Anna Stephens
Anna Stephens Aesthetics, a full-service medical aesthetics center in Ruston, stands firm on one principle, Quality Should Never Be A Compromise. Anna and her team are committed to being the only place you need to feel confident and maintain your healthy, beautiful look.
Anna Stephens graduated from Northwestern School of Nursing in 1996 with a BSN. She continued her studies and, in 2002, completed her MSN and became a Certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. While working as a Nurse Practitioner in a gynecology office, she focused on women’s health while incorporating medical aesthetics into the practice. Anna decided to take a leap of faith and open her own aesthetic business in 2017.
It did not take long for her business to grow, and Anna Stephens Aesthetics has maintained an impeccable reputation with the hundreds of clients she has helped feel more confident and beautiful. One client said, “I love Anna’s compassionate attitude and her personal care with each person. She makes you feel like you’re the only one in her office at the time. Very professional, and you can certainly tell she loves making women feel beautiful.”
Anna Stephens has attained master injector status and was recently awarded a top 250 injectors account by Allergan and was honored as a nominee for the top 100 best aesthetic injectors in the United States by Med-Aesthetics.
Anna is grateful for the trust her clients put in her and the support of her family, allowing her the opportunity to do what she loves on a daily basis.
Game Changer—Emface
In early 2023, Anna Stephens Aesthetics was the first in Louisiana to bring Emface on the scene. They are currently the only practice in North Louisiana to offer Emface, and it is quickly becoming one of the top treatments. They recently added Emsculpt Neo to their menu, and it is a game changer that their clients love, especially when combined with their Cellutone treatments.
What is Emface?
Emface is a revolution in facial treatments. By emitting both synchronized RF and HIFESTM energies, it simultaneously affects the skin and muscles. The end result is fewer wrinkles and more lift naturally without needles. Best of all, Emface treats the full face in only 20 minutes.
How Does Emface Work?
Emface is the first device on the market utilizing the simultaneous application of both the synchronized RF and HIFESTM energies. Synchronized RF remodels and smooths skin by heating the dermis and increasing the levels of collagen and elastin fibers. While the HIFESTM technology restores and elevates support of facial tissues by selectively contracting muscles and increasing the density and quality of muscle structure.
The Science Says It All
Clinical Studies showed that the simultaneous emission of synchronized RF and HIFESTM energies reduced the effects of the facial aging process.
37% Wrinkle Reduction
23%Lifting Effect
30%Increase in Muscle Tone
Anna Stephens Aesthetics offers all the leading fillers and botox as well as the latest FDA-approved jawline filler from Allergan—Volux! Volux is a huge breakthrough in the facial contouring market, and there is more to come in 2023.
For now, Anna and her team are thrilled to supply their clients with all of the latest and greatest treatments and look forward to helping them reach their beauty goals.
8445 Med Spa
Skin Care Then Aesthetics: Elevate Your Beauty at 8445 Med Spa
When it comes to a boutique med spa with a chic and friendly atmosphere, 8445 is the place. This upscale med spa utilizes science, art, service, and trust-based transparency to enrich each client’s life, propelling them to look and feel their very best!
When one thinks of medical spa services, the first things that come to mind are typically HA fillers and neurotoxins. However, both medical aestheticians and injectors also want you to prioritize skin care.
Not all skin care is created equal. 8445 believes in the science behind medical-grade skincare. Their medical aestheticians, Mari Lou and Katie, and their injector, Taylor Colvin, NP-C, are ZO Skin Health certified. They strive to offer a personal approach to beauty and curate a skincare regimen tailored to your individual needs.
“Our skin is our largest organ and yet the least taken care of. When we give our skin what it needs, it can do amazing things!”
– Susanna Van Norman, 8445 Med Spa owner and founder
Before you opt for any aesthetic treatments, they want to know how you are currently taking care of your skin. Of course, injections, neurotoxins, and lasers are wonderful, but they are developed to enhance your skin and facial features. In order to fully benefit from them, your foundational skin health needs to be addressed.
