Artesia Medi-Spa Named National Training Center- Center Offers State-of-the-Art Medical Equipment and Innovative Aesthetic Procedures

Artesia Medi-Spa, the perfect marriage between aesthetic medicine and a relaxation spa, has been named as a national training center for Lumenis Corporation, the world market leader in light-based aesthetic medical systems such as laser hair reduction, intense pulsed light photorejuvenation, and blue-light acne clearing devices.

Santa Barbara, CA March 3, 2004 -- Artesia Medi-Spa today announced their inclusion as a national training center for Lumenis Corporation, the world market leader in light-based aesthetic medical systems such as laser hair reduction, intense pulsed light photorejuvenation, and blue-light acne clearing devices.

We are honored that Lumenis has selected Artesia Medi-Spa to be in this highly selective and prestigious national training center program, said Anita Chambers, CEO of Artesia Medical, a medi-spa practice management corporation. Inclusion in this group is based on the exemplary quality of service provided to our clients and our commitment to offering the latest aesthetic procedures with proven results, Chambers said.

In the past months Artesia has already been among the first in the Santa Barbara area to offer several new products and procedures. In November, the Company received one of the first updated Lumenis LightSheer XC Laser Hair Reduction systems in the United States. This updated system is specially designed for effective and efficient hair removal in tanned and darker skin individuals. Our wonderful Santa Barbara climate means that the majority of our clients are tanned, which has always caused difficulty for older laser hair removal systems where results can range from being virtually ineffective to the client experiencing burns, said Patricia Stewart, DO, Medical Director of Artesia Medi-Spa. With this new technology, we can treat tanned and darker skinned clients with lower power producing effective hair removal while minimizing the risk of adverse effects, said Stewart. Based on discussions with renowned La Jolla dermatologist Mitchell Goldman, MD and his recent research presented by at the American Association of Dermatologists Scientific Session in February, Artesia now provides hair removal procedures alternating between the LightSheer XC and the Quantum Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) system. Dr. Goldmans research has proven that the use of multiple wavelength light-based technologies leads to faster and more effective results on all skin types.

Artesia was also among the first in the area to combine Botox wrinkle reduction injections with IPL photorejuvenation. Tested by Vic Narurkar, MD of San Francisco and Jean and Allistair Curruthers, MDs who discovered the wrinkle reduction benefits of Botox, this combination of procedures has been proven to significantly increase the stimulation of collagen regrowth. The results of this combination are amazing, said Jessica Barker, PA-C for Artesia Medi-Spa. Clients see a near immediate improvement in the coloration and texture of their skin while the wrinkle reduction takes 5 7 days to take effect. Over the course of a couple of weeks their skin continues to become smoother producing a soft glow, pore size reduces, and with continued IPL treatments the skin becomes more taut and youthful appearing, said Barker.

Artesia was also the first to provide Restylane dermal filler injections in the Santa Barbara area. Although Restylane has been utilized outside of the United States for years, it was recently cleared by the FDA and initial shipments of the product occurred in January 2004. Artesia was among these initial shipments and the Company began offering Restylane injection services within days, making Artesia one of the first to offer this anxiously awaited product in the United States.

In a continual effort to improve client services, Artesia will soon begin a clinical utilization trial on a new light-based technology for the treatment of inflammatory acne. Artesia was selected as one of only two sites in the United States for this important trial.

Artesia Medi-Spa is dedicated to offering the finest in non-invasive medical aesthetics to our Santa Barbara and visiting client base. We are pleased to be a part of the Lumenis national training program where we set an example by offering high quality service and innovative procedures utilizing the latest equipment and techniques provided by a highly experienced team.

About Artesia Medi-Spa
Artesia Medi-Spa is the perfect balance between the serenity of a spa and the professionalism and discretion of your personal physician. Artesia was founded in 2003 by cosmetic dermatologist Patricia A. Stewart, D.O., as the only true medi-spa in the Santa Barbara area offering a full range of both medical aesthetics and true spa services and is the only area medi-spa with a physician on premises. Medi-spa services include wrinkle reduction with Allergan Botox, Inamed bovine and human collagen, Medicis Aesthetics Restylane; Inamed Hylaform, BioForm Radiesse, lip enhancement with Inamed bovine and human collagen, Medicis Aesthetics Restylane, Inamed Hylaform and BioForm Radiesses; laser hair reduction with Lumenis LightSheer XC and Lumenis Quantum; IPL PhotoRejuvenation with Lumenis Quantum; Hyperpigmentation and Spider Vein Reduction with Lumenis Quantum; acne treatments with CosMedix Purity Peel and Cortisone injections; skin resurfacing with the CosMedix Blueberry TCA Peel and the CosMedix Timeless Peel; and actinic keratosis (pre-cancerous lesion) treatments with Levulan PhotoDynamic therapy. Spa services include microdermabrasion; 20 types of massage techniques; medical-grade chemical peels; medi-facials; and the full-line of Pevonia Botanica body wraps.

About Dr. Patricia A. Stewart, D.O.
Dr. Stewart received her Doctorate degree from the New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1994 and completed her residency training at The University of San Diego Medical Center. During this time she developed a keen interest in dermatology, which led her to a three-year dermatology fellowship at Hahnemann University. Dr. Stewart went on to create one of the very first medi-spas in the United States more than seven years ago. Now, shes doing it again, here in Santa Barbara, with ArtesiaTM Medi-Spa.

Additional information is available at www.artesiamedispa.com

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