Union Street in San Francisco’s Cow Hollow District is one of those places where the storefronts are constantly changing. Businesses close, a different chef takes over the restaurants, and new boutiques, cafes, and salons move in. One such recent addition to Union Street between Webster and Fillmore is Skinworx. The flawlessly faced beauty behind the new retail boutique? None other than Cheryl Price, the nurse and health care professional who opened Ageless Beauty Skin Clinic (also on Union) nine years ago. While Ageless Beauty focuses more on medically related skincare procedures (think botox and laser hair removal), Skinworx offers an entirely different experience.
It’s one of the few places in SF that has the most recent edition of Visia, a machine that performs a digital skin analysis using advanced photographic technology. It provides a multi-dimensional portrait of your skin that Skinworx’s therapists read and diagnosis. What you get is an expert evaluation of the status of your skin. Sun damage, acne scars, premature wrinkles, fine lines, redness, oversized pores—all of these things will come up on your analysis. From there, you can work with the therapist to come up with a personal skincare regime that will solve your problem areas. "Skinworx provides each client with a clear understanding of their skin's unique attributes and individual needs for a result-oriented skin care regime," Pierce told Haute Living. "When you shop at Skinworx, you are provided with the crème de la crème of the dermatology world from equipment to skin products and advice."
With a bright orange and white interior, the storefront feels modern and fresh. Five cosmeceuticals product lines, including one specially crafted for Skinworx, are sold in the front of the boutique. Skinworx spa facility, which consists of two treatment rooms is at the back of the shop. The facial menu offers a variety of treatments and a membership program for reoccurring clients. If you’re looking for the typical facial experience—one that involves exfoliation, steaming, and extractions, choose the Skinworx signature procedure. However, for something more modern choose from one of Skinworx’s Hydrafacial MD options. The Hydrafacial MD is involves a special suction tool that firms and smooths skin as well as cleansing and exfoliating it. A series of powerful serums are applied with the tool and you’ll leave with skin that immediately appears younger and brighter. Your pores will be clean, fine lines will be reduced, and skin will feel tight and renewed. The experience can be as educational as you want it to be. Chat with the therapist about what she’s doing or simply remain silent and enjoy the oddly soothing cool suctions of the Hydrafacial. It’s a revitalizing treatment and you can’t help but leave feeling a little younger, at least when you look in the mirror and see the dewy glow of your freshly hydrated face. "We pride ourselves on being committed to keeping our clients looking young and natural, not overdone," said Pierce. "We're seeking to elevate the expectations of client's skin care experience by providing features that educate our patrons to make the most informed decisions about their skin products and rituals."