla’s Story: Thankful for Clear Skin

Tue, 26 Nov 2013 05:55:00 GMT

This month I had another sublative treatment to my cheeks to help with scarring. Stephanie kicked it up a notch so it was a little more painful, but the healing process was oddly a lot quicker this time. I then had a microderm a week after to get the layer of “sandpaper” off and now my skin feels much smoother. I will be getting a peel in a couple of weeks and I actually can’t wait for this. Peels make your skin feel so amazing and my results have been unbelievable (with all of it). I really am dying to get VISIA pictures done so that I can see the huge difference that this year of treatments has done for my skin. I will definitely be setting a budget so that I can continue to see Stephanie and use these great products that have given me what I thought was once only a dream…clear skin!

Kayla’s Story: Reducing Acne Scarring and Smoothing Skin

Sat, 02 Nov 2013 05:54:00 GMT

I am so excited for Kayla to start with Sublative treatments for her acne scarring. Sublative treatments not only treat mild to moderate wrinkles, they are also effective in reducing the appearance of acne scarring. Discoloration from acne can be reduced and skin texture becomes smoother. I am doing a series of three treatments to Kayla’s cheek area spaced four weeks apart and following each treatment with a HydroPlus microderm a week later to remove the “sandpaper” texture from her skin. The HydroPlus treatment exfoliates and infuses customized serums to treat any skin type. HydroPlus treatments exfoliate by using gentle abrasion and vacuum to remove dead skin cells. After the exfoliation process one of four HydroSerums are infused into the skin by using our new HydroPlus infusion wand. The serum is custom picked by your aesthetician to address your personal skin concerns. I can’t wait for Kayla’s next Sublative treatment and to reveal her before and after photos!!

Kim’s Story: Personalizing Treatments

Fri, 01 Nov 2013 05:53:00 GMT

My son Bode is in kindergarten and has already had his first sick day. This is the season for antibiotics, Tylenol and cough syrup. Kim only received her Sublative part of her Triniti series because of a medication change. JCMG Laser and Vein Center makes it our priority to make sure your medications are up to date at every visit to ensure your safety. At the beginning of every skin care appointment medications are reviewed to ensure there are not any contraindications to the skin treatment. It is to the patient’s benefit to wait and be safe if there are any contraindications.

Sublative is neither laser- nor light-based, but works from within using radio frequency waves to penetrate the skin through small pin holes to stimulate collagen growth. The heat is delivered under the connective tissue causing tissue to contract and loose skin to tighten. You will begin to see results after the first treatment and the results continue to improve over time. Kim has already seen results under her chin and around her mouth!! Maintenance treatments are recommended post one year of last Sublative treatment to maintain and further enhance current results. Read Kim’s current and previous blogs to view the Sublative experience through the patient’s eyes.

Harlene’s Story: SkinMedica Peel, Clarisonic, and HydroPlus

Fri, 01 Nov 2013 05:49:00 GMT

Late October, Kim did a SkinMedica non-invasive rejuvenating peel on my face and chest. It’s a little more aggressive than other peels. Five days post-treatment, peeling began. It’s not bad because my skin is already in such great, healthy shape. So, I don’t anticipate the peeling to last very long. In the interim, moisturize, moisturize, moisturize is the buzzword of the day.

Also in October, I purchased my very own Clarisonic as an early Christmas present to me! I am not using it during my peel time, but will very soon. I am really looking forward to the great results I know it will bring. The Clarisonic removes six times+ more makeup than manual cleaning, resulting in brighter and healthier skin.

By the time you read this, Halloween is in the past and we are looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas, but a whole lot of work will be in between! All that stress creates a lot of lost sleep and frown lines as we all try to get everything done. What better time to treat yourself to some relaxing treatments, services and products at JCMG Laser and Vein Center. During this busy time, I will have a HydroPlus treatment and microderm that will further exfoliate and repair skin damage from sun and unwanted effects of aging. I can’t wait! I’ve never had the HydroPlus treatment so I am looking forward to it and to preparing my skin for the fall and winter months ahead.

Honestly, I can’t believe that Thanksgiving and Christmas are such few weeks in the future! What happened? In the meantime, I am asking that same question about the St. Louis Cardinals and the MU Tigers.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Harlene’s Story: Lighter, Brighter, Healthier Skin

Fri, 01 Nov 2013 05:43:00 GMT

Approaching the finish line……..

It has now been over nine months of focusing on skin rejuvenation for Harlene. What a fun ride it has been. Not just focusing on her skin care goals and needs, but getting to know her. She is kind, caring, and quite funny! I have enjoyed reading her stories, but most importantly, I have enjoyed her friendship. I take great pride in my job and what I have to offer as a skin care provider, making it a fun venture everyday and keeping it “real”. JCMG Laser and Vein Center makes this journey special for every single individual that I have the privilege to treat.

So, as you know if you have been following Harlene’s ride, she has experienced a skin transformation. Starting with baseline pictures, we then advanced to incredible skin care that is always at the forefront of scientific breakthroughs and results-driven statistics, physical and non-physical skin treatments (peels/microdermabrasions), laser rejuvenation, selective fillers, and a little Botox Cosmetic. Not to mention some fun gear changers like Latisse, brow and lash enhancers with tint, and always giving her the finishing touches with Colorescience cosmetics. We have reached the point where my focus has been on maintaining our results along with the ongoing task of continuing to prevent future damage.

This past month we used a SkinMedica Rejuvenize peel to her face, neck, and chest to slough and prepare for the upcoming fall weather…cooler and eventually cold. November we will introduce a new treatment, Microdermabrasion HydroPlus. This allows me to infuse a selected serum directly into her skin immediately following exfoliation. Different serums for a different focus…again customized for each person.

Check out these pictures of Harlene’s skin color and how much repair has taken place..lighter, brighter, healthier skin…..you have won the race, now lets maintain!

Brenda’s Story: Transforming and Improving My Skin

Thu, 31 Oct 2013 05:42:00 GMT

I love the fall season; it is such a pretty time of the year. We do a lot of traveling during September, October and November and we watch the trees turn colors from one state to another.

This year I feel I have done the same with my skin. Since last January I have watched my skin change and improve every month; the transformation has been fun and exciting to see.

Earlier this month I had a Triniti maintenance treatment along with a microdermabrasion; both were enjoyable and gave my skin a boost along with a nice glow.

It feels good to have such healthy skin.

Kayla’s Story: Sublative Treatment and Hydro-Microderm

Wed, 30 Oct 2013 05:41:00 GMT

This past month I started my new treatments! I received a sublative treatment, the third step of the Triniti process, which my mom is getting. The absolute worst part of this treatment is that…it stinks! (It literally smells like burnt flesh!) Stephanie warns you about this before she starts and she gave me a fan to hold on my face during the procedure, which helped not only with the smell, but with the “burning” sensation. It feels like little pinpricks going into your face with each little “zap” that she does, but it is fairly quick and feels like a sunburn when you leave. The next day my skin just felt really dry and rough, but it didn’t burn anymore. There were literally squares all over my cheeks (since this is where I had the procedure done to help with my scarring) and my face felt like sandpaper for a week until I got my microderm. My microderm was different this time because it was a hydro-microderm, which helped rehydrate my face as well as take off the slough. My face felt AMAZING after getting this and I had great results from just one treatment. I can’t wait to get my second treatment, even though I had to “hibernate” for a couple of days after the treatment because the “squares” looked funny on my face. I got the treatment on Friday and was able to go back to my classes on Monday without getting too many weird looks. A little bit of makeup covered all of the dots. There isn’t a whole lot of downtime with this procedure and it truly helps, so the results are definitely worth it. I’m really looking forward to my VISIA pictures after a whole year of treatments for my blemishes…the progress is going to be mind-blowing for me!

Kim’s Story: Triniti Plus Sublative Treatment and Microderm

Wed, 30 Oct 2013 05:40:00 GMT

This month I had just one step of the Triniti Plus treatment. It was the Sublative portion. This is where the radio frequency is applied to the face in a matrix pattern. It was a prickly sensation with each application followed by a “sunburn feeling” about halfway through the treatment. A fan helps the discomfort during the treatment and also helps minimize the smell of burning skin. The sunburn feeling again lasted for about two hours after my treatment. I had no pain through the night and on Day 1 post treatment I did not look as blotchy and swollen as last month. This may be due to only receiving one step of the Triniti Plus treatment or not having as much correction needed since I received this treatment last month. My face again felt like sandpaper for a few days following my treatment, but it was much less noticeable than last month and very easy to conceal.

A week after my Sublative treatment Stephanie gave me a microderm to refresh my “new” skin. I left feeling better than ever!

I am beginning to notice a change in the tightness of my face since having these Triniti treatments. My jawline is becoming more defined. The shape of my face was becoming square due to some “age drooping” at my jawline but that drooping is now lifting back up. Thank you Stephanie and JCMG Laser and Vein Center! I never dreamed this outcome was possible without major surgery.

Brenda’s Story: Hydrating Skin in Winter, Triniti Maintenance and Sublative Resurfacing

Wed, 30 Oct 2013 05:39:00 GMT

Changing seasons, beautiful fall colors and the beginning of the dreaded winter dry skin. Our October ended with a quick trip to Denver, one of my favorite places, but definitely the land of dry skin. Family, friends, a Broncos game and lots of sunshine made for a great trip.

To ensure this dryness does not get the best of me, I have amped up my moisture routine by adding my Hydrating Complex. Used prior to my moisturizer, it draws water from the air and steps up the skin’s ability to make hyaluranic acid, giving it a plumped, hydrated, youthful appearance. I also use Colorescience’s Illuminating Serum in the morning, prior to makeup. It is filled with specialty ingredients like Pearl Powder, evening out time and giving instant luminosity. Both of these products are a big help in making sure you are able to tolerate your very important Retinol throughout the cold months.

I can’t believe that we are on the last month of Brenda’s Year of Beauty. October was time for Triniti maintenance with Sublative resurfacing. Keeping up with maintenance treatments ensures that Brenda’s brown spots will stay away and that she is constantly producing new collagen, for less lines and tighter skin. We have a few treatments planned for November… hoping to have a “grand finale.” Brenda has become like part of the family and I have truly enjoyed helping her through this journey. Stay tuned for her final month and her “after” photos.

Kayla’s Story: Managing Breakouts in the Fall

Mon, 30 Sep 2013 05:38:00 GMT

Seasons change and so does your skin. It’s that time again to start thinking about changing your wardrobe, skin care and makeup. I went camping this last weekend and saw so many changes happening in the outdoors. Days are getting shorter and nights are getting cooler. Kayla has been experiencing changes herself at school and with her skin.

Kayla has been experiencing breakouts due to stress from school and the change in weather. Transitioning from summer to winter can make our skin irritated and dry. The top layer of our skin locks in moisture to prevent irritants and germs from entering cracks in the skin. “Cold, dry air can damage the top skin layer, allowing water in the skin to escape and causing small cracks that expose underlying cells to irritants and germs,” according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Kayla received another Vitalize peel this month to rejuvenate her skin and give her a clearer complexion. Peels are a great way to clean up pigment and dull skin from the summer. For best results a series of three to five are advised. I also added her SkinMedica Ultra Sheer moisturizer back into her product regimen in addition to her SkinMedica AHA/BHA cream. Winter is around the corner and with dryer weather even oily skin needs moisture. Clients with oily skin tend to dry out their skin too much and then their skin produces more oil. Moisturizers provide a barrier keeping in hydration and keeping out harmful bacteria that can lead to breakouts and infections.

October is a very busy and exciting month for Kayla and JCMG Laser and Vein Center. Kayla will be receiving a Sublative treatment to her acne scarring on her cheeks. Stay tuned to her story to see what results!! Next month Michael McCarthy, National Makeup Artist, will be here on the 16th and 17th. Join us for his Master Class or an individual makeover. Reservation required, so call us today to get a new fall look!!

Kim’s Story: Getting Ready for the Holidays

Mon, 30 Sep 2013 05:35:00 GMT

Holiday season is here and time is very precious. Get three anti-aging treatments in one with little to no downtime! Color correction, skin tightening, and wrinkle reduction can all be achieved in one single session! The Triniti Plus can get you looking your best for the holidays in no time!

In the next three months Kim will be undergoing the Triniti Plus series. Each series is generally three to five treatments, takes about 40-60 minutes, and they are spaced three to four weeks apart.

There are three parts to the series:

Kim has received her first treatment and loves the results she is already noticing! Follow Kim’s story to read about her Triniti Plus experience from a patient’s point of view from start to finish.

Kim also received a Colorescience Sunforgettable face primer with SPF 30. Colorescience face primers are one of my favorite products. I never go without it! Primer is the first step in our core four makeup application. There is a primer for every skin condition. Primers help to improve skin color, texture, and provide added sun protection. Call us at 573.761.LASR (5277) and experience “makeup that does more” by attending one of our makeup classes in October.

Brenda’s Story: Year of Beauty Party, HydroPlus Microdermabrasion, and Triniti

Mon, 30 Sep 2013 05:34:00 GMT

“All the leaves are brown and the sky is gray…” Well, maybe not quite yet, but I have decided the Mamas & the Papas were so right when writing California Dreaming. Who wouldn’t dream of living by the ocean where it is always sunny and 75 degrees.

I just returned from my third year attending the SkinMedica Advocate Summit in Carlsbad, California. It is a weekend spent with the best of the best from around the nation. The Summit is an invitation-only event for aestheticians and nurses. Kim and I received an insider’s view on product formulation, toured the lab with the formulator of TNS, and learned of the innovative products that are in the works. Our weekend was spent with the team that has made this revolutionary line, talking to the president, scientists and advocates like they are long-lost friends. It is so inspiring.

Prior to leaving, we kicked off our Year of Beauty Party. Forty-five lucky women who attended will truly be our VIPs for the next year. Special sales and promos are just the beginning of the benefits of this exclusive club. Brenda attended, sharing her personal Year of Beauty experiences and her glowing skin. Our October plan includes the new HydroPlus Microdermabrasion and a Triniti maintenance treatment. Fall is a great time to begin treatments that have a little more downtime. I can’t wait to share Brenda’s outstanding results!

Harlene’s Story: Making Good Skin Care Choices

Mon, 30 Sep 2013 05:33:00 GMT

“Everything in your life is a reflection of a choice you have made, if you want a different result, make a different choice.”

September was a month that seemed like every time I turned around things were changing…a constant around the Chappell household. Change is around us, 24/7, how we respond to it has really been the Chappells’s focus. Change is not always bad. I believe acknowledging what is changing and then having a quality response will result in a positive outcome. So, ideally, change is a good thing! Sometimes easier said than done, right?!

Brandi and I attended our 3rd SkinMedica Advocate Summit, a privileged invitation to spend time with others who believe in the power of superior products and the pride we all share in what we have to offer our clients. That is something that won’t change. We at the LVC will continue to offer and educate our clients about the Gold standard options in skin care and skin/aesthetic services, and maintain the delivery of a fabulous experience with us.

Harlene has shared her many experiences with us these past few months, all decisions and choices she has made to improve the health of her skin: from applying daily skin care to protect and prevent the aging process, to skin treatments and injectables. Hopefully you have enjoyed her stories as much as I have. I look forward to the results from her fillers just done this week. Finally, the volume she has been wanting.

JCMG Laser and Vein Center wants to be your resource for helping you make any wanted changes in your skin health and be the common event in your life that is not always changing. We have a consistent message: offer the highest quality skin care and perform state-of-the-art procedures to get you there.

So, if you want your skin to reflect your positive choices, use an antioxidant every morning, apply growth factors and retinols, and wear your SPF! These simple steps will be a reflection of your choices!

Kayla’s Story: New Treatments for Fall

Sun, 29 Sep 2013 05:30:00 GMT

Back into full force with school…meaning exams…meaning stress…meaning breakouts! Ugh! What a vicious cycle! I break out, then I stress about breaking out and break out even more! NOT FUN! Luckily, this month we changed my treatment plan to mix things up now that we are getting into the fall weather. I didn’t receive my regular microderm, but instead I got a peel. I was a bit nervous about this because it has more downtime than my microderms, and with my busy schedule I was afraid it would hold me back. For starters, I forgot how amazing it felt to get one of these done. Even though I am having some breakouts, my skin is still not even close to being as bad as it had been in the past. I’m not doing a lot of peeling yet because I only had it done a day ago, but I still have a busy weekend planned ahead (out in public) and Stephanie recommended more moisturizer for the time being to help with the peeling process. Right now, my skin feels really dry and I’m sure tomorrow the peeling process will be noticeable. Nothing that is too embarrassing and can’t be temporarily hidden with some moisturizer and makeup, though. The worst part of these for me is that I have to keep telling myself that I can’t pick and peel at my face during this process! Sometimes it’s so hard because you just want to pull that skin off, but as Stephanie will tell you….ABSOLUTELY NOT! 😀 I am excited for what the future holds because now that I won’t be in the sun so much as we get into cooler weather and shorter days, I am able to do more varieties of treatments. This is perfect timing to get my skin looking flawless for the Holidays with all of the family and pictures being taken (which I always dreaded because of my blemishes).