Medical-grade skin care is a must when it comes to maintaining healthy skin. 8445 can help you start a skincare regimen from the very beginning or even reassess your current skincare plan. Any skincare regimen can be changed or tweaked. The important thing is that you are applying the right products for the right reasons.
Another amazing go-to brand carried at 8445 is Skinbetter Science. Both ZO Skin Health and Skinbetter Science are backed by medical-grade ingredients and proven scientific results that you see all over social media and the internet.
With summer right around the corner, it is important to protect your skin since you’ll be in the sun more. Although skin care is important year-round, we all get more sun exposure during the warmer months. NOW is the perfect time to get your skin healthy and protected.
This top-notch med spa has a plethora of procedures and quality medical-grade treatments available for patients, including Botox, HA Fillers, laser hair removal, Morpheus8, laser treatments, Skinpen, HydraFacial, Microblading, and more.
8445 offers a personalized approach to aesthetics while giving you an out-of-town experience that you’d normally find in larger, metropolitan cities.
“What sets us apart from other medical spas is our passion for what we do as well as the gratification we feel when we see that our patients feel beautiful inside and out!”
– Taylor Colvin, NP-C
Lang Orthodontics
Did you know adults and teens are the perfect candidates for Invisalign?
At Lang Orthodontics, we are a family-focused office where we offer a wide range of treatment options to suit your individual needs, including Invisalign. Dr. Morgan Trahant Lang is a Board-Certified Orthodontic Specialist that utilizes the latest technology to straighten teeth without the use of any metal or wires. She will customize your smile with extreme detail and precision as she meets you in person.
With Invisalign, you will have a discreet option to straighten your teeth because the clear plastic aligners are virtually invisible. This means you can straighten your teeth without anyone noticing. Since the aligners are custom made to fit your teeth perfectly, they are comfortable to wear too! You can remove them when you need to eat and brush your teeth, making them a more convenient option than traditional braces. Straightening your teeth can make it easier to maintain good oral hygiene and boost your confidence as well. Using the latest technology, Dr. Lang will map out your smile using her iTero scanner giving you a smile that you can be proud of.
Invisalign is FDA-approved for straightening teeth and is a great option for adults who want to straighten their teeth discreetly, comfortably, and it’s affordable. It has been shown to be effective therapy for crowded teeth, spacing, overbites, underbites, and crossbites. Lang Orthodontics offers complimentary consultations and is a preferred provider for several insurances. With three convenient locations, there has never been a better time to consider orthodontic treatment with Dr. Lang. If you are interested in Invisalign, schedule your complimentary consultation with Dr. Lang today! We can’t wait to see you Geaux Smile!
WK Eye Institute
LASIK: The Beauty Procedure That Enhances Your Natural Look
We all strive for beauty in our lives, whether it’s through skincare routines, makeup, or fashion. But have you ever considered how your eyesight can impact your overall appearance? Poor vision can lead to squinting, straining, and tired-looking eyes, which can detract from your natural beauty. That’s why more and more people are turning to LASIK as a way to enhance their natural look.
LASIK, which stands for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, is a popular and effective surgical procedure that corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The procedure involves reshaping the cornea to allow light to enter the eye and focus directly on the retina, resulting in improved vision. The best part? LASIK is quick, painless, and has a high success rate, with most patients experiencing 20/20 vision or better the following day. “Patients often tell me LASIK is the one thing they didn’t know they were missing out on until after they had it done. Then, they all say they wished they’d had it done sooner,” states Dr. Wyche T. Coleman, III.
“LASIK is not just a procedure; it’s an investment in yourself,” says Dr. Christopher Shelby. He goes on to state, “When Improving your vision, you’re investing in your overall well-being and quality of life. Unlike many medical procedures, LASIK isn’t covered by insurance. However, it’s worth the cost when you consider the savings of not having to purchase contact lenses or eyeglasses every year.”
