Tucked into a quiet suburban Olathe neighborhood, Aesthetica Skin Care provides women with professional and relaxing spa services. Susann Cowan, longtime aesthetician and owner, has been running her business out of her home for the last 17 years. In fact, the home environment is what keeps many of her clients coming back.

“I love that it’s in her home,” says client-turned-friend Marsha Ditto. “It’s very professional but relaxed, and she’s not ever in a hurry.” Denise Copekan agrees. “It’s cleaner than a lot of salons I’ve been in,” she shares. “It’s very relaxing, and you don’t have the hustle and bustle of a busy shop. You are her main focus when you are with her.”

Susann got into the field more than 25 years ago, though she actually started waxing her legs when she was in high school. “I thought, ‘I’m good at this,’” she says. Susann went to cosmetology school in the area. While all the girls in her class were studying to become hairstylists, Susann was the only one in school who did facials and waxing, she says. Now she jokes that she’s done it so long that she could wax in her sleep.

She has always been drawn to skin, and has gradually become more interested in the anti-aging products and procedures that are available today. Anti-aging skin products have completely revolutionized the concept of skin care, she says, and it’s never too early to begin an anti-aging regimen for your skin, especially on your face.

You can tell that she really loves what she does by the way that she talks about her job. “If I can suggest something or help somebody it makes me feel like I have a purpose on this planet,” says Susann. “I get a lot of self-worth out of doing what I do.”

Susann offers a variety of treatments, from manicures and pedicures to microdermabrasions and chemical peels. A favorite treatment among her regular customers is the European massage facial, which costs $85 and includes a full hour of a chemical peel or microdermabrasion, a “clean and steam,” thorough extractions, and a half-hour upper body massage. The massage includes the scalp, face, ears, upper chest, neck, shoulders, and arms.

“I give them a deep massage, and everybody always falls asleep at the end,” she says with a laugh. “A lot of clients say they like the facial massages better than full-body massages because I focus my attention on the area where you carry a lot of tension and stress instead of jumping to different body parts after a few short minutes.”

Marsha says Susann’s massages are comparable to those from a professionally trained massage therapist. “She’s gentle but thorough. I just love them.” In fact, Marsha has gone to Susann for nearly all of the services she offers, but it’s the skin care that Susann provides that has kept Marsha going back for 22 years. “I had adult acne, and she kept it under control for me. Her products are just awesome,” Marsha raves. “I’m the oldest in the group of girls I run with, but I’ve been told I look the youngest of all of them. I attribute that to Susann.”

Teresa Ahrens has been a loyal client since 1993, and says she too had bad complexion problems that Susann helped her through. Teresa is so impressed with Susann’s services that she has recommended her to everyone she knows, she says. Over the years, Susann has worked on Teresa’s entire family. “Susann has taken care of complexion problems for my children. She does the best pedicure around, and I get waxing and eyebrow and eyelash tinting. And she comes to my home to do a massage for my mom, who’s had a stroke. My mom lies in the recliner, and she just purrs all the way through it. It’s great to see her so relaxed.”

Susann says she understands that the ability to really listen to what her clients need and want goes a long way in building strong relationships and helping them reach their goals. “I want to help people be better and teach them how to take care of themselves so that they’ll be proud of the way they look and feel as they get older,” she explains. She compares aesthetics to dental care. You brush and floss your teeth every day, yet you still have to go to the dentist to get your teeth cleaned and checked. “If you yearn to have younger-looking skin as you age, you should resurface your skin at least every couple weeks. Very few of us were born with the perfect skin. Gorgeous skin and aging beautifully, is definitely a commitment to do the work. Getting regular facials, and practicing prevention at home is the key to healthy skin. So many of my clients don’t wear makeup on their skin anymore,” says Susann.

Both Teresa and Marsha say they’ve been to other aesthetic spas over the years, but no one can compare to Susann at Aesthetica Skin Care. “I have traveled a lot, and one of my favorite things I like to do when I travel is take advantage of spas like on a cruise or in a resort. But I’ve never met anyone that has the touch Susann has,” says Teresa. “She’s got the softest hands and the most perfect touch.”

Susann shares that she strives for perfection in all her work, providing her clients with a thorough job each time. Susie Mackey, another longtime client, says Susann stands out when compared to other professionals in the field.

Recently, Susann added a new line of nail polish to her products. CND has created a hybrid polish called Shallac, which is a combination of nail polish and gel. Developed and tested for years to perfect it, Shellac is formulated to last 14 days without getting chipped or smudged, and it is able to withstand the rigors of daily wear, Susann explains. The hybrid polish is kind to your nails as well, as it does not contain Formaldehyde, Toluene, or DBP (Dibutyl Phthalate). It is also hypoallergenic. Plus, Shellac provides a protective coating for your nails, making it perfect for people who work with their hands all day, Susann says. “It instantly dries so you can put your shoes back on immediately after a pedicure, or you can dig around your purse right after you’ve gotten your nails done,” she shares. “The finish is so perfect and such a brilliant shine that it almost doesn’t look real. It’s nothing like acrylics.”

Because Susann works out of her home, she is able to better accommodate her clients’ schedules, she says. She usually works Monday through Friday. You might want to give Susann a call at 913-764-6001 to learn more about her services. “Susann gets you addicted,” Susie jokes. “You come out of there relaxed, rejuvenated, and you’re feeling good for weeks.”