April Newsletter

Happy Easter!
   I hope everyone had a great spring break and a blessed Easter!  .Several things to tell you about this month so I'll jump right in.....
   This coming weekend, either April 13th or 14th, Sei Bella will be offering another Groupon for photofacials. I'll send an eblast when I know the exact date. You'll have three options to choose from including other areas besides face. This is a great corrective treatment for the hands! No matter how much Botox, filler, facials, lotions and potions you use on your face to look younger, your hands will rat you out everytime. Age spots, sun damge, wrinkles....all of those are hard to hide when your hands are out there all the time, especially if you talk with your hands constantly like I do. So...... if you haven't signed up for Groupon yet, go to http://www.groupon.com/ and get ready. It's free and easy.
   I am shifting the medical care I provide to cardiac wellness only. I have teamed with Berkeley HeartLab to offer the Living4myheart program. You will receive genetic testing and an expanded lipid profile to better determine your risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Although I have normal lipids and run on the NF Endurance team, my CIMT(carotid intima medial thckness) score is that of a 67 year old. And I'm still just 45! So, my family is going to have their labwork done this week. My kids may need to be checked if Larry or I have a bad profile. With this program you have access to an RN and dietitian. I review your labs and make recommendations on medication changes or additions. We talk about lifestyle changes. Some people are nonresponders to statins which we prescribe to lower lipids all the time. Some people need more carbs/less fat or vice versa in their diet. I will be happy to give you more details if you would like to participate.
     With that in mind we are having a Wellness Party on April 14th at Sei Bella. I am going to talk more about the Berkeley program and Gena Fryar (Regional VP for Arbonne) and her mom Rhonda Mayo, RN, will be talking about Arbonne's Fit Essentials line. We will talk about stress management and I have a some really great goodie bags to send home with you. There are cookbooks, samples, coupons, meal plans, and beauty stuff in them. We want you to look healthy on the inside and out! We will have food, drinks and samples of our products for you to try while you're with us. Quite a few people have already signed up, but we still have room. You can call (501)228-6237or email me if you re interested in a 10 am, 12;15 or 2:30 time slot. I have some textbooks to give away which are first come first serve and we will have a drawing from the list of attendees for either a blood pressure cuff and stethoscope or an exercise heart rate monitor.
    Coming soon to Sei Bella Med Spa.......FACIALS! Yay! Love these so much. We will offer Sonya Dakar Ultraluxe age control facials, skin fitness facials, mini facials, and Jan Marini facials. Some include upper body and arm/hand massage. And all come with a facial massage specific to each one. You will absolutely love these. I have had monthly Sonya Dakar facials for years. I would get them DAILY if I could. My hope is to have them in full swring toward the end of the month.
    We have some open houses coming up as well. The first is a Jan Marini open house tentaively scheduled for May 3rd from 2-7 pm. We will have food and drinks, and let you try this new product line I'm going to carry. We will also have a Sonya Dakar event at least quarterly. After a lot of thought and trials, the main product lines I plan to carry are Sonya Dakar, Jan Marini and the Young Pharmaceuticals you are already familiar with. I will keep some specific Obagi and Bionet products on hand for those with speical issues we're already treating. For example, I've told you before I love the Obagi tretinoin, c-clarifying serum and Elastiderm eye cream. Right now, people show more interest in these than any other product I have.
     Sei Bella will also have makeup consultations and application techniques for you to learn how to enhance your beauty. Your skin should look natural when you have makeup on, NOT like you're wearing a mask (you know..... neck one color, face another color). You need the right color foundation (mineral based is best) and you need to know how to make it look smooth, not blotchy. When I see someone with a lot of makeup on, they look older, like they're trying to hide something. Less is better if you want to look younger. It's all about having the right product and applying it with the right technique. You should just be enhancing your beauty, not covering it up!
     Those are onlty a couple of the new things we have going on. Everyone has been asking for another Botox party. Shelley at Solemates would love to have one there again So would I! She has great shoes and a girl can never have too many friends or shoes! Since I am planning a raffle for the NF Endurance Team, I thought we could draw for the prizes at the Botox party. All proceeds will go to the Children's Tumor Foundation to help find a cure for neurofibromatosis. You can learn more about the Foundation, the NF Endurance Team, and neurofibromatosis at my NF website: http://ctf.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1001255&supid=349573393 .
At least three of us will be running the New York marathon in November. Right now I'm planning on raffling  some Botox and a facial plus a peel. Stay tuned. I'll let you know when I have the tickets printed up and ready to go.
     Now for the closing thoughts and beauty tip. First....DO NOT go to bed with your makeup on. We all go to the bathroom, brush our teeth, take our medicine and have some kind of little routine before we go to bed. Whatever your's is, please add in 30 seconds to a minute to wash your face. If you don't you age skin exponentially. Granted I have a big routine I go thru every morning and every night; that's afterall what I do for a living. And I highly recommend a facial system, but if you would just start with a good wash (no bar soap please), I would be delighted. Ask me next time you're in or if you're already established you can email me about  what a good wash would be, and I'll get you started.
   And finally, summer is coming! We are going to be in the sun, in our bikinis (well I won't be that skimpy at 45 with 4 kids), but you get the point. There are weddings, class reunions, anniversaries, family reunions; you all want to look your best at these, so remember we have a huge array of services to get you where you need to be. We have Botox, Xeomin, Juvederm, Radiesse, DermaFrac, facial peels and facials, IPL for your spider veins, hairy legs and underarms, sun damage, and rosacea. Throw in a great massage and you are relaxed and ready! Remember what I always say, you don't have to look 20, just 20 years younger than the person/people you're with!
    Enjoy your spring! I'll send out a reminder note or two for Groupons, open houses, raffles, etc. I often post on my blog at http://www.drannetrussell.blogspot.com/ . Subscribe and the site will let you know when there is a new post. My webpage http://www.annetrussellmd.com/  is full of information about many of Sei Bella's services. I try to update price lists and services regularly.....
Blessings,
Anne R Trussell MD
owner/physician
Sei Bella Med Spa

