DermaCenter Medical Spa at the Rittenhouse Women's Wellness Center would like to invite you to our Center for our  exclusive injectable party!


Dr. Benjamin Lam, double board certified in both general surgery as well as plastic and reconstructive surgery, is our visiting plastic surgeon, available for injections and plastic surgery consultations from 8:30am-12:30pm. He specializes in both non-surgical procedures, such as Botox, Juvederm and Voluma as well as surgical procedures on the breasts, body, and face.

Dr. Lam is a pioneer in the plastic and reconstructive surgery world and one of the area's only double board-certified plastic surgeons. His surgical techniques continue to be referenced in the most prestigious national publications and emulated by leading surgeons in this field.  Call us to set up a cosmetic consultation while he is here at the DermaCenter. For more information,  click  here.

Dr. Dana Shanis, M.D.,is board certified and available for Botox, Juvederm and Voluma injections.  Dr. Shanis, who will be available from  4:00pm-8:00pm  has been injecting at our practice since she joined and has recently completed an advanced injection training which trained her on intricate filler solutions around the jaw and other locations that are cutting edge at aesthetically enhancing your appearance. For more information on Dr. Shanis,  click here.

Catherine McGintyMSN, FNP-BC,  is a board certified family nurse practitioner. She is available for botox injections from 12:30pm-4:00pm. For more information on Catherine McGinty, click here


 *Must sign up for Brilliant Distinctions program in order to receive discount. 

   
Separating the Wheat from the Chaff: Celiac Disease and Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity


There's no denying that gluten, a protein found in wheat and other related grains such as rye and barley, has gained a bad reputation in recent years. So much, it seems, that gluten-free food products are a fixture on many restaurant menus and grocery store shelves, and gluten-free diets and cleanses are now ingrained in popular culture. Despite its ubiquity, however, a gluten-free lifestyle is not necessarily warranted and may even be harmful for those without a known predisposition to gluten sensitivity, such as Celiac Disease. May is Celiac Disease Awareness Month, and now is a better time than ever to bring our attention to gluten and understand its activity in the digestive tract.

Celiac Disease is a chronic autoimmune medical condition that is triggered by the ingestion of gluten in those who are genetically predisposed. The presence of gluten in the small intestines of people with Celiac Disease induces an inflammatory response, which, over time can cause structural changes in the intestinal wall and lead to malabsorption of important dietary vitamins and minerals. 

Learn more about Celiac Disease vs. Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity here.






May: National Osteoporosis Month

May is National Osteoporosis Month and we wanted to take the opportunity to share information on this condition which affects many women.

Osteoporosis is defined as a progressive loss in bone mass and density which can cause the bones to become thin and weak. When bones weaken, they can easily fracture, especially on the spine, hips, and forearms. Fractures caused by osteoporosis can lead to significant decrease in quality of life and increased risk of mortality.  

Of the 10 million estimated Americans who have osteoporosis, about 80% of them are women.  Women naturally have smaller and thinner bones than men, but are also at greater risk of bone loss after menopause due to lower levels of estrogen. This is because estrogen helps to protect and maintain bone density, so the decreasing levels of estrogen that occur in menopause lead to increased risk of osteoporosis.  

Fortunately, there are plenty of preventative, diagnostic and treatment measures to help maintain, detect, and/or increase bone density. We will primarily discuss the preventative measures available to help maintain or increase your bone density.  

To read more about osteoporosis, click here










Produce: Fresh, Frozen or Canned?

Having access to the millions of food choices every day is a privilege that not everyone can say they have. While it's a great benefit to be able to choose healthy foods for ourselves and our families, sometimes the amount of options can be overwhelming, especially while trying to stay on a budget. In terms of produce, how do we know to choose between fresh, frozen or canned?

The first choice should always be fresh, local produce- if available. If your town has local farmers, or a farmer's market, take advantage! Local produce is ideal since the time between harvest and your purchase is very short-lived. The nutrients and enzymes are still alive and potent. Not many people have handled the produce, and there isn't a lot of travel time from where the produce was grown and picked, to where it is being sold and purchased. 

Since not all of us are lucky enough to have local farmer's markets, there are some secrets to choosing the best option at the grocery store; which include fresh, frozen or canned fruits and veggies. Many people would argue that fresh produce is the best. However, several studies show that fresh veggies lose about half of their nutrient content in less than a week. 