Harlene’s Story: Eyelash Tinting, Dermaplaning, and Radiesse and Juvederm Filler

Sun, 29 Sep 2013 05:28:00 GMT

Here I am in my ninth month! No, I’m not talking about babies (granted they usually arrive in Mom’s ninth month), but rather the ninth month of writing about my experiences as a spokesperson for the JCMG Laser and Vein Center. The staff at L&V coddle me, spoil me, encourage me and play the doting parents – from reminding me of L&V appointments to checking in with me post-treatment.

You have to crawl before you can walk, and as a result of all the great products and services available at L&V, my crawling days are over. I’ve learned how to take care of my skin, turn back the clock by using SkinMedica skin care products and what to avoid. Many times we blame our age for unwanted fine lines, red spots and broken capillaries when, in fact, those same things are caused by not taking care of ourselves or by not knowing how to take care of our skin.

Mid-October, Kim repeated the eyebrow tinting and jazzed it up even further with a brow wax and eyelash tinting! I had no idea that eyelashes could be tinted! Very cool! I could actually leave the house without eyebrow pencil and mascara. The tinting is done with vegetable dye so no worry about chemicals near the eye. In preparation for Radiesse and Juvederm filler, Kim also did a dermaplaning facial to exfoliate and introduce high–grade ingredients to my exfoliated skin, all chemical free. So, my face felt fresh, “baby soft” and fuzz free after that. Did I mention that Kim spoils me?

As I write this, I am one day post filler of Radiesse and Juvederm. I am thrilled with the results. The procedure brings immediate gratification. I could immediately see the plumping of my skin on my cheeks and around my mouth. I won’t say that there is no discomfort because that would not be true; however, the numbing cream prior to the injections helped a lot. I spent the rest of the day using ice packs to alleviate the swelling. Other instructions are to stay out of the sun as much as possible for a week and not do too much exercise that makes one sweat. I also was asked to sleep on my back for the next three nights which I will certainly do. My face looks good one day out. I have a minimal amount of bruising on the outside, which primer, concealer and makeup covers, and some swelling that will go down soon enough. I’ve had filler before. It lasts 12–18 months. And, when I need it in the future, I will certainly do it again.

It’s been my privilege to share my L&V experiences with you for the past nine months. I feel as though I have been reborn and the last nine months have been leading up to this moment.

Thanks, JCMG Laser & Vein Center for the opportunity!

Kim’s Story: Triniti Plus Treatment and Colorescience Face Primer

Thu, 26 Sep 2013 05:24:00 GMT

This month I had my first Triniti Plus treatment, in a series of three. Let me say the results are AMAZING! I feel like this procedure took ten years off the appearance of my skin in just one session. The treatment had three steps, which were all done at the same appointment. I will share with you my experience on each of the steps, which Stephanie explained extremely well prior to and during the process:

1. elōs – (skin rejuvenation for pigmented & vascular lesions) this step was radio frequency and light energies that felt like a pinprick with each application and then my face got very warm. The pricks were not a lingering discomfort and they were not unbearable.

2. Sublime – (skin contouring) this step involved no discomfort; it was only a slight pressure and was only applied to my cheek bones, eyes, jawline and brow lines. This will reduce fine wrinkles by stimulating collagen production.

3. Sublative – (improve skin tone & texture) this step was radio frequency applied to the face in a matrix pattern and was a prickly sensation with each application followed by a “sunburn feeling” about halfway through the treatment. Stephanie provided me with a handheld fan so I could direct air to the areas where I was feeling the most burning sensation. During this step I could also smell a sort of burning skin odor but it was not overbearing.

Once complete, I headed for home. I felt as though I had a moderate sunburn but it was far from intolerable. This lasted for about two hours and then the remainder of the night I was fine, but I did smell the burning skin odor occasionally. I did not experience any pain through the night.

Day 1 post treatment – my skin was mostly red blotches and I had some swelling, mainly around my eyes, but I only felt like my skin was tight and dry. I looked much worse than I felt as I was not in any pain.

Day 2 post treatment – the red blotches had subsided and the brown spots were more prominent as this treatment targets the pigmented areas. My face felt like sandpaper from the matrix pattern on the Sublative step. My swelling was nearly gone and again I was not in any pain. Stephanie contacted me at home to be sure I was doing well. It is such a comfort knowing she is truly concerned about my progress!

Day 3-6 post treatment – during these days I could see very small scabs on my face which were literally the size of my pores so they were nothing that could not be hidden with a little makeup. My face continued on the surface to feel like sandpaper during these days of healing.

Day 7 post treatment – Stephanie gave me a microderm to assist in removing the roughness from my skin and when she was finished my face felt wonderful. It was a tight but very refreshed feeling.

Day 8 post treatment/forward – I went back to my normal daily routine and use of SkinMedica products. The only thing that has changed is I am missing some blemishes and fine lines!

The results I experienced with the Triniti Plus treatment were TOTALLY worth the couple hours of discomfort and the few days of concealing minor blemishes during my healing process. I am looking forward to the same treatment next month and what exciting results I may see! Check back next month to see if I am as amazed with the results of my second Triniti Plus session with JCMG Laser & Vein Center.

A new addition to my routine this month was the Colorescience Face Primer. Even without any foundation it was a perfect light concealer for active days and has a 30 SPF sunscreen in it to assist my regular sunscreen in providing me necessary protection to prevent sun damage.

What a month of younger-looking change for me!

Brenda’s Story: Peel Party and SkinMedica Products

Thu, 26 Sep 2013 05:22:00 GMT

I love this time of year when days are cooler, the trees are starting to turn colors and the air has a clean, crisp, invigorating smell. I especially enjoy my early morning coffee on the deck just listening to the sounds of nature and getting my thoughts together for the coming day.

It is during my early morning coffee that I reflect back and enjoy the events of certain days and various activities such as the September 12th “Peel Party.” My peel was a success: after peeling for three to four days, I now enjoy – like fall weather – the clean, healthy glow that my skin gets with a chemical peel. What a natural glow new skin has when old dead skin is removed; makes me feel young again.

With my morning and evening cleansing routine I use Lytera by SkinMedica to help lighten pigment and, I have to tell you, it is working. Using Lytera on my face and neck, darker pigment spots are much less noticeable, fading more and more each month. Lytera is a great product for aging skin.

In the past I have used SkinMedica Retinol, but I must admit I was not a faithful user. However, at the Peel Party I learned how important retinol was for all skin types (especially aging skin). Before, I would clean my skin, apply TNS Essential Serum, Lytera and Dermal Repair; I thought this was enough, but now I know my skin needs retinol to help promote new skin cells and retain firmness. Retinol is now back in my evening routine and next month I will let you know improvements that I see using retinol.

All the products and treatments that I have received through JCMG Laser and Vein Center have given me results far better than I ever expected. The Laser and Vein Center is like a “personal trainer” for my face and skin; they have customized a program for me that works for me, my skin and my budget. I have said before that JCMG Laser and Vein Center is my “best friend”, but I will say it again: they are my “best friend” and always will be.

Harlene’s Story: Dermaplaning Facial and Botox Before and After

Wed, 11 Sep 2013 05:13:00 GMT

Harlene came in last week for a relaxing dermaplaning facial, brow, and lash tint and, after a stressful weekend, that was exactly what she needed! She was enjoying herself at the Irish Fest and had her cell phone stolen. Needless to say, not fun, but by the looks of how she has responded to her Botox, no one would be able to tell how mad she was! Soft, smooth, and wrinkle free. Check out her before and after: magical!

Kayla’s Story: Maintaining Clear Skin, Upcoming Peels, and Laser Hair Removal

Wed, 04 Sep 2013 05:12:00 GMT

“Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” – Benjamin Franklin

School has started once again and this quote has been stated quite a few times in my household. It is hard to get to bed and wake up on time, but adding a morning/night skin care routine can help your skin stay healthy. Kayla has been “wise” about keeping her skin care regimen and reaping the benefits of clear, healthy skin.

Kayla is still maintaining her clear skin with a microderm/mini peel. The microderm/mini peel promotes the skin’s natural cell regeneration through exfoliation that leaves the skin looking clear and bright. Next month I can start Kayla on a peel series to clear some of the old acne scars, clean out pores, and restore her skin tone from any environmental assaults left over from the summer.

Kayla is almost finished with her laser hair removal treatments to her underarms and is very pleased with her results. Laser hair removal is very tolerable and worth it! After my laser hair removal treatments to my legs I have noticed smaller hair follicles and less ingrown hairs. Now is the best time to think about starting your hair removal treatments so you can get ready for next summer!

School has started and the holiday season is approaching us, so be wise and start your healthy skin care regimen today!

Kim’s Story: Dermaplaning, Illuminize Peel, Redness Relief CalmPlex, and Colorescience Makeup Party

Sat, 31 Aug 2013 05:11:00 GMT

This month I had another Dermaplaning facial with an Illuminize Peel. These really make a difference in how bright and soft my face is.

The Redness Relief CalmPlex that we added to my routine in July has lessened the redness on my chest. It no longer looks as though I have sunburn on my chest every day.

At the beginning of this month I attended the Colorescience Makeup Party at JCMG Laser & Vein Center. Not only did I learn the benefits of the Colorescience makeup, but we learned the correct application techniques of many of their products. I was given the opportunity to be the model for some of the products and I left feeling like a new person. It was exciting to learn how little time it took for the Colorescience makeup to assist me in a flawless look.

Next month I will start Triniti treatments, so stay tuned for my results and feelings on this treatment. I am excited about adding a new step to my already noticeable progress!

I continue to do well with my daily skin care regimen and NEVER forget my sunscreen.

Kayla’s Story: Sunscreen, Laser Hair Removal Results, and Daily Skin Care

Sat, 31 Aug 2013 05:09:00 GMT

Another month of fun in the sun has disappeared and now it’s time for school again. I enjoyed my last few weeks off and definitely stayed in the sun a lot. With life on a farm it’s hard to stay out of the sun, but I never got burnt and ALWAYS used my sunscreen. I am going in for my monthly microderm/mini peel to finish up my summer treatments, but then next month I will be switching it up and I can’t wait to see what the girls have planned for me! My skin will definitely be flawless by the Holidays! 🙂 I am extremely happy with my laser hair removal treatments to my underarms. They aren’t the most pleasant treatments to go through, but it’s extremely fast and boy is it worth it! I am almost done with my series of 6 and officially can say…there really isn’t ANY hair there anymore. And when I did notice hair, it was very thin and lighter than usual. We went camping this month and I even took my skin care products with me and it wasn’t any hassle at all. I did my morning routine when I got up and my nightly routine before bed…plus I didn’t wear ANY makeup and wasn’t even embarrassed! This clear skin thing is pretty sweet if you ask me! 🙂 It may take a little more time to do the morning/night routines, but I spent the same amount of time in the past trying to apply makeup and cover all my blemishes…so really, it doesn’t take more time than before. I highly suggest you check these girls out at JCMG L&V and see what they can do to make your skin look better than ever…just in time for the family gatherings (they’re right around the corner!).

Harlene’s Story: Botox Gives Noticeable Results

Fri, 30 Aug 2013 05:07:00 GMT

And let me tell you, I smile a lot. I have two wonderful kids, two dogs, chase around my soon to be 3-year-old granddaughter Leighton, a full time job (that I love), and will be celebrating my 25th wedding anniversary. I remind myself how blessed I am

and………here it goes……I AM THANKFUL FOR BOTOX!

Years of squinting, frowning, laughing and crying have created some unwanted creases and lines. I wouldn’t trade one single experience that created those lines, but it sure is nice to have an easy option to soften them.

A few tiny injections and poof they’re gone. You, too, can have noticeable results and still look like yourself. Harlene got her long-awaited Botox a few weeks ago and I will be taking her “after” photos on the 6th. I will share her before and after photos soon. She already loves the results.

If you are wondering how to soften your frown lines, join the 11 million men and women since 2002 that have discovered the proven results.

Want more? Join us for our monthly Dr. Chat. Thursday, September 5 is our next session. Want a more personal approach, set up a complimentary assessment and let me review your options.

To see for yourself how Botox Cosmetic can work for you, view real life before and after photos at the Botox Cosmetics website.

Harlene’s Story: Eyebrow Tint, Botox, and Trying TNS Ultimate Daily Moisturizer

Fri, 30 Aug 2013 05:06:00 GMT

August was one of those months; you know the kind, things just start to pile up. For me, August contained mostly things that needed to be repaired. It seemed like everything was breaking down: cable, house, car, computer.

Mid-August I had a break in the frustration, a very welcome break. Kim did a microdermabrasion complete with dermaplaning, brow wax and eyebrow tint. I just didn’t realize that my naturally dark eyebrows had faded somewhat over time. I have looked at them for so many years and just got used to the color. Wow, the eyebrow tint was very cool! I have my darker eyebrows back and they look fuller and more defined. Move over, Elizabeth Taylor! Kim says the eyebrow tint is a little darker for the first few days and the color, which is a vegetable dye and totally safe, should last four to six weeks. What I noticed right away is how much one’s eyebrows frame the face. I always wondered why humans were given eyebrows as I have never seen a purpose for them until now. It was such a relaxing hour that I hardly cared when my curling iron broke later in the day.

My list of repairs contains a repair that was welcome …Botox. I’ve had Botox twice before, but this time we decided to go for broke, not only doing my squint lines and mid-eyebrow wrinkles, but also doing my forehead. As I write this, all I can say is TGFB (thank God for Botox) because all those frown lines brought by my ever-increasing repair list are totally gone. THANK YOU, DR. PRASAD!!!

I am trying out a new TNS product, new to me at least. It is the TNS Ultimate Daily Moisturizer that contains SPF 20. It has a lighter feel, goes on evenly, is absorbed quickly and feels great! One thing I have to say about the TNS products is that they are all packaged so attractively, in soothing gray with either a flip top for some or screw caps done in bright silver or matte gray. People who know me know that I am all about presentation and everything working together, both the exterior and the interior. It works for my wardrobe selections and it works for the TNS products. I am totally sold on the skin care products at JCMG Laser and Vein Center. The staff are great about coordinating the products according to your skin care needs. No guessing necessary. Just like the products, JCMG Laser and Vein Center staff have great presentation backed up by years of education. They all work together to give you the best possible packaging look, interior and exterior.

In September, I am doing Radiesse and Juvederm filler and really looking forward to the results that will take me into the holiday season with my own best packaging look! I will tell you all about it next time!

On September 12, staff at L&V will host an all-day “peel party.” Not only will you have all your questions answered by Dr. Prasad and his staff, but you will be treated to some great beverages and snacks, and you will have an opportunity to schedule services and purchase products at special pricing, saving you some cash. So, call and make your reservation today so you don’t miss out on this great deal! I will see you there!

Brenda’s Story: Skin Care Classics

Thu, 29 Aug 2013 05:05:00 GMT

Fashion fades, only style remains the same. – Coco Chanel

As the summer comes to an end and the kids settle in to a new year of school, I start thinking about fall fashion and cooler weather. I am obsessed with keeping up with everything “fashion”; it is a terrible habit that I have, according to my husband, of course. I begin looking through magazines and seeing what the staples of fall fashion will be, although I tend to stay pretty classic and away from anything too trendy. I invest in timeless staples that can outlast the trends, adding the less expensive “fun” pieces that are a little more seasonal.

I think that my love for the classics is why I love SkinMedica products so much. They have the tried and true, results-driven classics in skin care – growth factors, retinoids, anti-oxidants and sun protection. These ingredients are timeless, useful for every age and every skin type interested in anti-aging. With these staples you cannot go wrong. SkinMedica does not jump on the bandwagon with a trendy ingredient or product. They take the time to research and make sure that what they are offering is the best of the best. It is a line that still has its share of “fun” accessories like Line Refine and my favorite, the TNS Lip Plump system.

Brenda’s regimen is full of the “classics,” TNS Essential Serum, Tri-Retinol ES and Daily Physical SPF 30. They will transition easily from the hot summer months right into fall, ensuring that she is getting the best possible anti-aging routine. This fall we will complete her final Triniti treatments and begin laser hair removal to her lower legs. She will attend the Year of Beauty Party on September 12th, so if you’re coming you will get to see her beautiful complexion. Fall is a great time to invest in your own skin care classics!

Brenda’s Story: SkinMedica Daily Routine, SR Treatments, and Upcoming Laser Hair Removal

Tue, 27 Aug 2013 05:03:00 GMT

I am a person who likes a routine and schedules. However, June, July and August were full of many events changing my routines and daily life. It has been a very busy summer with family reunions, weddings, bridal showers, graduations, summer holidays, grandchildren’s ball games, out of town weekend trips and even a funeral or two. At times we were so busy that I did not know if we were coming or going, but the one thing that did not change was my SkinMedica daily routine. My skin continues to improve in texture and appearance; the last six months have brought me amazing results.

SR treatments to my chest and neck have helped tighten and firm my loose aging skin and have given my chest a much needed improvement in texture; plus many of my brown spots are less noticeable.

After seeing amazing improvements in my skin I worried about future sun damage, but I am now using Environmental Defense SPF50 and TNS Ultimate Daily Moisturizer SPF 20, and I love both products. My skin feels good and looks good.

Summer is coming to an end and I am ready for fall, cooler weather and new treatments at the Laser Vein Center. After shaving my legs for 50 plus years I am going to experience laser hair removal on my lower legs and I can’t wait. I have a feeling that treatments this fall at the Laser Vein center are going to be exciting. I will let you know in my next blog.