So, how does LASIK enhance your natural beauty? Firstly, it eliminates the need for glasses or contacts, which can be a hassle to maintain and can even detract from your appearance. With LASIK, you can enjoy clear, natural vision without the hassle of constantly having to adjust your glasses or put in and take out your contacts.
Secondly, LASIK can also help to reduce the appearance of tired, strained eyes. Poor vision can cause a lot of strain on the eyes, leading to wrinkles, dark circles, and other signs of fatigue. Correcting your vision with LASIK can reduce the strain on your eyes and maintain a bright, youthful appearance.
Finally, LASIK can give you the confidence to feel beautiful and embrace your natural look. Poor vision can make it challenging to participate in activities you love, whether playing sports or enjoying a night out. With LASIK, you can enjoy life to the fullest without worrying about your vision. You’ll feel confident and beautiful, with a newfound freedom to embrace your natural look.
As you can imagine, when it comes to LASIK, you want to make sure you choose a trusted and experienced eye care provider. That’s why WK Eye Institute should be your choice for your eye care needs, including LASIK. Selecting a team of expert eyecare professionals, including eye surgeons Dr. Christopher Shelby, Dr. Wyche T. Coleman, III, and one of Shreveport’s leading optometrists, Dr. Stephen Lewis, pair this with our state-of-the-art technology, and you’ve got an unstoppable eye care team whose sole goal is to deliver the visual outcome you desire.
Dr. Stephen Lewis states, “One of the most rewarding aspects of my patient care is when LASIK patients express how having LASIK has literally changed their lives.” This statement perfectly captures the transformative power of LASIK and the positive impact it can have on a person’s life.
LASIK is an elective procedure. However, it’s a procedure that enhances your natural look. It eliminates the need for glasses and contacts, reduces the appearance of tired eyes, and helps to give you the confidence you need to embrace your natural beauty.
Written by Tanya Shelton-Harville
Bellame
Prestige Beauty, Health, and Wealth for the Modern Mature Woman
In today’s world, anyone that is anyone has their name on a skincare and makeup company and will tell you it’s the best. That is why choosing what brand is right for you and your skin can be so hard.
I am Erin Foster, a hairstylist of 22 years. Having owned a hair salon and a boutique in Ruston, LA, for many years, I have always paid close attention to what is going on in the beauty and fashion industry and have never been afraid to step out and try something new. Five years ago, working behind my chair 12 plus hours a day and running a successful boutique in town, I found myself still searching for something different.
Around this time, I ran across a video of a very real woman opening herself up to the public and curating her very own line of skincare. Quickly approaching 40 and having tried most things from the box stores and spending thousands on products from medispas, I thought, why not give it a try? My skin immediately started to change. Dark spots lightened, hydration filled out fine lines and wrinkles, and I had a glow to my skin that everyone else noticed. I wasn’t the only one with these results.
Our CEO and founder, Melissa Thompson, has created a formulation that is suitable for all skin types. Our products reach the cellular level with a patented ingredient, soluxomes, to give your skin just what it needs—repairing it from the inside out. The before and afters speak for themselves. And she didn’t stop there. She worked with top labs in the industry to create an anti-aging makeup line just for us.
In today’s modern world of influencing and affiliate marketing, it is easy to share products you love, especially when you see the benefits these products can have on someone. Plus, with the rising cost of living, why wouldn’t you want to seek out the best financial options for your family and be given a chance to change someone else’s life by helping put bread on their table?
The great thing about our Omni marketing opportunity is that you choose the pace. You can focus on monetizing your brand by influencing your friends and viewers with products you love, or you can take it a step further, like I have done, by building a team and uniting with inspirational women across the US and soon the globe.
Prestige Beauty is a market that will never fade. You can tap into the beauty world at any age, skin tone, or skin type, which is why it is a continuously growing market. You can have faith knowing that you’ll have an audience of potential clients already interested in beauty products and affiliate marketing.
Erin Foster
Platinum Executive Director with Bellame
www.Bellame.com/independent_divas
Spa Terra
Spa Terra specializes in skin treatments customized to restore, rejuvenate and enhance your natural beauty.
