Hamilton Herald Masthead

Editorial


Front Page - Friday, January 28, 2011

Medical aesthetics brings skin wellness with non-invasive laser procedures




At the Center for Comprehensive Medicine, Rebecca Benedict is an aesthetician, make-up artist and laser technician. She uses the latest technological devices to perform facial rejuvenation services with no down time. - Photo provided
Like the name implies, Dr. Carlton Vollberg’s Center for Comprehensive Medicine provides more than just the usual medical services.
It’s a place for facial rejuvenation through non-invasive laser treatments and Botox, as well as many other aesthetic services for the center,” says Rebecca Benedict, the lead aesthetician.
With Dr. Vollberg helping clients with everything from colds to more serious illness, Benedict takes to making the exterior of her clients healthy with her wide variety of services in medical aesthetics.
Benedict first began helping those with skin care problems as she experimented with herbs and vegetables, mixing together concoctions of avocado-oatmeal masques and herbal lotions for her older sisters who were suffering from acne. Even as she trained in classical ballet and musical theatre, her skincare expertise was noticed by her fellow actors and dancers. After a career as a Los Angeles makeup artist for Revlon and New Woman Magazine, as well as being an account executive for Frances Denny Cosmetics, she was accepted into the legendary Beverly Hills Institute de Beaute. Later, Benedict was recruited by Spa de Soleil to be their national education trainer. She went on from there to become the director of an exclusive spa catering to entertainment personalities in Los Angeles.
Benedict trained to be an aesthetician in Beverly Hills and has since been at the work for 25 years. Five years ago, she and her family moved from Santa Monica to the Chattanooga area. Now, as an aesthetician for the Center for Comprehensive Medicine, she continues to specialize in organic products and an eclectic menu including skin rejuvenation, facials and brand new laser treatments.
“These [treatments] are non-invasive, and really effective,” Benedict says. “Clients see amazing results with no down time.”
In this process, Benedict uses the latest laser technology, one of only 28 in the country right now, that employs radio frequencies to tighten and reduce wrinkles. The device also has a hand piece so it can be used to contour the legs, stomach or those ‘love handles.’ With laser treatments that use intense pulse light (IPL), Benedict says, they can remove spots, sun damage, and get rid of unsightly veins on the legs and face.
She emphasizes that the products they use at the Center are medical line products that effectively work on a cellular level.
Benedicts says, “I really love educating and helping people develop solutions for their skin care challenges. I have been doing that since I was a kid. Making people feel better about themselves, helping them look good, for me, that’s the best.”
She also says she enjoys meeting new people everyday, getting to know her clients and working with different groups of people like the ‘Look Good, Feel Better’ program with the American Cancer Society.
The Center for Comprehensive Medicine facility is expanding their medical aesthetics services to meet a growing clientele. Their current services include facials, body treatments and massage therapy in addition to the medical services that Dr. Vollberg will continue to administer.
“There’s really an art to aesthetics in knowing what to put on people and how to use it,” Benedict says. “In doing these treatments, you need to know how much to use and where is best to put it and all kinds of things.”
She says that the Center for Comprehensive Medicine does complementary consultations so that potential clients can come in and talk about their needs, have programs set up for them for skin care, or meet to discuss any other problems they may be having, such as weight loss. With a friendly and knowledgeable staff, Benedicts says, when clients come in, they are going to be treated really well and welcomed into individualized and experienced care for total body rejuvenation inside and out.
“We’re at a stage now where science meets beauty because of all the new technology available to us that wasn’t here even a few years ago.” Benedict says.
Benedict’s family life is still immersed in the arts. She shares her passion for dance through teaching and choreographing musical theatre, and stays busy with her two kids. She enjoys organics as well with products in the office she uses for patients and her own organic vegetable garden in the spring. Benedict’s husband is a filmmaker who continues to work in Hollywood, and they have established the Shae Foundation, a charitable organization focused on nurturing the creative spirit.
“Dr. Vollberg’s concept is
to provide a comprehensive approach to being healthy, and that includes not just taking care of the inside but the outside as well.” Benedict says. “We bring a whole wellness for people, because this really is a wellness center.”
To make an appointment with the Center for Comprehensive Medicine, located at 1608 Gunbarrel Road, Suite 101, call 423-296-0382.