Harlene’s Story: Putting Your Best Face Forward

Thu, 15 Aug 2013 04:59:00 GMT

Now that it is mid-August, many sports fans are getting football fever. I am looking forward to MU football, Jefferson City football and Lincoln U. football. Many of you know Mike Jones, head football coach at Lincoln. Mike is famous for his many years in the NFL. But he is also famous for making “The Tackle”, the final play in Super Bowl XXXIV in 1999 for the St. Louis Rams against the Tennessee Titans at the Titans one-yard line, preserving the victory for the Rams who earned their first Super Bowl title. That play, now known as “The Tackle,” has gone down as one of the greatest in Super Bowl history. Very recently, I attended the 50th NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet held here in Jefferson City. It was a nice event and gave me an opportunity to dress up and put my best face forward thanks to the amazing staff and services at JCMG Laser and Vein Center. I had so many compliments during the evening. My complexion is looking better every day as more collagen is being generated through the services and SkinMedica products I am using. So, I know you are thinking, what does this really have to do with football!! Well, I had the good fortune of meeting my hero, Mike Jones, at this banquet and I have the photo, at left, to prove it. And, I had a lot more confidence knowing I was looking my best! So, take your football fever and get out to watch our local teams play. You will have fun and perhaps meet Mike yourself! While you are thinking about it, call the JCMG Laser and Vein Center and schedule a consultation to find out the condition of your skin and how you can soon be looking your best as well!

Kayla’s Story: Easy Skin Care Routine, Laser Hair Removal, and Microderm/Mini Peel

Wed, 31 Jul 2013 04:57:00 GMT

This summer has been a busy one! I’ve been working, taking care of all of the animals on the farm, not to mention taking on four classes plus an internship! The good news is that my skin care routine is very easy to keep up with and I’m keeping my skin clear so I don’t have to add that extra step of putting on makeup to cover my blemishes. It truly is an awesome feeling! I also got another laser hair removal treatment to my underarms and I’m seeing less and less hair (which is so much more thin!) so I don’t have to add shaving to that busy schedule of mine either…I’m really thinking about getting my legs done to knock off even more time. 🙂 The other treatment that I got was my monthly microderm/mini peel. It feels great to get all of the “junk” off of my face and see that new, fresh skin underneath. I’m getting ready to go on a camping trip and for once I will be able to pull off the no-makeup/don’t care what I look like/yet still look good kind of look. 😛 I cannot believe how much happier clear skin seems to make me! I’m more confident, don’t get embarrassed as easily, and can talk to a lot more people without trying to hide my face. Stephanie and the rest of the girls are really phenomenal! I highly suggest you finally take that first step of calling and making your free consultation appointment so that they can give you that extra boost of confidence as well!

Kayla’s Story: Keeping to a Skin Care Routine

Wed, 31 Jul 2013 04:56:00 GMT

Once again I am preparing my kids for the school year. Bode is starting kindergarten, Ryann is starting middle school and Chloe is in 8th grade!! Along with starting a new school routine, they will also be starting a new skin care routine. The girls have both been experiencing breakouts and, as Kayla has experienced, breakouts can be embarrassing. Starting school can be hard enough and breakouts can make it worse.

When Kayla first started her routine it wasn’t overnight that she became acne-free. It can take up to a month to see some results and it can get worse before it gets better. Kayla has been very good at following her skin care regimen and now all her work has paid off.

Hormones are not always to blame for acne. There are many things that can cause teen and adult breakouts. Anything from styling and makeup ingredients to bacteria from hands and cell phone usage can contribute to breakouts. I know it is hard: after a long day at work you want to slide into bed without washing your face. But being lazy with your skin care routine can undo all the progress you’ve made with your skin. This month Kayla has continued her clear skin care progress with maintenance treatments of microderms with mini peel. This treatment has given Kayla the clear skin she wanted without the downtime of a peel. Even though Kayla uses her SPF while tending to her animals, the sun can increase cell production (which means more dead skin cells — the thing we are trying to avoid). The microderm/mini peel promotes the skin’s natural cell regeneration through exfoliation that leaves skin looking clear and bright.

No more shaving bumps or razor burn for Kayla this summer!! She can wear whatever she wants whenever she wants! Laser hair removal has helped shave time off of Kayla’s daily routine by eliminating unwanted hair from her underarms.

Summer is almost over and school is right around the corner. Start your school year off with a skin care regimen that will have your skin looking its BEST!!

Harlene’s Story: Ongoing Results from Triniti Plus, SkinMedica, and a Liquid Lift

Wed, 31 Jul 2013 04:53:00 GMT

It’s the end of July and I am excited to say that Harlene has finished her Triniti Plus series. Three sessions, one month apart, but the transformation continues: over the next several months she will continue to see improvements in fine lines and wrinkles, complexion blending, and the overall texture of her skin. Initially she enjoyed multiple chemical peels that sped up the exfoliation process and her SkinMedica products have been the constant daily fuel her skin has needed to help repair her sun damage from the past. Great skin care has also helped us achieve optimal results from her procedures and will continue to work overtime to protect her skin from further damage.

At JCMG Laser and Vein Center we want everyone who comes in our office looking for advice about THEIR skin concerns to get a customized protocol developed just for them, focusing on what concerns they have. Harlene’s goals were to reduce the visible signs of aging, improve the overall health of her skin, and give back a little of what time has taken away…volume. Harlene has noticed many improvements in her skin, and now her focus is VOLUME. Radiesse ( www.radiesse.com ), Juvederm XC ( www.juvederm.com ), and Botox Cosmetic ( www.botoxcosmetic.com ) are what she has so patiently been waiting for. Immediate correction, but also long-lasting results. By uplifting the cheekbone area, adding volume to the space at the nasal folds and marionette lines, and with a few units of Botox Cosmetic, Harlene will enjoy the instant results of a “liquid lift”: No cutting, no sewing…how awesome is that!

Want more information? Come in for your customized consultation, or sign up to participate in our monthly Doctor Chat. Get it straight from the Doctor!

I look forward to sharing this next chapter in Harlene’s skin rejuvenation journey…stay tuned.

Brenda’s Story: Summer Sampler and SRA Treatments

Wed, 31 Jul 2013 04:52:00 GMT

“Every summer has its story.” -Author unknown. This summer I have watched my stepdaughters grow and blossom into teenagers. From learning to wakeboard, to summer jobs and boyfriends, it has been a month of “firsts” for my family. We are so fortunate to get to spend our weekends with friends and family at our lake home. I know that I have said it before, but summertime is my absolute favorite time of the year. I even had the pleasure of having a few LVC girls down to have a little sun and fun, with sunscreen of course. 🙂 July has come and gone…too quickly if you ask me. Brenda came in this month for the Summer Sampler Package. She was pampered with a brow arch, microderm, VersaSpa tan and a SkinMedica Environmental SPF 50. It was so nice to see Brenda for a service that is relaxing; it’s a nice balance to the treatments that are very result-oriented, but not always as relaxing. We continue to treat the sun spots on her chest with SRA. It is a light and radiofrequency treatment that breaks down and destroys brown spots and vascular damage with minimal downtime. We are making huge progress and I am so impressed with how well she has protected her chest and face from the sun this summer. It is really the only way to guarantee long-lasting results from your skin care and services. It is hard to believe that next month we will focus on going back to school. We only have a few weeks of summertime left, so get out and enjoy the weather but don’t forget your SPF!

Harlene’s Story: Ready for My Close-Up

Wed, 31 Jul 2013 04:50:00 GMT

Although I wasn’t a part of the local contingent who were extras in the film, I was on the red carpet waiting for someone to ask me, “Who are you wearing?” Sadly, no one did. OK, so I was standing NEXT to the red carpet and not actually on the red carpet. Nevertheless, I was prepared for the occasion with a movie star complexion — the result of services and products from JCMG Laser and Vein Center, and I was brave enough to have someone take my picture in front of all those people who came to see the cast and the movie! Thanks, L&V, you should be on the red carpet too!!!

Very recently, I had my third and last Triniti treatment. Triniti is a series of three treatments a month apart. Each session consists of color correction, wrinkle reduction and skin tightening procedures. My skin is much brighter — brown spots, broken capillaries and fine lines are gone!! I encourage you to check out the rest of L&V’s website and read about Triniti and all of the services/products available. All are explained much better than I can explain. A week after my last Triniti treatment, Kim followed up with a dermabrasion that removed the residual dead skin. That was the icing on the red carpet cupcake. I left the center knowing that my skin looks better than ever. I can’t say enough good things about L&V.

With the completion of the Triniti series, in the coming months, I will have Botox and Radiesse filler. Radiesse will immediately replenish lost volume and stimulate the production of my own natural collagen. Combining that with Botox and other services along with the fabulous SkinMedica products, as the actress Gloria Swanson said in the film, “Sunset Boulevard,” “All right, Mr. DeMille, I am ready for my close-up.” With the help of the great staff, services and products at the JCMG Laser and Vein Center, I am ready, too! My complexion looks better than ever!

Brenda’s Story: SkinMedica, Microdermabrasion, Latisse, SR Laser Treatments, and July Summer Sampler

Wed, 31 Jul 2013 04:49:00 GMT

It seems to me that July went more quickly than the month of June. For two weeks we were on the road living out of suitcases; I am certainly grateful that my daily skin care routine has become so quick and easy; traveling with two granddaughters ages 2 1/2 and 3 1/2, I did not have a lot of time to spend on my skin, but thanks to SkinMedica products I didn’t need to.

Just before we left on our trip Brandi gave me a microdermabrasion; my skin had such a healthy glow that many of the days we traveled I did not use foundation or even a blush. My skin continues to look better and better as time goes on.

Latisse certainly works for me; my lashes are growing longer and getting stronger, plus when I remove my eye makeup I do not notice my lashes falling out as they used to. Along with using Latisse this summer I have also had SR Laser treatments to my chest. The SR Laser helps break down, lighten and remove my brown sun spots; I could not be more pleased with the results. Soon my chest will be as healthy-looking as my face and, I might add for an “older” woman, from my chest up, I look pretty good.

With one more trip coming up and to start August on a positive note I recently took advantage of the July Summer Sampler. I enjoyed another microdermabrasion, got my brows waxed and had a VersaSpa Tan, plus I received a free SkinMedica SPF 50 sunscreen. The SPF 50 is water-resistant and works great on the grandchildren when they are in the pool or outside playing.

So far summer has been fun, fast and easy; I can’t wait to see what fall will bring.

Kim’s Story: Dermaplaning, SkinMedica Illuminize Peel, and Redness Relief Calmplex

Wed, 31 Jul 2013 04:48:00 GMT

The summer is here and almost gone!! Summer sun can increase cell production, which means more dead skin cells!! Kim has been doing very well this summer keeping her “glow” by continuing her skin care regimen and coming into the clinic for maintenance treatments. This month she received a dermaplaning facial like last month, but added a SkinMedica Illuminize Peel to the treatment. The Illuminize Peel is the gentlest of SkinMedica’s peels, but provides the brightening, tightening and glow that you desire if you have an upcoming event or just want to reveal the look of more youthful skin. There is little to no downtime with this peel and they are ideal for all skin types including darker skin.

Kim has been dealing with some redness on her chest, which is frustrating! No matter how much sunscreen you use there can always be redness left over from enjoying a summer day. Kim added SkinMedica’s Redness Relief CalmPlex to her regimen and is applying it to her chest. The Redness Relief CalmPlex treats not only the visible redness but also the underlying causes to help promote healthy skin. SkinMedica clinical studies show: “Redness Relief CalmPlex prevents and reduces acute, UV-induced skin redness and starts reducing chronic redness in only one week, with continued improvement over time.” This is a great way to reverse what summer has done to Kim’s chest. I can’t wait to see her progress!!

Kim has seen instant gratification from her Dermaplaning facial with Illuminize peel! Next month stay tuned to hear about the progress of the Redness Relief CalmPlex and how she is keeping her youthful glow!!

Kim’s Story: Getting a Youthful Appearance Back With Dermaplaning and SkinMedica

Wed, 31 Jul 2013 04:47:00 GMT

I started this month with my second dermaplaning facial, but this time it was followed by an Illuminize Peel. Last month I had a dermaplaning facial and I was very pleased with it so adding the Illuminize Peel just added to the positive results. It makes my face feel so soft and refreshed.

Redness Relief CalmPlex was added to my routine this month to help lessen the redness on my chest. I have noticed a difference in this short time so I am looking forward to the results after a couple more months.

There is such a difference in my skin this summer, compared with the past several years. I used to have the misconception that a tan gave my face a “glow”, but now I realize that a tan darkens the brown spots on my face and makes my skin aged and leathery. I have incorporated my morning and night routine to include the SkinMedica products and it is now as normal as brushing my teeth. It only adds about fifteen minutes to my morning and night routine and that seems such a small amount of extra time for the wonderful changes I have seen. I lead a busy, sometimes hectic life, but this routine is something that anyone could fit into their daily lifestyle.

Harlene’s Story: Triniti Progress and Colorescience Makeupn

Mon, 01 Jul 2013 04:43:00 GMT

I cannot believe another month has flown by. While I sit and write about Harlene’s June experiences, I cannot believe the outside temperature is 76 degrees! I have to say, I’ve enjoyed it and know it will not last long. Give it a day and the typical hot humid days of Mid-Missouri will return.

June has always been one of my favorite months, for many reasons, but really it is the whole idea of summer…..simplicity……..spending quality time together enjoying all that summer has to offer. I spent the past two weekends with my daughter looking for a wedding dress….don’t have to tell you how amazing that was! This time next June she will be getting married. I have enjoyed hearing about Harlene’s experiences with her niece’s wedding and look forward to sharing mine.

June was a continuation of our rejuvenation process for Harlene with the Triniti Plus: 2 sessions done, and the last one scheduled mid-July. Could not be going any better. She continues to preserve all the new cell growth with amazing products and preventative habits. She is enjoying the post sublative microdermabrasions; these help to remove the residual dead skin on the skin surface so after 4-5 days her skin is baby bottom smooth. We look forward to adding Botox Cosmetic and Radiesse and Juvederm fillers to create more volume!

“Summertime, and the living is easy” if you:

Harlene’s Story: SkinMedica, Triniti, Latisse, and Colorescience are a Winning Team

Mon, 01 Jul 2013 04:41:00 GMT

“Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer,” lyrics from a popular song of some years ago….surely someone besides me remembers that little ditty….and crazy those days become with all the stuff we have to do and the stress those summer activities place on our body that eventually shows up in one’s complexion. But, who can forget that summer is also the yearly ritual of baseball and, whether you are a real baseball fanatic or not, chances are you will be “drafted” into either playing on a team, coaching a team or watching your favorite team play on a hot July afternoon. Fortunately, baseball can be fashionably watched while wearing your team uniform/t-shirt accompanied by a very welcome baseball hat, which is more protection for your skin than that knit hat worn during the winter. But, in addition to that baseball cap, don’t forget to use your SkinMedica products, always, always followed with sunscreen.

In the past month I completed the second “strike” of the Triniti series and I really noticed an improvement in the brown spots, wrinkles and broken capillaries on my face. In early July I will have the “third strike” and final session of Triniti, which I know will provide my game plan with even more improvement in those same areas. The mild discomfort of the Triniti treatments is a small price to pay for the results I am getting. The third Triniti treatment will strike out those unwelcome spots and wrinkles for quite some time.

Another great SkinMedica product I am using is the “designated hitter” of TNS body lotion. This lotion is a “home run” in my book. The lotion goes on light, absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave a greasy film on my skin. I love it!!

As I continue with nightly applications of Latisse for darkening and lengthening of upper eyelashes, I can see that improvement as well. Now I can really “bat” my eyelashes at someone if I feel like it. Does anybody really do that anymore, other than in the old movies? The last time I saw that going on was in the Tom Hanks movie, “A League of Their Own,” about the ladies’ baseball team and their issues. Tom told the ladies, “There’s no crying in baseball!” So, apparently tearing up and batting their eyes didn’t really work for the gals.

Kim and I got together recently for a cosmetic makeup session. I haven’t changed up my makeup in a long time. I was really looking forward to trying out the Colorescience line of high performance mineral cosmetics available at the Laser and Vein Center and I wasn’t disappointed. The products work together from the cleanser to finish, providing me with an even, fresh look to go with my more youthful complexion. I could tell a big difference from my old makeup that I put on that morning and how my skin felt and looked after my makeup session. Now I really feel spoiled. Thanks, Kim!!

I am in the seventh inning stretch of the 12-inning game of 2013. I am so appreciative of the coaches at the Laser and Vein Center. I’ve been on this game schedule for a while. I am looking forward to seeing what the rest of the game will bring, but whatever comes about, I know that the team-player staff at the Laser and Vein Center will be in my “dugout” and rooting for me all the way. They are my teammates, fans and base runners!

Kim’s Story: Sunscreen, Latisse, SkinMedica Redness Relief Calmplex, and VelaShape

Sat, 29 Jun 2013 04:39:00 GMT

“A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine is the first to demonstrate a sunscreen trial in a four year-long human trial. The study of 903 adults under age 55 found that those assigned to slather on sunscreen at least once a day saw 24{d855275bb5a53a691922ddbe09fd77e36a4f35d1f88aaf3bcf40ae4b44ffef7b} less skin aging than those left to follow any sunscreen habits they liked.” Kim Painter, Special for USA TODAY

Kim has seen such a difference in her skin in the last few months by using SkinMedica products. She knows that to maintain her skin’s youthfulness she needs to apply her SkinMedica sunscreen everyday.

