Nation’s First Green Medical Spa Opens in San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO – (Business Wire) The iconic Epi Center MedSpa celebrates its 10th anniversary today with the opening of the country’s first Eco-MedSpa in San Francisco in a completely renovated facility in the historic Union Square medical building at 450 Sutter Street. The new facility is LEED certified and built entirely with sustainable materials, from recycled and FSC-certified wood, marble flooring and countertops, to the eco-paints and recycled fabrics.
The Eco-MedSpa is also energy efficient and conserves resources through its lighting, recycling, electronic medical charting, digital photography and water filters that eliminate the need for bottled water.
In explaining her decision to open the Eco-MedSpa, EpiCenter President and Co-founder Margaret Mitchell said, “to be first in something is not always the popular choice due to he risk of failure or fear of the unexpected.”
“Still, we have learned by being the first MedSpa, the first to introduce the PhotoFacial treatment, and first to perform laser hair removal in San Francisco with light that what seems only to be a dream becomes a reality the moment you begin working to make it happen,” Mitchell said.
To achieve a sustainable yet stylish construction the Epi Center MedSpa worked with some of the country’s foremost leaders in green building and design.
Eric Corey Freed, founder of organicArchitect and author of Green Building and Remodeling for Dummies, ensured the Epi Center MedSpa conformed to the strict standards established by the U.S. Green Building Council.
“The dedication of Epi Center MedSpa founder and owner Margaret Mitchell to this project, ensuring that every aspect of the new Eco-MedSpa is green for the right reasons, has been inspirational to me and made this project an exciting one,” Freed said.
The space was designed by Justin Martinkovic, principal in the San Francisco-based architecture firm MartinkovicMilford. Will Wick of the Wick Design Group designed the interior.
Eco-Fabulous founder and style guru Zem Joaquin served as the “green fashion police” for the project, ensuring that its design adhered to architect and designer William McDonough’s strict “Cradle to Cradle” standards. Cradle-to-Cradle requires that as many aspects as possible are designed to be in line with natural systems to create a building that allows nature and commerce to co-exist in a way that supports the well-being of the planet.
Epi Center’s Eco-MedSpa will also feature a revamped menu of services that include organic treatments and new procedures that minimize waste and the disposal of toxins into the environment.
Their new, state-of-the-art microdermabrasion technique is crystal free, unlike the aluminum oxide crystals used in most spas today while still providing an effective treatment with long-lasting results.
The MedSpa’s signature procedure, the Photofacial SM Elite, continues to be a leader in non-toxic skin rejuvenation.
The physician-led Epi Center Eco-MedSpa is also partnering with well-known San Francisco skin care company Juice Beauty to develop the first line of organic medical grade skin care products.
Traditional medical spa treatments will also remain on the menu, balanced by organic products and a sustainable construction and practices.
“The entire Epi Center MedSpa will be green,” says Joaquin. “You don’t have to sacrifice style to be eco-fabulous. We certainly didn’t in this case, where everything from the aesthetics to the products and services are offered in a beautiful, safe and healthy environment.”
About the Epi Center MedSpa
The Epi Center MedSpa was co-founded in San Francisco in 1998 by Margaret Mitchell and world-renown dermatologist and PhotoFacial developer Dr. Patrick Bitter Sr., MD. It was the first medical spa of its kind to open in the United States, and continues to uphold its reputation as a skin rejuvenation industry leader and top provider of aesthetic skincare and hair removal. The MedSpa is overseen by San Francisco plastic surgeon Dr. Scott Mosser and dermatologist Dr. Patrick Bitter Sr. to ensure the safety and medical quality of all treatments offered.
