Rebecca Bahr didn't set out to open just another beauty bar. She moved to Montana from Georgia to care for her father-in-law during his battle with prostate cancer, taking shifts with her mother-in-law through chemo treatments and the difficult days that followed. It was during this time that Rebecca enrolled in aesthetics school, watching how skin conditions emerged alongside cancer treatment—the lymphatic buildup, the sensitivity, the changes that came with each round of chemo and radiation.
"I wanted to focus on that," Rebecca shared. She completed training in oncology aesthetics, partnered with Bryght (an oncology-safe skincare line), and in 2021 opened The Wellness Bahr to help people in the Flathead Valley undergoing treatment. "This has always been a place to come and relax and get treatments," she said. "But now we've expanded to treating all kinds of people."
Today, The Wellness Bahr sits in Kalispell's medical district, just down from the hospital, offering everything from custom facials and massage, to acupuncture and waxing. But what sets this practice apart isn't just the breadth of services—it's the approach.
"We focus on holistic care, which begins with understanding skin at a cellular level," Rebecca explains. Most clients come in looking to fix something like hyperpigmentation, melasma, cystic acne, or a compromised skin barrier. The process always starts the same way: a 30-minute deep consultation. "It's not just going to be about your skin but also your lifestyle, stress, and work. What are you doing to pour back into yourself?" Rebecca asked. "We believe there is a mind, body, soul connection."
Take the client who came in struggling with cystic acne. She'd been to the gym regularly, used whey protein, had tried Accutane in the past, but the acne returned. She was ready for a holistic approach. Rebecca and her team asked where the acne was happening and why. They created a protocol: weekly facials, nurturing products, supplements, and stress management. Today, that client is 85 to 95 percent clear and moving into phase two, which focuses on resurfacing the skin and addressing scarring.
"We really take the time to explain why the condition is happening, how long it will take to heal, and support them all the way through," Rebecca said. There's a phased protocol here, not just one treatment at a time.
What began as a one-woman practice has grown into a team of seven, including a general practice doctor who often suggests complementary wellness services for her patients. Rebecca doesn't see herself as a manager but as part of the team. She treats patients daily, specializing in acne, hyperpigmentation, and compromised skin barriers, and spends the other half of her time supporting what the rest of the team needs. "I don't feel like just because my name is on the building, I'm the priority," she said.
Her advice for winter wellness? Protect your skin. Cracked skin is one of the leading ways infection enters the body, so wear lotion and gloves. Use a sun lamp to support your circadian rhythm through Montana's darker months. And most importantly, take time for your overall wellness.
"It's not just aesthetics," Rebecca reminded me. "Are you feeding your soul? Are you feeding your mind? It all ripples into each other."
Taking care of yourself isn't selfish—it's one of the highest forms of responsibility. You become a better spouse, friend, and community member when you do.
"We love giving people confidence in their skin," Rebecca said, "but we really love nurturing their inner glow. That's why we call it the Wellness Bahr."