She also is very satisfied with her Latisse. Her lashes are still growing and she is not having any discomfort. I can’t wait to see what her lashes will look like after completing the full 16 weeks.

Kim has been experiencing some redness on her chest. This is an area we haven’t treated, so I started her on SkinMedica Redness Relief Calmplex. This product, with its 4-ethoxybenzaldehyde and vitamin B3, reduces the appearance of redness and promotes healthy skin. In as little as two weeks she should show some improvements!!

Kim completed her initial VelaShape treatment. VelaShape is the only FDA-approved treatment to effectively reduce cellulite and firm problem areas. I can’t wait to see her results! We will be taking pictures this month and providing maintenance treatment to keep her legs looking great all summer long. Stay tuned and see her after her experience with VelaShape!!

Kayla’s Story: Protecting and Maintaining Great Skin

Sat, 29 Jun 2013 04:38:00 GMT

“Maybe sheer vanity will encourage young people to be proactive and use their sunscreen, because the cancer fear doesn’t seem to be getting through to them.” Kim Painter, Special for USA TODAY

Kayla recently went on vacation and successfully had fun in the sun without getting sun damage. By reapplying her SkinMedica sunscreen she was able to enjoy her vacation on the beach. She has worked too hard to achieve beautiful skin to not protect it from the number one cause of skin aging. Protecting yourself from skin cancer by using sunscreen has the added bonus of keeping you looking young. When going on vacation use your sunscreen in combination with wearing light linen long sleeves, pants, broad-brimmed hats and sunglasses.

Kayla is still on maintenance microderms with mini peel — they always say when it’s not broke, don’t fix it. These are great for keeping her skin clear in the summertime. There isn’t any downtime to keep her from outdoor activities and it gives her the results she wants.

Kayla is still getting her laser hair removal treatments on her underarms. Even in the summer, laser can be done if the area is not exposed to the sun.

Everyone have a great 4th of July and wear your sunscreen!!

Brenda’s Story: Maintaining Results

Sat, 29 Jun 2013 04:36:00 GMT

Summer is finally here, and it seems that June has come and gone so quickly. Nights and weekends in the summer, for me, are spent at the lake and out on the water. It is definitely my favorite time of the year. My most common summertime question from my clients is: How do I get to have fun in the sun and still take great care of my skin? Most think that it is unattainable to have both, but I tell them how my SkinMedica Daily SPF 30 and Colorescience create the absolute best block from the sun. I have to admit that I am not the best about putting sunscreen on my legs, so they may get a little color from time to time, but my face has not been burned or tanned in years. I am a total believer and living proof that you can have both! Brenda’s plan is maintaining her great results this summer, keeping her downtime to a minimum with microdermabrasions and her SkinMedica skin care regimen. I really advise my clients to regard their daily products as highly as their in-office procedures. Brenda’s core corrective products, including TNS Essential Serum, Lytera and Tri-Retinol ES, continue to battle the aging process day by day. They enhance, improve and maintain the results that she has already noticed. As a self proclaimed “sun worshiper,” Brenda has traded her time spent baking in the sun for her new love, the VersaSpa Tan. It is my favorite, too. I have never been able to actually be tan in the summertime until now. The color is so even and beautiful on everyone. Colorescience makeup is a great way to add that bronze glow to your skin. My favorite look on Brenda is her CS Bronzer, highlighting her beautiful blue eyes and gorgeous skin. She has a sun-kissed glow that looks and feels like summertime without the damage. I think that she is a “changed” woman. 🙂 Wishing everyone a safe and happy 4th of July week!

Kim’s Story: Preventative Skin Care, VelaShape, and Dermaplaning

Thu, 27 Jun 2013 04:35:00 GMT

This has been a “preventative” month for me as I continue to follow my daily skin care regimen with SkinMedica products and, most importantly, my sunscreen. I am now more conscious of the damage these sunny summer days can do to my skin, so I am inhibiting the aging process by sticking with my skin care routine.

This month I finished my VelaShape treatments so I am eager to see the cellulite and circumference reduction. Stephanie will take “after pictures” and measurements so we have a side-by-side comparison of the results. I have noticed a smoothing of the treated areas. Keep watch for the results.

I am scheduled for my second dermaplaning facial, but this time it will be followed by an Illuminize Peel. Last month I was very happy with the dermaplaning facial so I am excited to see the different results I will get when it is accompanied with the peel.

Brenda’s Story: Getting Travel-Ready With SkinMedica, Colorescience, Latisse, and SR Laser Treatments

Thu, 27 Jun 2013 04:34:00 GMT

I have two trips coming up very soon and, going through my closet trying to decide what I want to take and how much I want to pack, I picked up my cosmetic bag and realized how light it has become. Using SkinMedica products, my daily routine has become much faster and easier than ever. It takes me about five minutes to cleanse with my Clarisonic brush and SkinMedica facial cleanser. I then apply my TNS Essential Serum, followed by Lytera and my Latisse, then a little TNS Eye Repair and Dermal Repair and, last but not least, sunscreen. Now I am ready for my Colorescience makeup, which goes on as fast and as easy as cleansing my skin. However, now my skin is in such great condition and so healthy that I apply a little eye makeup plus a little blush and out the door I go with a healthy natural look (even faster).

One of my trips is to visit family that I have not seen in almost two years. I can’t wait for family members to see my new and improved skin. I love the condition my skin is in and how healthy it looks; it just seems to glow. Plus Latisse is making my lashes longer and fuller, setting off my eyes, more like they were twenty years ago.

As a “sun lover”, I did much damage to my face throughout the years, but I also did damage to my chest. I have now had two SR Laser treatments to my chest to help eliminate the brown spots and firm up my skin; it is working. Another couple of SR treatments and my chest will look as good as my face.

I cannot say enough good things regarding JCMG Laser and Vein Center, SkinMedica or Colorescience. I can tell you that I have not felt this good about my skin or the way I look for many, many years. Growing older with LVC on my side is fun and exciting; I look forward to each visit, each procedure and the results they produce.

Kayla’s Story: Fun in the Sun With Blemish-Free Skin, Sunscreen, and Laser Hair Removal

Thu, 27 Jun 2013 04:33:00 GMT

Wow! Another month has flown by! I am keeping maintenance on my skin throughout the summer by getting my monthly microderm/mini peel and continuing to use all of my home care products. I am truly amazed that I finally found a routine that works for me…and CONTINUES to work. It feels great to feel so confident about my skin with the slightest amount of makeup on, and this is definitely something that I haven’t been able to say in YEARS!

I just went on a vacation to the beach that consisted of lots of fun in the sun, but I definitely didn’t forget my sunscreen! I’ve come this far…and I didn’t want to ruin my progress. However, no matter how many times I told my friend who went with me that she needed to put on sunscreen, she ignored me and ended up being absolutely miserable from the sunburn. People truly don’t realize the damage that it causes! And who wants to be trapped inside rather than enjoying the beautiful beach?!

I also received my laser hair removal treatment to my underarms right before I left and it was great not having to worry about shaving them while I was gone! I am having to shave less and less each time and the hair is so thin when it grows that I don’t even notice it. After getting back from vacation, I had my microderm/mini peel, which was greatly needed! Now my skin feels that much better and softer.

I can’t wait to continue my progress and see what Stephanie and JCMG L&V have in store for me next! If you haven’t scheduled your free consultation appointment, you are truly missing out. Call TODAY for a better and improved you!

Brenda’s Story: Skin Rejuvenation Treatment

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 04:30:00 GMT

Brenda was in today for Skin Rejuvenation to her chest. In combination with her product regimen, she has seen a considerable amount of lightening in her brown spots. She mentioned that the chest treatments are even more tolerable than the face, and she is loving her results.

Harlene’s Story: Triniti Plus

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 04:24:00 GMT

Another Triniti Plus for Harlene last week… one “hot” momma! Did great! This is immediately after a 30 min session. See you this week for your microdermabrasion.

Harlene’s Story: First Triniti Treatment

Wed, 08 May 2013 04:23:00 GMT

I am excited to say our first Triniti Plus was a success! Harlene was a trooper and had no complaints! I had her return to the clinic the following week to treat her to a gentle microdermabrasion and calming mask to help slough the residual patches of dry skin that were still hanging on.

Kim’s Story: First Vela Treatment

Sat, 04 May 2013 04:22:00 GMT

Kim did great with her first Vela treatment!! I cannot wait to see her progress along the way. Sometimes the hardest part in this treatment is drinking enough water!!

Kim’s Story: VelaShape

Sat, 04 May 2013 04:21:00 GMT

I began my VelaShape treatments yesterday and I am very excited! Stephanie applied the treatment to the back of my upper thighs and during the procedure it felt like a deep massage. It was very relaxing. A couple of hours after my treatment and for the remainder of the night my legs felt tight but not sore at all. I have an appointment in a week to receive my next treatment and I can hardly wait!

Harlene’s Story: Triniti Treatments, Pedicure and Butter of London Products, and Latisse

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:20:00 GMT

I’ve started the Triniti series of skin rejuvenation. YAY!!!! Day 5 post-Triniti treatment #1. Kim thoroughly explained the whole procedure, and as the treatment progressed she shared with me just what was going to happen next. So I really had no apprehension. I was mostly just curious to find out how the whole treatment works. In the next two months, I will have two more Triniti treatments and I am excited to see the result.

The Triniti procedure has a little discomfort but I honestly had no problem except for the fact that I could not use makeup for the two days following. I never leave the house without makeup but I did have to go to work, so my co-workers saw what few others do. I did have the typical warmth, redness and mild swelling that was described to me but it wasn’t bad. I won’t have any problem repeating treatments #2 and #3. I am especially looking forward to seeing the before and after photos at the end of the third treatment. Right now my skin feels fairly dry and “scaly” but the microdermabrasion this week should improve that sensation! My other granddaughter and her fiancé are hosting an engagement party on the weekend, so I will be ready to party with them.

Earlier in the month, I was treated to a new type of pedicure, described as a “dry pedicure.” It was great: lots of products for my winter-dry legs and feet, and application of warm towels. Plus, I got to lie down and relax instead of sitting in a pedicure chair. And, while that was going on, Kim and I were selecting Butter of London nail polish and Lippy lip lacquer. So you might say I was spoiled from head to foot! I felt like one of those ancient Egyptians you see in paintings and drawings. I could REALLY get used to that! I highly recommend the “dry pedicure.” The new Lippy that I chose is a color I might not have chosen on my own but Kim assured me it looked great on me. I will take her word for it!

The other new treatment I am doing is application of Latisse to my upper eyelashes. Think of it as Rogaine for your eyelashes. My lashes already look longer, fuller and darker. Total results take several months; I am on my second month. Who needs to fool with fake eyelashes when you could be using Latisse instead and no one will be the wiser. However, a strip of fake eyelashes falling off into your margarita when celebrating Cinco de Mayo just might be a little more obvious.

Check out JCMG Laser and Vein center for new promotions in May. Barb and LVC staff put together amazing packages. Don’t forget to put out some hints to your family for Mother’s Day gifts or LVC gift cards!

Until next time…..

Brenda’s Story: Butter London Lip and Nail Colors, Triniti Plus, Lytera, and Latisse

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:18:00 GMT

Spring is here along with its bright colors and Butter London has a great selection of “Lippy” gloss and nail lacquers. I selected “Dahling” as my Lippy color and “Snog” for pedicures. Both colors are a soft bright pink with “Snog” being a little brighter. The gloss leaves my lips feeling soft, plus I took advantage of the half price “Rainy Day” special for spray tanning and the “Snog” color on my toes with a tan looks really good. With the number of rainy days we had in April, I took advantage of the half price special several times. I hope you did, too.

I know I have posted many times regarding the progress and results of my Triniti Plus laser treatments, however I cannot say enough times just how wonderful this series was for me. I continue to see improvements, especially in the texture and overall appearance of my skin. I feel this series would help everyone and for me this is a treatment I will continue in the future.

I have added Lytera to my skin care plan and I have to tell you, I like it. It has a creamy texture and feels good on my skin. I don’t know if I am really seeing results yet but I do feel that my face and neck seem to look a little brighter; I will keep you updated as I see progress. I also added Latisse for my eyelashes and brows but as of yet I don’t really see much difference, however it does take a couple of months before results can be seen.

Please continue to follow me on Facebook and I will keep you updated on my changes and progress.

Kayla’s Story: Clear Skin and Confidence

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:17:00 GMT

“She walks into a room and people take notice. They are intrigued, not necessarily because of her physical attributes, but instead by her self-assurance. She has an aura about her that screams ‘if you don’t know me honey, you should’…by Erica ReneeAfter Kayla’s last appointment she expressed to me how people are starting to notice her from our ads. I was thinking about what she said and I believe it’s not just our ads but now she is more confident because of her makeup optional skin. Any person going through acne knows they want to hide their face and look to the ground when talking to people. After going through her microderm series and peels, her skin is looking more healthy and clear. The microderm and mini peel together gave Kayla the physical exfoliation she needs while decongesting pores. Kayla has overcome a huge obstacle in her life that was holding her back from being a more confident lady.

If you’re not happy with shaving, waxing or tweezing to remove unwanted hair, laser hair removal is an option to try. Kayla has now received her third treatment under her arms. She is having fabulous results and loving it!!

Kayla picked one of my favorite Lippy colors, Queen Vic!! Queen Vic has a deep fuchsia pigment. When applying the Lippy it can look like a lip gloss or a liquid lipstick. It is nice having the option of a day or night look with one color.

Jasper is the color Kayla picked for her on-the-go manicure. The color is opaque bright pastel yellow. It was used in the Louise Gray, London Fashion Week A/W 13. Jasper is part of the spring collection. The on-the-go manicure is for the fast paced woman who needs to look good on the fly! 30 min treatment treats the nail with cuticle care and polish.

In May we are having our Sunsational Celebration! Come celebrate with us on the 30th and learn more about how to take care of your skin this summer!

Kim’s Story: Rejuvenize Peel and SkinMedica Results, Latisse, and a Manicure

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:16:00 GMT

Kim has seen a huge difference in her skin in the last four months by using SkinMedica skincare products and three Rejuvenize peels. What a simple regimen for great results!!!! Her pigment has disappeared or lightened and her lines are less noticeable. Anyone can achieve these results.

Kim is also using Latisse, eyelash enhancement. When she started Latisse she had a little irritation due to too much product use. She still got great results from just using the product one month!! I now have her using only one drop for both eyes. I can’t wait to see what her lashes will look like after the full 16 weeks!

Kim received her first manicure and I’m honored to have been the one to do it! Her nails and cuticles were very dry and needed attention. The LVC signature manicure treats the nail, cuticle and dry skin problems. Butter London’s miracle kit helps eliminate dry cuticles easily. Melt Away helps break down and soften the cuticle to eliminate the need to nip. Handbag Holiday Cuticle Oil intensely nourishes the cuticle leaving them smooth and healthy. Kim chose the Butter London color pink ribbon to finish her manicure. Beautiful healthy nails are important to many women and can help you feel more confident.

Kim chose Bampot lippy color to try. The color is bright flamingo pink and brings out her blue eyes. Lippy is long-wearing and is a super pigmented gloss with a paraben free formula. Come by and try on our collection of Lippy colors!!!!

Next week Kim will be starting a new treatment series of VelaShape!! VelaShape is the only FDA approved treatment to effectively reduce cellulite and firm problem areas. I will be treating her upper back thighs. I can’t wait to see her results! Stay tuned and see her experience with VelaShape!!

Harlene’s Story: Pedicure, Spring Lip Color, and Triniti Plus Series

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 04:14:00 GMT

This month is coming to an end and unfortunately we are still waiting on the arrival of spring. But, at the LVC we have been doing some “spring cleaning”.

Harlene started off this month on the right foot, literally…she enjoyed a pampering pedicure. Not your typical pedicure, for Harlene; we gave her one where she could lay back and relax. We finished it off with a beautiful Butter of London color in Shag. She also picked out a brand new Lippy lip gloss. It was a pop of color in a rich deep pink shade, Snog. Lippy lip gloss is versatile, long lasting, and leaves your lips soft and voluptuous. She stepped out of her comfort zone and went with something a little different than she usually wears and she looked gorgeous.

Last week we finally started her Triniti Plus series. So more “before” pictures were taken. I still can’t believe the transformation her skin has taken thus far. SkinMedica, it changes the health of your skin!!

Her eyes have softened and filled in nicely after injectable filler, it just took her a little longer to get there!! I can say, it was worth the wait. Her eyes are looking more youthful, not to mention what the Latisse will soon bring to those lashes.

So, on Thursday, we began the process of laser and light rejuvenation. She tolerated it perfectly and had the typical heat, redness, and splotchy skin to follow for a few days. She got to take a 2 day holiday from her typical skin routine, and was ready to get back to it after a couple days…..it is an amazing protocol with results.

Next week, she will come in for a gentle microdermabrasion to help shed the existing dry skin, and then she will be on the road to skin rejuvenation that will continue for the next several months. One down, two to go.

