Lauren Clark is a licensed esthetician who has been helping Charlotteans improve their skin since 2011. She’s a 7th generation native Charlottean, who was born and raised here. She lives here with her husband, Lyndon, and her two sons, three year old Henry and nine month old Maximus. Lauren is the owner/operator of The Skin Suite at Jon 'Ric Medical Spa and Wellness Center. She sees clients by appointment only.
What’s your favorite thing about living in Charlotte?
It’s what I’ve always known. It’s a great place for families. I also love that we have four seasons.
When you’re not working, what do you like to do?
I haven’t had a lot of free time since Max was born, but when I do, I enjoy making candles. I also scuba dive.
How long have you been at Jon ‘Ric?
I’ve been here since they opened in October of 2013. I was the busiest esthetician here, and I think that’s why Dr. Jones offered me the opportunity to have my own space here. So, I rent my space and have a small business within a business.
Tell us a little about Dr. Matt Jones, the owner/operator of Jon 'Ric Medical Spa and Wellness Center.
Dr. Matt Jones does Botox, Juvederm, laser treatments, and CoolSculpting, and has a great following for filler and Botox.
And are you the only esthetician, or are there others?
I have two other estheticians, Heather Dyer and Leann Williamson, who are great. And because we work different hours, we’re able to offer appointments seven days a week.
You gave me a hydrafacial treatment, and I found it very relaxing. It was painless, my skin felt good every step of the way, and it was unbelievable how much dead skin it removed and how deeply it cleaned out my pores. It was also so interesting to be able to see what’s been extracted. Let’s talk about this treatment.
Hydrafacials are my favorite facial to give and to receive. We use a machine that utilizes a vortex fusion technology, that penetrates every pore of your face. Everything is done using different tips that have specific purposes. It’s a form of hydradermabrasion. There are several steps that include deep hydration, a chemical peel, extractions and serums, including hyaluronic
acid. There are also a few add-on options at additional cost.
How does a hydrafacial differ from a traditional facial?
This is more effective. With a hydrafacial, you’re going to see and feel results. It’s not your typical warm and fuzzy facial, it’s more effective and results driven.
Can people see results after one treatment, or do they need a series?
You will feel a difference after the fist treatment, and you’ll have a glow. But just like eating right or exercising, the more consistently you do it, the better the results. Once every four weeks is ideal, although if you have a big event coming up in your life, we can do a series of them, a week apart. The more regularly you have them done, the longer lasting the results.
What is the cost?
It’s $170 for the face only, $190 for the face and neck, and $210 for the face, neck, and décolletage. The national average for a hydrafacial is $200, just for the face.
Is it good for all types of skin?
It is. It’s good for everyone. People with dry skin, oily congested skin, aging, young, even people with rosacea. I even have pregnant clients, but I made slight modifications for them. Of course, if you’re pregnant, you should check with your doctor.
What are the benefits of hydrafacials?
They soften fine lines and hyperpigmentation, improves the feel and look of skin, and just improves the overall quality. But it’s not magic, and it’s good for people to have realistic expectations. One facial is not going to make you look 10 years younger. However, your skin will visibly improve over just a few treatments.
You also do something called “microneedling.” What is that?
We use the only FDA approved microneedling device, called the SkinPen. Actually, it’s the SkinPen 2, the latest version. Microneedling is collagen indication therapy, where we small needles penetrate the skin and stimulate a natural healing response. This increases the body’s production of collagen. It plumps skin, helps to smooth scars, lightens hyperpigmentation, and lessons fine lines and wrinkles. This is more of a medical treatment, not something that is a relaxing spa treatment.
This sounds painful, is it?
I wouldn’t say painful, but I’d say it can be mildly uncomfortable, especially around the hairline and upper lip. Most people say it’s not as bad as they anticipated.
You’re also known for dermaplaning. Can you describe that treatment?
With dermaplaning, we use a blade to gently scrape the skin, removing dead skin cells and any “fur” on the face. It’s great on its own, but it’s also extremely useful for product penetration. A lot of times, we do it before a hydrafacial—and that helps all the topical products to get absorbed deeper in the skin.
What do you enjoy about your work?
I am passionate about what I do and I love building relationships with my clients and really getting to know them on a personal level and some have even become friends. I really love watching the progress of my clients’ skin, it’s a great feeling of accomplishment. I grew up with acne from a very young age and it wasn't until I started seeing an esthetician when I was 24 that we got my skin under control—by using medical grade skincare with facials every 4 weeks. That's when I knew what I wanted to do with my life, so that’s when I enrolled in Aveda to get my esthetician's license.
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