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Susan Yerkes: Ahhh: Spa may cure beauty ills

Web Posted: 08/06/2006 06:00 PM CDT

San Antonio Express-News

In these health-conscious, pampering-prone times, we've all heard of spas. And more recently, for the time-pressured — and who isn't? — day spas, the spa concept's shorter sister.
But a medspa? That was a new one on me — at least until recently, when Dr. Laura Bennack tossed a low-key little bash to celebrate her new place.

Yup, it's a medspa.

According to the International Spa Association, medical spas (medspas, get it?) are the fastest-growing segment of the spa industry, and the next logical step in services aimed at fast-paced lives.

Medspas, we're told, combine nonsurgical cosmetic surgery practices (laser hair removal, chemical peels, Botox injections, laser hair removal, etc.) with the pampered tranquility of the spa, in the relatively short time it would take to get de-haired, de-wrinkled or de-veined (don't think of shrimp, please) in a medical office.

Bennack's new Radiance Medspa, plunked into a trendy '09 setting on Broadway just a block from the nearest Starbucks (what's a spa without a latte?), is the first South Central Texas franchise of a national medspa chain.

For most of the "soft opening" guests, it was the first look at the hot new concept — luxurious waiting room with soft lights, plush chairs, low music, faux fireplace, flat-wall fountain ... even a huge HDTV featuring a lulling undersea video. (The colorful footage came from a South Pacific dive trip shot by Bennack's friendly ex, Alan Wulfe, who was among the party guests.)

To Bennack, the medspa offered a new, less-stressful place to practice her profession, she said.
Her first career was as a CPA, she said. Then she went to law school and practiced as an attorney. Next, medical school. Then she became an emergency room doctor, and continued that career for about 10 years.

Now she's nearing the big 5-0. In fact, the event was part birthday bash, complete with a colorful cake and 49 candles.

A day job as full-time physician medspa owner is far less hectic than an ER doc's job, she noted. And she gets to see her friends, to boot.

Hairless and happy The Radiance soft-opening bash (there's a bigger, grand opening planned Sept. 7) was a family affair.

Bennack's hubby Ron Peterson, her children, Lacey and Brian Wulfe, both grown now, were on hand, along with their dad, Alan, and his new spouse, Debbie Wulfe. Sisters Shelley McCullough (with hubby Bob), Cindy Hinson, who came in from North Carolina, and Diane Bennack were also on hand. All four are daughters of Frank A. Bennack Jr., vice chairman of the board and former chief executive of the Hearst Corp., which owns the San Antonio Express-News. Margie Alford, Britt Simmons Kleberg and architect Gabriel Duran-Hollis (whose DHR architects designed the space) were among the diverse guests.

Dr. Carl Blonde, an S.A. kidney specialist, brought along his daughters, 13-year-old Julia, Mireille, 11, and Olivia, 9, potential customers.

And while the sound vibration chair and laser machines and the shower with a fountain right in it were all attractions, one guest and customer stole the show with a silent testimonial that may just have been an '09 party first.

One of Bennack's first clients, Alamo Heights hairdresser Daniel Vega, was fresh from a morning laser session with Bennack, and he happily hiked up his shirt to give a glimpse of his hair-free back.

Susan Yerkes' column appears on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays. Call her at (210) 250-3542, or e-mail syerkes@express-news.net. Cheers!

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posted by Cheryl Levesque @ 4:34 PM