The holiday of love is approaching, Valentine’s Day! The two universal symbols most commonly associated with love are the heart and the lips. We hope this Valentine’s Day your heart is healthy, full, and warm, and as for the lips, our office has been responsible for some incredible transformations with Juverderm Ultra XC filler that:

• Balance the top and bottom lip
• Diminish fine lines surrounding the mouth
• Create a youthful and feminine appearance
• Enhance and define the lip line the can slowly disappear with age

Call our office today to make an appointment and find out if lip filler is right for you!

JUVÉDERM^® Ultra XC is the first and only FDA-approved filler to last up to 1 year in the lips with optimal treatment.

“I am writing this blog to share a couple of lighthouses which helped me see more clearly along my journey with breast cancer. I found there to be some unlit corners on my journey, and I want to help others find a light in these corners.

Hair loss can be an emotional time and you deserve to be surrounded by the kindest resources possible. My recommendation for coping with hair loss is going to a professional and caring place. For this reason, I recommend Eivind and Hans of Georgetown, Salon and Spa. Hans is an amazing and kind person. He will show you both synthetic and human hair wigs. He will let you decide for yourself what you would like. The selection there is unparalleled to other wig stores in the area. Their prices range from 500 to 3,500 dollars. Call your insurance before your visit and fill out the appropriate papers needed to make the purchase of your wig easier for you. Hans will also offer you the chance to donate your hair.

Two options for receiving free wigs are EBeauty and Lolly’s Locks. These two charities will loan free wigs. EBeauty will loan you a wig with your oncologist’s prescription. Lolly’s Locks will ask you to apply in advance for the possibility to receive a free wig. These charities will take a couple of weeks to process your request. Both charities operate on donations. If you buy a wig, consider donating it back to one of these two charities.”

–Anonymous 

In a last minute effort to avoid getting coal for Christmas or having more to repent for on Yom Kippur, our office has decided to chose our favorite charities and spread the word! If you are struggling for a gift idea for somebody special consider making a donation to one of these amazing organizations on their behalf:

Abby’s Suggestion:

Doctors Without Borders

Doctors Without Borders helps people worldwide where the need is greatest, delivering emergency medical aid to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters or exclusion from health care.

Abby hopes to become a volunteer doctor for Doctors Without Borders upon completion of medical school.

Dahlia’s Suggestion:

The Children’s Inn at NIH

The Children’s Inn at NIH is a residential “Place Like Home’’ for families with children participating in leading-edge research studies at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland.

Dahlia worked at The Children’s Inn at NIH prior to her position at the office of Dr. Mary Ella Carter and has been touched by the work done at The Inn and The NIH ever since.

Kelly’s Suggestion: 

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)

The ASPCA provides effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.

Kelly is passionate about protecting the right for all animals to live healthy and happy lives. Kelly loves her German Shepard as a part of the family and would like all animals to be treated with respect.

Mary Beth’s Suggestion:

A Wider Circle

The mission of A Wider Circle is simple: to end poverty for one individual and one family after another. We work in partnership with those we serve and with those seeking to help to ensure that every child and adult has the chance to succeed and the opportunity to live well.

Mary Beth finds the mission of A Wider Circle to be extremely compelling; giving the marginalized an opportunity to regain a strong sense of self through the generosity and kindness of others. 

Dr. Carter’s Suggestion:

Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities USA is a national organization that offers support to member agencies, provides disaster relief and promotes poverty-reduction through research and legislative reform.

Dr. Carter has made financial contributions and donated her time as a surgeon to assist Catholic Charities achieve their mission.

According to a recent study conducted at the University of California San Diego, Professor Paul Mills has found statistically significant data that proves feelings of gratefulness improve the condition of the heart! Study participants were asked to record things they were grateful for over the course of the study, and compared to participants who did not, the “grateful” patient scored higher on heart screening measures.

According to a recent study conducted at the University of California San Diego, Professor Paul Mills has found statistically significant data that proves feelings of gratefulness improve the condition of the heart! Study participants were asked to record things they were grateful for over the course of the study, and compared to participants who did not, the “grateful” patient scored higher on heart screening measures.

So, in honor of Thanksgiving and your health, make an effort to reflect on what you are grateful for on a daily basis.

May your heart feel warm and strong this holiday season!

Read More on the Study by Clicking Here!

Starbucks cups have already made their wardrobe change from autumn leaves to their luxurious holiday red dress. It is “that time of year.”

That time of year where we lose ourselves in holiday plans, flights, presents, sales, and all around holiday fear…we mean cheer. It is a common concept that we can be more helpful to others when we help ourselves first. So, face your in-laws at the Thanksgiving table with your best face ever this year! Put yourself first, and come in and try our new favorite Allergan product, Juvederm Voluma filler.

The Voluma product can be injected in a simple office visit. It is injected to the deepest level of the muscle so bruising is minimal to zero. Unlike Botox, the results are instantaneous so you will see an immediate post-procedure reduction in wrinkles, creases, and that sagging appearance that results from skin inelasticity as soon as we get into our late twenties and early thirties.

Gift yourself an appointment with Dr. Carter by calling 202-363-6844

Read more about Voluma by clicking here!