When people think about self-investment, they often consider fitness, nutrition, or mental well-being. But one area that is sometimes overlooked is skincare and aesthetics, a field that goes beyond appearance to help people feel their best. At the helm of Charlottesville’s longest-standing medspa, Charlottesville Skin & Laser Center, Stephanie Snell understands this.
Before stepping into the world of aesthetics, Snell spent 25 years in banking. She took over the medspa full-time in 2006, drawn by the opportunity to work with people in a more personal way. “What I like and what is good for me is developing relationships with people,” she said. “Here, we focus on the individual and work with people to achieve their goals.”
Snell notes that people often don’t think about skincare and aesthetics until they notice signs of aging. But she says that proactive care is key. “Taking care of your skin’s health benefits you in the long run,” she said. “It’s not about how you look but about how you feel about how you look.”
One of the biggest misconceptions about aesthetic treatments is that they’re purely cosmetic. In reality, they can be an essential part of self-care. “If something bothers you, take care of it,” she advised. “It used to be that aesthetics was seen as a vanity issue, but now, if it makes you feel good, do it.”
Snell’s medspa was originally founded on laser hair removal, and that remains a core service. But over the years, demand has expanded to include treatments focused on aging gracefully, such as laser resurfacing, skin treatments, and Botox. “There are things we can do to help skin look younger and healthier -- softening a look without changing it,” she says.
One of the fastest-growing areas of the business is bioidentical hormone therapy. “We start losing hormones in our body, which can lead to lack of energy, trouble sleeping, and losing muscle mass,” Snell explained. Unlike synthetic pharmaceuticals, these treatments are tailored to the individual and often become part of a larger lifestyle change.
For those new to medspa treatments, Snell recommends starting with a consultation. “We offer free consultations because we take this very seriously. We want to make sure you fully understand what’s involved, what you’re hoping to achieve, and what solutions are available,” she says.
The medspa’s philosophy is all about enhancing natural beauty rather than changing it. “Every person has a different look, different things that bother them. We don’t do things just because -- we only do what’s in the best interest of the client.”
Snell noted that one of the biggest misconceptions about medspa treatments is that they’re unaffordable. “Things are more affordable than you realize. Prices vary, and a lot of people come in thinking it’s going to be too expensive or require too much downtime, but we can work around those concerns.”
For those unsure where to begin, Snell encourages taking small steps. “We can start with a simple change to a daily skincare routine or develop a six-to-twelve-month plan,” she says. “We believe in baby steps -- this should be a lifelong routine that evolves over time.”
The industry has changed over the years, and now most treatments can be done year-round. The key is finding what works best for an individual’s lifestyle and comfort level.
Snell and her team prioritize staying up-to-date on the latest treatments and technologies through constant learning and training. But at the core of their success is their dedication to clients. “My favorite part is all the people I get to interact with. I’m a very social person, and we have amazing people who walk through this door. And it’s fun.”
The medspa continues to grow while maintaining a welcoming, relationship-focused environment. “We make a real point to make people feel comfortable here. We view this as a relationship -- it’s about building connections and helping people feel good about themselves.”
We view this as a relationship -- it’s about building connections and helping people feel good about themselves.