 Before
Shelly Williamson Esnard attended LSU School of Medicine in
Shreveport to become a physician's assistant, she was already
working at Williamson Cosmetic Center running errands, helping
clients, answering phones and doing whatever she could to learn the
business her father created from the ground up. Even before she
graduated, she knew what she wanted to do with her life. She had
gotten that passion from her father, Dr. Charles Williamson.
Back then, Williamson Cosmetic Center was only performing cosmetic
eyelid surgery in conjunction with Williamson Eye Center, located
next door. "Dad told me one day that there was this new thing called
Botox. 'It's going to be really big one day,' he said. I told my
classmates that I was going to work with something called Botox when
I graduated. They didn't know what I was talking about."
Today, Botox injections are only one part of the services offered at
Williamson Cosmetic Center. Since it opened in 1995, the center has
expanded to include cosmetic surgery, as well as a plethora of other
non-surgical procedures. It's the only center of its kind in the
state and considered a leader in cosmetic surgery around the
country. With a full staff of cosmetic surgeons, physician
assistants, nurses and licensed medical aestheticians, the services
offered range from full face lifts to state-of-the-art laser
technologies, anything to help their clients look and feel better
about themselves.
"Botox is a big part of our business, but it's only a part," said
Shelly, who is a national trainer for Botox and Juvéderm. She often
gives lectures for continuing education classes and hosts workshops
for other physicians. "Yes," she laughs, "I even train doctors in
Baton Rouge who may later be competition. It's not the cost of the
drug that's important, but the expertise of those injecting it. I
enjoy being able to educate others about what we do because we are
unique. We are one of the only centers that mix surgical and
non-surgical procedures successfully."
 One
of those non-surgical procedures that has gained in popularity is
laser hair removal. It makes sense. Who really likes to shave? And
now with the light sheer high speed laser, the staff at the center
are able to treat a back full of hair in only 15 minutes. "We just
got the fastest laser available on the market," Shelly explained.
"It makes the process faster because the spot size with this laser
is so much larger. We are able to permanently remove hair quickly
and relatively pain free because this laser has the most specified
wavelength."
Laser hair removal typically requires six visits approximately six
weeks apart. Eighty-five percent of hair is permanently removed, and
what is left grows back lighter and finer. Shelly suggests that
yearly visits after the initial treatment are recommended for
optimal results.
"I always investigate the latest and best equipment because I want
to give our clients what they can get in bigger cities like Los
Angeles, Dallas or New York. We are considered cutting edge because
we invest in new technology, and we like being in that position,"
she said.
Juvéderm is another area of expertise for this woman who dedicates
her life to making other women beautiful. This process involves
injecting a gel into areas where lines are most prominent, such as
around the mouth, eyes and lower cheeks. The Juvéderm plumps the
area, making those laugh lines less noticeable. At about $450 per
syringe, Juvéderm is an inexpensive alternative treatment to a face
lift, and at optimal correction lasts about a year and a half.
 And
while many people are still afraid of Botox because of its
association with botulism, Shelly says that Botox is simply a strain
of protein taken from clostridium botulinum, which is purified. The
protein allows muscles to relax. "You are actually injected with
purified protein. If you use, like we do, FDA approved products, you
should feel safe. It's when people use products that are not
approved by the FDA that problems can occur," she said.
Botox was pioneered by Dr. Jean Carruthers, an ophthalmologist who
was treating muscle spasms around the eyes of her patients with
Botox when she noticed that their wrinkles were disappearing. She
decided to test her theory and soon realized that women everywhere
could benefit from these treatments.
With so much pressure placed on women to remain young-looking and
beautiful, it's not a surprise that Williamson Cosmetic Center has
been so successful. Because of its full range of services, customers
have a "one stop" center for cosmetic treatments.
And for those who wish for more permanent procedures, a partner to
Williamson Cosmetic Center and Perenack Aesthetic Surgery, Dr. Jon
Perenack, a double board certified cosmetic surgeon, offers the
latest advances in endoscopic and facial cosmetic surgery
procedures. In fact, Dr. Perenack is one of the few cosmetic
surgeons in Baton Rouge who's practice is solely devoted to facial
cosmetic
 surgery.
Dr. Perenack is also director of residency for the LSU Department of
Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery in New Orleans.
"The difference between the professionals at Williamson Cosmetic
Center is that the underlying principle is to achieve the most
beautiful result possible, while maintaining a natural look. There
are many celebrities that come to mind who because they were pulled
and stretched in an effort to look younger," Shelly said. "We
recognize the importance of minimally invasive procedures and adding
volume back to the face to create the most natural look possible. As
a provider, you have to have your clients' best interests at heart.
You have to know what looks good and is appropriate. We want our
clients to be happy and beautiful."
To that end, the center has a process to how they take care of
clients from start to finish. Complimentary consultations are
available where prospective clients can talk with professionals and
determine which procedure will work best for them. A relaxed
atmosphere helps calm nerves on an initial visit, and questions are
always answered fully.
"We listen our clients. I ask everyone, 'What can I do for you?'
Most of the time they respond with something very specific, but
sometimes people say, 'You tell me.' We can offer a multitude of
solutions that fit each individual and assist them in making the
right choice for them."
According to Allergan, the Williamson Cosmetic Center has retained
its leading position as the No. 1 provider of Botox and Juvéderm in
Louisiana and Mississippi. About this success, Shelly says, "It's
important to have as many different tools available in the tool box.
"We make sure our entire staff is educated and stays abreast of all
of the best treatments and technologies."
Williamson Cosmetic Center also has a satellite center in Gonzales.
For more information about any of the treatments, surgical and
non-surgical, offered at either center, please visit
www.williamsoncosmeticcenter.com or call 927-SKIN (7546).
Photos Courtesy of Williamson Cosmetic Center |