Kayla’s Story: Clear Skin, Laser Hair Removal, and a New Lip Color

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 04:12:00 GMT

This seemed to have been one of, if not the best months for my skin. I had a VISIA photo taken and it showed just how great my results are! I cannot express how excited I am to not have to worry about covering all of my blemishes before showing my face in public. With these warmer days ahead, I hear the river/pool calling my name and nothing will be better than feeling confident with clear skin.

My trial product for the month was a beautiful Lippy color that I got to choose called “Queen Vic”. Those of you that are keeping up with us on Facebook as well got to see a picture of me while wearing it. I really like it because it’s great for all occasions…you can apply a thin layer and make it be “calm”, or you can apply it thick and have your lips really “pop” for a night out. It’s really fun to play around with!

Unfortunately, I am getting my manicure and brow wax later in the week so I can’t talk about it…yet! But watch out for later posts for pictures and comments. I still haven’t decided which Spring color I want to choose because they all look so fun…so stay tuned! And go check out JCMG L&V because it’s literally a “one stop shop”. They have facial treatments, laser hair removal, sugaring, waxing, manicures/pedicures, lots of great products (including sunscreen!), VersaSpa for a great tan without the damage (I always get lots of comments on mine because it truly doesn’t look like a “spray tan”), and much more! So check it out and get ready to look your best, while taking care of your skin during the hot summer months!

Kim’s Story: VISIA Results, Manicure, and Spring Lip Color

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 04:11:00 GMT

Stephanie took my updated VISIA pictures and the results were amazing! The reduction of brown spots and redness is progressing from the series of three Rejuvenize peels, TNS Essential Serum, Lytera and Tri-retinol. My fine lines have also noticeably decreased. I really like the Dermal Repair Cream since I can feel the moisture it puts back in my skin and it makes it feel so soft.

The pictures also showed an increase in the length of my eyelashes from the use of Latisse. I did have some irritation so Stephanie suggested I use less of the product. I am going to give this a try because I am thrilled with the results I got after just four weeks of use. It will be neat to see what another four weeks brings.

Stephanie pampered me with a manicure and finished it off with a pink ribbon color. This is the first manicure I have had and I never realized how uplifted it could make me feel to have the appearance of my hands and nails look so nice. What a treat!

For spring I chose the Lippy butter “Bampot”. It is much brighter than I would normally select but the ladies at JCMG Laser and Vein were so helpful in assisting me with a color choice. This color really brings out the color in my eyes! I am grateful for their honesty and support.

I will soon start with Vela. Check back for the results and my thoughts on this procedure.

Brenda’s Story: Mani/Pedi, Spray Tan and VelaShape

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 05:27:00 GMT

As I write this we are 28,000 feet in the air. I have to say my first flight experience from Columbia Regional has been a great one. We stop on our way to Napa Valley in Chicago. In honor of my trip, I am decked out with nails and lip gloss in our Butter of London Macbeth. It’s a great spring color with a very on-trend orange base. It was a tough choice between Brenda’s pick, Snog, and Macbeth. She had the pleasure this month of visiting Stephanie for a relaxing manicure and pedicure, as well as a VersaSpa spray tan. Always a good choice when preparing for sandal season.

Our focus this month with Brenda involves face and body. We are working on the texture of her arms with VelaShape. With the help of radio frequency and optical light she will see a gradual texture improvement over the next few months. She was bothered by crepey tissue and hopes to be more comfortable in her short sleeves this summer. The liquid lift including Botox, Radiesse and Juvederm is next in her plans. Check back for her progression pictures. Get outside and enjoy this beautiful weather!

Kayla’s Story: Best Results Yet

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 05:26:00 GMT

The new change in products with combination treatments has greatly improved Kayla’s confidence and appearance.

We took a visia picture and it has been the best picture yet!!!

Kayla’s Story: Microderm and Mini Peel

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 05:25:00 GMT

Today I visited Stephanie for a microderm and mini peel! My skin feels so much better and refreshed. I also used the VersaSpa to get a great “tan” for the warmer weather ahead. 🙂

Harlene’s Story: Refreshed for “Spring”

Sun, 31 Mar 2013 05:13:00 GMT

Kim at JCMG Laser and Vein Center prepared me for my youngest granddaughter’s very recent “spring” wedding with an Illuminizing peel that was a relaxing complexion brightener. That was accompanied by continuing to use great SkinMedica products and then doing several VersaSpa sunless tanning sessions. I knew I had reached my goal of looking younger when both my granddaughters, pictured, exclaimed, “Grandma, you look sooooo GOOD!” I couldn’t have said it better myself, chips off the old block. The icing on the wedding cake was that when I was introduced as the girls’ grandmother, more than several people’s jaws dropped. I am taking that as a good sign! Thanks, Kim and staff!! If you could only make me a little taller……

Since my blog post a month ago, I began using several new-to-me products. One is Lytera, which I am hearing a lot of good things about lately. Lytera is a skin-brightening cream that improves the appearance of unwanted dark spots and provides visible improvement in skin tone and texture. It goes on the skin like velvet. I am also using Latisse, a very cool product, which lengthens and darkens eyelashes, if used daily as prescribed. Latisse will take approximately 16 weeks of daily use for maximum results. I’ve been using both products for almost three weeks and I am looking forward to seeing the improvements these products will bring.

Soon, Kim and I will start the Triniti series of skin treatments, usually three, that focus on color correction and the effects of sun damage. The treatments are done a month apart. I’ve never had the Triniti treatments before, but I understand that I will have some redness and swelling. Kim described it as having a little “social downtime” following the Triniti procedure. The result of skin tightening and wrinkle reduction will make any social downtime worth it. I was scheduled to start Triniti several months ago, but needed additional time for the Belotero filler that I had in January to resolve itself. I was always a “slow starter” but I am happy to report that all that is behind me and I am looking good.

Now, if we could only deal with the IRS with such positive results! Give that furrowed brow and grimacing face the “gift of a lift” ‘by making an appointment for your free skin consultation to see what skincare options are best for you. It will eventually be spring!

Kayla’s Story: Getting Ready for the Peel Party!

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 05:12:00 GMT

I have stopped using my tri-retinol the past few days in preparation for my peel tomorrow during the Peel Party! My skin is getting better and better and I am finally seeing the results that I’ve been waiting for. I absolutely love the 2 new products Stephanie started me on. The AHA/BHA is probably my favorite! Can’t wait for my peel to keep this progress going. Hope to see you all there!

Kim’s Story: Skin Care and Eyelash Progress

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 05:12:00 GMT

I have fully recovered from my peel and I am back on my routine homecare. All is going well and the TNS Essential Serum along with the Dermal Repair Cream have completely taken away the dryness that I was experiencing after my last peel. I believe that I can see a difference in the fullness of my eyelashes after a few weeks of using Latisse. Stephanie will take a picture this week so we can tell if there is a difference. See you at the Peel Party on Thursday!

Making Our Community Beautiful: The Red Cross

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 05:07:00 GMT

March is worldwide Red Cross month and we are excited to announce them as our March Charity of the Month. When I asked our local chapter to provide me with information on what services they offer in Jefferson City, I was amazed at the number of ways they are involved locally and the impact that has on our community. Here are just a few of the things they do:

Support local disaster relief:

Help connect victims to local resources to help rebuild their lives and provide a shoulder to lean on.

Provide lifesaving skills training including:

Recruit and train volunteers to be ready to respond to emergencies including house fires and natural disasters.

Offer emergency communications services to all of our deployed military.

Their reach is far and wide and we are happy to help them achieve these goals!

Kim’s Story: Lots of Improvement After Only Two Months

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 05:06:00 GMT

February was an exciting month for me! I began the month by starting to use an Illuminating Serum, loose powder, and spritz. The Illuminating Serum gives a slight glow to my face, the loose powder evens out the minor blemishes, and the spritz “sets” all. This is not product I use every day, but when I want that “extra special” glow or “evening” look. My homecare is going great as it has become just as routine as brushing my teeth. I know that daily care is the backbone to seeing constant progress! Stephanie has made a change to my routine. I was using Epiquin Micro, a skin lightening cream, for my brown spots, but those areas have improved so much that we were able to move to the next area needing attention. I have now started using Lytera, a skin brightening complex. It has just been a few days so I am anxious to see what changes this addition brings.

Stephanie took my updated VISIA and the change was amazing! There has been so much improvement in the health and look of my skin after just 2 months of care from her and JCMG Laser & Vein. The TNS Essential Serum has played a large part in the remarkable changes we have seen. My last Rejuvenize peel was to have been this week but the snow forced us to postpone that appointment. I was so disappointed as I am eager to complete my series of 3 peels and see even more positive improvement!

I eagerly await what Stephanie and JCMG Laser & Vein have planned for my future! Do something for yourself today and make an appointment for a free consultation with Stephanie so you can also learn how to protect your skin before the start of the sunny summer days. Learn, as I did, that the aging process is reversible!

Kayla’s Story: Looking Forward to Great Skin

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 05:05:00 GMT

Kayla’s skin is going to look great!! She is on her second week post VI acne peel and her skin is purging. Chemical peels for acne can make your skin worse before it gets better. Her skin will heal and look better in a week. Kayla used her blinc amplified mascara this month and is loving it!! The amplified is one of my favorite products! Just try it and see the difference.

Kayla’s Story: VI Peel Process and Results

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 05:03:00 GMT

February consisted of doing a lot of waiting….as I anxiously awaited for my VI Acne Peel! After my series of microderms, I had to wait an entire month before doing any treatments again…and since I was previously doing something at least once a week, this seemed like a lifetime! I’m pretty sure I was having Stephanie withdrawals! But I got through it by continuing my homecare routine morning and night and using my Clarisonic brush every day for a little extra exfoliation.

The day finally came that I was able to get my peel done and one thing is for certain: do NOT make any plans to be in public after you get it done. The difference between the VI Peel and the others is that this one is left on until bedtime and not taken off at JCMG L&V. With this being said…you look like an oompa loompa when you leave! Another way I described it would be a spray tan gone bad (but only on your face!). Either way, you definitely don’t want to be seen in public because I can only imagine the weird looks you would get. Luckily, I was able to just go home and hide out for the evening. Enough with the negatives…there were far more positives! First off, the peel doesn’t burn nearly as bad. There is a numbing agent in it that allows for a more enjoyable experience without your face feeling like it’s on fire. Also, you are sent home with a kit that includes 2 pads that you have to use the first and second night to wash your face, as well as a moisturizer and sunscreen that help with the peeling process. I felt like I didn’t peel nearly as badly as I have in the past with other chemical peels because of this (or maybe it was just easier to hide). I got my peel on Wednesday and was able to go out on Saturday night with very little noticeable peeling. My skin looked and felt great! But after about a week, I started breaking out a bit more than I had been before and became discouraged, but was told this was expected. The peel goes down so deep that it draws your acne up to the surface and gets a little worse before it gets better. But there is light at the end of the tunnel and my “outbreak” is getting better, and my next step is to get another microderm to get rid of this stuff at the surface. We will continue to switch back and forth until my skin is completely clear and I cannot wait!

My trial product for the month was a blinc Amplified tubing mascara and I am hooked! This product feels so much better than any mascara I have ever worn because it feels so light and it doesn’t glob up or run down your face when you sweat. For somebody who is active, this is very neat because you can still wear some makeup without worrying that it will make you look like a raccoon. In order to get it off, you have to use warm water and use your fingers to basically slide it off your lashes. There are actually “tubes” that will end up in your hand…crazy! With this mascara I don’t even have to curl my lashes and I have gotten tons of compliments on how gorgeous my lashes are. This product makes them look very natural and like you don’t have any mascara on at all…I definitely don’t think I will ever go back to my old stuff and recommend everyone try it!

I can’t wait to see what March brings for me! My VISIA pictures are looking better and better, and in the near future I can see myself not having to worry about being embarrassed of my skin and having to cover up my blemishes. I already have a boost of confidence from my results so far and it feels great to have people comment on my improvement!

Brenda’s Story: Face and Décolletage Progress

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 05:02:00 GMT

This month we completed Brenda’s third Triniti Plus. Along with treating her face I treated her chest with skin rejuvenation. This part of the Triniti focuses on color correction – eliminating redness, brown spots and sun damage. She began using the NIA Neck and Décolletage 30 days prior to her treatment. She noticed some redness and itching for the first few weeks of using the product. It has ingredients that will purge and repair sun damaged skin, so often the more damage present, the more reactive the skin tends to be when beginning use. I have seen a significant improvement in the color and texture of Brenda’s décolletage; it is a much closer match to the improvement that she has already noticed in her face. The neck and chest tends to be a forgotten area for sunscreen, until it becomes a problem, so always remember that it is a continuation of your face.

Microdermabrasion is recommended following the Sublative, so one week following her last Triniti we did a microderm to remove any remaining “sandpaper” texture. Brenda looks refreshed and renewed. The Triniti process will continue to improve for the next 3 months, restoring elasticity and smoothing the texture of her skin. Blinc mascara is one of Brenda’s new makeup products. It is different from traditional mascara because it tubes her lashes, and comes off safely and gently without giving “raccoon eyes.” It is thick, black and shiny and really shows off Brenda’s lashes.

Over the past few years, Brenda has become more like a part of the family. I really enjoy helping her accomplish her goals and love seeing her continued improvement! Stay tuned for her before and after photos!

Brenda’s Story: Exciting Results So Far

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Every trip I make to the Laser and Vein Center is fun, exciting and rewarding; this past month was particularly so. I had my third Triniti Plus treatment and I could not be more pleased with the overall results of the series. I thought it was impossible for a person my age, with the sun damage I had created by never using sunscreen, to have skin that looks this good. In previous “blogs” I have posted other comments and thoughts regarding the Triniti Plus treatments such as the pain, discomfort, downtime, etc., and for me that did not change with any of the three treatments; however what did change and continues to change is the texture and firmness of my skin. Most of my sun spots have disappeared with the exception of a couple that were very dark but now are much lighter and, when using Colorescience makeup, are no longer visible. Also many of the fine lines around my eyes and lips have faded away. What I am most pleased with is the firmness of my skin; my cheeks no longer have that soft mushy feeling, the redness is gone and I like what I see when I look in the mirror. I plan on continuing to work on my few remaining sun spots and in the future will let you know how it is going.

I am currently trying the Blinc Eye Lash Primer along with the Blinc Mascara and I am very pleased with both. The primer seems to strengthen and condition my lashes before adding the Mascara; plus the Mascara forms tiny tubes around each lash that do not smudge or rub off, lasting all day without reapplying. By evening I do not have “Raccoon” eyes like I get with many other brands of Mascara.

I ended my month with a microdermabrasion, which I always enjoy. It is like a tiny vacuum removing dead skin cells and leaving my skin feeling soft with a healthy glow.

I am looking forward to the SkinMedica Peel Party that is coming up at the Laser and Vein Center, and product specials they will be offering during the party. Try to attend and take advantage of Dr. Prasad’s “specials”; that is how I got started with LVC; it was the best thing I have ever done for myself.

Harlene’s Story: Lighter, Brighter, and Tighter

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Lighter, brighter, and tighter….that is my focus for Harlene over the next several months. She has been enjoying a very detailed skin care regimen for quite some time, experienced HA filler and some great skin peels. Now it is time to start introducing some LASER!!!! I would have loved to have already started the Triniti Plus series, but we needed to give her eyelid tissue more time to heal than we initially anticipated, not really wanting to send her to her upcoming wedding event with any additional redness. So, let’s keep her skin looking and feeling youthful with growth factors and our new Lytera. Lytera is a skin brightener without Rx hydroquinone, so no holiday is needed from this product; it can be used long term for its correction and prevention benefits. So excited to have this product on board. Latisse will also be a “newbie” product for Harlene as well, and I am sure she will be batting those beautiful eyelashes in March and beyond!

Early this month she will have an event peel called Illuminize by SkinMedica. She will be glowing for the wedding she’s attending……then her Triniti Plus series will begin. I am anxious, and so is she, to start this fabulous treatment.

Stay tuned, hope to share some final thoughts later this month on the Belotero and her eyes…….

Harlene’s Story: Getting a “Movie Star” Complexion

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 04:58:00 GMT

The Academy Awards are over so we can all now relax and gossip about who wore what and who won what. All of the actresses looked very stylish in their couture gowns and were outrageously decked out in, for the most part, borrowed, very expensive jewelry. My favorite response to “Who are you wearing?” was by Bradley Cooper’s mother who said she pulled her gown out of her closet! You gotta love a woman who had the nerve to say that! I am always fascinated by the Oscars, particularly since I have stayed at the Roosevelt Hotel, swam in the hotel pool and have been in the Dolby Theatre, which used to be called the Kodak Theatre and is across the street from the Roosevelt Hotel on Hollywood Blvd. For those of you who watched the E Channel for the hours before the Oscars began in the Dolby Theatre, the Roosevelt Hotel and pool was the backdrop for the pre-Oscar program. Soooo cool! I can just see myself there.

I like to check out the complexions of the actresses on the red carpet and wonder how they accomplished that dewy, fresh look. You, too, can accomplish a similar look, giving yourself the “gift of a lift” by taking advantage of services and products at JCMG Laser and Vein Center. Last week I had a Vitalize Peel which is a little stronger than a microdermabrasion or an Illuminize Peel. My face is now peeling, particularly between my brows and down the laugh lines, and my skin is doing what it should do with this kind of peel. A series of either dermabrasions and/or peels is recommended to achieve the maximum look. Around the middle of March, I will have an Illuminize Peel to get my face all ready for my granddaughter’s wedding the third week of March. Home care for microdermabrasions and peels is simple with no down time.

