medwell-institute

Meet MedWell | The Heart Behind the MedSpa

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 03:38:48 GMT

It's not every day two high school best friends reunite decades later to build something meaningful together. Risa has been immersed in the dermatology and skincare world since 2007, and Lori was one of her most devoted patients. In fact, Lori would make the trek to the Twin Cities just to be seen by Risa. But she had bigger plans. Lori, self-proclaimed "bug in her ear," made it her mission to convince Risa to come back closer to home, open her own practice, and let Lori handle the coffee.

It took a lot of patience on Lori’s end, years down the road she would get a text from Risa, just a simple meeting that ignited the flame to create something that was needed for their local community. Lori went from simply saying she would serve the coffee, to being Risa’s business partner. “It was a passion and a thing that we had always talked about. We all have dreams, and you never know if you’ll actually pull the trigger on them, but I’m so thankful we did.” said Risa.

So the idea jotted on a paper napkin in 2008, finally opened its doors in 2023.

These two friends bring far more than warm smiles to MedWell, they bring a depth of expertise and heart that shapes every patient experience, Risa’s roots in medical dermatology run deep; she continues to lend her expertise and the local hospital to this day. Yet for years, she found herself sending aesthetic patients to medspas miles away, out of the community they called home. MedWell changed that. Now, that gap has been filled and patients don’t have to go far to find exceptional care. Lori brings her own quiet superpower to the practice; a natural ability to listen, to sit with someone’s concerns, and to meet them with genuine compassion.

From their doors opening in 2023 to three years of serving the community, Risa and Lori have built something worth celebrating, though they’d be the last ones to take the credit. Each would tell you the other is the reason it works. In three years, they’ve grown their services, expanded their team, and deepened their medical expertise, all while staying true to what matters most: making every patient feel heard, At MedWell, there are no cookie-sutter responses or one-size-fits-all treatment plans, Every concern is met with intention.

“In a world where everything is convenient, when it comes to your medical care there’s something to be said for not just checking boxes or going with the cheapest option,” says Risa. “There’s a place where people can receive real care and real follow-up.” That philosophy isn’t just a tagline, it’s the foundation MedWell was built on.

So whether you’re walking through the doors for the first time or you’ve been a familiar face since the beginning, know this: MedWell exists because two friends refused to let their community go without. And that, more than anything, is what makes this place different.

Special Event Prep Timeline

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 14:11:55 GMT

Look And Feel Your Best For Celebrations

As spring and summer near, it’s likely your events calendar is filling up with weddings, reunions, and celebratory parties. Whatever the special occasion, you’ll want to be radiant from the inside out! At MedWell, we understand the significance of looking and feeling your best for those memorable moments. We have outlined a timeline for treatments that may help in your planning for glowing results.

6-12 Months Before

Schedule a Consultation

Set up a complimentary consultation to address your concerns and goals. We’ll make a plan so you’re ready for the special day. We may suggest a new skin care routine, so this allows time for your skin to acclimate to the new products. We’ll also get your next appointments scheduled.

5-6 Months Before

Dermal Filler

Restore lost volume, smooth wrinkles, and enhance facial contours of cheeks, nose, lips and jawline with Dermal Filler. Now is the time to target these areas to see your results, then follow up with a second round 1-2 months before the event.

3-4 Months Before

Microneedling & Chemical Peel

Both microneedling and chemical peels provide the best results when done in a series. These services help skin appear brighter, stimulate collagen, improve textures, and even skin tone. At MedWell, we use the most versatile and comfortable microneedling device on the market, showing powerful results on all skin types. SkinPen® is also the first device of its kind to receive FDA clearance for cosmetic use.

1-2 Months Before

Botox, Filler Touch Up

If you had fillers done 5-9 months before, this appointment will allow for touch up and additional filling for the final results you’re looking for.

1 Month Before

Hydrafacial

Hydrate your skin for the big day! Hydrafacials are a soothing, moisturizing, non-invasive and non-irritating treatment. The multi-step process cleanses, exfoliates and extracts to get rid of impurities and dead skin cells while at the same time quenching skin with vital nutrients like antioxidants, peptides and hyaluronic acid.

4-7 Days Before

MedWell Glow Facial

Our facial features a double cleanse, tailored mask, light massage, dermaplaning, and a hyaluronic acid infusion. You’ll be glowing for the big day!

We are here to help you prepare for your special events. Schedule a free consultation to get started.

Take Care of Your Skin Through The Ages

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 16:34:17 GMT

Tips For Healthy Skin

Skin care is important at every age, but your needs will change depending on which decade of life you’re in. Learning which skin issues are most common at any age can help simplify your skincare routine and make it more effective. From preventive measures in your 20s to targeted treatments in your 60s, understanding the needs of your skin at each phase is key.

In Your 20’s

Acne

Many young adults struggle with acne. Hormonal changes, slower skin cell turnover, stress, or sleeping with make-up on are all contributing factors. We recommend a cleanser with Salacylic Acid and Glycolic such as the SaviorSkin Acne Wash or SaviorSkin Brightening Wash .

Changes in Skin Texture

Lifestyle changes in your 20’s can contribute to skin texture changes, enlargement of pores and overall dullness. SaviorSkin Texture Tonic helps to gently exfoliate your skin giving you a radiant glow.

Collagen Decline

Research has shown that sun exposure/UV damage is the main cause of skin collagen loss. Using daily sunscreen, (ALL SEASONS, yes, even on winter Minnesota days!) such as SaviorSkin Daily Defense , is essential to help protect collagen damage. To help boost collagen production, we recommend daily use of a vitamin C ( SaviorSkin Super C ) and a topical Retinoid such as SaviorSkin Retinol Serum or SaviorSkin Gentle Retinol.

