Clearwater – Stephanie Schlageter sometimes feels more like a psychologist than a director of Radiance MedSpa. Every day she meets clients who look for ways to make themselves look and feel better – and every time she guarantees them that they’ve come to the right place.
“A lot of people come in because they’re going through a life transition like a break up or the loss of a significant person like a parent,” Schlageter says. “These wake up calls in life cause people to pause for a moment and look at ways to make themselves feel better. That’s where we step in.”
Radiance MedSpa opened its doors in Belleair Bluffs in 2006. In 2011, a second location opened in Clearwater Beach.
“We offer private consultations and hand the client a mirror and ask them what brings them in today,” Schlageter explains. “We match them with a program or set of procedures that will get them what they’re looking for.”
A consultation typically lasts an hour and treatments vary, depending on the client.
This year, Radiance MedSpa has reached out specifically to the LGBT community, and Schlageter says that both men and women us a variety of services, but the most popular procedures tend to be those aimed at improving skin or removing fat.
All of Radiance’s procedures are non-surgical, but only nurse practitioners or MDs actually perform them. LGBTs, she says, tend to lean toward Juvederm, versions of liposuction, Fraxel and laser hair removal. If you’re not familiar with those terms, don’t worry, Schlageter explains them below.
“Technological advances mixed with people wanting to go with a more natural and less evasive approach has made non-surgical procedures incredibly popular,” Schlageter says. “People don’t want any visible down time or any missed work. These non-surgical procedures offer equal or better results than procedures requiring surgery, so they are obviously gaining in popularity.”
While Radiance MedSpa, and other similar businesses, offer a variety of services, the prices and procedures vary depending on individual needs. A full list of services is available at RadianceMedSpa.com.
Schlageter offered Watermark a glimpse at some of the more popular procedures she and her staff perform:
Juvederm
As we age, our skin changes. With injectable fillers like Juvederm, which is a gel-like substance similar in appearance to hair gel, skin’s volume is restored and facial wrinkles are smoothed away.
“This replaces volume in the face,” Schlageter says. “It used to be that people had to call a plastic surgeon to get everything pulled tight. That’s not the case anymore with these fillers.”
Injections of Juvederm put volume back into the cheeks, she explains, and helps remove jowells or lines around the mouth. The substance is a hyaluronic acid which is actually a natural component of human skin. The body reacts well because of that, Schlageter says, and clients can quickly and comfortably look naturally like they used to a few years ago.
“It lasts a year to a year and a half, depending on where it is placed on the face,” she explains. “It’s one of – if not the most – popular procedures we offer.”
Botox
Almost everyone has heard of Botox, but many may not know exactly how it’s used, Schlageter says. It’s often compared to Juvederm, but is better used in “expression areas like lines around the eyes.
Fraxel
Many clients at Radiance want to restore their skin to its youthful beginnings, and the most effective way to do that, according to Schlageter, is through Fraxel, a procedure that actually damages the old skin and forces newer, younger skin to replace it.
“We don’t like using the term ‘damage,’ but that’s really what this laser does,” Schlageter says. “We do it in a series of four and you literally have all new baby skin replacing your old skin.”
Clients who want to fix damage caused by the sun are typically directed toward Fraxel, and they find that fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes and mouth dissipate with its use.
“Another use of Fraxel is to fill acne scars,” Schlageter says. “So it’s not only an anti-aging technique, it can also repair damage that was done years or decades before.”
Liposonix
Finding a way to reduce fat is something many clients seek during their initial consultation, and depending on where they are with their fitness goals, Schlageter and her staff will recommend Liposonix as an option.
This procedure was approved by the FDA almost two years ago and melts fat through the skin with the use of ultrasound.
“Wherever we put this ultrasound energy, it leaves a path of melted fat a half inch below the skin,” she says. “Then the body removes it as damaged tissue and the whole area is reduced by small amounts.”
This procedure, however, is for those who just want to lose a little bit of fat-or maybe a small love handle.
“It’s really a little tailoring,” Schlageter explains. “You get one or two treatments in succession to get it done. It’s usually for smaller people.”
SlimLipo
SlimLipo is a body sculpting laser with a “fat melting” laser wavelength that quickly and effectively melts unwanted fat. Via a few tiny incisions, this patented laser gently melts fat so that it may gently be removed from the body.
“Lasers are inserted and look like a thin piece of spaghetti,” Schlageter says. “The laser fiber helps with trouble areas like love handles and the person is awake throughout the procedure.”
A local anasthetic like lidocane is used to numb the area and the procedure is typically used on abs, knees, thighs, arms and hips.
“It contours the areas and the melted fat gets suctioned out with a small tube,” Schlageter says. “Unlike traditional lipo, within a couple of hours you get the fat removed. It’s faster, less expensive and more effective.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.