Frequently asked questions

Whatever your skin needs that day, within the time you booked: professional exfoliation, extractions, targeted masks, and — in The Custom Facial and The Ultimate Facial — dermaplaning, microdermabrasion, or other appropriate modalities. Enhancements are included when appropriate; there is no à la carte add-on list.

The Lunchtime Facial (30 minutes) is a results-focused express facial. The Custom Facial (60 minutes) is the fully customized facial most people choose. The Ultimate Facial (90 minutes) adds extended time to address several concerns in one visit. If you are unsure, book a Skin Consultation and we will plan it with you.

No. We take care of that for you based on your skin on the day.

No. That is the whole point of the Discovery Facial. Tell me what bothers you and what you would like to improve, and I will help figure out the best direction.

Yes. Bring the bottles or photos of everything you currently use, including prescription products. It helps me see the full picture instead of guessing.

Yes. Please bring a current medication list, including prescriptions, supplements, hormones, and topical medications. Some can affect sensitivity, healing, or what treatments are appropriate.

If your routine needs changes, yes. I will explain what I think is helping, what may be working against you, and what I would prioritize first. I am not interested in replacing products just for the sake of selling you something.

No. This appointment is intentionally kept basic so I can assess your skin safely and learn how it responds before we move into more advanced treatments.

No. Nano-infusion is painless, non-invasive, and has no downtime. It does not create the controlled micro-injuries used in traditional microneedling for collagen induction and more corrective concerns such as acne scarring. It is the gentler option for patients who want a comfortable treatment with no needles and no downtime.

A customized treatment for teen skin and common concerns such as excess oil, clogged pores, blackheads, and breakouts — appropriate exfoliation and extractions, plus simple, realistic home-care guidance.

Often, yes. It can be especially helpful for clogged pores, blackheads and mild congestion. If your acne is very inflamed, cystic, irritated or your skin barrier is compromised, I may modify the treatment or recommend something gentler first.

No. HydraFacial is a specific brand and device. A Hydroderm Facial uses a similar concept of fluid-based exfoliation and suction, but I customize the products, exfoliation and finishing care based on your skin rather than following the branded system.

A deep-cleansing treatment for the back targeting clogged pores, breakouts, buildup, and rough texture, with professional exfoliation, extractions when appropriate, a targeted mask, and finishing care.

A manual exfoliation that gently removes dull surface buildup and fine facial hair, so skin looks brighter and feels exceptionally smooth. Customized skincare completes the facial.

No. Dermaplaning does not change the thickness, color, or growth pattern of your hair — we're removing hair at the surface of the skin, not changing the follicle underneath. Your peach fuzz grows back the same way it did before. It may feel a little different at first because the hair was cut straight across, but it isn't actually thicker or darker.

Dermaplaning is included in The Custom Facial and The Ultimate Facial when appropriate for your skin. For select peel or microneedling appointments, Marissa may add a dermaplaning enhancement when she determines it is appropriate — it is not booked separately online.

You may peel, flake or shed over the next several days — but you do not have to visibly peel for a chemical peel to work. Some peels cause very little shedding, while stronger or retinol-based peels may have more delayed flaking. Visible peeling is not the goal by itself.

I don't choose a peel just based on one concern. I look at your skin as a whole — what you want to improve, how sensitive or resilient your skin is, your current barrier, medications and homecare, previous treatments, pigment risk, and how much downtime you're comfortable with. Sometimes the peel you want isn't the peel your skin is ready for yet, so we may need to prep the skin or start more conservatively. If you're not sure, a Skin Consultation settles it.

The results are more delayed than a traditional acid peel. Instead of doing all the exfoliating immediately in the treatment room, retinol continues working after you leave, so peeling and dryness may show up over the next few days. I choose it when I want to encourage deeper renewal, improve texture and pigment, and give the skin a more corrective anti-aging treatment over time.

Yes — a chemical body peel, priced by area. See [Chemical Body Peel](/body-peel).

There isn't a magic age — I care far more about your skin and why we're treating it than the number on your birthday. For younger skin we may be working on acne scarring or texture; later, on collagen support and fine lines. That said, not every skin is a candidate: if it's very thin, fragile, or doesn't heal well, I'll tell you and we'll choose something else. I look at the health of your skin first.

Microneedling creates controlled micro-injuries to induce collagen — the option for more corrective concerns such as acne scarring. Nano-infusion is painless, needle-free and has no downtime, but does not create those micro-injuries. See [Specialty facials](/specialty-facials) for nano-infusion.

Three treatments performed at appropriate intervals give progressive improvement in acne scarring, texture, fine lines, enlarged pores, and overall skin quality. The series is arranged at your visit.

Advanced microneedling combined with your own platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to support the skin’s natural renewal and collagen response — for patients targeting acne scarring, uneven texture, fine lines, and overall rejuvenation. A licensed medical provider draws the blood; Marissa does the microneedling. Seventy-five minutes.

Because stronger is not automatically better. Some skin needs to be gradually conditioned before it can safely tolerate more advanced treatment.

