Chicago Health & Beauty

The team of dermatologists working out of this massive, tricked-out office are the real deal (several friends have mentioned Dr. Karen Horn by name as the one to ask for). They offer facials and microdermabrasion as a complement to more extensive cosmetic dermatology treatments or a la carte. While the facials definitely err on the clinical side, they don't skimp on the massage. You can also pop in for a quickie "party peel" to prep for a special event.

Dr. John Q. Cook has 20 years of experience in skincare and has two beautiful Whole Beauty Institutes (one in Winnetka and another in Gold Coast) to show for it. What takes the clinical facials (they also perform fantastic medical-grade chemical peels) to the next level is the meticulously developed Whole Beauty product line; his team of aestheticians will send you home with a set of products specifically picked out to extend the effects of your time in the office. There's also a location in Gold Coast.

Founder and medical director Dr. John Q. Cook, M.D., has over two decades of experience in skin care and a hawk eye for discerning the best therapy to treat a particular issue. The Institute’s big draw is aesthetic plastic surgery but the non-surgical treatments are some of the most skin-perfecting. Fantastic medical-grade chemical peels, LED light therapy for breakouts, dermaplaning (a blade is smoothed across skin to exfoliate and support new, healthy skin), and some pretty incredible oxygen therapies are on the menu. What’s more, the team of aestheticians send you home with a set of products specifically picked out to extend the effects of your time in the office—which we love.

The Few Institute is primarily a plastic surgery center, and a very well-respected one at that (he recently worked with us on our bestselling Youth-Boost Peptide Serum). The Skin Clinic inside is run by a badass team of aestheticians who specialize in seriously effective, medical-grade peels (which they'll customize to your specific skin type), and deeply restorative treatments like the Oxygenating Trio Facial in which skin is flooded with antioxidants to treat and prevent free-radical damage, as well as the 90 Minute Luxury Facial, a combination of steaming, deep exfoliation, microdermabrasion, and heavenly scalp massage. Afore, Few’s skincare line is brilliant; we love the absolutely next-level retinol.

Mireille Hamon counts Oprah among her many makeup and skincare clients. The skin guru grew up and received her training in France, which explains her brilliant less-is-more approach. She’s a wizard at clearing blemishes via gentle steams, soothing masks, and careful extractions. Her LED light therapy and microdermabrasion sessions are stellar. And the woman is also an eyebrow genius.