EpiCenter MedSpa Encourages a Beautiful You and a Beautiful Planet
Health and Wellness The Spa ExperiencePublished September 29, 2011 at 7:05 pm No Comments
The historic Sutter Building in downtown San Francisco is home to the EpiCenter MedSpa and the companion medical skin and body clinic, EpiCenter Medical Associates. In 2008, coinciding with its 10th anniversary, the facility’s new suite opened its doors after its own eco-friendly makeover. Since that time, the medical spa has stayed true to the philosophy that “in addition to being on the forefront of the latest cosmetic treatments for skin rejuvenation, EpiCenter MedSpa is committed to being a sustainable and environmentally-friendly company.” Recognition for this commitment came in the form of a LEED Silver certification for the facility following its green makeover, making it the only LEED certified medical spa. It is also the only spa in San Francisco combining clinical treatments from trained medical staff with organic skin care treatments. It’s a combination that shows it is possible for planet consciousness to cohabitate peacefully with beauty consciousness.
A Spa’s Eco Makeover
EpiCenter was already a respected medical facility in the San Francisco area, due to their unique combination of sound medical principals and the newest skin care methods. Co-founders Margaret Mitchell and Patrick Bitter, MD originally opened the practice in 1998 and continue to offer their patients high end beauty treatments, including Botox Cosmetic injections, laser hair removal and Dr. Bitter’s renowned PhotofacialSM. As the center began to add more earth friendly features to their treatment options, such as medical grade organics and crystal-free DermaSweep Microdermabrasion treatments, it became apparent that going green in a bigger way would benefit patients and the planet. EpiCenter worked closely with local green building experts to complete the renovation, and the resulting “eco med spa” became the first of its kind. The many sustainable changes that were made include:
- The use of sustainable and environmentally friendly materials, including low VOC eco paints, recycled fabrics and FSC certified wood.
- An increase in energy and water efficiency. The Spa facility uses low-flow plumbing fixtures and water filters that eliminate the need for bottled water, electronic medical charting and digital photography to help reduce the use of ink and toner, and a reduction in lighting that decreases energy usage by 70%.
- Decorating touches that allowed a beautiful spa aesthetic while still adhering to the spa’s commitment to the environment such as cork flooring and weed based carpets, and ceiling boards made from newspapers.
Medically Safe Beauty Treatments
In addition to providing an environmentally friendly and beautiful atmosphere, EpiCenter MedSpa provides beauty treatments that are technologically advanced and planet friendly. The extensive treatment offerings at Epi Center are performed by trained nurses, estheticians, and medical doctors. The center’s focus is on practicing responsible medicine. Epi center offers a Teaching Facility where the center’s medical professionals train doctors and staff at other practices on the use of cosmetic treatments such as PhotofacialSM, Leg vein therapy and Botox injections.
Traditional skin care treatment options such as chemical peels and facials are available to patients of the MedSpa, while patients needing clinical treatments such as vein therapy, Botox or laser hair removal can have these procedures done at the EpiSpa Medical Associates Services, located at the same facility.
At EpiCenter, efforts have been made to provide organic treatments that are eco-friendly and reduce environmental impact while also helping reduce the amount of toxins taken in by the body daily. Examples of this philosophy in action include using laser hair removal to help lesson waste from shaving cream containers and disposable razors to using a bristle-based Microdermabrasion rather than the traditional crystal based method, which is better for the environment.
Feeling beautiful inside and out is important for health and well-being. Taking care of your body with healthy choices that have a low environmental impact is important for the beauty and well-being of the planet. EpiCenter helps clients fulfill their personal beauty needs while also taking care of the planet with earth-friendly products, treatments, and practices.