These combinations can be amazing, but more treatment is not always better. I have to look at your skin barrier, sensitivity, current routine, treatment history and what we're actually trying to accomplish before deciding whether combining services makes sense. Some patients also need time to gradually condition their skin before we can safely move into more advanced combinations. You can absolutely book one, but I'd rather you tell me what you want to improve and let me decide whether that combination, or something else, will get you there safely.

Yes. Every combination can be booked online by anyone. Marissa still checks at your visit that your skin is ready for it, and if it isn't yet, she'll suggest the right step to get there first.

Most patients describe it as warm and comfortable, with some light pressure from the applicators. No numbing is needed.

Evoke uses controlled radiofrequency energy with temperature monitoring throughout the treatment. We also review your medical history first to make sure you're a good candidate.

Evoke is designed to create firmer, tighter, more defined contours over time. It works best for mild to moderate laxity and is especially helpful after GLP-1 use or significant weight loss.

Most patients begin noticing changes during their series, with continued improvement for 1–3 months after the final treatment as collagen remodeling continues.

Results can last for months, and maintenance treatments every 3–6 months can help support and extend them.

No. Evoke is a non-surgical tightening and contouring treatment. It can create noticeable improvement, but it does not remove or reposition significant loose skin the way surgery can.

No — both treatments are bookable online. A brief consultation and candidacy assessment is completed at the appointment. If Evoke is not appropriate for you, we'll discuss why and recommend a better option instead.

Members receive their regular 10%, 15% or 20% discount on individual Evoke sessions or the Evoke series, based on their membership level. Evoke does not count as the included quarterly treatment unless specifically designated as a membership benefit. See [Memberships](/memberships).

Small is a localized area. Medium covers areas such as the shoulders, upper arms, or buttocks. Large covers areas such as the full back — final pricing for large areas may vary with the treatment area.

It's designed for minimal downtime. We'll tell you what's typical for the area treated.

No. You'll feel the exfoliation and suction, but it should not feel painful.

Usually yes, but I prefer a little breathing room in case you have temporary redness or sensitivity.

Small is a localized area. Medium covers areas such as the shoulders, upper arms or upper back. Large covers areas such as the full back — final pricing for large areas is confirmed at your visit once we see the area.

You may notice some improvement after one treatment, but body concerns like stretch marks and scars usually respond best to a series.

No treatment can promise to erase them completely, but microneedling can soften their appearance, improve texture and make them much less noticeable over time.

We can use topical numbing when appropriate. Most people describe the treatment as uncomfortable in certain areas rather than truly painful.

This one takes patience. Your skin needs time to build and remodel collagen, so improvement develops gradually over the weeks and months after treatment.

Yes. Both newer and older stretch marks may improve, although the response and number of treatments needed can vary.

No. Needle depth should be based on the area, the concern and the individual skin. Going deeper than necessary does not automatically create a better result and can create unnecessary trauma.

Small is a localized area. Medium covers areas such as the shoulders, upper arms or a section of the back. Large covers larger areas such as the full back — final pricing for large areas is confirmed at your visit.

It's the same collagen-induction approach adapted for body areas and thicker skin. If you're also treating your face, see [Microneedling](/microneedling).

No. Once your tattoo is fully healed, microdermabrasion works on the outermost layers of skin, while the ink sits much deeper. We aren't exfoliating the ink away — we're removing dull, dead skin sitting over it, which can actually make the colors and detail look a little brighter.

No. This treatment does not alter, replace, or restore tattoo pigment. It removes dull surface buildup so the existing work can show through more clearly.

Fully healed only. If your tattoo is recent, wait until it has completely healed before booking.

Long enough for the wax to grip — usually about a quarter inch. If you are unsure, ask when you book.

Tell us first. Retinoids, recent peels or microneedling on the area can make skin lift, so facial waxing may need to wait or be adjusted.

No — waxing removes hair from the root, and over time with consistent waxing many people find the hair grows back finer and easier to manage, not thicker. The key is to stay consistent and put the razor down between appointments, since shaving interrupts the growth cycle.

Yes — book both, or ask at your visit. Members get one brow cleanup or underarm wax included each month.

In many cases, yes — and please don't be embarrassed to ask. Hormonal hair growth from PCOS is incredibly common and welcome here; we may just adjust how often you come in. With hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), tell me beforehand: I won't wax over active sores, draining or open areas, or significant inflammation, so we may work around an area or wait. And yes, you can get a Brazilian on your period — just wear a fresh tampon or cup; you may be a little more sensitive that day. None of this is weird to me. My job is to care for your skin and remove the hair, not to judge your body.

Bikini removes hair outside the traditional bikini line. Extended bikini removes more while leaving your preferred amount in the front. Brazilian is comprehensive intimate waxing, with the option to leave a strip or triangle.

Long enough for the wax to grip — usually about a quarter inch. If you are unsure, ask when you book.

Pricing for the chest and back may vary based on the treatment area and is confirmed at your visit.