Sweet aromas, calming music and a smile from Marlene Valladares all welcome clients who visit the new Essence of You MedSpa. The state-of-the-art medical spa located in the Lake Katharine Shopping Center, 6155 Miami Lakes Dr., is just minutes from South Florida’s major thoroughfares. The medspa, which is a cross between a spa boutique and an outpatient medical center, offers a relaxing atmosphere for clients to receive innovative treatments in the field of aesthetic medicine while enjoying stylish amenities.
Valladares and her husband, Ray Arce, opened Essence of You in late September. After living in the small, tight-knit community of Surfside, Valladares and Arce were searching for a similar hometown feel for their first location when they happened across Miami Lakes.
“Miami Lakes was the only thing that reminded us of Surfside,” said Valladares. “We were looking for a nice community that had a good business foundation to it. We are hoping to move our family to Miami Lakes in the near future.”
The couple met when Valladares was a pharmaceutical representative and trying to sell to Arce who was working at the University of Miami at the time. They both worked in the diabetic field. After marriage and three children the couple decided to embark on a business venture.
Arce, board certified practitioner, is the primary practitioner at the medspa and specializes in advanced aesthetic techniques including injectables such as Botox, dermal fillers, mesotherapy and platelet-rich plasma. The medspa also offers industry-leading laser and light based services that address a multitude of skin conditions, permanent hair reduction, and skin rejuvenation.
“We pride ourselves on providing the safest, most effective aesthetic services in town with class and professionalism,” said Arce.
Arce is certified and licensed in all the procedures offered at the medspa.
“I’ve been told by clients that they never expected that a man so big could have such soft hands. But I say to them he’s been working with needles for over 25 years,” said Valladares. “To him this is second nature. With time and experience he’s learned how to position things so they don’t hurt people as much. Ultimately what he does is an art form.”
Artistry both in medical aesthetics and with paintbrushes, Arce painted all the artwork in his the office which gives clients something interesting and relaxing to focus on while they wait for their procedures. A perfectionist in all aspects, Arce takes his responsibility in helping clients feel great about themselves.
“He books an hour time slot for each person because he tries to cater to their needs and answer all their questions to make them comfortable,” said Valladares. “Sometimes people are scared or nervous to have something done, to improve scars or wrinkles, but all these products are FDA approved, they are safe and you just want to make sure you have them in the hands of the right person, people that have been certified, licensed and have the experience.”
One such procedure, the Lumenis multi-platform system used at the medspa, is safe for all skin types and features Intense Pulsed Light, ResurFX and Nd:Yag components. Additionally the spa offers skin care products by Dr. Obagi’s ZO line. The ZO products address conditions including, but not limited to, skin protection, hydration, rejuvenation, and scarring. Dr. Obagi is one of the skin care industry’s preeminent authorities.
Procedures and services offer to treat wrinkles and fine lines but also go beyond that. Clients that come in suffer from scarring, sun spots, stretch marks, keloids, and many other things that people have no control over.
“We can help people feel good about themselves,” said Valladares. “We are all living longer but aging faster. We give our body so much wear and tear that this is a small way to slow down that aging process a little and help the outside reflect how young and healthy we feel and are on the inside.”
Some of the services offered include platelet rich plasma and micro needling, a more natural alternative to Botox which encourages the body to produce its own collagen and elasticity with results that can last two to three years as opposed to Botox which is about two to three months. Additionally clients can get treatments for skin resurfacing, vascular lesions, varicose veins, acne scars, rosacea, skin toning, nevus, permanent hair reduction, and injectibles such as dermal fillers, and more.
To book an appointment call 786-703-1145. Hours and days are flexible for appointment times.