A Holistic Approach to Skin Care

In the posterior of a red brick building on E. McMurray Road, which houses tenants such as and is adjacent to , peacefully sits a getaway known as .

A treasured second-floor cove for many, this two-fold business aims to heal holistically.

Heidi Weinhold, N.D. treats patients for cancer, stress disorders and autism—among other conditions such as injuries, migraines and tremors—with homeopathic intakes, herbal tonics and a biomedical approach.

A former patient of hers, Susan Patnesky now works for "Dr. Heidi" providing a treatment that attracts clients throughout the region from West Virginia to Sewickley.

The Microcurrent Rejuvenation Treatment, more commonly known as an electric facial, is heaven. I can attest, and although I’m a meer 23 years old, I saw instant results.

The process is simple.

It entails the typical steps of a soothing facial, conducted with all natural products, and ends with low levels of microcurrent that stimulate the face and neck muscles—the cherry on top if you ask me.

A recent Elle Magazine piece by Sarah Bernard explains the au courant fad, which actually has been in practice for hundreds of years:

“Electric facials, whether done at home or in a spa, help build ‘convexities’ in the face. Convexities are what make you youthful. Electrostim keeps the muscles plump and active,” Dr. Nicholas Perricone told Bernard.  

The treatment isn't painful and doesn’t include the botulinum toxins found in Botox and products alike.

Patnesky said most of her clients fall asleep during the process. In fact, she said I was one of a few who did not—I was so intrigued, regardless of the especially gloomy day and my ability to nap.

She said it's beneficial to have one treatment every season—four times a year.

Maximum optimal results occur with 10 to 20 treatments consecutively, she noted. In other words, one treatment a week for six consecutive weeks, followed by a maintence treatment every six to eight weeks. 

The only of its kind offered in Pittsburgh, this regimen seems to be listed on spa menus in many cities.

As stated in Elle: 

"Electric facials are on the menu everywhere from Perricone's New York flagship spa to Four Seasons hotels to Elizabeth Arden's Red Door salons. Professional-grade microcurrent machines emit a positive and a negative current via two wands, probes, or sponges.

"When the probes are placed a few inches apart on the face, the curcuit of current travels from one point to the other and 'stimulates' the tissue in between," says Perricone. "The current is subsensory, which means all one feels is the gliding of the rods and perhaps a slight tingle. Customers often fall asleep midfacial."

Patnesky is a fully-licensed professional cosmetologist and has more than 20 years of cosmetology expertise. 

With priceless results, the facial isn't terribly costly—and in my opinion, is completely worth it. One treatment is $75 and takes approximately an hour and a half. Three treatments are $200.

Patnesky said she offers an 8 oz. Ultra Hydrating Body Lotion and 10 percent off the next treatment for clients who make two referrals.

Call 724-941-7701 to book an appointment.

Follow Patnesky on Twitter at @agefabulously. For additional information, visit Appalachian Botanicals' website.

This story originally appeared on Peters Patch