PopSugar San Francisco

MedEstheticsRX: Studious Skin Care That's More Than Skin Deep

Nancy Einhart — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 08:41:09 PDT

Certified medical esthetician Linda Georgedes has been in the skin business for 32 years. For proof of her talent, you don't have to look at her resume - just at her dewy, glowing skin. You might call Georgedes a professor of skin care: she's devoured stacks of medical books and literally written a book on brow shaping. With her signature Beauty RX treatment, she's assembled years of research into one ultimate face-rejuvenating package. Book an appointment for Beauty RX with Linda or her expert staff, Elizabeth and Josh, clocking in at one hour and 15 minutes; it's the perfect introduction to this spa, fresh off its 2011 SF BayList victory. The package starts with skin analysis, extractions, and brow cleanup then glides on to three types of exfoliation: diamond tip microdermabrasion, dermaplaning, and a finishing touch of an enzyme peel, glycolic acid, or another option suited to your skin type. Once you've bid farewell to dead skin, greet a moisturizing method developed by Linda: using ultrasound, she massages a proprietary serum deep into the skin, followed by a warm occlusion mask to seal in moisturizer. Live oxygen and ice rollers tone down inflammation, and a custom powder application ensures you walk out with calm, radiant skin. You can also choose from two deluxe addons: a glycolic hand peel with brow shaping and lash tinting or a neck, chest, and decolletage peel and home-care kit. I think that's what we call "the works" or as Linda says: "It's not tricks or gimmicks. It's physician-strength skin care."

Skincare by Pearl

Nancy Einhart — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 08:00:43 PDT

Gather new pearls of skin care wisdom. Pearl Dworkin, the owner of Skincare by Pearl, isn't just an esthetician, she's also an educator who's always seeking to expand her skin knowledge. When she travels to exotic locales, Pearl is constantly on the hunt for new techniques to incorporate into her treatments; on a recent trip to Thailand, she picked up some rose crystal quartz wands, perfect for massaging facial treatments. Another recent discovery: organic raw honey to treat acne, rosacea, and fine lines around the eyes. Since she's also a licensed nutritionist, Pearl prefers to use all-natural products whenever possible, while educating her clients about beauty from the inside out. Get started with a visit to her Union Street digs for a personalized facial with your choice of add-ons, including hyper-pigmentation or antiaging European collagen blankets, an antirosacea treatment, or a glycolic peel. Then polish things off with lash tinting, brow design, or a two-month supply of eye cream custom-blended by Pearl to suit your needs. Throughout your visit, this 14-year veteran of the skin biz can recommend healthy habits to keep your skin looking fresh even after the facial fades. Says Pearl: "A facial will clean your skin and exfoliate, but it's what people are doing at home that makes the biggest difference."

Glo Skincare

Nancy Einhart — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 07:45:00 PST

This seasoned pro will make you glow. Olga Samson grew up in the pampering business: both her mom and cousin are spa-industry veterans. Now, she aims high(-end), bringing the best of what she learned during stints at Burke Williams and Intercontinental Hotels to design the ultimate spa experience. Located on the second floor in the same building as Thi Spa and Nail, this personalized pampering boutique uses exclusive products from British brand Eve Taylor, one of only two spas in San Francisco to feature the line. A world-renowned expert in essential oils, Eve Taylor brings the essence of plants to your complexion, and you'll see natural results right away. You won't get a cookie-cutter facial here, but instead a highly customized experience designed to treat antiaging, pigmentation, or whatever problem plagues you most. If you only have time to duck out during lunch, Glo also offers 30-minute minifacials, plus a full range of waxing services using low-temperature wax. To help you relax, Olga will even offer a complimentary glass of wine before your wax, and every visit includes spa-style extras like an arm massage and a hyperhydrating hand treatment. Says Samson, "When a person is on my table, they’re going to get all me. They’re going to get 100 percent."

Tracy Shelor at Bloom Bridal Boutique

Larkin Clark — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 08:00:16 PST

To look like a star, you need a skin care specialist who has actually worked with the stars. Enter Tracy Shelor, a Willow Glen-based aesthetician who spent more than 10 years working as a makeup artist and skincare guru to Hollywood's elite. Trained at the prestigious School of Professional Makeup Artistry and the Newberry School of Beauty, she channels her experience as a celebrity and bridal stylist into precise and professional skin care services. For five-star pampering, devotees swear by Tracy's spa package, which includes a 75-minute facial and a choice of upgrade. First, steam, cleanse, exfoliate, and extract your way to purified skin, then seal in moisture with a hydration masque. Next, add a glycolic peel, brow and lip wax, or foot reflexology treatment for good measure. And as if that weren't enough, there's also a face, head, neck, and shoulder massage included with every treatment. We can't deny it: Tracy's a superstar.

Lana Kessel: Brow Doctor Is In

Nancy Einhart — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 21:24:48 PDT

Lana Kessel took one look at me and said gravely, "I wish you'd come to me sooner." Nervous about the damage I'd inflicted after years of doing my own eyebrows, I lay down on what, appropriately, looks like an operating table plunked down in the middle of an expansive light-filled room, with towering windows overlooking Market Street.

Lana, the namesake brow expert behind Lana Kessel European Skin Care (564 Market St., Suite 718, 415-640-7652) set to tweezing with such rapid-fire yet painless motion that I could have sworn she was motorized. Lana promised to spend half an hour on my eyebrows, and I was worried I'd have nothing left when she was done. After backing up and scrutinizing her work several times, Lana unveiled a finished product that was subtle, polished, and not the slightest bit overplucked. Though she still fretted that my previous plucking had left my brows uneven, I couldn't detect even a hint of asymmetry. And that's what is so great about Lana: she takes your eyebrows far more seriously than you ever knew possible, and she is no-nonsense in the best way. Better yet, this tough love and attention will put you out a mere $35, which is quite reasonable in the world of eyebrow grooming.

Source: Thinkstock

SkinSpirit

Larkin Clark — Sun, 02 May 2010 11:28:51 PDT

Your skin deserves the best, and the Bay Area's SkinSpirit skin care clinic and spa delivers with the accolades to prove it. Founded by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Dean Vistnes, SkinSpirit offers deluxe medical skincare treatments in a luxurious spa setting. With locations in Palo Alto, Walnut Creek (1647 N. California Blvd., 925-952-9200), and Mill Valley (800 Redwood Highway, Strawberry Village, Ste. 610, 415-383-3100), its nonsurgical cosmetic procedures are highly effective and safe and leave clients with the healthy, resilient skin they've always hoped for. Ready to reclaim your youth? Get into the spirit with one of the clinic's diverse facials, which range from oxygen facials to firming, collagen-stimulating, and clarifying treatments. Also on the menu: microdermabrasion, glycolic peels, and filler treatments, which are injected just under the skin to temporarily fill wrinkles for a smooth and healthy appearance. What's more, SkinSpirit also offers waxing, tweezing, seaweed wraps, and a whole host of noninvasive med-spa treatments, so you're bound to find a thing or two (or five) to treat yourself to. Sweet skin of youth? Coming right up.