Early in March, I am adding two new products to my skin care routine and I am looking forward to seeing the results. One product, LYTERA, is a skin-brightening product that addresses the appearance of skin coloration, which with continued, twice-daily use reduces visible dark spots and freckles for a more even skin tone. It’s ideal for all skin types and is available without a prescription.

The other product is LATISSE. LATISSE is the first and only FDA-approved, science-based treatment to enhance eyelash prominence and is measured by increases in length, thickness and darkness of eyelashes. LATISSE is a once-daily prescription treatment and is only available through a doctor. I am really excited to get started on LATISSE since my once abundant, black eyelashes seem to have relocated to my chin. I should be seeing results by week eight.

Now that the injections of Belotero filler that I had in early January appear to be settling down, Kim will soon be starting the Triniti Series, a combination of three facial rejuvenation treatments for color correction, wrinkle reduction and skin tightening. These treatments will give me some swelling and redness for five to seven days with three to five treatments spaced a month apart.

So, I have another year to get Oscar ready. I know all the studios will be calling!!! Maybe I will only be a seat filler, but, hey, I will look fabulous with my own dewy, fresh face. Look out Hollywood, here I come!

Harlene’s Story: Peels and New Products

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 04:57:00 GMT

This week Kim did a Vitalize peel. I’ve had them before so it felt like just another day at the office, except I wasn’t sitting in my office chair in front of a computer. I haven’t started peeling yet. In a few weeks I will have an Illuminize peel, which is a lighter procedure and will get my skin in really good shape for my granddaughter’s wedding in four weeks. Very soon I will be using two more new-to-me products: one is Lytera, which is a skin brightening cream, and the other is Latisse, which is said to be great for eyelashes, making them fuller and longer. Is that kind of like Rogaine for lashes?? I am looking forward to waking up my eyelashes that seem to have gone on a permanent vacation!

Kim’s Story: Improved Skin Health and Look

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 04:57:00 GMT

Stephanie took my updated VISIA and the change was amazing! There has been so much improvement in the health and look of my skin after just 2 months of care from her and JCMG Laser & Vein. My last Rejuvenize peel is this week so this should bring even more positive changes! I am trying the blinc mascara and primer and, even though it has only been a couple of days, I have to say I love it! This product is much different from any I have used, as it tubes your lashes rather than paints on. It doesn’t run or smudge, even if you cry. However, it does come off easily with water and a gentle wipe, no makeup remover needed. I have used the same brand of mascara for many years because when I have tried to change, nothing matched up to my “old stand by”. However, the blinc mascara matched up and surpassed the brand I used for so many years. Give this a try! I will be receiving a sugaring treatment this week so check back for my thoughts on this. 🙂

Kayla’s Story: Trying the VI Peel

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 04:55:00 GMT

Well, I got my VI Peel last Wednesday and I must say…it had way LESS discomfort/burning than the Rejuvenize peel that I have gotten in the past. The only bad thing about this peel is that you absolutely CANNOT make plans the day that you receive the peel because it is left on until bedtime and makes you look like an oompa loompa! Not kidding! Another way to describe it would be a spray tan gone bad…but just to your face! AKA…stay out of public, people! =) I really liked this peel and my skin looked really great the following day, peeled slightly the 3rd and more so on the 4th. However, I didn’t feel as if the peeling process was as bad as the other types of peels, probably because you are given a take-home kit and it contains moisturizer and sunscreen that you can apply to help control it. My peeling has been completely done now for a couple of days, but unfortunately my skin is now purging a bit (which is to be expected). I also received the blinc Amplified tubing mascara, which I absolutely love! It feels much lighter than the mascara I have worn and it stays on even during workouts while sweating! I would definitely recommend it. =)

Kayla’s Story: VI Acne Peel

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 04:55:00 GMT

Kayla received a VI acne peel. Her skin had a yellow appearance when she left. She received pads to put on her face for the next few days. She started using her blinc amplified mascara. Look to see how she is doing with her peel and mascara!

Kim’s Story: Peel Results

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 04:54:00 GMT

I just took Kim’s VISIA picture and her before and after photos are amazing!! She had a dark spot on her left cheek that has disappeared completely! She did not even remember having it. She left her appointment today with the blinc primer and mascara for her lashes. Watch for her feedback on how she likes it.

Making Our Community Beautiful: The Halo Foundation

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 04:53:00 GMT

We are proud to add a new charity to our line-up this year. We welcome the Halo Foundation to Jefferson City. The Halo Foundation was founded by a local Jefferson City native. Her concept was to raise money through art to support orphans throughout the world with support that includes art therapy. The Halo projects initially were all overseas. Currently they are expanding to the U.S., and we are fortunate to have one right here in Jefferson City. Through our local Halo, mentors and classes are being offered to youth in need. After opening their center on Clark back in the spring, Halo JC has partnered with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the alternative high school, the MO Foster Care Association, Salvation Army, and other agencies to serve the needs of almost 50 teens and counting. Through Dream Journals, art therapy and other projects, we are seeing positive changes in these teens who are analyzing where they came from and what kind of future they can provide for themselves. We have amazing volunteers and teachers who have made life-changing connections with these youth who now have a support system where they never have before. With your help, we will continue to grow the center and the amount of children we can serve.

We are proud to be a sponsor for their upcoming Love ARTREACH Auction. The auction will raise money for the programs in Jefferson City. Save the date for March 8th at 6:30 at Capital Plaza and get ready to enjoy an evening of Art! For more information on this organization or to purchase tickets to the auction go to haloworldwide.org . Watch for additional information from us on this organization in the future.

Harlene’s Story: Belotero, Triniti Plus & Facial

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 04:50:00 GMT

As you follow Harlene’s posts, it is easy to see why I am honored to be a part of her skin care journey. She is a joy to be around, and I look forward to her uplifting personality. She is always positive and makes me feel privileged to educate and provide her with esthetic skin care and services.

January has been a challenging month for her. The Belotero HA filler is still transitioning into a beautiful softening and volumizing of her under-eye tissue, but has not been without some swelling, which can be expected when working on an area as thin as the lower lid. We had a “good” space to fill and, eventually, I think she will love it and forget about the last several weeks. I’m anxious for her to see the final results and be excited about the outcome she has been sooo patiently waiting for. Never once has she complained. She steadily voices her excitement for the transformation. Her upper lip looks great and she is getting used to the result now that the swelling and bruising has resolved. We have been tracking the changes with photos and there are some great things happening. So stay tuned, I’m looking forward to sharing her end result with Belotero.

Today we are going to pamper her with a relaxing facial….I think she needs a little break! So, keep up the good work with all your skin care products. Harlene, look forward to the next several months of minimal downtime and huge results. You’re a trooper!!!

Kim’s Story: Amazing Results & New Products

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 04:49:00 GMT

I am only one month into my care from Stephanie and JCMG Laser & Vein and I am amazed at the results I have seen so far. My family and friends are also noticing the results.

The home care routine they put me on is much easier than I first thought it would be. I worried that using the SkinMedica products morning and night would be time-consuming, but it soon became a natural part of my day. The results I have seen are also an incentive to keep up with my home care.

I have received two Rejuvenize peels. As Stephanie applied the product, my face felt hot, but that went away as soon as she took it off. The day after the peel, I felt and looked sunburned, and for the next two days my face peeled. Stephanie explained the importance of not pulling at any of the loose skin and keeping my face moisturized. During and after the peeling process, my face felt tight but refreshed. I had a larger brown spot on my cheek that is now almost completely gone!

At my last appointment, I received an Illuminating Serum, loose powder and spritz. I am looking forward to starting to use these products. The possibility of them enhancing my smoother, unblemished complexion is exciting.

I am so pleased with the changes I have had so far and eagerly await what Stephanie and JCMG Laser & Vein have planned for my future!

Brenda’s Story: Triniti Plus & Skin Care Regimen

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 04:47:00 GMT

I have now had two Triniti Plus treatments; they have not been painless. On a scale of 1 to 10 with one being the least and ten being the most pain, I would rate the treatments as a 7 to an 8. The pain is not unbearable, but it is sure nice when it is over. However, as they say, “no pain no gain” and this is so true; the results after two treatments are amazing; I can see age spots getting much lighter, fewer lines around my lip area, and my face has a tighter feel when I touch it. My third treatment is a week away and I am looking forward to more outstanding results.

Also this past month I added three new products to my daily skin regimen. I added SkinMedica Hydrating Complex, NIA24 Sun Damage Repair for Décolletage and Hands Body Lotion, and Colorescience Illuminating Serum.

SkinMedica Hydrating Complex is clear like a serum, it replenishes my skin’s moisture reserve, helps protect my skin against degradation of hyaluronic acid and elastin, helps to maintain firmness, and enhances the benefits of my daily moisturizer. I use a small amount every evening before bedtime.

NIA24 Sun Damage Repair Body Lotion is a nutrient-rich cream that delivers intense moisture while it improves the appearance of sun-damage on the neck and décolletage area. Being a “sun lover” and tanning most of my life, I hope that by using this product I see my age spots and discolorations greatly diminish. I am using this produce twice daily, morning and evening.

Colorescience Illuminating Serum is a lightly tinted serum that gives me light coverage and a more even tone over my face, plus helps conceal my imperfections and gives me a healthy glow. I use Illuminating Serum alone to give me a natural healthy glow or under my mineral foundation for a more “go to the office” look.

I really like my three new products and feel they are helping me repair the sun damage that I have created throughout my lifetime. I thank JCMG Laser and Vein, my favorite place to go for advice or support.

Harlene’s Story: New Year “To Do” List & Thinking Spring

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 04:46:00 GMT

My January is packed with the winter “to do” list. I didn’t make any resolutions for 2013, but I thought about them briefly. This is the time of year when I realize how important it is to maintain daily good skin care. Even though there may be clouds in the sky, your skin is still soaking up UV rays. Using sun block on a daily basis is just as important now as it is in the summer. It may be bone-chilling outside, but UV rays are still in season so I am maintaining my skin care with the SkinMedica Sun Block, like putting a shield between my face and the elements, even though I am really tempted on these busy, busy days to slack off and/or skip some products. But, then think again about how very dry the air is and how starved your skin is for added moisture.

A week ago, Kim introduced a new product for my skin care from NIA24 that is formulated specifically for the neck and décolletage area. This is an area that is easily ignored because we just don’t see the wrinkling on ourselves all that much. Used twice a day, this cream is loaded with niacin that works from inside out to repair sun-damaged skin by improving skin tone and texture through promoting healthier skin cells. After using this product for a week, Kim photographed my chest for comparison later on. I plan on faithfully using NIA24 because summer dress season is just around the corner and I can’t wait!

Three weeks into my experience with Belotero Balance, a specialized filler injected by Dr. Prasad to my tear troughs (under eye) and upper/lower lip lines, I am still dealing with swelling, but at least the bruising has almost disappeared. Although I anticipated both bruising and swelling, I didn’t think that three weeks later I would continue to have almost as much swelling as I did initially. I’ve been assured that this lymphatic fluid will eventually go away (maybe I am just too impatient), and that the end result will be worth it. The jury is still out on Belotero; I don’t think that I would have this procedure again, although never say “never.” I do see improvement of the swelling every day — maybe I am a slow starter.

Due to the Belotero injections, the plan for the Triniti+ series of skin treatments for color correction and textural improvements, skin tightening and reduction of wrinkles was placed on hold until the swelling subsides. I am looking forward to starting the series. I have a granddaughter getting married the latter part of March and I want to be the gal who looks more like the aunt of the bride, instead of the grandmother with age spots!

Think spring: add a skin-brightening service like a microdermabrasion or two, an Illuminizing peel or chemical peel to your “to do” list. Valentine’s Day is coming up — maybe you have some romance in your future — so think about putting your best face forward!

Brenda’s Story: Skin Care Regimen & eMax Skin Rejuvenation

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 04:45:00 GMT

Next week Brenda will be having her last Triniti Plus treatment. She has done fantastic dealing with the little bit of downtime and discomfort that come along with the treatments. I cannot wait to see the results that she will have at the end of her series. I have already noticed softening of the lines around the lips and an overall brightness to her skin. This treatment, I plan on treating her full neck and chest with the eMax Skin Rejuvenation to further destroy brown spots and uneven skin tone. The chest is a very sensitive area, and by beginning the product regimen it actually lets the treatment be more effective with fewer side effects. This is another reason that Brenda has tolerated these procedures so well. She has seen the results that her SkinMedica regimen has given her and she knows the value of a good at-home regimen. Results from skin care can be compared to results from dieting – going to the gym every 4-6 weeks without any attention paid to what you are doing every day will never give you the results that you desire. The combination is the best way to see results quickly as well as maintain them – Brenda is living proof!

Kim’s Story: Rejuvenize Peel

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 04:44:00 GMT

Kim came in today for her second Rejuvenize Peel. She can already see the difference in her skin and is going to be starting her second bottle of TNS Essential Serum and Epiquin. I can’t wait to take her follow-up VISIA. She feels like she doesn’t have to wear a lot of makeup to cover her spots up anymore.

Making Our Community Beautiful: Dreams to Reality & 2013 Monthly Charity Application

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 04:42:00 GMT

This month we will send our charitable donation to Dreams to Reality. It seemed appropriate that as we start our stories this month, we choose an organization that helps women start a new chapter in their life. Dreams to Reality of Jefferson City was created to help low-income women of Missouri meet their employment goals and build self-confidence by providing appropriate interview and business apparel, motivation and follow-up support.

Follow our community blog this year for news on how Dreams to Reality is helping women in our community and for news on how our January donation is being used.

If you know of an organization that would like to be considered as one of our monthly charities, please pass on the application . A big thanks to all of our clients that support us and other local businesses. Our support of the community is one way we show our appreciation for your support of us.

Kayla’s Story: Laser Hair Removal, Lip Plump System & Microderm

Sat, 12 Jan 2013 04:41:00 GMT

Yesterday Kayla had her first laser hair removal treatment to her underarm. She did great!! She was a little nervous, but when we were all through she was grateful she did it. She received a TNS Lip Plump System. Kayla has been experiencing dry lips and nothing she used to treat it was working. The TNS Lip Plump System not only plumps the lips, but also helps improve fine lines and the overall health of the lips. Will be taking a VISIA picture of her lips in 4 weeks.

Today Kayla came in for her last microderm! She is doing great with her products and I can’t wait to take her VISIA next week! She was wearing her Lip Plump System today and is loving how her lips already feel. They even looked better just from using it for one day!

Brenda’s Story: Triniti Plus

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 04:40:00 GMT

This month I would like to take a minute to tell you about my amazing client, Brenda. Working with Brenda has always been a pleasure. Anyone who knows her would agree that she has a smile and charm that light up a room. She initially came to see me with concerns about brown spots; she was a self proclaimed “sun worshiper.” Committing to daily skincare, keeping up with monthly treatments, and a lot of sun protection has made such a difference in the health and appearance of her skin. We are now taking the next step… this week she will have her second Triniti Plus treatment. This minimal downtime procedure offers color correction, skin tightening and resurfacing. Brenda is also beginning one of my favorite skin care products this week, Illuminating Serum. It will help to keep her skin bright and hydrated post treatment. I always enjoy her excitement and can’t wait to see her results!

Kayla’s Story: Microdermabrasion

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 03:17:00 GMT

Today Kayla came in to get her microderm. She has been using her new Clarisonic brush and is loving it. Her skin is purging a little, but that is to be expected. The texture of her skin is becoming more smooth and her pores are tightening. Next week I will be starting a 6 series laser hair removal treatment to Kayla’s underarm. She is so excited to have this area done because she dislikes shaving everyday. Starting now will ensure that she’ll be done by summer!!

Making Our Community Beautiful: Our Community’s Children

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 02:04:00 GMT

December is a time of wonder for children, but unfortunately wonder is not always what it brings. This December we hope to add a little something to the charities that enrich the lives of children in our community. Our charity donation will be shared between Jefferson City Daycare, Jefferson City Boys and Girls Club, and The Special Learning Center. We appreciate the gifts they bring to our community’s children and their families and we hope our donation makes that task just a little easier this year.

Making Our Community Beautiful: Central Missouri Honor Flight

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 02:02:00 GMT

Below, see information on the mission of the Honor Flight program in our area. I couldn’t word it any better myself.

The Central Missouri Honor Flight is a non-profit 501c (3) organization created solely to honor America’s veterans for all their sacrifices. The group transports our heroes from throughout Central Missouri to Washington, D.C., to visit and reflect at their memorials at no cost to them. Since our inception in 2009, we have transported over 1000 veterans to Washington. Top priority is given to senior veterans – WWII survivors, along with other veterans who may be terminally ill. We are a totally volunteer organization and are funded by donations from individuals, organizations and businesses who wish to see our aging veterans honored before it is too late.

Of all the wars in recent memory, it was WWII that truly threatened our very existence as a nation and free society. Now, with more than 1,000 WWII veterans dying each day (20 each day in Missouri), time to express our thanks to these brave men and women is running out.