Owner and Nurse Practitioner, Tiffany Terra, is passionate about helping her clients look younger and feel more confident. Spa Terra cutting-edge treatments and services to enhance the appearance and wellbeing of its clients. One of the most popular services offered by Spa Terra is Botox and fillers, which are widely recognized for their ability to smooth out wrinkles and restore youthful volume to the face.
Located in a sleek and modern facility, Spa Terra is staffed by a team of highly trained and experienced professionals, including licensed nurses and estheticians. The team is committed to providing each client with personalized attention and care, ensuring that they feel comfortable and confident throughout their entire experience.
During a Botox or filler treatment at Spa Terra, Tiffany will work with the client to determine their specific goals and needs. She will then recommend a customized treatment plan, which may include a combination of Botox and filler injections to address different areas of the face. The treatment itself is quick and virtually painless, with most clients experiencing only mild discomfort or temporary redness at the injection site.
One of the key advantages of choosing Spa Terra for Botox and filler treatments is the use of advanced technology and techniques. Spa Terra uses the latest in injection methods to ensure precise and natural-looking results, while minimizing discomfort and downtime. Additionally, Spa Terra uses only the highest quality products, such as Juvederm and Botox, which have been proven to deliver safe and effective results.
Beyond Botox and fillers, Spa Terra offers a wide range of other services designed to help clients look and feel their best. One of the newest being The Geneo difference . This patented 3-in-1 technology delivers immediate benefits:
1. OXYGENATION: Geneo’s innovative process triggers the release of oxygen from within to prep the skin to absorb nutrients throughout the rest of the facial treatment.
2. NOURISHMENT: A blend of active ingredients is infused into your newly oxygenated and exfoliated skin during our ultrasound process, allowing for maximum absorption.
3. SCULPTING: A gentle massage during the last step promotes lymphatic drainage to reduce redness and puffiness.
Another exciting new procedure offering big results, quickly is their Dermaplane Express. Spa Terra’s Dermaplane Express provides instant results and glowing skin in just 30 minutes! Includes deep cleansing, nourishing exfoliation, Vitamin C, hydrating moisturizer and sunscreen! Getting your glow can be done in a lunch break!
Call Spa Terra to book an appointment and start your journey towards looking and feeling your best. Tiffany and her team ensure an excellent experience with the highest level of expertise and commitment to personalized care.
Lindsey Pennington, M.D.
The truth about Facelifts
Facelifts and necklifts are becoming more and more common as techniques advance and fallacies fade. In 2022, it was the primary plastic surgical procedure requested for the head and neck region according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. When checking plastic surgery consumer driven websites like Realself, 93% of patients who had undergone a facelift rated it as worth it and would recommend it to a friend or family member. This is a huge number of satisfied patients across all geographical areas and different providing surgeons. As a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who specializes in cosmetic surgery of the face with a practice focusing on addressing concerns of the aging face, I have a lot of experience with facelifts and facial aging.
A rhytidectomy (the medical term for facelift), helps address facial aging associated with sagging loose skin, descent of facial structures and volume loss. In the last ten years, I have seen a lot of advances made in the surgical techniques for face and neck lifts. Results now more than ever are natural looking and lasting longer. Techniques such as the extended deep plane facelift and structural neck lifts in the hands of a skilled surgeon are leaving patients refreshed and youthful with minimal downtime.
The most common myths associated with facelifts that I see.
Myth #1: Gravity and resulting Loose Skin is at Fault for your aging Face
For decades, this has been the thought and taught to surgeons, with primarily skin only facelifts (mini-lifts or traditional facelifts) that dissect and tighten skin being the only treatment offered. This lead to results that were often stretched and unnatural appearing. This spurred along further research and advancement in techniques. Unfortunately, though, a stigma of facelifts leading to unnatural “funny appearing results” remain. During my consultations, my patients are blown away by how natural everyone looks when we review before and after pictures of my actual surgical patients. People are missing out on the opportunity available from advanced techniques, because people are so fearful of the poor outcomes of the past.
