Continuity of Care at Evolve Medical Spa and Salon

Following the year 2000, a new millennium of modernity inspired the rapid growth of new boutique medical spas in San Diego.

From 2001 to 2003, med spas seemed to pop up every few months in neighborhoods across San Diego County – from Del Mar to the Gaslamp Quarter. Since the initial boom, cosmetic procedures such as Botox and chemical peels have become increasingly more common. No longer cultural taboo, women and men confidently frequent med spas with hopes to remain forever young. 

Evolve Medical Spa and Salon in Little Italy is one of the newest med spas in San Diego. 

Eric Skoblar, MD, Evolve owner, noticed the growth spurt of med spas with a critical eye; questioning the training of hands-on assistants, as well as the unnecessary recommendation of additional treatments to patients. “This is a results driven industry,” says Eric. From laser hair removal to cosmetic surgery, patients visit med spas because they trust doctors to deliver the results they desire. A passion for the real medicine of the cosmetic industry coupled with a longing to build relationships with patients encouraged Eric to evolve his career path from Primary Care and Sports Medicine at UCSD to the entrepreneurial force behind San Diego’s hippest new med spa: Evolve.

Working 80-110 hour weeks, spending only 10 minutes with each patient, Eric soon became frustrated with the doctor-patient dynamic at UCSD. Eric’s close friend Saman Afrouzmia was, at the time, owner of A Cut Above – a hair salon in Pacific Beach. Saman noticed clients consistently asking him for advice about hair restoration and laser physics, and he would consult with Eric for the correct answers. A natural progression stemmed from friendship and market demand, Saman and Eric decided to collaborate on a new venture: a separate-but-equal full-service hair salon and medical spa. While the salon and spa share one space, the businesses operate on their own, with a firm policy that no salon customer will be pitched a med spa upgrade. 

Eric is now the proud father of two new entities – a health-focused medical spa and a healthy baby boy, Aiden. After just ten minutes talking with Eric, I was convinced he is the most unique doctor any lucky client will discover in a medical spa setting. Intelligent and progressive by profession, charismatic and passionate by nature, Dr. Eric built Evolve Medical Spa from the heart, hoping to personalize his relationship with patients and establish continuity of care.

While the Botox phenomenon may have given med spas a bad stereotype for providing only superfluous cosmetic touch-ups, Eric looks above the hype and emphasizes the reality of medical spa procedures. “Skin is the largest organ in the body. Aesthetic treatments are important medical procedures that are just as serious as other operations. It’s important to look at the real medicine,” Eric explains.

With recycled bamboo-inspired wooden floors, calming tones, and the designs of local artists along every wall, Evolve offers patients a refreshing anti-Doctor’s office atmosphere. Medical spa treatments offered at Evolve include: Intense Pulsed Light, Microdermabrasion, Chemical Peels, Acoustic Wave Cellulite Reduction, Vein Treatment, Scar Revision, Botox, Juvederm, Laser Hair Reduction, Spray Tanning, and Mineral Make-Up. Need to refresh your memory on these med spa terms? Here’s a vocab touch-up from Evolve:

Botox: Botulinum Toxin Type A has long been used for disorders of muscles and has gained much popularity for the treatment of wrinkle and furrow lines on the face. 

Microdermabrasion: A stream of fine, sterile crystals gently abrades away the dry and damaged surface cell layers of the skin allowing for healthy re-growth. Microdermabrasion addresses common problems such as oily or dull skin, enlarged pores, and acne scars.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL): Using full spectrum light delivered to the deeper dermal layer of the skin, IPL reverses the effects of sun damage including hyperpigmentation, rosacea, and spider veins.

Located just down the hall, Evolve Hair Salon is a full-service salon specializing in such services as haircuts, hair styling, highlights, conditioning treatments, bridal parties, and more. Creating a network of neighborhood beauty experts, Evolve has partnered with Spa Velia and Coastal Dental Arts, recommending clients to Spa Velia for day spa treatments and to Coastal Dental Arts for laser teeth whitening. More Little Italy spas include Away Spa and Hyde Edwards.

Evolve is one of the newest medical spas in San Diego – bringing to Little Italy a fresh take on aesthetics. From Botox and vein treatments to mineral make-up and spray tanning, we recommend Eric Skoblar, MD for all your downtown med spa needs. Forget Doctor’s office chill and invasive interaction – Evolve Med Spa focuses on the real medicine while taking the personal steps to emphasize continuity of care. Visit Evolve Medical Spa and Salon to learn more.

Find more of the best San Diego spas and salons here.