In Your 30’s

While things start slowing down in your 20’s, we don’t often notice them on our skin until the 30’s. For example, production of collagen starts to show fine lines and slower skin cell turnover causes dullness and dry skin. We also start to experience hyperpigmentation due to hormonal changes during pregnancy or years of exposure to the sun that contribute to discoloration and sun spots. One of the early signs of aging is the loss of volume in the fat pads in our face. This begins to accelerate in the coming decades.

Maintain the good skin care habits established in your 20’s and introduce anti-aging treatments for prevention. We recommend:

Antioxidants/Exfoliants

Look for products that contain vitamin C and lactic acid to mitigate the effects of exposure to sun and environmental pollutants. Try SaviorSkin Super C and SaviorSkin Texture Tonic .

Retinol/Retinoids

Introduce a medical grade retinoid to prevent fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin texture such as SaviorSkin Retinol Serum and Gentle Retinol.

Hyaluronic Acid

Treating with Hyaluronic Acid hydrates skin and helps boost elasticity. Our favorite is SaviorSkin Hydration Salvation to quench dehydrated skin and minimize the visible signs of aging.

Injectables

Strategic neuromodulators like Botox can be started to treat or prevent early wrinkle development. A small amount of dermal filler can replace early volume loss. MedWell offers Botox/Dysport and Juvederm/Restylane.

Common Skin Issues in Your 40’s

Your body is beginning to decrease oil and estrogen production. This will lead to dryness as well as thinner, more brittle skin. The lymph system naturally drains toxins from the body, but requires movement to operate. A decline in activity with age slows this system down, leading to inflammation. While anti-aging skin care remains important, it’s time to focus on the skin issues specific to you.

Anti-Aging

Add an anti-aging serum, such as SaviorSkin Super C and SaviorSkin Retinol . Combat dry skin with a moisturizer such as SaviorSkin Hydration Salvation or SaviorSkin Moisture Balm .

Lifestyle

In your 40’s, your body can no longer recover from lost sleep, poor eating, or dehydration like it used to. Positive (and negative) choices will be reflected in your skin. Get a hydrating MedWell IV Infusion or Hydrafacial on a regular basis to stay hydrated! Recognize the signs of hormone imbalance such as fatigue, brain fog, irritability, and weight gain. If these sound familiar, consult with one of our Biote Certified providers to discuss if you are a candidate for Biote BHRT pelleting to combat the aging process that occurs with hormonal changes.

Annual Appointments

See a trusted dermatology provider for annual visits to screen for skin cancer or precancerous lesions.

Injectables

Botox and Dysport can treat fine lines and wrinkles. Dermal Fillers (juvederm and Restylane) and Biostimulators (injectables that stimulate your own collagen production) such as Sculptra and Radiesse replace continued volume loss.

SkinPen Microneedling

Microneedling treatments at MedWell can boost collagen production, fine lines and texture and help with sun damage. Adding Platelet Rich Plasma to this treatment amplifies the results!

Common Skin Issues in Your 50’s

Fine lines and wrinkles are unavoidable in your 50’s as collagen and elastin decline. Skin sagging becomes more noticeable, especially under the eyes or around the mouth and jawline. This is due to a combination of shrinking fat pads and bone resorption. Aging makes the body more susceptible to inflammation, which is often reflected as puffiness under the eyes. Keep up with your preventative routines, but also, look toward treatment options for areas of concern that are already here.

Skin Care

Continued use of sunscreen, exfoliating acids, peptides, vitamin C , and retinol for preservation.

Injectables

Botox and dermal fillers help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and add volume where necessary as this typically accelerates during the fifth decade of life. Botox and Dysport can treat fine lines and wrinkles, Dermal Fillers (juvederm and Restylane) and Biostimulators (injectables that stimulate your own collagen production) such as Sculptra and Radiesse replace continued volume loss.

Chemical Peels

Improve the appearance of aging skin. A chemical peel procedure removed the outer layer of old skin, revealing a smoother, less wrinkled appearance.

SkinPen Microneedling

Microneedling treatments at MedWell can boost collagen production, fine lines and texture and help with sun damage. Adding Platelet Rich Plasma to this treatment amplifies the results!

Common Skin Issues in Your 60’s and Beyond

As you age, skin becomes increasingly thinner and more prone to damage. Wrinkles become deeper, discoloration more prominent, and skin tags or other benign growths may appear. Changes to circulation make it harder for toxins to be eliminated, and more difficult for nutrients and oxygen to get delivered.

Skin Care

Maintain your skin care routine and especially Vitamin C serum and Retinol. Moisture is lost with aging skin, SaviorSkin Hydration Salvation , Moisture Balm and Moisture Boost are great options to replace hyaluronic acid and maintain moisture.

Lifestyle

At this age, maintaining a healthy lifestyle becomes more important than ever. Staying hydrated, eating healthy foods, and staying active will keep you feeling good, and looking good too.

Maintenance

Dermal Fillers (Juvederm and Restylane) and Biostimulators (injectables that stimulate your own collagen production) such as Sculptra and Radiesse replace continued volume loss and can take years off your appearance.

We recommend sunscreen , vitamin C , and retinol during EVERY stage for prevention and preservation!

If you would like to formulate a skincare plan, schedule a free consultation or give us a call at (320) 585-SKIN.