When Barbara Baruth opened Finalé Hair Removal and Skin Care Med Spa in 2013, she did so with a clear purpose: to give clients real results and genuine care in a space where they felt supported and understood. What began as a single med spa has since grown into two complementary businesses: Finalé and The Institute of Advanced Aesthetics, each designed to help people feel confident in their skin through education, expertise, and personalized treatment.
Barbara’s fascination was sparked in 1990, when she was first introduced to laser hair removal. “I became enamored by what lasers could do,” she says. That early curiosity stayed with her, and in 2007, she attended the National Laser Institute in Arizona to become a certified laser technician.
Her early years working in two laser practices shaped the model she wanted for her own business. She often saw clients treated like transactions rather than people with real concerns, and she knew she could offer something better. “Clients were not dollar signs to me. I genuinely wanted to help them improve their lives.” Some of her most meaningful moments came from clients dealing with dysphoria or long-held embarrassment. “Seeing a beautiful smile on someone who once hid behind their hair… Once they start seeing results, they no longer feel hopeless. THAT is why I do what I do.”
As Finalé grew, so did Barbara’s passion for education. She began teaching part-time at a beauty school, where visiting students often came to Finalé for real-world learning. Those experiences showed her how much future aestheticians valued hands-on training, mentorship, and an environment where they weren’t “just another number.” When Minnesota split its esthetics licensing into Basic and Advanced in 2018, Barbara saw an opportunity to meet that need. Encouraged by her students, she opened The Institute of Advanced Aesthetics — an education-focused clinic designed to feel more like a spa than a traditional classroom.
Today, the Institute offers a thoughtful progression of services performed by highly trained students. Clients can enjoy facials, body treatments, waxing, lash lifts, and brow lamination — the types of experiences Barbara calls “relaxation and feeling good” treatments. The advanced practice side focuses on results-driven services, including chemical peels, microneedling, microcurrent, galvanic and high-frequency treatments, microdermabrasion, and dermaplaning. Students learn to analyze skin thoroughly and build customized treatment plans. “By explaining what is being done and why, we educate our clients to help them understand what is possible for their skin type,” Barbara says.
Finalé, operating under medical directorship, expands on that foundation with more advanced procedures. The med spa offers laser hair removal, electrolysis, photo rejuvenation, RF microneedling, skin resurfacing, spider vein treatments, tattoo removal, and medical-grade facials tailored to the client’s goals. Every appointment begins with a free consultation where clients can ask questions, learn what treatments will deliver realistic results, and better understand how their skin functions. “If a client is asking for something we know won’t work how they want, we will educate them on what will work and why,” explains Barbara.
Consistency is key in many of these treatments, and part of Barbara’s mission is helping clients understand how factors like hair-growth cycles, age, lifestyle, and skin turnover rates affect results. Whether someone is struggling with acne, sun damage, stretch marks, or pigmentation concerns, the Finalé team focuses on long-term transformation rather than one-time fixes.
What ties both businesses together is their shared commitment to confidence, healing, and genuine support. “When you think you look good, you feel good,” Barbara says. That philosophy extends not only to clients but also to the students she mentors. “These businesses would not be here without my teams,” she emphasizes. “Their love and passion for the industry runs just as deep as mine.”
For readers looking to prioritize wellness in the new year, Barbara recommends starting with a facial, whether at student pricing at the Institute or through the more clinical offerings at Finalé. Establishing a healthy skin foundation allows clients to build confidence and consider more advanced treatments over time. Finalé also offers a $100 monthly VIP membership that includes a facial (normally $150) and 30% off laser services, making ongoing self-care more accessible.
Ultimately, Barbara’s goal is simple: to help every person who walks through her doors feel valued, supported, and confident in their skin. “You matter to us,” she notes, and at both The Institute of Advanced Aesthetics and Finalé Med Spa, that message is reflected in every service, consultation, and smile that leaves the space.
Seeing a beautiful smile on someone who once hid behind their hair. Once they start seeing results, they no longer feel hopeless. THAT is why I do what I do.