It’s two o’clock on a Tuesday and I’m being transported to a serene oasis of tranquility, thanks to the skilled and soothing care of The Metropolitan Clinic’s Suzanne St. James. As Suzanne’s fingers glide across my slightly weary and somewhat sun-damaged and less-than-radiant face, I feel myself drifting off to dreamland where there are no digital distractions, no deadlines, and no demands requiring immediate attention. The minutia of the day begins to float away as my mind and body relax during the expert facial.
St. James, with nearly a quarter century of experience, is a licensed clinical esthetician, anti-aging technician, certified permanent cosmetic technician and certified laser technician. Her credentials alone convince me that she can fix my face, but it’s her calm demeanor and knowledgeable observations that add to the value of her expertise.
My procedure begins with a skin evaluation so that St. James can customize the best products and course of treatment. She then cleanses, exfoliates, peels, repairs, masks, massages, and moisturizes my face, neck and décolleté. As she works, St. James gently instructs me on the best way to care for my skin. While the mask works its magic, the room is darkened and quiet. I appreciate the stillness and the heated, massaging table.
“Look better. Be better. Feel better.” The Metropolitan’s tagline depicts its holistic philosophy of beauty and wellness. By combining pampering beauty treatments with sophisticated anti-aging technology and a range of wellness services, the center promotes a positive balance among mind, body and spirit that, its owners believe, leads to a greater sense of well-being and perhaps even healthier, longer lives. Not only that, but the combination of services also provides one-stop-shopping for those who desire say, a massage, fillers, hairstyling and laser resurfacing.
“We help our clients save time, feel good and look younger,” says St. James, one of the Metropolitan Clinic’s three owners. “Because we assess every individual from head to toe and from the inside out, we’re able to create a custom program for each client.”
Adds St. James’ partner, Chiropractor Dr. James Ackelson, “We offer services that our clients will realistically implement. That may include therapeutic lifestyle changes, nutritional guidance, or wellness coaching. Through education and ongoing support, we help people achieve vitality without medication. We begin slowly with one thing and then move on to another so that our clients are more likely to have long-term success.”
The Metropolitan’s vintage-inspired, contemporary-with-a-bit-of-bling environment fosters an atmosphere of privacy and peacefulness. The facility includes a half dozen treatment rooms, a full hairstyling salon, and a comfortable consultation room.
Traditional spa experiences, including Swedish and deep tissue massage, waxing, and facials share the menu with painless laser hair removal and anti-aging services like botox, juvederm, and Pixel skin resurfacing. The salon is one of just a few in Minnesota to offer KeraSmooth temporary hair straightening. In addition, two plastic surgeons, two chiropractors, a licensed clinical social worker/certified wellness coach, a wardrobe consultant, and a jewelry stylist all are available to provide additional services to fine-tune the minds, bodies and lives of The Metropolitan’s clients. The center also offers one-of-a-kind post bariatric surgery support.
“Our intention is to use an integrated approach to optimize health,” says Ackelson. “We’ve based our model on the firm belief that one’s physical well-being affects their mental well-being and vice versa.”
As my 90 minutes of rejuvenation comes to a close, I have to agree that a happy body—or in my case, a happy face—leads to a happy mind. I thank Suzanne and prepare to leave, once again ready to face the world, although now I’m able to do so as a more refreshed version of myself.
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Located at 7300 France, The Metropolitan Clinic offers ample free parking, complimentary consultations, and a generous referral program. Check the website for information about its Metro Monday seminar series.
