ThermiVa, National Blood Donor Month, Our Nutritionist Explains Her New Year's Goals, Our New Partner Anytime Fitness and Our Staff's Resolutions!

By: Dana Shanis, MD, FACOG

Board Certified Gynecologist at Rittenhouse Women's Wellness Center

Researcher at the National Institutes of Health

ThermiVa® is a non-surgical, safe and effective procedure that uses radio frequency heat to tighten loose, sagging skin
and increase blood flow and nerve sensitivity in the vaginal area. This procedure is used to treat many common vaginal complaints, including items listed below. For a consultation with Dr. Shanis to know if ThermiVa is right for you email [email protected] or call 215-735-7992 to schedule your private appointment with her.

Vaginal and labial laxity

Stretching of the vaginal tissues and muscles is common after childbirth and can occur with normal aging. This can cause decreased sexual satisfaction, discomfort with exercise and bothersome urinary symptoms. The labia (external lips around vagina) also experience sagging over time, which can cause rubbing and irritation and cause many women to feel self-conscious. ThermiVa® can be used both internally and externally for these concerns. The heat applied during the procedure causes the tissues to contract and increases the amount of collagen in the area.

Vaginal dryness

Many medications, as well as the normal aging process can cause vaginal dryness for many women. This dryness often becomes severe after menopause or cancer treatments, causing daily discomfort and making sex painful. Without exposure to hormones, the ThermiVa® procedure increases blood flow in the area which increases vaginal moisture and lubrication during sexual activity.

Urinary incontinence and overactive bladder

Urinary complaints are common in women of all ages, most commonly incontinence (leaking urine) and overactive bladder. The radiofrequency applied to the vaginal tissues during the ThermiVa procedure can help tighten the tissue under the urethra, which decreases the rate of leaking with cough, sneeze or exercise. The procedure also increases nerve growth around the bladder, which can decrease bladder irritation that causes the urgency experienced in overactive bladder.

To read about all of the benefits of ThermiVa as well as how the procedure is performed, click here.

January is National Blood Donor Month

Monica Duvall,MD

The start of the new year heralds the American Red Cross's annual effort to raise awareness of the critical need for blood and blood products through the winter months. Blood donations typically go down during this period, due to illness of potential donors, cancellations of blood drives due to inclement weather, and other reasons. It is estimated that 38% of the US population is eligible to donate blood, but less than 10% of that eligible population donates, according to the Red Cross. National Blood Donor Awareness month aims to remind the public that the need for blood is real, and to motivate first-time and previous donors to give blood or support blood donation efforts in other ways.

Giving blood is safe for most healthy adults, and a single donor can give blood multiple times annually. General eligibility requirements are that donors must be at least 17 years of age, and weigh at least 100 pounds. Additional eligibility/exclusion criteria can be found on the American Red Cross website. To donate blood, you can download the ARC blood donor app, visit www.redcrossblood.org , or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (733-2767). If you do not meet current eligibility criteria, you can still support blood donation efforts by spreading the word about Blood Donor Awareness month, by donating to the Red Cross, or by hosting a blood drive through your workplace or community group (such community efforts provide about 80% of Red Cross blood donations!). Giving blood is givin g the gift of life to someone in need--please consider donating this winter.

To read more about donating blood this month, click here.

Improving your emotional awareness

Courtney N. Liggera, Psy. D.

"Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all." - Aristotle

Generally, society discourages us from being in touch with our emotions. Social media seems to encourage us only to show a happy face to the world. Professional work environments appear to promote those who act dispassionately. However, being in touch with your feelings--both positive and negative--will make you a better and more complete person. By understanding your emotions, you will feel better about yourself. You will improve your confidence, knowing that you are not hiding behind a false front.

What does it mean to get in touch with your emotions?

One interpretation is being able to communicate emotions to others. A large part of emotional security is validating your own feelings by expressing them to other people.

When we choose to not to express our feelings, we punish ourselves and others. We may no longer make ourselves available to others and may withdraw, or just not be fully engaged when we do spend time with other people. At other times, if we choose not to express our emotions, we may react inappropriately because our emotions are pulling us in a different direction from where we really want or need to go. When we can express how we truly feel in healthy ways, we can solve problems, improve relationships, and enjoy life. In addition, we end up viewing our lives more positively because we are not holding on to unhealed or confusing feelings.

To continue reading about how to improve your emotional awareness, click here.

Our Nutritionist's goals for the New Year

Marissa Martino

As a holistic practitioner, my goals for this year are to be more present and mindful as well as increase my awareness of my stress levels. The stress hormone cortisol, if left uncontrolled, can wreak havoc on even the healthiest individuals. To attain optimal health, it's vital to learn how to control and battle off high levels of cortisol and increase the feel-good hormones called endorphins, such as serotonin and dopamine. These hormones regulate mood, sleep, appetite, feelings of self confidence and relaxation, and luckily can be boosted from activities such as exercise and meditation.

Most of us can easily get caught up in our own day-to-day stressors, allowing worries and unmet expectations get the best of us. My new habit for 2018 includes setting aside 20 minutes in the early morning for mindfulness practices - including meditation and setting a daily affirmation, or intention. It's important to give yourself this personal time BEFORE you allow yourself to enter a "reactive state", since we spend a good portion of the work day constantly answering to others' needs.

Research shows that daily meditation can actually increase immunity, cognitive functioning, focus, attention and memory. In addition, meditation can also reduce chronic inflammation, pain and depression- which can all be caused by high levels of cortisol. Making sure you take the time to make these activities a habit and part of your lifestyle are crucial for keeping cortisol at bay. Another important piece of the puzzle is balancing your gut flora, as 90% of serotonin is produced there!

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

Botox is $12 per unit!*

Juvederm is $150 off each syringe!*

Space is limited, so RSVP today! (215) 735-7992

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 McGinty, MSN, 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.

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.

5 VelaShape Sessions for $700

(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 visably smooth the look and feel of your body with no down time.

4 ThermiSmooth
Eye Treatments for $600

(reg. $1200)

ThermiSmooth is a breakthrough in non-invasive skin treatments that can be used to fix sagging skin or wrinkles. ThermiSmooth Face can treat the forehead, eyelids, wrinkles around the eyes or mouth, and sagging jowls.

A note from the DermaCenter girls, Melissa and Ashley...

Tis the season for getting sick! If you are feeling under the weather or are presenting symptoms of illness, we will gladly reschedule your appointment and wave the cancellation fee.

Also, we would like to thank all of you for your patience during our recent recurrent staff changes. We take pride in finding the best employees to care for our clients at the DermaCenter Medical Spa, and we are confident that we have finally found the best Aestheticians for the job. We promise that you will not be disappointed and we can not wait to see you at your next visit!

We are excited to announce our new partner...

"If you're looking to join a supportive, welcoming gym community, with people of all fitness levels who want to see you succeed, you've come to the right place."

Offering our members:

22.2% membership discount per month

$10 off membership activation fee

They are also ringing in the New Year with a special!

Activation fee of $1 from January 1st to the 12th.