Business Profile

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014 | THE VOICE-TRIBUNEA4

By Todd ZeiglerCopy Editor

Opportunity is not a lengthy visitor, especially for working professionals concerned about their health with scant time during the week to attend to it.

That perplexing problem is what inspired Erica McDowell's approach to dermatological care at Skyn Lounge on Chenoweth Lane. The clinical day spa pro-vides treatments comparable to intensive skin special-ists such as plastic surgeons and dermatologists, but in 30 and 60-minute increments that suit the schedules of the working man and woman (that's right – both).

"We're for the working professionals, the men and women who want a professional treatment, and to get back to work," McDowell says. "Our treatments don't cause any downtime. That's huge. Everything is condu-cive to a busy lifestyle."

McDowell began her study in skin and its needs 18 years ago as a makeup artist while studying at the Uni-versity of Kentucky. Graduation took her to San Fran-cisco where she worked as a professional makeup artist on editorial and modeling shoots. Her return to Louis-ville found her endeavoring into the study of skin care, and she pursued her license in Esthetics, a pursuit she truly enjoyed, she says.

"I enjoyed (studying skin care)," she says. "Makeup and skin care go hand in hand."

She worked for several years in other clinics, honing her craft and approach to skin care, always with the goal of starting her own studio. Three years ago, she launched Skyn Lounge and has been growing the busi-ness and her loyal clientele ever since.

"Most treatments are by appointment, but we are able to accommodate certain express treatments such as facial waxing and facial masks as walk-ins," McDowell says. "Our customers are good about get-ting appointments. We have our calendar booked with loyal, consistent customers."

Skyn Lounge eschews hair and nail care, focusing exclusively on dermatological health. "I'd rather do five things really well than 100 things not very well," McDowell says.

Skyn Lounge's treatments address dermatologi-cal issues such as hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin), sun damage, aging lines and wrinkles. Treat-ments range from various facials, dermaplaning and massages to waxing, chemical peels and express treat-ments such as blemish extractions, and masks. Cus-tomers can fashion individual skin care packages and receive a discount off the services provided.

All products used at Skyn Lounge are clinical-grade and natural, including the Skinceuticals and Obagi line of moisturizers and cleaners, as well as the Zen Skyn Color Collection line of Cosmetics created by McDow-ell herself. Zen Skyn uses light-reflective minerals to make flaws and imperfections in the skin virtually invis-ible while also possessing the properties of sunscreen

to shield against harmful ultraviolet rays. All Zen Skyn products are hypoallergenic and free of oils, talc, dyes, heavy fillers and other ingredients in traditional make-up brands that present the risk of clogging pores.

McDowell has spent 10 years developing the makeup line with an eye toward supplementing Skyn Lounge's working professionals-friendly approach.

"I wanted to make a line safe enough to use post-treatment on major treatments," McDowell says. "The available ones didn't match up with the treatments I wanted to offer. Zen Skyn has a healing effect and is a

product that women can wear on a daily basis."All Zen Skyn products are safe to use after even the

most intensive skin treatments, a feature crucial when applying makeup touch-ups on customers headed back to work, a complimentary service at Skyn Lounge.

"So many places charge for that; makeup is built into all of our treatments," McDowell says. "I want them to look better leaving than when they walk through the door."

Zen Skyn products have been available for three years and have rapidly grown in popularity with avail-ability at several local boutiques and spas and online on Amazon.com, as well as at Skyn Lounge's in-house cosmetics bar.

With only two treatment rooms (a third is planned) and an open, spacious floor plan with a soothing atmo-sphere throughout, Skyn Lounge presents an intimate boutique approach, eliminating the hustle and bustle of larger destinations. McDowell says the size is good for the specific services her spa offers.

It is the attention to the customer experience through unique approaches to the details that has made McDowell's venture a success - even down to the explanation for the unique spelling of the busi-ness's name.

"I just like to be different," she says. "Why not?"Skyn Lounge is located at 227 Chenoweth Lane in

Saint Matthews. For information on all treatments and products offered, go to www.skynlounge.com and www.zenskyn.com.

Photos by CHRIS HUMPHREYS | The Voice-Tribune

Skyn Lounge Uses The Practical To Create The UniqueErica McDowell.