The range of aesthetic and wellness services available in the parish continues to grow as several new businesses open their doors, bringing additional options for residents seeking skincare treatments, cosmetic procedures and self-care services.
J Maison Aesthetic and Wellness celebrated its grand opening in Boutte on May 28. Annie’s Aesthetics hosted its opening in Luling on May 30, and Reversed Aesthetics & Wellness held its soft opening in Luling on June 1.
For Annie Dawson, owner of Annie’s Aesthetics, opening her own studio was partly inspired by seeing residents regularly travel to New Orleans or Metairie for treatments.
“I think there was such a draw for it here,” Dawson said. “Everybody wants to try to support local, but when there’s things they want that aren’t here, they have to go to New Orleans, they have to go to Baton Rouge.”
Located at 15 Dufresne Loop in Luling, Annie’s Aesthetics offers free skin consultations, custom facials, microchanneling, LED light therapy, dermaplaning, brow tinting, waxing, lash lifts and tints and more.
Dawson, an LSU graduate and licensed esthetician, said she was encouraged by friends and family to open her own business.
“I truly do have an incredible support system,” she said. “They told me, ‘You could really make a go of this.’ I think the constant reassurance that people would trust me was also a big factor in it as well.”
Dawson grew up St. Charles Parish and worked as an esthetician in Florida before returning home last year. Her interest in skin care began when she was younger and struggled with acne.
“I think a good bit of my motivation behind opening my own business was wanting to educate people about their skin,” she said. “Because I grew up with acne, I’ve struggled with it and I haven’t found any aesthetic or dermatologist office that really focuses on it and hones in on it.”
Dawson is certified in Face Reality Acne Consultation, which teaches clients about their specific skin concerns.
“We come up with a program that is best for the certain type of acne that you have, what your skin’s going through, whether it’s inflamed acne or not,” she said. “It’s an education on what you can do at home to help reduce it while also putting you on a skincare regimen.”
Dawson said social media has helped fuel growing interest in skincare but said it can also lead people to try products that are not right for them.
“It’s never a judgment because I’ve done it,” she said. “I did it all through college and was tearing my face up and putting on all kinds of products. But a product might work for somebody, but it doesn’t mean it will work for you. It’s a learning process.”
Jarolyn Allen, owner of J Maison Aesthetic and Wellness in Boutte, said social media has introduced more people to treatments like microneedling and encouraged them to seek professional care.
“People are always seeing new things, new trends,” Allen said. “It’s pushing people to want to come in and get the service by a health professional.”
Allen, a registered nurse with a decade of experience in emergency medicine, pediatrics and geriatrics, transitioned into aesthetic nursing over a year ago.
“I’ve always been into beauty and wellness for myself, and I enjoyed discovering what treatments work for my skin,” she said.
She said she incorporates nursing in every aspect of the med spa experience.
“We improve what you see on the outside, as well as talk about the things that are helping internally,” she said. “I try to get my clients knowledgeable about what’s going on, whether it’s in their skin or whether it’s with their overall health.”
Allen, who also owns We’re All-En Learning Center in Luling, said one of the biggest motivations for opening the new business was recognizing that many parish residents were driving elsewhere for aesthetic treatments.
“Now we have something local they can come to,” she said.
J Maison Aesthetic and Wellness is located at 100 Melonie St. in Boutte and offers Botox, chemical peels, facials, permanent brows, vitamin injections, scalp microneedling and weight-loss injections, among other services.
Allen said she hopes to dispel the misconception that aesthetic treatments make everyone look the same.
“It enhances your natural features,” Allen said. “It’s about helping people feel more confident and refreshed and comfortable in their own skin.”
Reversed Aesthetics & Wellness, located at 50 Wade St. in Luling, offers medical aesthetic treatments in addition to localized cryotherapy for injury recovery and massage therapy.
“Reversed was founded on the belief that confidence, wellness and beauty are interconnected, which is why the practice combines medical aesthetics, wellness, recovery therapies, and preventive healthcare under one roof,” said owner Michelle Phillips, a registered nurse.