San Francisco's Epi Center MedSpa Goes Green

The Epi Center MedSpa opened its doors last week for tours and cocktails, not only to celebrate its 10th anniversary, but to launch the first eco-medspa. Director and founder Margaret Mitchell and partner Dr. Patrick Bitter, Sr., who developed the Photofacial procedure, have once again taken the lead by going green. Epi Center will now be combining state-of-the-art medical technology with medical grade organic treatments, all in an eco friendly environment. The spa was designed to "create a space that allows nature and commerce to co-exist in a way that supports the health of the planet." (Shown left: waiting lounge, with Mary Lee Bickford and Nancy Gamble, seated.)

Entering the new home of San Francisco’s Epi Center MedSpa was like a breath of fresh air, literally. I was told by one of the staff, that they just applied some touch up paint earlier; however, you could not detect even the faintest odor. The MedSpa uses eco-paint, which is free of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). Relaxing and therapeutic, the spa was constructed from ceiling to floor using eco materials. Laura, one of the estheticians, informed us that the ceilings boards were made from newspapers that could not be recycled any further. Marble countertops are throughout the spa. The floors were made from cork, and the carpet was processed from weeds.

Named after local natural and endangered animals, the medspa treatment rooms had names like Suisun-Thistle and Callipe-Butterfly. It was in one of these rooms that I met Esthetician, Valerie Brown. She showed me some yummy organic skincare products called Ilike, smelled incredibly edible. The MedSpa has now expanded their menu to offers luxury organic facial treatments like, yogurt power peels and juicy fruit facials. She also enlightened me about clinical corrective skin treatments like DermaSweep. DermaSweep is a crystal free Microdermabrasion that uses bristles to sweep away dead cells instead of the traditional crystals.

Nurse Practitioner, Elisabeth Estee, spoke to us about their signature treatment, PhotoFacial Elite. PhotoFacial is a Intense Pulsed Light treatment that can improve the appearance of Rosacea, broken capillaries, sun damage and age spots. It was a great night for spa lovers and those who are looking for organic alternatives. Now you can achieve your cosmetic results while caring for mother earth.