Central Missouri Honor Flight will do whatever it takes to fulfill the dreams of our veterans and help them travel at no cost. Medical and mobility issues are no problem. We travel with doctors, nurses, paramedics and younger veterans who serve as personal guardians to our honored guests. We also travel with a “large fleet” of wheelchairs for those veterans who require wheelchairs or may need one as they tire. We complete the trip in one day so our veterans do not have to spend the night in Washington.

I was fortunate enough last year to see the joy this experience brought to my own father, a World War II veteran. Words really cannot explain the gratitude these men are showered with. We feel blessed that we can help in any way to make sure these men and women get a chance to experience this gratitude.

Making Our Community Beautiful: The Rape and Abuse Crisis Service

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 02:01:00 GMT

This month our charitable donation is marked for The Rape and Abuse Crisis Service. RACS is a United Way organization dedicated to helping victims of domestic violence. The mission of the Jefferson City Rape and Abuse Crisis Service is to provide direct services to persons who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and/or stalking. Toward that end, shelter services are offered to provide physical safety and to facilitate services for those victims of abuse. This month a portion of your purchase will go towards helping RACS fulfill this mission. You can also lend your support by participating in Jefferson City’s United Way Campaign, making direct donations to the organization, becoming part of their Special Needs Network, or volunteering. They also accept cell phone donations. To find out more about this life-changing organization visit their website at racsjc.org.

Making Our Community Beautiful: Missouri Valley Big Brothers Big Sisters

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 02:00:00 GMT

Our charitable donation this month will go to the Missouri Valley Big Brothers Big Sisters. The mission of Missouri Valley Big Brothers Big Sisters is to make a positive difference in the lives of children and youth, through a professionally supported, primarily one-to-one relationship with a caring and committed volunteer, and to assist them in achieving their highest potential as they grow to become more confident, competent, and caring individuals. They offer a vital service to these kids who are often overlooked. I have had the privilege of hearing Lee Knernschield, Executive Director, speak about some of the positive relationships that have developed with the help of this organization. They offer both a community-based and school-based mentoring program. To find out more about this organization visit www.mvbbbs.org. They are always in need of Bigs to pair with their Littles so consider volunteering. You can reach them at 573-634-3290.

Making Our Community Beautiful: Council for Drug Free Youth

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 01:59:00 GMT

The Council for a Drug Free Youth (CDFY) is an active group of concerned parents united by a common goal to fight the problem of alcohol and other drugs in our community and show young people that an alcohol and drug-free life is not only possible, but fulfilling. We are happy to have them as our August Charity of the Month for the third year in a row. If you have children in school they have been touched by CDFY. The council brings programs that support their mission to K-10th grade students. Until two years ago their efforts stopped at 10th grade. We are happy to have made it possible for CDFY to bring assemblies to Jefferson City High School and Helias for the past 2 years. Last year’s assembly focused on a young man whose life was forever changed by someone else’s decision to drive under the influence of alcohol. I heard a lot of positive feedback from students on the impact of this assembly. If you have high school students ask them for feedback and forward to me. I would love to hear their thoughts. We are happy to continue to support this assembly again this year. I am sure CDFY will once again deliver a powerful message to our teens.

Making Our Community Beautiful: The Samaritan Center

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 01:58:00 GMT

Our focus has been on travel this month, but it is an unfortunate reality that many people this summer are barely able to provide for their family’s basic needs. That is why local organizations like the Samaritan Center are so vital to communities. The Samaritan Center relies on community donations to provide its many services. The Samaritan Center is known for its food pantry, but in addition to food the Samaritan Center offers free-of-charge clothing, medical and dental care, legal care, a tax assistance program, utility assistance, and prescription assistance. The center also provides cooking and nutrition classes, Book Buddies (a literacy program for children and their parents), school supplies, electric box fans, Christmas adoption programs, Easter baskets, children’s summer enrichment programs, and help with any other human need that is not addressed by other charitable, state, or federal programs. As you can see, their services are varied and comprehensive. This July, a portion of every purchase you make will be donated to the Samaritan Center to further their mission.

Making Our Community Beautiful: The Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 01:57:00 GMT

Our June charity is The Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association, a not-for-profit agency that educates, supports, and advocates for foster and adoptive children, youth, and families in central Missouri by offering services and partnering with community and governmental agencies to develop healthy and self-sufficient individuals and families. We are happy to be able to help them achieve this mission. Watch for upcoming info on their Forget-Me-Not Gala and consider joining us there and supporting this amazing organization. For more information go to www.ccfosteradopt.com.

Making Our Community Beautiful: The Zonta Yellow Rose Luncheon

Fri, 04 May 2012 01:56:00 GMT

This month, the JCMG Laser & Vein Center is proud to sponsor the Zonta 13th Annual Women of Achievement Yellow Rose Luncheon! The Zonta Yellow Rose Luncheon is a yearly event honoring local women for noteworthy achievements in their careers or as community volunteers. Please join us to recognize these women who help make a difference in our community.

Tuesday, May 22nd
 Capitol Plaza Hotel
 Women’s Expo begins at 9:00 am; luncheon is at 11:30 am
 The JCMG Laser & Vein Center will have a booth at the Women’s Expo, so stop by!

Tickets are $30 each; proceeds from the luncheon will benefit Zonta’s Second Chance Scholarship Fund. For more information, please visit www.zontajcmo.org. We hope to see you there!

Making Our Community Beautiful: Client’s Choice, The Senior Nutrition Council, and the Heart of Missouri Red Cross

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 01:54:00 GMT

First, I wanted to start off by updating you on where past charity funds are going. Our donations are based on what we make each month so we do lag a little behind getting a full report on that information. This month our December and January checks will be going out. December was our Client’s Choice month, so we have quite a few checks to send out. Here is a list of those charities . We did send them only to local not-for-profits. January donations went to The Senior Nutrition Council. We made a $500 sponsorship donation for the Granny Basketball Fundraiser and we will present them with an additional check for $2,000 this month. I will keep you posted on future donations as they are made.

This month, our charity of choice is the Heart of Missouri Red Cross. The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement. Its mission is to provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Military families also have a long standing relationship with the Red Cross. When emergencies happen at home the Red Cross is the organization that locates our overseas soldiers in combat and assists them to get home if needed. Red Cross also helps keep our community trained in the case of cardiac events. Having CPR-trained community members is a benefit to all. They even offer a babysitting class which prepares our teens for taking care of the youngsters in our community. Their help is vast and far-reaching. I will be meeting with Red Cross Executive Director Dave Griffith next week to see how best our donation can be used. I’ll keep you posted. And, as always, thank you for supporting us, which in turn allows us to pass on this support to our community. Without you none of this would be possible.

Making Our Community Beautiful: The Salvation Army

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 01:52:00 GMT

We have a new addition to our Charity of the Month program. This March, our donations will go to The Salvation Army. Our local Salvation Army is a 41-bed facility that provides housing for men, women, and children in times of crisis. They provide meals, a safe environment, beds and linens, toiletries, clothing vouchers, case management, referral services, and classes. We have many exciting options for using the money to fund future projects. We will let you know how the funds are to be used over the next few months. We are also ready to disperse checks for the Client’s Choice Charities from December. Watch for a breakdown on how the money was used in our April newsletter.

Making Our Community Beautiful: Cole County Senior Nutrition Center

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:52:00 GMT

For the third year in a row, the Cole County Senior Nutrition Center is our February Charity of the Month. We continue to partner with this organization because we believe in its mission to help our seniors maintain their health, dignity, and independence to the greatest extent possible. This mission is met in two ways: first, there is a home meal delivery option in which seniors who are homebound can receive nutritious meals delivered to their door. This service can help keep people in their homes for as long as possible if meal purchasing and preparation is a primary problem. The second option is the two Senior Centers that serve mid-day meals for a suggested donation, although no one is turned away. They provide a daily hot, nutritious meal along with the benefit of the chance to socialize with other seniors. We are happy to be able to help our Jefferson City seniors. For more information on these services, or information on how you can help out, contact the Cole County Senior Nutrition Center at 573-634-8020 for the Clark site or 573-635-4120 for the Mall site.

Making Our Community Beautiful: Dreams to Reality

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 01:50:00 GMT

January is always a month of dreams. We reflect on where we are and set goals to achieve our dreams in the upcoming year. For some women in mid-Missouri, the dream of a job is high on the priority list. Unfortunately, there are women who do not have the resources or confidence to successfully prepare to enter the workforce. That is where volunteer organizations like Dreams to Reality come into play. The mission of Dreams to Reality is to help low-income women of Missouri meet their employment goals and build self-confidence by providing appropriate interview and business apparel, motivation, and follow-up support. The JCMG Laser & Vein Center is excited to partner with them again in 2012. Dreams to Reality will be our designated charity for January. They will receive a donation based on a portion of our proceeds for the month. We will also partner with them in a couple of other ways this year: in January, we will be collecting and personally donating new and gently worn scrubs, and we will also provide makeup consultations throughout the year as needed. If you are interested in donating scrubs, drop them by our reception desk. If you would like more information on donating to or volunteering for this organization, visit dreamstoreality-jc.org.

Making Our Community Beautiful: Choose Your Favorite Charity

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 01:49:00 GMT

Every month we choose a local not-for-profit organization to receive our monthly charitable donation. This December, we thought it would be fun to let you choose the charities. For every purchase made or service received we will make a donation to your favorite charity. We do ask that the charities be local and not for profit. Fill out one of our ornaments with your favorite charity and, at the end of the month, we will divide our donation between the charities chosen, based on the number of ornaments they have accumulated. Put your name and email on the back and we will send you an update in January on where the donations went. We will also enter everyone that participates in this for a chance to spend an evening at the Fabulous Fox enjoying some of the great shows they have this holiday season. So stop by this December and help us celebrate the gift of giving.

Making Our Community Beautiful: The Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association and The Central Missouri Honor Flight

Sat, 05 Nov 2011 01:47:00 GMT

This month our donation will be split between two amazing organizations in Central Missouri. I was fortunate to have the chance to have a firsthand experience with both of them the other evening.nNovember 1st was the third annual Forget Me Not Gala for the Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association. This organization provides backpacks with personal care items for children entering foster care. They staff a store foster families can visit to receive gently worn clothing. They also offer 18 year olds aging out of the system a chance to work with a mentor for a three year period. The gala was a wonderful celebration of the successful foster and mentoring relationships that have taken place in our community.

That same evening I had the honor to pick up my father, a World War II vet, on his arrival home from the Central Missouri Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C. The honor flight takes veterans to Washington, D.C. to see the monuments dedicated to their service. For twenty-four hours these veterans are treated like rock stars and receive the thanks they deserve for their service to our country. Words cannot express the emotions I felt watching their return.

The JCMG Laser & Vein Center is privileged to have a part in helping these organizations fulfill their mission. We are happy to let both the foster children in our community and the veterans who have served us know they are not forgotten!

For information on how you can volunteer or donate to these amazing organizations contact them at:

Central Missouri Honor Flight
 1400 Forum Blvd., Ste. 28, Box 334
 Columbia, MO 65203 or call 573.256.1930

Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association
ccfosteradopt@gmail.com
 PO Box 1505
 Jefferson City, MO 65102 or call 573.298.0258

Making Our Community Beautiful: The Rape and Abuse Crisis Service

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 01:45:00 GMT

This October the Rape and Abuse Crisis Service, otherwise known as RACS, is again our Charity of the Month. I asked Pam Otto, Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator, to share a few words on RACS and its mission:

Since 1980, the Rape and Abuse Crisis Service has been providing many needed services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking – all confidential and at no cost to the clients. RACS has a beautiful 36-bed shelter with laundry and dining facilities, and a wonderful play area for the kids. They offer food, clothing, personal care items, and other necessities to the families who come there for safety. The need for this service has increased dramatically, as the number of bed nights provided has risen 55{d855275bb5a53a691922ddbe09fd77e36a4f35d1f88aaf3bcf40ae4b44ffef7b} since 2006. Group, individual, and outreach counseling are available for adult and child shelter clients, as well as individuals from the community, to help them cope with the violence that has been a part of their lives. A legal advocate assists victims through the legal processes and with filing for orders of protection where needed. Other advocacy services include accompaniment to the hospital for victims of battering or rape and providing crisis intervention and emotional support both within Jefferson City and in our outlying counties. RACS offers a hotline that is available 24/7 for support of individuals in crisis as well as to help victims assess their situations and options, to provide referrals, and to offer support and information to those who want to help someone in an abusive situation. Additionally, RACS provides outreach education presentations tailored to specific needs on subjects such as Dynamics of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Date Rape Prevention, Healthy vs. Unhealthy Relationships, and Good Touch/Bad Touch. RACS is able to offer these services to victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse with the support provided by this community. In return, providing victims with the opportunity to regain confidence, control, and direction in their lives helps keep our community strong.

I also asked Pam to share some of the pressing needs at RACS. She stated that they are really desperate right now for volunteers to help with childcare for their Thursday evening Domestic Violence Support Group. Right now, they have 43 people in shelter, and 30 of those are kids. (Both of those numbers are records for them!) Their current childcare volunteers are wearing out, as you might imagine; they need a bit of relief! They could also use more help with their donations on Tuesdays, or even with grocery shopping on the weekend. Although they use volunteers in each of these areas every week, they don’t expect an every-week commitment from volunteers. Donation-wise, their greatest needs at present are for laundry detergent (regular and HE), kitchen and bathroom cleaning products, sugar, cooking oil, diapers (especially sizes 3, 4, and 5), and baby wipes. They’ll be doing Christmas Family Adoptions again this year, too, and will have opportunities available there for other donations as well. If anyone is interested in helping through volunteering or by making a donation, they can contact Pam at 634-8346, ext. 7. Your patronage of the Laser & Vein Center helps support this cause, but if you would like to help on your own I know they would be happy to have you!

Making Our Community Beautiful: Missouri Valley Big Brothers Big Sisters

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 01:43:00 GMT

This September we have once again chosen Big Brothers Big Sisters as our charity of the month. As kids go back to school, we are so fortunate that our community has an organization like Big Brothers Big Sisters that helps kids who need positive mentors in their life. Program Director Lee Knernshield shares a few words on the organization: “Missouri Valley Big Brothers Big Sisters mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of children by providing them with a professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationship with a caring and committed volunteer. Most of the children that we serve are from single parent homes and have a limited relationship with the parent who resides outside of the home. Our goal is to provide these children with a “bigger than life” volunteer who consistently spends time with them and makes them feel special. With mentoring, children’s grades, attitudes and self-confidence all go up. Contributions are used to help support our current matches and further expand our reach to children waiting for that special “Big Brother” or “Big Sister”.”

JCMG Laser & Vein Center is happy to help them achieve this mission. They are always in need of volunteers, otherwise known as Bigs. If you would like information on becoming a Big you can contact Missouri Valley Big Brothers Big Sisters at 573.634.3290 or email Lee Knernshield at lknernschield@jcymca.org .

Making Our Community Beautiful: Council for Drug Free Youth

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 05:56:00 GMT

Again this year our designated charity for August is Council for Drug Free Youth. According to their mission, Council for Drug Free Youth (CDFY) is an active group of concerned parents united by a common goal to fight the problem of alcohol and other drugs in our community and show young people that an alcohol and drug-free life is not only possible, but fulfilling. They offer programs our local schools can bring in or transport students to in order to learn about living a drug and alcohol-free life. These programs start as early as kindergarten and run through 9th grade.

Last year they introduced a new program, How to Save a Life. This program was an assembly designed for high school students and went to both Helias and Jefferson City. Our donation funded one of the assemblies and assisted in funding the other. If you had students at one of these schools, I would love to get feedback on what your student thought about these assemblies. You can post those on Facebook , comment on this blog post, or email me at bprasad@jcmg.org .

Go to www.jccdfy.org for more information on the programs Council for Drug Free Youth offer or if you are interested in volunteering or donating to this cause yourself. And, once again, thank you for your support: it allows us to contribute to this organization that has been so valuable to the youth of our community.

Making Our Community Beautiful: The United Way – Live United

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 05:55:00 GMT

Every July we ramp up for our participation in the local United Way Campaign. JCMG is a United Way Pacesetter and, as a company, we do fundraisers and employee drives to try to exceed our previous year’s donations. The Laser & Vein Center donates a portion of its July proceeds to the drive every year. Last year, with your help, we were able to contribute $5,000. We hope to meet or beat that goal this year.

United Way’s theme, Live United, really gets to the heart of what this charity is about. We all share the wonderful community of Jefferson City and the success of any of us benefits all of us. When companies and individuals get together to support those that need a helping hand and provide enriching opportunities for our youth, we are bringing our whole community up. We have very generous people in Jefferson City. I know my fellow local businesses support this community in so many admirable ways. Your patronage of local business helps keep this community strong and we honor that patronage by being good local stewards of our profits. So, this month, know that your patronage of JCMG Laser & Vein Center will benefit the many wonderful United Way organizations in Jefferson City. We are proud to join the other United Way Pacesetters in Living United.

