Profile

Inside a small, neat suite in Midtown, Elena Simion packs several decades worth of skincare knowledge, beginning with her initial training as an esthetician in Bucharest in the seventies to the start of her own spa here in 1998. Her facials are deeply customized and unrushed, targeting such imbalances as hyperpigmentation, acne scarring, and wrinkles, with the goal of improving skin over the long term—both through a series of treatments and through a prescribed home regimen. She enhances the cleansing and extraction with steps such as mild chemical peels; exfoliation through use of a gentle, mechanical blade; ultrasonic waves to firm skin; and hydrating masks and serums. Clients may opt for pre-facial waxing of the lip and brows (although this is a no-no according to many other estheticians). For the whole body, Simion prepares seaweed and clay wraps geared toward detoxification, lymph drainage, and reduction of cellulite. In addition to the facials and body wraps she performs herself, Simion offers tanning facilities and has additional staff on call for massage. The primary skincare lines she incorporates are Decléor, Biologique Recherche, and Lerosett. — Michele Lippman