What Is Aesthetics?

According to Merriam-Webster's dictionary, aesthetics is a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty, art, and taste and with the creation and appreciation of beauty or a particular theory or conception of beauty or art: a particular taste for or approach to what is pleasing to the senses and especially sight. It also says that aesthetics is a pleasing appearance or effect.

Sam Perry, the Clinic Administrator of McKenzie County Aesthetics Clinic in Watford City, believes aesthetics is the potential beauty of something. I asked Lynn Welker, Director of Public Relations and Fundraising for McKenzie County Healthcare Systems, how important attention to one's personal aesthetics can be and she said, "Because of various types of environmental exposure and skin damage that can be caused by the sun and a drier climate, aesthetics can be helpful in reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Wearing sunscreen year-round is equally important. When you feel confident about how you look and feel there are many psychological benefits." Perry said, "We offer a service that can improve a person's self-worth and image. It may sound like a small service but it can go as far as decreasing depression, increasing energy and saving long-term grooming costs for the patient." According to them, the most prominent aesthetic concerns in the MonDak area would be signs of aging such as sun spots and wrinkles which can be corrected by providers at the McKenzie County Aesthetics Clinic.

McKenzie County Aesthetics Clinic offers services to treat many different aesthetic concerns. They have a Cynosure machine that is used to treat rosacea, acne, unwanted facial and body hair, scars, stretch marks, fine lines, and wrinkles. A more intense treatment is also offered for deeper wrinkles. For dry skin and acne, a skin care regimen can be discussed with a provider as well as a skincare line. Currently, McKenzie County Aesthetics Clinic doesn't carry skin care regimen lines but is looking to add these.

Lisa Swanson, RN, currently provides all of the laser services at McKenzie County Aesthetics Clinic and is obtaining an education to become a Nurse Practitioner. Lisa has advanced training specific to the Cynosure machine as well. According to Lynn Welker, "During a patient's appointment with Lisa, she will be able to make unique recommendations for the patient based on their skin type in order to enhance both the skin tone and texture."

In Montana, according to Dr. Shari Twigg, M.D. at Advanced Aesthetics in Fairview, aesthetics is a way to enhance a person's beauty. Aesthetic medicine is a branch of the medical community used to improve a patient's appearance. She told me, "Everyone's wanting to look a little better, feel a little better."

Advanced Aesthetics is a part of Sidney Health Center that started up in December 2016. Dr. Twigg is originally from Pennsylvania. According to her bio on Sidney Health Center's website, she worked in a world-renowned spa and made a name for herself as an award-winning makeup artist. She went to medical school at West Virginia University and did her residency in Akron, Ohio. She originally worked in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Sidney Health Center when she and her husband, Eric, came to Sidney. She continued on there for 5 years before deciding she wanted something different. She still wanted to practice medicine but treat her patients differently. A little over two years ago Shari got Board Certification in Aesthetic Medicine and began practicing in Fairview.

Advanced Aesthetics offers several treatments to help augment the appearances of men, women and kids from childhood through their golden years. They can help with acne, scars, general skin discoloration, sun damage, varicose veins, stretch marks, wrinkles, hair reduction, and hair re-growth. Dr. Twigg even offers weight loss programs for her patients. She has a program customized to fit her weight loss patient's needs involving diet, macronutrients, exercise and the occasional medication. She also has an HCG weight loss program that involves growth hormone treatments and a low-calorie diet. Pharmaceutical grade supplements, Advanced Aesthetics' own brand of skin care products and acne control system are available to purchase as well.

Lisa Swanson welcomes new patients and the opportunity to help them address their aesthetic areas of concern. McKenzie County Aesthetics Clinic is at 709 4th Avenue NE, Watford City, North Dakota. To make an appointment call 701-842-3771. Hours and more information on the McKenzie County Aesthetics Clinic can be found on McKenzie County's Healthcare Systems' website http://www.mckenziehealth.com.

Dr. Twigg loves her work and looks forward to seeing the men, women, and children who come to her for help. Advanced Aesthetics is at 304 S. Ellery Ave. Suite 2 in Fairview Montana. More information on Dr. Twigg and the services she offers can be found on the Sidney Health Center's website, http://www.sidneyhealth.org, under Advanced Aesthetics.