Sei Bella Wellness Party


Sei Bella Med Spa
 
Wellness Party
Saturday, April 14th
 
 
 
Hi Everyone!
     The April newsletter is forthcoming, but I'm not sure I'll get to it today. So I wanted to tell you about the Wellness Party we are having at Sei Bella on Saturday April 14th.  In order for our outside to look beautiful, we have to be healthy on the inside. Come join Gena Fryar (an RN and executive VP at Arbonne), Rhonda Mayo, Teresa Smith, LMT, MS (our massage therapist) and me to learn about stress reduction, vitamins, colon cleanse, immunity support, cardiac wellness and more.
     I have teamed with the Berkeley Heart Lab to offer genetic testing and expanded lipid profiles to help people structure their diets, alcohol intake , and exercise to prevent heart disease and stroke. We are NOT selling a diet program. NO fad diets. A registered dietitian of Berkeley works with you for free after we get your results to help you modify the diet you already eat. Plus there are scheduled followups with me. Did you know that some medicines like statins and Plavix are not even beneficial in some people? Based on your genetics you need different percentages of carbs, fats, protein, and calories. My medical practice is headed in the direction of wellness only as a compliment to the med spa.
     We will have snacks and samples of things for you to try. Plus, you each get a goodie bag. I have some textbooks to give away for you to choose from and I have some heart rate monitors to give away as well. Gena and Rhonda are going to tell you all about the Fit Essentials by Arbonne and how Gena lost all her weight. As many of you know, I lost 64 lbs in 2010.
      There are a limited number of seats for three time periods that day......10am-noon, 12:15 to 2:15 pm and 2:30 to 4:30. I did some advanced scheduling, so it is now first come, first serve for the remaining slots. Email me or call Sei Bella (501) 228-6237 to reserve your spot and time.
      We'll have a lot of fun and I look forward to seeing you there!
 
Anne R Trussell MD
owner/physician
Sei Bella Med Spa
 
 
(P.S. Out of consideration for others and that this is a venue for wellness, please do not take this opportunity to have an "office visit", prescription refills, etc. Thank you in advance )
 

