Hot Shop: Phace Medical Aesthetics & Skincare (Win!)

Looking for a self-care experience in a gorgeous space that leaves you feeling energized, confident and the best version of yourself? Head to Phace in Yarrow, B.C., within the City of Chilliwack, where founder Dawn Reynolds leads a talented team of of skilled medical aestheticians and cosmetic experts, and whose focus is on providing one-of-a-kind rejuvenation treatments that nurture guests, and help clients look and feel their personal best. We chatted with Dawn to learn more, and are giving you a chance to win! —Noa Nichol

Hi Dawn! Please tell us a bit about yourself to start.

Hi! Oh boy, where do I begin! I’m a born-and-raised Fraser Valley gal and I can’t imagine ever living anywhere else. From acute care nursing to full-time yoga teacher to certified medical aesthetician, my background has almost always been in the health and wellness field. I’m an entrepreneur at heart, I love to teach and educate, and I love a good cup of coffee and a great podcast.

When and why did you open Phace? What niche were/are you aiming to fill?

Phace actually opened well over a year ago and looked a little different back then as I used to be part of a larger spa as an independent contractor. Phace as we know it now, in its standalone location in Yarrow, B.C., opened this past June. I opened the new location simply because I knew that I had the capability of growing my business and I needed the space to do so. I also really loved the idea of owning my own space! What was once a one-woman show is now a team of five! It’s very exciting and still a bit surreal. In an industry with an abundance of practitioners doing similar things, I was hoping to fill a few holes, specific services that one might only see in bigger markets and I’m hoping to change that narrative of how we perceive ourselves, what real beauty really is.

What services do you currently offer, and what makes them (and you!) unique?

I think what sets me apart personally as a practitioner, is having a background in nursing which is the backbone and holds many of the guiding principles behind what I do. In an unregulated industry such as the “beauty biz,” it really matters. Phace offers everything from manicures to brow work to medical-grade facials to laser work and treatments for hair loss. Some of our more unique services include things like oncology care, laser tattoo removal, scalp micro pigmentation and paramedical skin revision therapies such as pigmentation, mole and scar removal.

What can clients expect when they come in? What’s the “ramp-up” process like?

When clients come in, whether it’s for a consultation or chemical peel, they can expect to be seen and heard. We’ll sit on the couches and laugh like old friends. There’s a comfy and friendly vibe, there are no high-pressure sales here for high-priced retail items or fancy services.

Currently, what’s one of your most popular services, and why? What do customers say about it?

Everyone loves the Aesthetician’s Choice Facial. After a thorough skin analysis, it’s the most chosen facial overall and makes up a part of our Phacial Membership program. This facial can include dermaplaning, microdermabrasion, light chemical peeling, high-frequency or LED light therapy and more. One of our flagship treatments is the DMK Enzyme Therapy treatments line. Enzyme therapy is a paramedical skin revision treatment designed to rapidly restore the health and natural functioning of your skin cells which enables them to perform as they did when they were younger. Using transfer messenger enzymes, we can restore lost functioning in the skin. Oh! And try the Enzyme Muscle Banding treatment for an instant facelift. You won’t believe your eyes! Acne care and our Acne Bootcamp are also extremely popular for obvious reasons, as are our brow and lash work for that effortless “get up and go” look.

We understand that one of your specialities is offering beauty treatments for cancer patients; October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we’d love to hear more about that.

Cancer awareness is important to me having had family members affected and working on the oncology unit for a while. This is another place in business where I can merge my professions. Cancers are a huge part of our daily lives and the way we treat our skin having come through chemotherapy and radiation is much different from that as someone who hasn’t experienced a cancer diagnosis. As a certified oncology aesthetician, I love to be able to educate and as well really nurture and take care of patients and clients as they navigate their diagnosis in a safe space. The other oncology service that I offer is mole mapping/counting. With the increasing wait for primary care in our province, it’s a nice way for people to keep an eye on spots and lesions without the added stress and worry that comes with not being able to see a health-care provider right away.

We love your pretty space! Aesthetically, what’s your aim in terms of how clients feel when they walk in/are receiving treatments in your clinic?

Thank you! As a mom of boys, I wanted something bright and clean and pretty! Honestly, I wanted a space that said “hey, this shop is the real deal, and it looks super professional”. However, I did not want it to look cold and clinical. Sometimes the word “medical” stemming from medi-spa can evoke certain feelings in people. I wanted the space to be warm, comfortable and inviting. Friendly, welcoming and inclusive, a place you truly want to come back to. I love seeing people’s faces when they come through the door for the first time! It IS pretty, isn’t it?

Your product selection is bang-on! How do you choose the brands you carry, and what’s your ethos (i.e., standards) behind the cosmetics/skincare you sell?

Thank you, also something we are very proud of! Several factors were important to me when we started to look for brands to work with such as clean, cruelty free and eco-friendly. When it came to our medical and paramedical-grade skin care lines, evidence-based research was non-negotiable. For our brands, local and Canadian brands as well as women-owned brands were top of the list. Each of these brands that we work with are not only all of the above but each of the women behind these brands has values that align with that of Phace, they have a message and they value supporting their community.

Do you have a top product you could recommend, perhaps as we head into the colder, drier months?

Oh my goodness. Top product! I couldn’t choose just one! I will say though, in regards to colder and drier months, think about adding a facial oil to your evening routine and switch your moisturizer up to something that’s a bit thicker in weight and texture and can moisturize more effectively. And of course, don’t forget to wear your SPF every day, indoors and out.

When a client leaves you after a treatment, what’s your ultimate goal in how they’re looking and feeling?

My goal is that they leave feeling better than when they came in simply due to the connections we make together. I want all clients of Phace to feel seen, to feel heard, to feel safe, to feel like they learned something new, I want them to feel empowered and beautiful in their own skin. Everyone deserves that.

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Win! A $130 Aesthetician’s Choice Facial @ Phace!

Congrats Claire B. of Chilliwack, B.C., who will receive a $130 Aesthetician’s Choice Facial @ Phace! Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadaily.ca. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.