A Sanctuary For Cancer Patients
(Pictured Above)
For two years now, SK Sanctuary in La Jolla has been a beacon of relaxation and wellness for breast cancer patients and survivors. For one night a month, the spa closes its doors to the public to offer complimentary spa treatments, as well as lectures by guest speakers, complete with snacks and drinks for this special group. The results have been overwhelming, with an outpouring of appreciation from attendees. A prostate cancer night was subsequently added, followed most recently by a melanoma night.

The spa director, Kelly Costa, carefully selects professionals to work at SK Sanctuary and all the staff is involved in the cancer programs. “It is our responsibility to provide education to our staff on how to treat cancer patients. Medical professionals from all across the country have trained the employees of SK Sanctuary,” says Costa. “We get letters from our patients’ physicians that let us know what we can and are not able to do when it comes to spa services for our guests. The evenings are personally geared for each individual’s specific medical needs. Additionally, we conveniently have newly diagnosed patients with patients who are ten or more years recovered. This is all about hope and making someone’s day just a little bit better.”

Along with his wife, Lyn, the program was started by Dr. Stephen Krant who has been providing reconstructive surgery for breast cancer patients for a number of years at his SK Clinic across the street. Setting his patients’ minds at ease is only one part of Krant’s vision; he also recognizes the healing effects spa treatments have on the body. Studies have shown that relieving stress can lead to an improved immune system. For more information and reservations, call 858/459-2400. — Marie Larrabee

SK Sanctuary Upcoming Events:
July 13: Prostate Cancer Night
July 20: Melanoma Spa Night
July 27: Breast Cancer Night

Heavenly Hip
The young and beautiful can now not only be seen at the Hotel W San Diego, they can also be rubbed, slathered, and wrapped up as well. This hip downtown boutique hotel, famous for its Hollywood-type clientele, recently added Anatomy Spa as an extension of the W’s Whatever/Whenever service. Facials, body treatments, massages, and skin care designed to suit the needs of both men and women are offered in five luxuriously appointed treatment rooms. Guests can also take their massage in one of three private rooftop cabanas just steps away from the pool. For appointments, call 619/398-3092 or visit www.whotels.com. — Terryl Gavre

A Coastal Garden Oasis Has Opened
A new relaxation oasis has recently opened in the form of The Spa at Estancia within Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa. This sensory retreat was inspired by its natural California surroundings. The spa experience unfolds as each guest walks through gardens of eucalyptus, lavender, citrus trees, and succulent plantings en route to their spa destination. The garden aromas, the natural design elements within the spa, and the pure essences integrated into all of the spa services create an environment that makes The Spa at Estancia unique. The Spa contains a variety of massage, facial, Vichy Shower and Swiss Shower rooms as well as private outdoor massage garden suites. Whichever treatment you choose, the result will be a more relaxed an serene sense of being. For information and reservations, call 858/550-1000. — Ann Radcliffe

La Jolla Self-Transcendence Swim/Run
The health bar is set pretty high this year, what with all the low carb diets and fast food franchises wrapping their burgers in lettuce. It’s probably safe to say most of us have the eating right thing down by now. If you’ve moved into the second phase of better health, the get-out-and-exercise phase, you might consider the La Jolla Self-Transcendence Swim/Run, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this summer with a one-mile swim from La Jolla Cove to La Jolla Shores followed by a 10K run on La Jolla Shores beach at low tide. Granted, this is not for everyone — a mile swim in itself is pretty exhausting — but for those up for a challenge and looking for a great opportunity to get fit outside, what better place than beautiful La Jolla to do it? Prizes, beverages, and discount coupons will be provided to all participants, and awards presented to the winners. The pre-registration fee is $30, or register for $40 the day of the race, which begins July 25 at 7am. For more information call 619/687-5859. — Charles Union

Scripps Center For Integrated Medicine
Among the medical and bio-tech facilities of Torrey Pines, one of San Diego’s most convenient fitness centers can be found in the Scripps Center For Integrated Medicine. Nearby workers have been taking advantage of its proximity for years, burning a few calories on their lunch breaks, and then simply walking back to their offices. It’s smaller than your average gym, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in variety since the center offers numerous holistic practices. Hence, a lunch break doesn’t just mean spinning on the exercise bikes, but also acupuncture and massages just down the hall.

The center will create a regimen of medically-based strength, flexibility, and conditioning programs. Additionally, sports physiologists are on hand to help assess body mechanics and monitor the program. Classes vary from traditional workouts to Qi Gong, yoga, and Tai Chi. Since healthy living extends beyond the fitness room, the center also offers education on improving nutrition and changing poor personal habits. For more information call 858/554-3488. — Marie Larrabee

The Root Causes Of Aesthetic Problems
Smiles can become aesthetically compromised for all sorts of reasons. Simple problems — assuming the teeth are straight — and among the most common include discoloration caused by habits like smoking, or dietary issues such as the consumption of coffee, red wine, tea, and so on. This type of discoloration is easily treated by whitening procedures, which can be completed in about an hour and a half.

Other types of discoloration, though — commonly tetracycline staining and fluorosis — can be more complicated and require more drastic measures. Tetracycline, an antibiotic routinely given to children years ago for things such as ear infections, though very effective in treating infections, left the teeth permanently stained and discolored, giving an almost black appearance in severe cases. Fluorosis is a condition wherein the tooth enamel takes on a “mottled” appearance caused by an excess exposure to fluoride. In both cases bleaching will do little if any good, and porcelain veneers or bonding are generally required to cover up staining.

In the case of worn and cracked teeth, the likely cause is some type of bite problem. Virtually everyone has bite problems to some extent. To what degree will greatly determine how your teeth look as you age. Severe bruxing (grinding of the teeth) or clenching will ensure that eventually a person’s teeth will look worn, short, even discolored and cracked. Teeth can be made to look better with porcelain veneers or caps, but if the bite problem is not addressed, the dental work will soon fall into the same state of disrepair.

Often overlooked problems in cosmetic dentistry are airway abnormalities, usually manifested in crowding or spacing of the teeth or a disproportion in size between the upper and lower jaws. Airway problems are probably the major developmental problem contributing to abnormal facial aesthetics. Recognizing this is an extremely important part of treatment planning. It is even more important to recognize this situation in young children — by age seven or eight — so radical treatment is not required as an adult. —Martin Abelar D.D.S

Dr. Martin Abelar is an instructor for the prestigious La Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, which teaches practicing dentists contemporary techniques in cosmetic and restorative dentistry. He can be reached at his practice, the La Jolla Center for Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry, at 858/457-7994.