To learn more about which option is best for produce, click here





Skincare for 360-degree Health
 
Our  Dermacenter Medical Spa assists our patients on their journey of long-lasting skin health, by treating skin issues and maintaining healthy and beautiful skin throughout all stages of life.
 
Every month we highlight different services and procedures to provide our patients access to skincare as a part of a healthy lifestyle.  Click Here for more information on these monthly specials.

3 VelaShape Sessions for $800
(Reg. $1,000)


 

VelaShape eliminates cellulite and improves your overall figure.  THis procedure uses a combination of BiPolar Radio Frequency, Infrared Light Energy, Vacuum and Mechanical massage to visibly smooth the look and feel of your body with no down time. 





3 MicroNeedling Sessions for $800
(Reg. $1,000)




Microneedling (Epidermal Collagen Induction Therapy) is used for the treatment of the appearance of fine lines, acne scars and the improvement of the skin's texture, tone and color.


As a healthcare facility, we would like to encourage our employees and patients to exercise more while also promoting health related charities. Our next health walk(s) we will be attending:

NAMIWalks
May 6th, 2017
8:00am-10:00am

Montgomery County Community College
340 Dekalb Pike
Blue Bell, PA 19422


Broad Street Run
May 7th, 2017
8:00am

Broad Street & West Fisher Avenue

Order My Steps 5k Stroke Walk
May 7th, 2017
7:00am registration
Philadelphia Zoo
3400 West Girard Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Lung Force Walk
May 13th, 2017
8:30am registration
Headhouse Square
2nd & Lombard Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19147

Walk to Cure Lupus (Superhero Walk)
May 20th, 2017
9:00am-12:00pm

XFINITY Live! Philadelphia
1100 Pattison Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19148

Take Steps for Crohn's & Colitis
May 21st, 2017
10:00am

Citizens Bank Park
1 Citizens Bank Way
Philadelphia, PA 19148


We look forward to seeing you there!


We know so much about our patients and we love to see familiar faces (although preferably for well-visits), but do you ever wonder who is helping you book your follow-up appointments or draws your blood? If you do want to know more about our team, please feel free to read out "Meet the Staff" segment! We hope that getting a little more familiar with the people you see in our office will make you more comfortable and confident with the care you receive through us.  


Maria Daly, 30 years old
Office Manager



1) What does 'wellness' mean to you?
 
Wellness to me is a life where you are able to function as a contributing member of society, not impeded by physical or psychological barriers.
 
2) How do you feel about healthcare in the U.S. and your role within the system?
 
I appreciate my role in the healthcare system because it gives me an opportunity to help patients navigate sometimes complex issues regarding insurance, healthcare access and ancillary services.
 
3) What health advice do you promote to your family?
 
My family tries to eat healthy. We eat home-cooked meals (at minimum) dinner almost daily and we eat fish at least once a week to get those omega-3s! We also stock up on frozen veggies for when the fresh stuff runs out (make sure you check out Marissa's article about fresh vs frozen vs canned food to learn about the nutritional benefits of each!) and have a tiny patch of vegetables we're trying to grow for the summer which is not only a fun way to eat healthy but also gets my daughter outside to play in the mud!
 
4) Are there any lifestyle changes that have positively or negatively affected your health?
 
Having an indoor, sitting job has definitely negatively impacted my health but it is difficult to come up with easy solutions to working at a desk. I just try to get more sunlight on the weekends :)
 
5) What activities do you participate in? What do you you do to help you feel healthy?
 
I try to participate in outdoor health walks when they are available - it is a fun way to get some exercise and (depending on the cause) support medical research. I typically bring my kiddo along also to get some outdoor time together. Keep an eye out on our newsletter - we have been trying to post health walks in Philadelphia that are available for everyone to participate in - many do have a fee but that typically goes to a great cause!
 
6) What advice do you have for patients seeking to optimize their health?
 
Everything in moderation and don't be afraid to ask for help. No matter what kind of experience you are going through - there is always something different to try; but sometimes if you can't think of it yourself - someone else may be able to offer a fresh perspective! That's why I think being open to the possibility of reaching out for help - whether it's talking to your PCP about something you think is too embarrassing or reaching out to a therapist to find out if what you're experiencing is healthy and normal - it's all ok! After all, we didn't get a guidebook when we were born and as women I think many of us were raised to be super self-critical, which can be unhealthy too! There are no answers to some questions, but there shouldn't be any answers that you are afraid to ask! That seems like the only way you can attempt to be well :)




Patient Portal Update

You can now view statements and pay bills on the patient portal by clicking "Latest Statement."

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