Skin only facelifts do not address the deep tissues of the face, including fat and muscle that have loosened and descended. It also does not address the volume loss caused by atrophying fat and bones.
Modern techniques of deep plane facelifts in the hands of an experienced surgeon focus on both lifting the soft tissues and restoring lost volume for an overall cohesive and natural rejuvenation.
Myth #2: You Must be Older to have a Facelift
In my practice, I see a wide range of patients for surgical consultations. I perform facial rejuvenation surgeries and specifically face/neck lifts on patients in their late 30’s well into their 80’s. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons data for 2022 states the average age of patients seeking out facelifts starts in their mid to late 40’s. The best time is dependent on a patient’s anatomy, genetics, and goals. Patients can come to me in their early 40’s with redundant skin and aging and be perfect candidates. Other patients in their late 50’s and early 60’s might not have the anatomy or aging that is appropriate to treat surgically.
I personally feel that surgical interventions in your later 40’s through mid 50’s is ideal for most patients. Aging has started, but patients are healthy and able to carry through with a seamless recovery. If you’re older than this, the results can be more dramatic, which is fun for me as surgeon, but it also leads to a period of time where the patient hasn’t looked their best for some years. I hear frequent disheartening stories in my office of avoiding photos and personal insecurity prior to surgery. After surgery, they feel great again, so why did they wait? I witness a bigger emotional and physical return on investment for the younger patients. Any age patient can be happy with the results; it’s more about when the time is right for you! Everyone is different, and that is something to explore with a surgical consultation.
Myth #3: Surgical Recovery is Long
In the past, facelift surgery was considered a major surgery with months of expected downtime. As with other surgeries, as techniques advance, the recovery period shortens. The majority of my patients are back at work after 2 weeks. Even in the immediate post operative period, my patients wear a dressing for the immediate 24 hours after surgery and then no dressing is required. This makes the recovery period much more comfortable. In addition, my office has a hyperbaric oxygen chamber that my post operative patients access, helping to speed up the recovery process and decreasing the amount of swelling. Every patient is different and recovery courses can vary, but I find as my patients age and especially if they have any underlying medical conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes, the recovery time lengthens. For patients over 55-60 years of age, it can take an additional third week before they return to work full time and be back to 100%.
Patients also ask about pain. The surgery is well tolerated. Over 90% of my patients do not take any narcotic pain medications during their recovery. I prescribe a combination of prescription medications for inflammation and muscle relaxation which are enough for patients to be very comfortable. But we tailor each treatment plan to each individual patient.
Myth #4: You can achieve Facelift Results with Non-invasive Technology or Injections
As an experienced injector who trains other physicians and providers on a national level on Botox, Juvederm and Restylane products, I have significant experience with how beneficial injections can be for hiding the signs of ageing and improving facial proportions. In addition, my office carries the most cutting edge technology in non-invasive devices such as Morpheus8 and Facetite. Both are marketed as non-invasive facelifts. To date, there is nothing on the market that achieves anything close to surgical facelift results. Patients are able to slow down the appearance of aging with these devices and injections, but when procedures stop giving the results that are desired, then more isn’t always better, and it’s usually a sign that it’s time to move on to more definitive treatments.
In general, there are a lot of misconceptions about facelift surgery in general, but with advanced techniques and specialization of surgeons, subtle natural results are becoming the industry standard. When considering facelift surgery, it’s a big decision both emotionally and financially, and it shouldn’t be taken lightly. Results can truly be life changing and really improve one’s self confidence and quality of life. The most important factors to consider are your surgeon’s specialty, skill set, experience and open communication. It is important to ask for before and after pictures, how much follow up to expect, and what kind of access you will have to the surgeon after surgery. Make sure those fit with the desired results and goals you. Your relationship with your surgeon is so important, so find one who gives you confidence.
Dr. Lindsey Pennington is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon specializing in facial rejuvenation procedures. Her main area of focus is extended deep plane facelifts, structural neck lifts, and cosmetic rhinoplasty. Her office is on Line Avenue in Shreveport.