After outgrowing its original Queen Street space, The Aesthetic Studio has slipped into a newly remodelled storefront downtown Sault Ste. Marie, that blends spa‑calm interiors with medical‑grade technology.
“The expansion isn’t vanity,” says founder and nurse injector Megan Vernelli. “We wanted a footprint that lets us add new devices, keep every appointment strictly one‑on‑one, and give clients the privacy they’ve been asking for.”
Built from client wish‑lists
After 18 months of gathering “dream room” ideas from her team, Vernelli began hunting last October for a space that could bring those sketches to life. She enlisted local architecture intern Jules Robert and interior designer Kirsten Bursche to translate the wish-list into a privacy-first layout: the lounge and checkout sit in separate zones, two entrances allow discreet exits, and every appointment stays strictly one-to-one.
“The goal is for every client to feel safe, respected and never rushed,” Vernelli says.
Four years of full-time, credential-backed care
The Aesthetic Studio’s service roster is powered by professionals who have made aesthetics their full-time focus for the past four years.
Founder Megan Vernelli, RPN, launched the brand in 2016 and now steers a team whose combined résumés span nursing, medical aesthetics, laser technology, as well as permanent makeup and advanced nail artistry.
“Real people, real skin” in practice
At the heart of the studio’s philosophy is a refusal to chase social‑media perfection. New clients start with a complimentary facial assessment where budget, lifestyle, and comfort level outrank trending procedures.
“We guide, not push,” Vernelli explains. “Sometimes the plan is sunscreen and double‑cleansing for a month before we talk treatments.”
She counters two persistent myths during those consults: That results should be instant or dramatic. “The truth is, the best outcomes are layered and subtle. Another big one is that skincare doesn’t matter with injectables—it absolutely does. Great skin makes injectables look even better.”
Vernelli recalls the moment a client posed for her final “after” photo wearing no foundation and burst into tears.
“That shift—from hiding to glowing—is why we expanded,” she says. “Skin isn’t just appearance; it’s self‑worth.”
Skincare basics for every budget
Asked which at‑home habits matter most before anyone books a service, Vernelli keeps the list short:
- Broad‑spectrum sunscreen every day, year‑round
- Thorough double‑cleansing at night
- General skin nutrition—water, sleep, and balanced fats
“All the advanced treatments ride on top of those,” she says.
A quiet revolution in regenerative tech
This year, the clinic will add exosome‑based therapies and energy devices that coax the skin to repair itself rather than merely smooth the surface. Vernelli calls regenerative treatments “the future of skin health” and sees their new downtown location as the right showcase.
Yet she insists the studio will stay grounded in education: “Trends change, but trust doesn’t. We’ll keep explaining the science in plain language so clients know exactly what they’re choosing.”
Learn more about The Aesthetic Studio online here.