Avanti Skin Centers of Chicago

04/17/2008 Posted by fortheworld

I am not new to the whole skincare routine. I have had my share of microdermabrasions and facials throughout Chicagoland. I recently decided to check out Avanti Skin Center because I have walked by it many times and I am in the area and I must say I am in love! I received a facial just the other day and I feel as though I was truly educated about my skin concerns. I was treated as a VIP not just a sale or number. I was totally relaxed in their facial room and was not bothered at all about the occasional question or advice from the esthetician about my skin. I found it rather refreshing since, most estheticians do not say a word. My skin has never seen better days since I began going to Avanti. It gets quite busy on the weekend, so book in advance! Even though I want to keep my facialist and Avanti a secret, I had to share my experience.

Pros: Lots of neighborhood and street parking

Cons: My facialist is only there on the weekends

03/11/2008 Posted by ACalhoun

These girls are knowledgeable about the ins and outs of skincare and it shows! Avanti uses one of the most innovative laser hair removal devices on the market and I absolutely loved my results. In my evaluation I was informed it may take several treatments to achieve my desired results. I am on treatment number 3 and I swear the hair is totally gone on my underarms with the exception of two hairs. Two hairs is nothing, compared with what my underarms looked like before treatment. I also loved their chemical peels! I have to say it made my skin glow and my skin has never been so smooth. I like the idea that there is a different chemical peel for each individual skin type and concern, which makes me feel comfortable that not everyone receives the same exact general one. So, yes I highly recommend them!

01/25/2008 Posted by chitowngal1234

I recently visited Avanti Skin Center after reading the reviews they have on here. I was excited to have my pain free hair removal. After years of brazilian waxing, I was ready for something that didn't hurt as bad. I had a consultation with Christy. She was Great! She explained to me about how the laser works and how I would feel afterward. She told me that the new laser that they have isn't pain free but certainly hurts a lot less than older lasers. She said that they could still do the pain free one but that she thought my results would be better with the new one. I figured that anything would be better than waxing. I was right!! I wouldn't say the laser "hurt" but I wouldn't say it is pain free either. I was kind of bummed to find out that I can't wax in between my appointments but I will deal with shaving if that means I will be hair free soon. I liked the atmosphere here (their lobby is very cute) and I felt that their treatment room was very clean and "medical" looking. I look forward to going back so that I can get rid of my hair!

11/08/2007 Posted by amberlynn4

I just had an absolutely wonderful deep cleaning facial at Avanti. Talk about feeling pampered! The staff is friendly and really make you feel welcome. I've had a couple of laser hair tretaments at Avanti as well. For both the laser hair removal and the facial they explained everything in detail and asked several times if I had any questions. When I called to make my first laser hair removal appointment all of my questions were answered. When I left after the first treatment I knew exactly what to expect over the next week or so. I can't say enough good about my experiences there. Avanti has definitely earned my repeat business . I can't wait for my next facial.

Pros: Warm and friendly staff, great service, easy to get to via the Brown Line

Cons: Going there can be addictive

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

10/23/2007 Posted by sillysgirl

This was my first experience with laser hair removal. I went for one treatment during the Pretty in Pink promotion. I was surprised that nobody sat down to talk to me before getting started... they just put me in a room and told me to get changed. The spa was nice, clean, and the technician was friendly and accommodating. The treatment hurt more than I thought it would, but it is quick and bearable. Afterward I changed clothes and walked into the lobby where my technician gave me prices for additional treatments. When I didn't buy, she was on to another client. I was left not knowing how long the redness, swelling, and discomfort would last, or what I should (or shouldn't) do about it. Perhaps she forgot this was my first time with this and had no idea what to expect. I was, however, able to ask the person at the counter how long it would last. She downplayed it and said it would be gone by tomorrow. I was pretty uncomfortable, so I applied Tend Skin at home, which turned out to be a mistake as it burned and blistered. Two weeks later the hair that was treated has fallen out...it's wonderful! But it is very obvious that some spots were skipped by the technician. This is not "new" hair growth, but a few strips of hair that were there at the time of the treatment and simply skipped over. I contacted Avanti to ask if they would treat the spots they missed, but they would not. I did sign a release saying they were not responsible for the results, but I thought I'd give them a chance to correct their mistake. I was not at all happy with the way this looked... it was worse than if I hadn't had it done at all. I have since gone to another spa where they treated the skipped spots. When I can afford more treatments I will certainly go to this other spa, not Avanti. I think they were just sloppy.

Pros: Clean, pleasant atmosphere. Parking was so easy I was afraid it was illegal.

Cons: Sloppy work, technician spent minimal time with me, spa refused to "redo" missed spots.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful

05/09/2007 Posted by thewardrobecoach

Unfortunately I had PAIN-FULL hair removal performed AT A DIFFERENT PLACE prior to learning about Avanti, so I cannot speak to their pain-free hair removal services. What I can speak to is the physical spa itself, the customer service and the facials! The decor is very inviting for a medical spa. It feels warm and cozy, like you're being wrapped in your favorite blanket. The staff is very accommodating and will take the best care of you. The environment they create for me during a facial is so relaxing and the facialist is incredibly sweet and very conscientious of my time and "space" needs - meaning whether I want to have a conversation or just chill out. It's also very conveniently located right on North Ave at Sedgwick. I usually drive and always find a parking spot on North Ave. within two blocks of the spa. There is also a parking garage across the street but I've never had to use it.

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful

11/02/2006 Posted by musikteacher01

I am going to start this off by saying that I have had laser hair removal before. I won't name that place, but I did go to Avanti Skin Center knowing information about the whole process. I live in the loop and I was willing to travel 100 miles if that meant that I would have a better experience than I did in the past. My review isn't going to talk about how great their location is or about how cute their decor was or anything like that (it was nice though), I strictly want to talk about the laser hair removal. I went in for a consultation and the girl explained to me their system and how it works to be "pain free". From having laser before, I didn't believe it when they told me that it would be pain free, that is until she did a test spot on me. After hearing all their info I was sold. Anything could have been better than what I had in the past. I started my treatments that day! And it literally took 10 minutes ( it was my bikini area). I couldn't believe how cool it was.... pain free AND fast. Avanti's prices are great also, as they seem to be doing a special every month. I guarantee those of you that read this, you will be more than pleased with your experience there.

Pros: Location, "pain free" hair removal, nice and informed staff.

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful

10/02/2006 Posted by amrupert11

This place is amazing! When you enter, you are not only greeted by the friendliest staff, you are enveloped by modern comfort and style. The treatment rooms are super clean and the staff are very knowledgeable. What I cannot speak enough about is how pain free the pain free hair removal is. Seriously- NO PAIN. And did I mention how quick it is? They offer massage, facials and carry a number of skin and make up products including Skinceuticals. I work in the city and take the train, Avanti Skin Center is located right off the Sedgwick Brown/Purple line stop, so it's super easy to stop after work in the evenings.

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful

09/28/2006 Posted by wallingford85

Great new Spa in Old Town! Facials, Microderm, Peels, IPL treatments for sun damage. I really liked the atmosphere, modern but comfortable. The have Massage on weekends and carry Skinceuticals which is hard to find! I just tried the "pain-free" hair removal and was pleasantly surprised. They weren't kidding it really doesn't hurt. It's right next to the train and they are open till 7PM so I can catch them on my way home from work. Try the Mineral Make up if you have time, they blend it for each person individually, looks like a fun little mess.

Pros: Location, Atmosphere, Friendly Staff

Cons: street/metered parking

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful