Pura Vida Medspa & Cosmetic Laser Center

I love this place, I wouldn’t trust anyone other than Linda to touch my face. She is awesome and has a great «chair-​side» manner. She listens and she will be very honest when you ask about whether or not a product is best for your skin type. They remember you as soon as they see you and you will never have to wait long to be seen, Susan is at the front desk and she is very sweet and professional. I’ve had several chemical peels from Wendy (? cute petite blond) and she will walk you through the entire procedure so you know what to expect. She takes her time to pay attention to the areas of your skin and which areas to focus on. The prices are $$$ but you get what you pay for, occasionally they have pretty good specials. I’m African American with dark skin/​uneven tones and the chemical peels work wonders for my skin. Your face is the first thing you see every morning and the last thing you see every night, I smile every morning and every night.

Pura Vida MedSpa IS a gorgeous center for care… however, this is rarely enough to make me continue to be a client and spend hordes of money. This does however explain the high costs for services…
I had a consultation with both doctors when I came to the Med-​Spa. Interesting enough, both doctors gave me TWO different types of care in my separate consultations. I have medium/​dark skin and it is very important my skin care professional both understand my skin and know how to care for it. I did not see this kowledge here or it wasn’t communicated very well.
I have received chemical peels and laser hair removal. I was sold an entire line of products before my first appointment. This was upwards for $ 500 and the packages for the chemical peel was shy of $ 1000. We took a picture at the start of the packages but near the end, there were other aestiticians besides my skin care provider doing my chemical peels, and we never discussed the progress, needs, or reactions of my skin as time went on. I add this here because we never took an after photo… and it seemed to me… because after my money was collected, and no new packages were purchased, they didn’t care about progress and results. They… meaning the three different people who did a service each time I came in. I did see results, although temporary, but with all of the products I was using and intense treatments, this isn’t shocking. I was not particularly happy that the skin care professionals were not able to address needs and issues that came along wiin my progress. I asked about skin splotching and there was NO knowledge about what to do or not do.
Considering the two doctors were clinically trained as gynecologist and not dermatologist this all makes sense in hindsight.
When I received my hair removal, I learned later that a process they did afterwards was not customary. After removal process on my face, I was given an ice pack. I learned from other professionals and the Internet that you should not apply cold/​freezzing on a body part that has received removal/​laser treatment because it can PULL the skin off. I was horrified after learning this later there was a complete lack of care here.
Also, I traveled from Baltimore County from work to go to my appointments. I always had to wait 30 – 40 minutes for my appointment slot. It was a rare day when I was seen on time. This was infuriating and unprofessional… and perhaps this also explained why different staff conducted my chemical peels. I would not recommend Pura Vida for ease of administrative logistics nor staff conduct.

I have tried many, many spas and Linda from Pura Vida is by far the best aesthetician I have experienced. She makes my face appear more youthful with filler and Botox without making me look artificial. I have had excellent results with laser treatments. She frequently questions my pain level during procedures and adjusts when necessary. The rest of the staff is also friendly and professional.

First I have to say I’m giving them only two stars for some very important reasons. I’ll start with the good things. This spa is immaculate and the staff is very professional. They treat everyone (even those of us who don’t live in Maple Lawn) the same regardless of how much money you’re spending. I really liked the laser tech who treated me. She was always a pleasure to talk to.
However, here are my issues. Firstly, I always had an appointment on Tuesday mornings. This was fine for me, but if you needed to reschedule the only time you had to do it was on Saturdays. So, if anything comes up last minute you had to call at 9AM Tuesday morning. My appt was usually at 10. However, even with all this they were still accommodating to rescheduling my appointment. I have a job where I’m on-​call so it wasn’t always possible to cancel in advance. So I’m grateful they were able to reschedule me when I needed to.
I got laser treatment for brazilian bikini. The cost was $ 1800 for six sessions. I did not have to pay any extra for numbing. I have no doubt that the laser tech was very experienced and knowledgeable about laser hair removal. However, after six sessions I only had about 50−60% hair loss. They said I will probably have to get more sessions. You can’t buy more as a package, but they will give you a 25% discount for individual sessions. I don’t think they are fully open about their pricing — you will never find a published list of prices anywhere. I think this is a little shady. You need to make the pricing public information and if it changes, then you need to update your list. Plain and simple.
So if you are considering laser hair removal plan for the fact that you will not have a substantial amount of hair loss and it will probably cost way more than $ 1800 to have 80−90% hair loss. I’m kind of annoyed by this. I would like to have more sessions, but I think I’m going to look for another med spa because I don’t want to keep giving my money to this one and only having average results.
I will also say that some of my sessions were unbearably painful and some were tolerable. Since it was so painful I don’t think the treatment was as successful as it could’ve been because the laser was stopped short when I couldn’t withstand the pain anymore. The last session was painful, but tolerable, and I actually think I had the best results from that session. So why weren’t all the sessions like the last one? Kind of strange. Also, my first session was on the same day as my consultation. In retrospect I should’ve just scheduled it for another day. I think it was kind of a wasted session because the laser was not working at level high enough to be effective. I didn’t have time that day to numb so the laser settings were very low.
I think that everyone should know even after six sessions and 1800 bucks I STILL have to shave. That is what I’m least impressed about. They know all this btw, which to me makes it worse.
Anyways, I would go back here if I ever decide to get injections, but I’m still on the fence with them about the laser hair removal. Just be aware of all these things if you decide to take the plunge. I’m furloughed so I probably won’t be getting extra sessions any time soon.

I brought a livingsocial voucher for 2 spider vein treatments for the face. The nurse that performed the procedure lasered several areas around my nose and said the spider veins were gone. She said that I had a small spot on my cheek and chin and asked «do you want me to get those spots since you’re here». I’ve never noticed spider veins on my chin or cheek but I said sure. She lasered each one once, taking only a few seconds to do. I thanked her and left her a tip.
When I went back out front, she said the spider veins were gone so I didn’t need the second appointment. She stated that I may need another appointment in about a year. But also mentioned that since she lasered the second area (cheek and chin), I’ve used my second appointment. I was a little taken back since she never mentioned that when offered to do the cheek/​chin. But since she said the spider veins around my nose were gone, I was satisfied.
Unfortunately, a few days later, after the redness subsided, I noticed 2 very visible spider veins around my nose and a few other very small ones under my nose. I called back asking to make the second appointment, since the spider veins were in fact, not gone. The receptionist was very nice and scheduled the second appointment. I later recieved a message that I had used both of my appointments and would have to pay to be seen again. I am very dissatisfied with the results and would not pay to go back. The nurse should have informed me that I forfeiting my second appointment for her to spend a few seconds to laser 2 spider veins I’ve never even seen.

The facility itself is very convenient to get to with easy parking. It is very clean and modern. The staff are all knowledgable and friendly. Their prices are also on target for the area. I think the best part about Pura Vida, other than the highly experienced staff, is that my esthetician didn’t try to shove a bunch of products down my throat like some other spas/​med spas do. She told be about a few things I was curious about and answered my questions with no pressure. I will continue to come here as long as I have youthful looks worth preserving and I highly recommend Pura Vida to anyone looking to do the same!

Glad I finally bit the buck and went for laser hair removal.
I just purchased a package of 6 and had my consultation and first treatment. The doctor is wonderful, and I am very excited to see the results. This is a pricier location because there are doctors and nurses onsite, but I really believe it will be worth it in the end.
Also, the front desk staff is very nice and informative.

I am incredibly impressed with this facility. The location is nice, clean, and incredibly relaxing — truly a spa experience. I’m actually disappointed my appointment doesn’t take longer. The doctor is amazing. She’s friendly, funny, and efficient.

Dr. Apgar is fabulous. On my first visit she showed the effects of the sun on my face-​yuck. She explained in detail the different options that were available ranging from minimal to extensive. She showed me before and after photos for each type of procedure. She also offered to do this for my 20 yr old daughter so she could start earlier with good skin care.
I have been three times to get Botox and each time it has been a wonderful experience. The office is fresh and clean and I have not had to wait once I arrived.
Dr. Apgar administered the shots very quickly and efficiently. She talked to me about my options at the same time keeping my budget in mind. I feel that she truly maximized the serum to get the most bang for the buck.
I have always been too nervous to have this procedure performed at any other spa. I am glad I found Pura Vida and I will feel perfectly comfortable with receiving other treatments as we see fit.

Pura Vida is awesome! I just got home from my appointment and am so impressed with this salon I couldn’t hold it in! My experience there was fantastic (even though I had an uncomfortable procedure!). I have come to expect mediocrity from most of the services I get these days so imagine my disbelief and excitement at having such a great experience. The staff was absolutely great at what they do. From the receptionist to my aesthetician Ruth, I could not have gotten better service. I had a BBL treatment for age spots. Not the most fun ever, feels like low voltage electrocution about the face for 30 minutes or so. However, Ruth was great. She kept me informed of everything she was doing, asked if the pain was too much (it was not), and gave great skincare tips as well. She also fit me in for some BOtox even though I did not have a prior appointment.
Not only was the staff great, the spa was spotless, from the bathroom to the treatment rooms. You could eat off the floor.
Okay, so great staff, clean environment. What else could you ask for?
How about great prices? I could not believe how reasonable the pricing is here, especially compared to spas in Chevy Chase, etc. Not only are their regular rates fantastic, but they gave me their 1^st anniversary pricing for Botox even though the anniversary specials were not to start until the next day.
Definitely worth the drive.