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This Topeka business is helping patients age gracefully without surgery

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1 month ago

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Shanna Sloyer
 |  Special to The Capital-Journal

Aging gracefully can be difficult in the era of Zoom calls and social media posts, where scrutiny and image are king.

One Topeka business is helping patients turn back the clock with nonsurgical cosmetic procedures.

The Refinery Medical Aesthetics, 2420 S.W. 17th St., offers injectables, including botulinum wrinkle treatments, dermal fillers and sculptra. The business also provides medical grade care meant to promote skin rejuvenation, such as chemical peels and skinpen microneedling, which promise to improve skin’s texture and stimulate collagen production in the face.

“Since COVID, people are spending more time on Zoom calls and seeing themselves on screen, which has brought to light our own personal insecurities,” said Sarah Jepson, founder and medical director.

Pandemic led to exploration of medical aesthetics business

Jepson began exploring the possibility of opening a medical aesthetics business after the pandemic. She did extensive research on how beauty trends have evolved over time before making the decision to open in August 2022.

“All the research I found showed that during the ’70s and ’80s, the big thing was getting perms, then nails, manis and pedis. Now, it’s eyelash extensions and plastic surgery,” said Jepson. “What we focus on and budget for has evolved over time, and part of what drives that is social media.”

Jepson, along with The Refinery’s co-owner, Robyn Gorrell, began seeing patients at the current location in November. Jepson is a board-certified advanced registered nurse practitioner, and Gorrell is an aesthetic injector with an RN license.

Both practiced in the medical aesthetics field before joining forces.

“Sarah started The Refinery at another location,” said Gorrell. “She put a lot into it. We had two different beginnings before we started collaborating and had a better together mentality.”

They envisioned a relaxed and unhurried experience for their customers.

The waiting area at The Refinery is decorated in hues of navy and gold with a coffee and snack bar welcoming patients into the office.

“We have a unique boutique environment,” said Gorrell. “People are very relaxed here, and we don’t schedule our appointments back-to-back, so you aren’t rushed.”

Owners of The Refinery Medical Aesthetics say education is key

Three exam rooms display diagrams of facial muscles, illustrating how medical aesthetics can address issues like volume loss and aging, bone loss and sagging skin. Jepson said the right procedures for an individual are largely based on the size and strength of their facial muscles.

Many times patients aren’t sure what procedures they will need to attain their goals and often require a different service than what they initially sought out.

“Sometimes people don’t know or understand what they need,” said Gorrell. “Our job is to educate them, and consultation is the key.”

Jepson said every patient’s journey should begin with a free consultation.

“We go over the options we offer because everyone is different, so it’s hard to discern what someone will need over the phone,” she said. “Part of the assessment is how your face moves, how muscles move and how deep wrinkles are. We have to have an eye for anatomy and what happens when you take away the tug and there’s still a pull.

“There are so many factors that work into it. We explain the options to the patient and devise a plan for them based on their budget and the timeframe they’re looking for.”

Gorrell said there are few regulations surrounding the practice of medical aesthetics in Kansas. The training and education available to practitioners is often difficult to find within the state.

“We have both sought our own training,” she said. “It’s very expensive, and you must travel for it. We have to invest in ourselves if we want to do it the right way.”

Local patient knowledge sets The Refinery apart, owners say

Along with keeping up on the most current trends in the medical aesthetics industry, Jepson said there’s something else sets The Refinery apart from other local aesthetics providers.

“The nice thing about our location is that Robyn is a registered nurse, and I’m a nurse practitioner,” she said. “This is medication, and you have to have a medical provider overseeing that. There are safety and legal factors that we’re committed to.”

Some medical aesthetics offices employ a registered nurse overseen by a medical director located out of state. Jepson said it’s important to have a local provider who personally knows a patient’s medical history, allergies and how to react should an emergency arise, such as an infection or cold sore.

Jepson said without a local provider, patients could be directed to the emergency room for treatment.

“A lot of people have travelled out of town for these services and had unpleasant experiences,” said Gorrell. “We want to bring the best experience to Topeka and northeast Kansas.”

Jepson said it’s a misconception that nonsurgical cosmetic procedures have to be expensive. The Refinery offers several options to make this treatment affordable for everyone, including a loyalty membership program that allows patients to deposit money into an account monthly for use toward future treatments. Members also receive member-only discounted pricing and perks.

“You get savings for being a member, but it’s also a way to budget your money,” she said. “We also have third-party financing. You can apply for financing at the time of your visit, and pay it off after the fact.”

Owners point to transparency about pricing and procedures

Jepson and Gorrell said they are committed to transparency when it comes to pricing and letting their patients know what to expect from procedures, so they can schedule appointments around important life events and at their convenience.

“If you get a chemical peel, you’re going to be peeling for seven days, so you don’t want to schedule right before family pictures,” said Jepson. “Our pricing is on our website with detailed explanations of procedures. We’ve got so much information about what to expect.”

Prospective patients can schedule a free consultation on The Refinery’s website.

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