AVA
2021 Santa Monica Blvd. Suite 600 East Santa Monica 310.828.2282
Ava Shamban's reputation precedes her. The Harvard grad was the
featured dermatologist in the TV hit show 'Extreme Makeover' and
serves as the Clinical Professor of Dermatology at UCLA. With
such credentials, it's understandable that an appointment with
Shamban herself requires a more flexible personal calendar and
foresight. It also implies that the porcelain-skinned
aestheticians working for her are held to superhuman standards
and proactive in the art of skincare.
At the minimalist day spa which occupies a separate wing of her
high-rise flagship, the treatment rooms are fashioned around a
no-fuss, medi-spa feel. The occasional Buddha and orchid can
still be spotted but the message here is simple "We'd much
rather focus on getting you to look your best instead of
impressing you with the promise of faux nirvana through
miniature waterfalls and scented candles".
In-house aesthetician Tanya has designed the Dermal Repair
Treatment, a 50-minute signature facial that is aimed at
providing the "wow" factor and upholding the Shamban reputation.
This is the only five-phase facial that incorporates the use of
a human growth factor known as Nouricel-MD that corrects the
structural causes of aging and relaxes expression lines.
The facial begins with light steam and moves through a glycolic
application to lift up cells and prep your skin for the
much-dreaded extractions. After an essential oil massage, the
gunk is extracted with minimal pain and the skin is quickly
soothed with hi-frequency, anti-bacterial gadget that feels like
a magic spoon is being run over your face. Liquid nitrogen feels
angelic and addictive and you can feel your pores tightening and
rejuvenating. A silk peel, much like a microdermabrasion but
with a potent liquid swirling in the wand, picks up all the dead
cells and polishes the visage to perfection. The peel can be
customized so that even sensitive skins can benefit from the
application. Then comes the magical Skin Growth Factor which
stimulates collagen, plumps up lines and firms up your skin. A
White Tea mask to heal broken capillaries is layered with a warm
thermal mask to help the Growth Factor penetrate the skin and
finally, a neck and shoulder massage helps release any stress
while your skin is being transformed.
Look in the mirror after the treatment and you'll be tempted to
ask a fairy-tale question.
