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For Jen Gates, owner of Phases Skin Clinic in Sudbury, skincare is the number one priority. Jen has always been obsessed with the beauty industry, offering makeup services to happy customers in the area for almost two decades.
Over the past several years, Gates’ focus has shifted to include the skin beneath the makeup we wear. “Skincare is healthcare,” says Gates, “Everyone knows the skin is the largest organ in the body but no one treats it like it is.”
New to the Sudbury area, Phases Skin Clinic strives to fill a gap in the local industry. “We had dermatologists and day spas but nothing really in between,” says Gates, “That's where I wanted to slide in. We are not a day spa and we’re not a doctor's office.”
Doctor’s offices can sometimes be intimidating, says Gates, who wants to have an inviting and personable atmosphere for her clients. Some may not even need a dermatologist for their skin issue, and instead just want some help and education on skincare. “We really focus on educating our clients on why they're using the skincare they're using and help them understand how their treatments are going to work for them. “
Phases Skin Clinic offers clients multiple services. The following services are on the clinic’s recommendation based on the client’s level of experience with treatments. “It's all a progression from most gentle to most intense. We are not going to jump into microneedling if you haven’t had a proper home care routine or had any in-clinic treatments before.”
- Custom Facials
“Every single person with any condition that they have, if I can treat it, a facial is great for absolutely everybody,” says Gates. Clients can receive facials based on their skin concerns, such as acne treatments, exfoliation, or the desire for smoother-looking skin. For best results, monthly maintenance is recommended.
- Dermaplaning
An “amped-up” version of a facial, says Gates, “Dermaplaning is a form of physical exfoliation and hair removal that uses a medical-grade scalpel to remove peach fuzz from your face and exfoliate dead skin from the surface of the face.” The treatment is great for helping you absorb your products better, “makes your makeup look amazing” and gives a smoother, brighter, glowing complexion. “Only the most sensitive skin might be sensitive to it, but it’s indicated to almost everybody and can help with many skin conditions.”
- Hydrafacial
“Hydrafacial is actually a brand name and it’s a very unique treatment.” It’s often called the filter or red carpet facial because it “leaves skin really hydrated, glowy, smooth, and bright. It’s perfect for a big event you may have like a wedding or Christmas party,” says Gates. Almost all skin types can handle a Hydrafacial, adds Gates.
- Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are something people often get scared about, says Gates, but “you're not going to burn your face off or shed all over the place.” The treatment uses a high concentration of acids or enzymes that accelerate exfoliation on the skin by triggering the body’s natural wound healing process to reveal new skin underneath. “It’s the number one treatment for acne, pigmentation, and sun damage.”
- Microneedling
“Microneedling or collagen induction therapy is a reset button for the skin,” says Gates. “The device used contains many tiny needles that are used to create micro-wounds in the skin and trigger the skin to naturally heal itself. By doing so you produce more collagen.” Microneedling, which is the most intense treatment available, is good for acne scarring and pigmentation, fine lines, moderate wrinkles, and reducing pore size. “There’s very minimal pain, as you are numbed before the process.” The treatment does require 48-72 hours of downtime and is best when done in a series of 3-6 treatments.
Gates suggests reaching out to Phases Skin Clinic prior to booking an appointment, so they can tailor a routine and match professional products for each individual’s specific skincare needs that “hits all of their concerns.” Clients can also take home the same professional products they’re getting in their treatments.