History
Located in the out-patient surgery building at Culpeper Regional Hospital, MED Spa of Virginia is the creation of Dr. Karl Beier and Dr. Peter Godfrey, who established their Blue Ridge OB/GYN practice in Culpeper over 25 years ago. The women of this community have known and trusted these doctors with their most personal concerns, and the doctors paid close attention to what they were saying. Concerns like post-pregnancy spider veins and skin conditions brought on by menopause and hormonal fluctuations like acne, unwanted facial hair and irregular pigmentation prompted the doctors to purchase a state-of-the-art cosmetic laser so they could provide in-office corrective therapies for their existing patients. These new services were so well received that word-of-mouth quickly spread the good news, interest and demand swelled, and MED Spa of Virginia was born.
The many Piedmont area consumers who have benefited from the services at MED Spa of Virginia have been good indicators of the nation-wide trend toward minimally-invasive procedures that are lower in cost, risk, and down-time than traditional cosmetic procedures. Just over 85% of all cosmetic procedures performed in the year 2005 fit into this category. The cultural perception of how women in our society should age seems to be shifting - away from the plastic, Cher-like pursuit of youth under the scalpel, and toward a more common-sensical, easily managed, lifestyle approach. The new aesthetic goal seems to be getting your skin into great condition - looking well-rested, fresh and fit, rather than distorted and drum-tight. "We hope to redefine beauty as a healthy state of being, regardless of age. We educate our clients and encourage them to take advantage of information and technologies that can help them be the best version of who they are - not something different," explains Spa Director and Certified Laser Technician, Karri Mize.
The initial menu of services at MED Spa of Virginia included only cosmetic laser therapies for correction of spider veins, hair reduction, skin rejuvenation (removal of brown spots and wrinkle reduction) and acne. However, over the years, an Esthetician was added to incorporate medical skin care treatments, deep cleansing and peels as well as results-based, pharmaceutical-grade skin care lines for at-home use. Dr. Beier provides Botox®, the injectable therapy for correction of dynamic wrinkles, and dermal fillers, like Restylane® and Juvederm™, to smooth out deeper skin folds. Licensed massage therapists provide an array of massage services to relieve stress, reduce tissue swelling and muscle fatigue; and a variety of nutritional supplements are now available for condition-specific treatment.
"We are expanding the products and services we offer in a very practical and holistic manner," explains Dr. Godfrey, who heads up the wellness and nutritional offerings. "The needs and expectations of our patients vary greatly, and we are adamant about providing our patients with a range of options and helping them to determine what is most appropriate for their unique situations." Spa Director, Karri Mize adds, "The skin is the largest organ of the body and it typically reveals in one's outside appearance what is happening on the inside. Our intention is to treat not only the visible and undesired symptoms, but to determine and correct the underlying cause. In this way, the client not only looks better, but typically feels better as well."
While the range of treatment options expands, the emphasis remains on education and physician involvement. Every Cosmetic client receives a no-cost, no-obligation consultation, at which time their concerns are determined and available treatment options are explored. Each option is fully explained - what it does, how it works and why it works. "An educated consumer is able to make the best decisions on their own behalf and ends up being the most satisfied in the end," explains Mrs. Mize. "What makes us different is that we are not a faceless franchise. We are entrenched in our community and grew out of the needs expressed to us by our long-time patients. We know most of the people who walk through the doors of MED Spa of Virginia and care about them on a personal level."
In the Fall of 2006, MED Spa of Virginia further expanded by opening its own dedicated space adjacent to the existing medical practice. "We are excited about the opportunity to provide all of our existing medical therapies in a premiere spa setting," announces Dr. Beier. "A facility of this magnitude is long over-due in Culpeper. No longer will people feel the need to drive north for this level and quality of service."