February Newsletter

      Happy Valentine's Day! Didn't I just wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year? The older I get, the faster time flies. Well wait.......maybe time's flying because I'm having fun! Yeah I like that better.
     We have some new products coming to Sei Bella in the next month so, but the newest one we have is the Elastiderm Eye Complete Complex serum. I love the Elastiderm eye cream as you know, and use it twice a day. The Complete Complex Eye serum comes in a silver tube with a roller ball. The serum is clear, cool and feels great! It has caffeine in it to help decrease the puffiness under your eyes.  It also improves the strength and resilience of the skin under and around the eye. Retail is $80. Using it 1-2 times a day, it will probably last you close to two months. 
     Also, we are getting in the VIPeel Acne peel. It is similar to our VIPeel, but formulated to clear blemish prone skin and clear the scars that acne leaves behind. It contains benzoyl peroxide, Kojic acid, Hydrocortisone, Phenol, Retinoic acid, Salicylic acid, TCA, Vitamin C and a proprietary mineral blend.    
     We have more Xeomin Visa reward cards. Xeomin is the new  botulinum toxin. Xeomin has no additives which is supposed to eliminate the risk of forming antibodies which makes your Botox or Dysport less effective over time. In Europe patients are reporting Xeomin lasts up to 6 months. We have had it premarket launch since November and have been very happy with it. Sandy, Susan and I have al had it in place of Botox, with equally great results. I'll have to let you know what I think about the LENGTH of effectiveness. Xeomin is for the frown lines, forehead lines, crow's feet, wrinkles around your lips and for lid lifts. If you choose Xeomin, then we will give you the website address where you fill out a few survey questions and Merz Aesthetics will in turn send you a $50 Visa card that you can bring back in to use at Sei Bella on more Xeomin or another product.
     Hope you have all been successful with your New Year' resolutions so far. Mine were to pray more, read more, sleep more and run more. So far so good. As many of you may already know, I joined the NF Endurance Team. We are running to find a cure for NF (neurofibromatosis). I ran 10 miles last Saturday, so I should be ready for the Little Rock ½ marathon on March 4th! If ANY of you participate and run by me and point and laugh at the old fat woman, I MAY trip you!! On a more serious note..... to read more about what NF is and why I'm interested in being involved, look below in my blog at http://www.drannetrussell.blogspot.com .
You can also help by making a donation to help find a cure for this terrible disease by going to my NF website at http://ctf.kintera.org/nfelittlerock2012/seibellamedspa . I'm only $565 away fom my $2500 LR marathon goal. Thank you again to everyone who has been so generous thus far.
      This blog site also has a recent post about common ingredients in facial products, and a new set of Lipo-Ex before and after pictures. If we actually have a winter this year, don't forget to check the blog if the roads are bad to see if we made it in from Conway, Vilonia and Alexander. I will post early morning or the night before if I know.
     I hope Cupid is REALLY good to you this Valentine's Day! Let us know what we can do for you.....501-228-6237

 

Anne R Trussell MD
owner/physician
Sei Bella Med Spa
 http://www.annetrussellmd.com (website)
 http://www.drannetrussell.blogspot.com  (blog)
 501-228-6237

http://www.tsmith.massagetherapy.com 
(our massage therapist's website. Teresa gives the best massage, whether you just need to relax, work
 out those back spasms or eliminate neck and shoulder tightness. She is the one!)

Family Pictures

As long as we're closed today, I thought I might share a few of the reasons I get up and enjoy everyday.
Hunter and MiMi at
                                                                                        Grandparent's Day.
                                                                                       St. Joseph
                                                                                           Catholic High School

Joseph and his girlfriend Rachel


Abbey and her friend Drew
                                                                 2012 Prom
                                                                          St. Joseph Catholic High School

My baby, Parker. 
                                                                                       Turned 12 this weekend!!




NF Endurance Team

     Happy New Year! I hope 2012 is off to a good start for you. I have joined the NF Endurance Team! We are preparing for the Little Rock marathon and half marathon on March 4th. I really need your help to find a cure for this terrible disease.        
     The neurofibromatoses (NF1, NF2, and schwannomatosis) are genetic disorders that cause tumors to grow in the nervous system. Although many people inherit the disorder, 30-50% of cases are spontaneous gene mutations. NF is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder. That means a parent has a 50/50 chance of passing the disease on to a child. There is no cure.  NF can be very disfiguring; NF can cause blindness and deafness when tumors develop in the brain, and NF can be very painful. Some tumors become cancerous.          
     Treatment is aimed at removing or reducing the size of the tumors surgically. Chemotherapy and radiation are also used to try to shrink the size of the tumors when they become malignant.        
     Abbey's good friend, Erin Gatto, lost an uncle to NF and his daughter is almost blind from NF. The Oslica's, who belong to our parish, have a daughter with NF. Dr. Rob Lambert, a cardiologist in NLR, also has a daughter with NF. When Joseph and Abbey were were little I noticed that they each had a few cafe-au-lait spots. These are light brown patches of skin  that occur on the arms, legs, back, even underarms and are often the first sign of NF. As a new mother and doctor I freaked out. Although they did not have NF, I did a lot of research on this disease at that point.
     I find it more than coincidental that 16-18 years later I have been reintroduced to this disease through friends, colleagues and fellow church members. I feel like the Lord is calling me to help these kids (and adults). That's where you come in. There have been great strides in research over the last few years, but we still need a cure. I am glad to donate my time and money to run for NF. Won't you please help me? There are thousands of charities out there, and we all have our heartstrings tied to one. Please help me support mine. You can donate through my website link below, mail a check to the Children's Tumor Foundation listed on the website or give me a check and I will see that you receive confirmation.
     Thank you so much! God Bless you and your family in 2012!

Anne R Trussell MD
owner/physician
Sei Bella Med Spa
proud member of the NF Endurance Team

http://ctf.kintera.org/nfelittlerock2012/seibellamedspa  (click to donate on my LR marathon website)


The NF Endurance Team


Photos of Neurofibromatosis

cafe au lait spots
 
 underarm freckling
 
 
a boy's arm with neurofibromas

same boy's back with neurofibromas

 
Help us find a cure for NF!     http://ctf.kintera.org/nfelittlerock2012/seibellamedspa
 
 
 

Ingredients in Skin Care Products

There are so many skin care brands with so many ingredients! How do you know what you need? Listed below are some common ingredients in skin care products used to correct various complexion concerns you may have. I've also listed a few of the products we have at Sei Bella that contain them.

1. Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) include glycolic and lactic acids. These may be found in various concentrations in both over the counter and prescription strength products. They are also very popular in medical grade facial peels. Creams and lotions with AHAs help with fine lines, irregular pigmentation and age spots. They also help decrease the appearance of large pores. Side effects of AHAs can include mild irritation and sun sensitivity. So you want to ease into using these products. Sei Bella Med Spa products include Bionet's cellular turnover treatments, AHA Rejuvenating Cleanser, Young Pharmaceuticals Lacticleanse cleanser, and Saturday Night Brightener to name a few.

2. Beta hydroxy acid (salicylic acid)  is found in our Obagi Clenziderm system for acne, Bionet's Rejuvenationg Cleanser, Anti-Oil Cellular Turnover treatment, and DermaTeen acne system. This ingredient exfoliates the skin and can improve the texture and color of the skin. It penetrates oil-laden hair follicles, thus improving acne. Salicylic acid products combined with benzoyl peroxide products are potent acne fighters.

3. Hydroquinone is commonly referred to as bleaching cream or lightening agent. Products containing hydroquinone are used to lighten and eliminate hyperpigmentation, such as age spots and dark spots related to pregnancy or hormone therapy (such as occurs with birth control pills and hormone therapies for menopause). You can buy up to a 2% hydroquinone solution over the counter, but best results are achieved with a 4% solution. I have used hydroquinone for years and LOVE IT! I use it everyday, twice a day. It eliminated the need for concealer. Products at Sei Bella that conatin the 4% hydroquinone include Obagi's Clear, Blender and c-Clarifying serums. Hydroquinone has been a topic of controversy over the last few years so if you are pregnant or nursing, I would recommend the following product.

4. Kojic Acid is a more recent (discovered in 1989) remedy for the treatment of pigment problems and age spots. It  is derived from a fungus and works as a lightening agent by inhibiting the production of melanin (brown pigment). Bionet's Skin Brightener and our DermaFrac's lightening peptides are two examples of kojic acid containing products.

5. Retinol is a derivative of Vitamin A. Retinol's stronger counterpart is tretinoin. Vitamin A has a molecular structure that is tiny enough to penetrate the lower layers of the skin where collagen and elastin form. Retinol is proven to improve mottled pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, skin texture, tone and color. Plus retinol improves your skin's hydration levels. Sei Bella carries Retinol 50 pads by Young Pharmaceuticals, Vitamin Infusion Serum and Intensive Eye Cream by Bionet. Vitamin A's stronger counterpart, tretinoin, is found in Obagi's tretinoin cream .025%, .05% and 0.1%. These are prescription strength. Common names for tretinoin include Retin-A and Renova which you must purchase with a prescription at a pharmacy. These often cost about $100/tube. The Obagi tretinoins are exactly the same ingredient and cost $66, $76 or $86 depending on the strength, plus you can get well over a month's worth out of a tube. I use the 0.1% tretinoin and the last two tubes I've had lasted me 10 weeks each. That averages out to about $8.60 per week. Not bad.....

6. L-Ascorbic Acid is the only form of Vitamin C that you should look for in your skin care products. This is the most stable form of Vitamin C. It is the only antioxidant proven to stimulate the synthesis of collagen. Collagen production naturally decreases with aging, but sun exposure will accelerate this decrease. Vitamin C  will also help to minimize fine lines, scars and wrinkles. Ask me about Obagi's Vitamin C products. I personally partial to Obagi's c-Clarifying serum which has 10% Vitamin C and 4% hydroquinone.

7. Titanium and Zinc oxides are the best sunscreens you can buy. They are a barrier sunscreens that block UVA and UVB rays. The FDA has recently released some stringent criteria on what companies can claim as "sunscreen" and on what they can claim their percentage of sunblock is. Sun exposure and exposure to UV rays in tanning beds are the #1 cause of skin cancer. Even if you are of Hispanic, Asian or African American descent you need sunscreen. We have several that are good under makeup and are moisturizing at the same time without making your face oily.

This was a quick overview of some of the most common ingredients in skin care products.There are multiple other beneficial products containing antioxidants, caffeine, hyaluronic acid, benzoyl peroxide, Vitamin E, etc. Consultations are free at Sei Bella Med Spa so tell me about your skin concerns and let's find the right product(s) for you. We have a wide range of skin care issues I treat in our own clinic including rosacea, melasma, wrinkles, blemishes and sun damage. We have the young and the not quite so young skin, male and female skin issues. You'll be surprised at how much difference even a single product can make in your overall appearance.

Anne R Trussell MD