Making Our Community Beautiful: Red Cross of Mid Missouri

Sat, 04 Jun 2011 05:55:00 GMT

Every month, we choose a local charity and donate a portion of our profits to that charity. In April, we chose to donate to the Red Cross of Mid Missouri and sponsor their Day of Heroes. Due to the recent disaster in Joplin, the Day of Heroes has been postponed and will be scaled back so the money raised and the volunteers can focus on what they do best: respond to disasters. This is a responsible move on their part and we are thankful that in times of crisis we have such a well-run organization to count on. So, this month, we are going to do two things we normally don’t do. One, donate to an organization twice in one year and, second, donate for a cause outside of our local area. We know there are many deserving charities in town, but sometimes you have to reach beyond your borders. I am sure if the tables had been turned our neighbors to the south would have done the same for us. As our clients know, we do not except tips, but if you are inclined to tip us this month we would be happy to pass on your thanks to the Red Cross. You can also contact them for volunteer opportunities. Our prayers are with them and those that volunteer their time to help.

Making Our Community Beautiful: The Red Cross’s Day of Heroes

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 05:53:00 GMT

Red isn’t always an undesirable color. If you are facing an emergency such as a home fire, weather disaster, or you are a military family with a family tragedy, chances are the Red Cross is the first to reach out to help. I was unaware how much and how often the Red Cross touches local families. They are right there in the case of a fire, helping with funds to purchase immediate needs such as toiletries and a change of clothes, and they will assist with shelter if necessary. They are on call for any weather-related threats and are ready to offer assistance as needed. They have numerous trained volunteers that will drop their own personal daily or nightly activities to jump into action. The Red Cross prepares these volunteers with training classes and supports them in their efforts. Military families have a long-standing relationship with the Red Cross. When emergencies happen at home, the Red Cross is the organization that locates our overseas soldiers in combat and assists them to get home if needed. The Red Cross also helps to keep our community trained in the case of cardiac events. Having CPR-trained community members is a benefit to all. They even offer a babysitting class that prepares our teens for taking care of the youngsters in our community. Their help is vast and far-reaching. We are excited to be able to support their Day of Heroes banquet this year and will donate funds from purchases this month towards this event and also for general funds for local disaster assistance. See their flier to learn about attending this luncheon. It is always rewarding to get a chance to hear about the people that are enhancing our lives in the great City of Jefferson. Hope to see you there!

Making Our Community Beautiful: Community Cancer Support

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 05:51:00 GMT

This month we will split our donation between two community cancer support organizations. We will once again participate as a major sponsor for the Community Breast Care Project Girls Night Out, which helps fund the many services they provide to cancer patients. Please see their flier for information on how you can support this organization by participating in this event. We hope to see you there.

We are also excited to be hosting the American Cancer Society’s Look Good Feel Better program. Brandi and Kim, our aesthetic providers, attended training to facilitate this program. which teaches hair, skin, nail and wig techniques to female cancer patients in active therapy to help them combat the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment. The first class will be April 5th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. If you know of any cancer patients that would benefit from this program, you can have them call the American Cancer Society at 573-635-4879 to reserve a space and free makeup kit.

Making Our Community Beautiful: 2011

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 05:50:00 GMT

We are ready to embark on our second year of choosing a monthly charity to donate to. This past year it has been a pleasure to present our monthly checks to some very worthy causes in Jefferson City. However, many small groups ask for donations for their fund raising efforts and, by making the larger donations, we did not have the funds to help as many of these causes as we would like. So this year I thought it might be nice to have a little slush fund for the smaller groups that seek our help. A portion of our January profits will go towards funding this. We will keep these funds for requests from clients to support their favorite charity.

I will continue to keep you posted on the donations in upcoming newsletters and at our blog on the website. If you would like to make any suggestions for our February through December donations, feel free to contact me at bprasad@jcmg.org . You can always visit our community involvement blog by accessing the Connect With Us section on our website homepage to share your thoughts or information on charitable activities in Jefferson City. And, once again, thank you for your patronage of our business because it is only through your trust in us that we are able to continue to offer these donations.

Making Our Community Beautiful: Dreams to Reality

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 05:49:00 GMT

This month our charitable donation is designated for Dreams to Reality. It seems a fitting time of year. I am sure we can all remember spending past Decembers dreaming about what Santa would place under our tree. Now, as parents or grandparents, it is fun to help make some of those dreams come true. Unfortunately for some the dreams are much more basic: having a job and the ability to take care of a family. By your patronage we are able to give this organization a helping hand. The mission of Dreams to Reality is to help low-income women of Missouri meet their employment goals and build self-confidence by providing appropriate interview and business apparel, motivation and follow-up support. We are happy to help them make this “dream a reality”.

Making Our Community Beautiful: Central Missouri Honor Flight

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 05:48:00 GMT

This month we honor our veterans by choosing the Central Missouri Honor Flight as our charity of the month. The Honor Flight transfers Mid Missouri veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials dedicated to honor their sacrifice. As the proud daughter of a World War II veteran, I know the sacrifices these men and their families made, and that service men and women continue to make, to ensure we live in a country where freedom is something we can take for granted. But it has not come without a cost.

If you have not been to Washington, D.C. and had the privilege to visit the war memorials and other historical sights, I would highly recommend you put it on your to-do list. It is impossible to go there and not feel proud to be an American and grateful to the people that founded and protected our country throughout history. I hope every World War II veteran gets the opportunity to see the long overdue memorial dedicated to their service. I stole the idea for my quote of the month from the Central Missouri Honor Flight website: “We can’t all be heroes. Some of us have to stand on the curb and clap as they go by.” – Will Rogers. I hope our veterans will consider this month’s donation as our standing ovation.

Making Our Community Beautiful: The Rape and Abuse Crisis Service

Sat, 02 Oct 2010 05:47:00 GMT

The Rape and Abuse Crisis Service, otherwise known as RACS, will be the recipient of our October Charitable donation. There are a couple of reasons we chose this worthwhile organization in October. For one, this month is the National Domestic Violence Month and it seemed a great opportunity to bring attention to this often overlooked community issue. According to the RACS spring newsletter, sexual assault is an issue that affects 33{d855275bb5a53a691922ddbe09fd77e36a4f35d1f88aaf3bcf40ae4b44ffef7b} off all women at some point and 10-20{d855275bb5a53a691922ddbe09fd77e36a4f35d1f88aaf3bcf40ae4b44ffef7b} of all men. It is, however, not an issue people are comfortable talking about. If you do not know about this community service organization you can obtain information on all they do and how you can help at www.racsjc.org .

Secondly, at the Laser and Vein Center we work hard to help improve people’s quality of life and help them feel confident in their appearance. No amount of help with aesthetic issues, however, can help when someone has had their self-esteem knocked down by physical and mental abuse. While we are not equipped to help, we can lend our support to those that help the women and children in our community that suffer this abuse. RACS offers a 24-hour hotline, shelter, counseling for children and adults, support groups, and advocacy for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. They celebrated their 30th anniversary this year! We hope our 3rd anniversary donation will help them in their continued effort to provide a safe haven for women and children in our community.

Making Our Community Beautiful: Missouri Valley Big Brothers Big Sisters

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 05:45:00 GMT

Our receptionist Tami chose this month’s charity. She wanted to make sure that her choice helped with the youth in our community. September is National School Success Month, so it seemed a perfect month to offer our support to Missouri Valley Big Brothers Big Sisters. They are a nationally accredited, not-for-profit organization providing services to youth in Cole County for over twenty years. They facilitate the matching of adult mentors, otherwise known as Bigs, with Littles, children 6 to 17 who need adult support, guidance and encouragement.

They presently serve over 250 children a year and have made over 120 matches, with many more kids on the waiting list. If you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities you may contact them at (573) 634-3290 or visit the Missouri Valley Big Brothers Big Sisters site . Money donated goes towards mentoring and providing background checks to make sure the matches are successful and positive influences on the children’s lives.

Making Our Community Beautiful: The Council for a Drug Free Youth

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 05:44:00 GMT

My favorite call of the month is notifying our chosen charity of our plan to make a donation to their organization. This month was no exception. I called Joy Sweeney, the new director of The Council for Drug Free Youth, to inquire as to what needs could be met with our donation. I was excited to find out about the new program they are hoping to implement, The Save A Life Campaign. And guess what the only hang up was: FUNDING. As usual there is a great program, people willing to offer it, people wanting to have it, and then the hard part: finding people to help sponsor it.

If you are not familiar with The Council for a Drug Free Youth, let me give you a little background. First of all, if you have a child or grandchild that is in Kindergarten through 9th grade your family has benefited from this organization. Safety Kids, Respect, Show Me Players, Cope and Team Challenge are all programs they have probably participated in. They also offer Baseline Training, which is a pull-out-of-school program for 9th graders. These programs address drug and alcohol issues along with smoking, peer relations, and parent/child relations. Each program is tailored for a certain age group and presented in a manner they can relate to. Our kids are faced with messages every day that promote drugs and alcohol in a glamorous fashion. It is nice to know our community has an organization that talks frankly with them about the downside of these behaviors.

Up until now there has not been a program that addresses these issues from 10th-12th grade and, let’s face it, that is when the pressure to use drugs and alcohol really increases. I am excited that this year The Council for a Drug Free Youth is going to add the Save a Life Campaign targeted at high school students. Our donation this month will help make that a possibility. Watch for details of this upcoming program.

Making Our Community Beautiful: The United Way

Sat, 03 Jul 2010 05:32:00 GMT

Before you know it, the United Way will be up and running with their 2010 campaign. We are getting a head start on our donation this year and choosing July as United Way month. This month, a portion of our profits will benefit this campaign. As a United Way board member and a participant in their fund allocation panels, I know firsthand how United Way works with organizations to make sure that money is being used as promised and kept in our community. Each year this gives us citizens the opportunity to support these fiscally responsible charities and the people that work so hard to make them a success. Fundraising can be a real drain on an organization, and United Way reduces that burden every year with their community campaign.

So watch for news on this year’s campaign. Support the many local business and civic organization fundraisers and, if you can, support it through your own donation. Jefferson City is a very generous community, one of the many reasons I am proud to call it home. If you would like more information on the organizations the Central Missouri United Way supports or how you can get involved, go to www.unitedwaycemo.org .

Making Our Community Beautiful: Food Bank for Central Missouri

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 05:31:00 GMT

June is National Hunger Awareness Month. That is why Kim, one of our cosmetic consultants, felt the Food Bank for Central Missouri would be a great place for our charitable donations in June. It is hard to believe that hunger is a problem in a country like ours where food is so plentiful, but unfortunately it still is. The summer often is an extra challenge because many of the children that receive free and reduced lunches at school now need to be fed at home.

JCMG Laser & Vein Center offers many services that can improve a person’s quality of life but, unfortunately, there are many people that are just trying to meet those basic needs of food and shelter. We are happy that we can offer a helping hand.

Our donation to Food Bank of Central Missouri will be used to benefit the following organizations in Cole County: Boys and Girls Club, First Christian Church, First United Methodist Church, Jefferson City Day Care, Rape and Abuse Crisis Service, Salvation Army and Samaritan Center. Thanks to our clients for your patronage of our business. It is because of you that we are able to offer this assistance.

Making Our Community Beautiful: The American Cancer Society

Wed, 05 May 2010 05:30:00 GMT

Our staff had the privilege of helping Brandi, our aesthetician, celebrate her 10th year cancer-free this winter. It was no surprise that when it was her turn to choose our charity of the month she chose to support The American Cancer Society. Brandi has volunteered as a Look Good, Feel Good provider for cancer patients and knows firsthand the benefits The American Cancer Society’s research and support services can do for patients. Rather than just write a check to this organization, we thought it would be great to highlight this organization in May, right before Jefferson City’s Relay for Life. So many people in our community give both time and money to this amazing event. This year we would like to help these teams out. If you are a client of the JCMG Laser & Vein Center, submit a request for a donation to your Relay for Life Team. At the end of May we will divide our donation amongst the teams. Part of this donation will also go towards JCMG’s Relay for Life team. Thanks to all of our clients that make this such a successful event every year!

Making Our Community Beautiful: Zonta International

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 05:29:00 GMT

Once again, JCMG Laser & Vein Center will participate as an Amelia Earhart Sponsor of the Zonta Yellow Rose luncheon. For those of you that have never attended, it is a lovely celebration of achievement of women in our community. A portion of the proceeds goes towards second chance scholarships for women in our community. Zonta is a global service organization, and our local chapter provides an opportunity to network for working women and also invaluable service in our community. Zonta has contributed financially to many local charitable organizations.

There is so much more to what makes a woman beautiful than what we see on the outside. That is why we continue to support this organization, which encourages women to pursue their education, mentor and support each other, and serve their community. Zonta also reaches out to our teen women with their Student of the Month and high school scholarship program.

If you would like information on the Zonta luncheon, give us a call: 573.761.LASR(5277). We would love to see you there.

Making Our Community Beautiful: The Community Breast Care Project

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:27:00 GMT

This year, we are again sponsoring The Community Breast Care Project’s “Girl’s Night Out”. Our physicians have worked with many breast cancer patients throughout their careers and know the benefits a good support network can have on the patient. They also recognize the importance good breast care education can have on the prognosis of these patients. Early detection is such a crucial factor. The Community Breast Care Project addresses both of these issues. They offer support for cancer patients both emotionally and financially if needed.

They also sponsor events that raise awareness and funds for their projects. One project they have implemented is to supply breast models to area high schools. These models are used to help young girls identify what breast lumps and masses actually feel like. They also provide training for school nurses and teachers to use these models.

I am sure most of you have had your life touched in some way by this disease. If you are interested in supporting the cause yourself, join us March 18th at the Truman Hotel between 5:00 and 8:00. Tickets are $10.00 and will be available at the door. You may also purchase them in advance from Tami at our front reception desk.

Also, a portion of every purchase made at the LVC this month will go towards sponsoring this event and supporting this organization. Hope to see you on the 18th.

Making Our Community Beautiful: Cole County Senior Nutrition Program

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:24:00 GMT

This month we are excited to be sharing our profits with the Cole County Senior Nutrition Program. Diane, one of our nurses in our vein clinic, chose this charity for us. Diane has a history of working in the nursing home community and has enjoyed her work with seniors. She still gets to help the seniors that visit us have a relaxed and positive experience in our center. When given the chance to pick a local charity, she knew she wanted something that benefited the elderly of our community.nCole County Senior Nutrition Council seemed a perfect fit. This program benefits seniors who find it difficult to afford, shop for, and prepare nutritious meals. The program provides convenient access to a variety of nutritious foods, thus helping seniors retain their health, dignity, and independence to the greatest extent possible. Seniors will receive packages of 7 or 14 nutritious frozen meals weekly. Weekly deliveries allow the seniors to choose their meal of the day and what time they would like to eat.

Having meals delivered allows many seniors to remain in their own home rather than being forced into a nursing home. Additionally, the program gives peace of mind to family and friends to know that their loved one is having their food needs met. The seniors can also choose to dine in the local senior centers. They are asked to make a donation towards the meal, as able, but no one is turned away. They will receive a hot meal along with the opportunity to get out and socialize while dining.

Our seniors have done much to improve the quality of life in both our communities and families. I think it is wonderful that we have organizations such as the Cole County Senior Nutrition Program that allow our community to give back.

Making Our Community Beautiful: Capitol Projects

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:59:00 GMT

Confidence is a large part of how we view ourselves. Nothing can make us feel more beautiful than the feeling that we are a worthwhile part of our world. For many of us, that is just a given, but for some, feeling productive is harder to come by. That is why this month’s charitable organization is such a value to those it serves. Capitol Projects is a local sheltered workshop for the handicapped in our community. Businesses can outsource jobs and help provide employment for the disabled.

Lori, one of our RNs, chose this organization because it made such a huge impression on her when she visited. Twice, she went there as part of JCMG’s participation in the United Way Day of Caring. She commented on how much pride and care the employees took in their work and what an inspiration it was. I actually went there this year as part of the Day of Caring and wholeheartedly agree. Everyone was excited to show us what they did, and worked efficiently and with great care. They had a sense of pride in their job well done. Hopefully, our donation can let them know that there are people in our community that appreciate the work they are doing. We will share what the donation was and how it will be used in a future newsletter. So, this January, know that a portion of every purchase will benefit Capitol Projects.

Thanks to those that help make this organization the success that it is. If you would like more information on Capitol Projects, or have a business that may have jobs that they could help with, look them up at www.capitolprojectsinc.com .

Welcome to Our Blogn

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 18:49:00 GMT

Welcome to our Community Involvement Blog. If you are receiving our newsletter you already know about our charitable campaign. For those of you that don’t let me bring you up to date. Every month we are donating a percentage of our profits to a local organization that contributes to the good of our community. Our staff each had the opportunity to choose an organization and we had client input on the rest. We also ask these organizations to nominate a volunteer for a complimentary pampering treatment to reward them for their service.

So why blog on this? Well I have two reasons. One is for accountability. You always here companies say they donate such and such to so and so and I often wonder what they donate and how they use it. I wanted our clients to know that we are staying true to our word and what the folks we are donating to are using the money for. So watch for our updates on the money going out.

The second reason is to help give these community organizations additional exposure. If you have ever worked with one of these volunteer organizations you know how much time and effort goes into fund raising and promotions. Sometimes it feels like it doesn’t leave time to do what you are really there to do. So this is our way of giving a shout out about the people that make Jefferson City such a great place to live. If you would like to send me info on something you are doing to help out or other events and needs in our community I will try to help spread the word.

So check back often and keep me posted on what is happening in town. And don’t forget this month a portion of your purchases will go to help The Community Breast Care Project. Join us for their Ladies Night Out March 18th. Tickets are available at our reception desk.