We’re in a new era where facial “tweak”-ments and surgical enhancements have become almost as normalized as going to the dentist, and aesthetic doctors are enjoying the same fame as rock stars. Now, one of those high octane, impossible-to-access derms, Dr. Barbara Sturm, has brought her treatments to Toronto. The man who persuaded Sturm – whose science-backed, anti-inflammatory products have become globally renowned – to grace our shores is none other than nightlife impresario, restaurateur and hotelier Charles Khabouth.
Since starting his empire with Club Z and Stilife in the ’80s he has set the tone for Toronto’s social set, with his latest restaurants, Byblos, Amal and Daphne still being the places to see and be seen. Always ahead of the trend, Khabouth has set his sights on re-framing the aesthetic treatments experience with his swishy new medspa, 30 Hazelton. “Bringing Dr. Sturm here was equivalent to when I brought Lenny Kravitz in to design a floor for my hotel, Bisha,” says Khabouth. “We are over the moon excited about having her treatments in Toronto. She has the research, the science, the pedigree and the experience.”
Oprah, Gwyneth and Hailey all swear by the transforming powers of Sturm’s skincare. Kim Kardashian even posted a (slightly gory) picture of her having Sturm’s infamous vampire facial (which involves microneedling your skin and applying platelet-rich plasma derived from your own blood to stimulate collagen and elastin).“Dr. Sturm was keen to come here, having been brought to Toronto by Vanessa Mulroney and Jane Hanrahan of Power of Privé to do a series of pop-up events,” says Khabouth. “Toronto’s a smaller but important market for everyone from hotel brands to financial institutions, chefs and clothing.”
To celebrate her collaboration with 30Hazelton, Sturm created the toning and lifting 30H Facial exclusively for the spa.
The space itself has a style pedigree. It became a famous address for the couture-wearing set when fashion visionary Nicholas Mellamphy transformed it into his own luxury retail fiefdom, Cabine. Now, the three-storey townhouse in the heart of well-heeled Yorkville has undergone another facelift – with sleek interiors that make it feel like you are stepping into a luxury hotel rather than checking in for a treatment.
With a menu of non-invasive skincare fixes, featuring state-of-the-art technology inspired by spa director Erica Fung’s extensive research in South Korea, this is Canada’s first place to offer “stackable” treatments to address different skin concerns: think volumizing, tightening, lifting and hyperpigmentation with carefully tailored lasers, all in one day. “You can have several tailored treatments one after the other, because the lasers use contact cooling,” says Fung. “This means when the laser touches the skin, there is 90 percent heat removal.” So rather than a painful Thermage treatment, Fung chose the Everesse laser, which has the same collagen stimulating benefits. A friend who’d done Thermage tried it and was astonished to feel no pain whatsoever. “I carried on a conversation while it was being done.” The other ultra-positive part of Fung’s carefully researched and curated treatments? “Skinclusivity! We are a ‘skinclusive’ centre. All of our lasers work for all skin types,” Fung says.
Despite its exclusive address and appearance, both Fung and Khabouth want everyone to feel welcome at 30 Hazelton. “Just like with my restaurants, it’s about customers first and making sure you feel your best. I don’t want the person doing your facial to be wearing Hermès shoes, because maybe you can’t afford those shoes and then you might think this is not for me. We are in the service business and I want you to feel comfortable.” With the flattering lighting, discreet treatment rooms and pain-free treatments, Khabouth delivers on his promise. And the cost of investing in the latest tech for your face? Laser treatments start at $380, with the pricing for more advanced treatments determined on consultation. Well worth it for an investment in your primary asset.
