Situated in the heart of Canberra, Avida Aesthetic & Wellness Clinic is an intimate salon where those in the know come to experience the some of the latest skin treatments to hit the capital. Nina Richards caught up with salon owner, Lina Scardoni.
Having owned a multi-award winning restaurant for seven years, Lina decided to pursue her passion for beauty. In order to break into the industry she spent five years studying. With a diploma in laser/IPL for hair reduction, skin rejuvenation and vascular treatments, qualification in laser acupuncture, advanced skin therapies, PDT for skin professionals and paramedical aesthetics, her credentials are impressive.
In order to offer anti-ageing treatments, she decided to take her study a step further and undertook training with a plastic surgeon on non-invasive therapies, including radio frequency and ultrasonic cavitation. The salon offers a combination of wellness therapies, including laser, IPL, radio frequency, ultrasonic cavitation, oxygen facials, microdermabrasion, aquabrasion, Environ DF treatment, Veinwave for facial capillaries, medical grade peels and mechanical lymphatic drainage.
Avida was established in 2008 and, having quickly outgrown the salon, Lina decided to relocate to bigger premises after two years. Her clients describe the salon as being warm, welcoming, relaxing and with a professional feel. The salon décor is clean and modern but with a homely rather than clinical atmosphere; its simplicity is an apt reflection of the results-driven treatment menu.
“We offer an extensive free consultation, where the therapist tailors an individual treatment plan for the client, explains how the treatments work and what results can be achieved. The clients walk out confident; educated about their skin and which treatments are best for them,” said Lina.
Although all the salon treatments are popular, Lina says IPL photo rejuvenation is particularly popular in winter. In the spring, the salon gets more bookings for their cellulite treatment as clients get beach-ready.
The salon stocks Environ skincare for its cosmeceutical properties. Vitamin A is a major part of the salon equation, which needs to be introduced and increased gradually. Environ products increase in the amount of vitamin A as you move up through the range, enabling the skin to acclimatise to the active ingredients. After a skin analysis, Lina and her therapists prescribe the correct products for the individual.
With such a scientific skincare line and specialist treatments, staff training is crucial to the business: “we offer ongoing staff training with professional and retail products, ensuring we are up-to-date with the latest information, treatments and safety standards,” she said.
“Customer safety and satisfaction is integral to the business core philosophy of knowledge, honesty, integrity, passion and success. A good salon will ensure their staff are fully trained, practice safe standards at all times and maintain a high level of professionalism and integrity.”
Lina describes her staff as beauticians who work on the inner and outer layers of the skin, to rejuvenate it in a totally natural way. “We cater for those who aren’t ready for surgery or needles but desire more than a facial.”
Clients return time after time to experience professional anti-ageing procedures using the latest non-invasive technologies administered by therapists who care. Lina is motivated by happy clients and a fantastic team.
Looking ahead, Lina thinks the non-invasive beauty industry will only gain popularity, and technologies will be refined to meet demand. Already an established anti-ageing clinic, it seems Aviva Aesthetic & Wellness Clinic is already on the right path to fulfil the needs of the future.
Contact: Avida Aesthetic & Wellness Clinic, Canberra (02) 6249 1848.