By Phyl Newbeck, Vermont Maturity correspondent.
In 2021, Gena Boyden and Anna Gilcris founded Cheeks Concierge Aesthetics on Blair Park Road in Williston. A year or so later they changed the name to Cheeks Luxury Skin Clinic. “We needed a name that explained who we are,” Boyden said. “We are a clinic which addresses different skin issues.” Gilcris added that since not everyone knows what an aesthetician is, they wanted their name to be more specific and identifiable. Their motto is ”relax your mind, revitalize your skin, and radiate your beauty.”
“At Cheeks, our philosophy is simple,” Boyden said. “We offer results-driven treatments delivered with intention and care. Every client who walks through our doors deserves to feel seen, supported, and confident in their own skin. We combine science-backed technology with a personalized approach because there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to skincare.”
Cheeks has three aestheticians at the clinic: Boyden, Gilcris, and Kasey Goodrich, who has years of experience helping clients address a wide range of skin concerns. Gilcris explained that aestheticians attend state-approved schools and get certified and then licensed by the state. Aestheticians can treat skin issues and manage conditions like aging, acne, and pigmentation with professional or medical grade products and equipment.
The word ‘luxury’ was deliberately added to the name because Boyden says she often hears from clients that their experience at Cheeks is unique, focusing on high quality skincare treatments in a relaxing, luxurious environment. “We want to help people achieve healthy skin,” she said “but we also want it to be in a setting that can be nurturing and even spiritually uplifting. Our treatments are soothing, comforting, and results driven.”
In addition to being a luxury skin clinic, Cheeks provides medical spa treatments, many which are exclusive to Cheeks. Emface, which is a non-surgical face lift, is a series of four treatments seven to ten days apart and can result in 37% fewer wrinkles and a 23% improvement in sagging. Other treatments include EXION RF (Radio Frequency) Microneedling, which is fantastic for skin tightening, diminishing lines and wrinkles and even acne scars for the face and neck. Exion Clear RF is a microablative treatment to diminish brown and red spots, giving a more even skin tone, improving texture and resulting in a beautiful luminosity. Exion Face is a luxurious treatment that stimulates your Hyaluronic acid by 224% in a series of four treatments. All of our Exion RF treatments, as well as Emface, are collagen and elastin induction treatments as well.
“As we get older,” Boyden explained, “a lot of our skin issues become more problematic, or we face additional aging conditions.” Boyden doesn’t like to use the phrase “anti-aging”, preferring to say that their clinic helps people age beautifully. “We want people to have the best skin for the age they are,” she said. “Our goal is not for them to look younger but to look the best for where they are in life.”
Gilcris added that Cheeks not only treats people for skin conditions which might either appear or be exacerbated later in life, but it also provides education on these conditions. “We don’t just treat our clients in the moment,” she said, “but we help them create a routine to carry them forward.”
Boyden explained that while many women in their 30’s and 40’s today were raised to value self-care; older generations often didn’t grow up with that same mindset. “We see many women who have been used to doing so much for everyone else,” she said “but after a treatment they’ll often recognize that this is something they should be doing for themselves. “It’s almost like they’re giving themselves permission to prioritize their own well-being and that it’s okay for them to pamper themselves,” she said. Boyden noted that although most of their clients are female, they also have a large number of men who come in for treatments.
Gilcris said that one of the things that separates Cheeks from other skin clinics are their product lines. “We do extensive research on products and try them out ourselves,” she said. “We work with brands that offer professional grade skincare, several of which are exclusive to Cheeks. Among the products Gilcris is proud to use are those made by Biologique Recherche which is based in Paris. They carry a wide assortment of treatments including cleansers, serums, creams, and masks designed to deliver professional grade results.
Other product lines include the South African brand Environ, known for their powerful Vitamin A based products. Cheeks also carries a German brand called MBR (Medical Beauty Research), recognized for their medical grade anti-aging products and advanced solutions for sensitive skin like rosacea. Skinbetter Science, another of their product lines, also carries nourishing creams and targeted therapy for pigmentation and aging, while Colorscience is a mineral based sunscreen line. “We like to meet people where they are,” she said. “If we prescribe something new, it’s to enhance what they already have- not replace it. That way, their investment in skincare goes further and nothing goes to waste.”
Since every treatment is curated for each client, Boyden explained, Cheeks Luxury Skin Clinic charges by time, not treatment. Their signature session is 75 minutes, but they offer a mini treatment of 45 minutes and longer treatments that last either 90 or 120 minutes. We have innovative technology that is only available at Cheeks, and nowhere else in Vermont. We draw upon the best technology for each treatment, so we simplify by having our clients just choose the amount of time in the treatment room, and not worry about which treatment to select. We will decide the technology after our client consultation has determined their skincare goals.
Boyden added that every single treatment is curated especially for the client. Treatment is based on what is needed that day and may change from session to session. Their Advanced Face Treatment includes a facial that can also incorporate oxygen infusion, microcurrent electrotherapy, lymphatic massage and LED Light Therapy. “We want to make each treatment feel unique,” she said. “No two treatments are the same.” Because pricing is based on time, any added enhancements are included. This allows us to give the best treatment possible for each client.”
“What sets Cheeks apart is that we treat skincare as a partnership,” said Gilcris. Our clients trust us to curate the right combination of products, treatments, and technologies for their unique needs. It’s about creating an experience that transforms skin while also giving each client the time and space to truly care for themselves.”
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Phyl Newbeck writes for a wide variety of Vermont newspapers and magazines. She is the author of Virginia Hasn’t Always Been for Lovers: Interracial Marriage Bans and the Case of Richard and Mildred Loving.
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