CHIEFSKINOFFICER

Chief Skin Officer is a small studio in Building C of Hall Plastic Surgery, on Beardsley Lane in Austin. The studio calls itself a holistic space for healing through the face, and its work is built on the idea that the face can be a route back to oneself. The space is warm, roomy and cozy, with a mix of colors and textures, and almost all of the furnishings and décor are upcycled, including vintage pieces.

Custom facials come in 60, 90 or 120 minute lengths. Each one starts with a skin analysis and a double cleanse, then includes a mask, extractions when needed, and facial massage. Additional steps can include microcurrent, ultrasound, high frequency, facial cupping, LED, reflexology, gua sha, cryo globes, and neck and shoulder massage. The plan is set on the day to match the skin's needs, and the work is described as heavy touch and healing. Products used in treatments come from the dermaviduals, Renee Rouleau and Herban Veda lines. Light as a Feather is a quiet, soft-touch ASMR facial that works through the legs, hands, arms, chest, neck, face, ears and scalp using a range of tools and textures, designed for highly sensitive people, anyone under chronic stress or anxiety, or anyone wanting a long stretch of stillness.

The Crown Revival is a 45-minute head spa scalp treatment that combines a custom herbal steam, high-frequency work, hair oils, hand massage and tools. Clients should come in with dry hair. The oil stays on overnight and comes out with one regular shampoo. The treatment is not suitable for anyone with braids, sew-ins or extensions, or with open sores or infections on the scalp. Clients should wait one week after hair color or other hair treatments, and two weeks after Botox or four weeks after fillers, before booking. According to the studio, regular head massage can lower stress and enlarge the diameter of each hair shaft. The signature sessions are THE CHIEF, a 90- or 120-minute mix of Dien Chan reflexology, FACEWORK and SCALPWORK; The Spirit Cloud, a 90-minute massage-only session using gua sha, lymphatic brushing, facial cupping and buccal massage; and The Energy Compass, a 120-minute session that pairs facial reflexology, biomagnetism and Reiki healing.

Dien Chan facial reflexology sessions run 40 or 60 minutes, and the longer session includes FACEWORK. The studio's ACE Method is rooted in Dien Chan, a reflexology technique developed in Vietnam by Professor Bui Quoc Chau, and the studio describes itself as one of Austin's only certified Dien Chan practices. Reflexology is done with a stainless steel magic wand. Biomagnetism places therapeutic-grade magnets on specific points of the body and is described as non-invasive, but it is not recommended for people who are pregnant, have pacemakers or electronic implants, epilepsy or seizure disorders, metal implants, severe cardiovascular conditions, active infections or open wounds, were within a year of chemotherapy, or have had an organ transplant. Reiki Master Healing is an energy session guided by a certified Reiki Master. Gift cards are available.

Hours are Monday to Friday 9 AM to 6 PM and Saturday 9 AM to 1 PM, with Sundays closed. The phone number is 773-251-5094. Special requests should be shared before the treatment starts. The Chief Skin Society program offers a way to learn the techniques and philosophy behind the work.

Works through touch and technique rather than needles, tailoring facial treatments to skin needs on the day and combining Dien Chan reflexology with facial massage, scalp work and energy methods.

Warm, spacious and cozy, with a variety of colors and textures and mostly upcycled, vintage furnishings.