Nestled in the serene landscapes of Central Vermont, three premier med-spas offer a perfect blend of luxury and wellness, promising rejuvenation and tranquility for every visitor.

MED-SPA VS. DAY SPA

What’s the difference between a med-spa and a day spa? 

While day spas focus mostly on massages, facials, and in some cases, advanced skin treatments like peels, med-spas also offer everything day spas offer, plus a host of nonsurgical procedures for the face and body.

Med-spas also employ a staff of technicians, licensed to perform procedures, like administering Botox and dermal fillers, along with providing treatments for aging skin, hair removal, and weight loss support.

The popularity of med-spas has sky-rocketed in recent years, and in Central Vermont, three are particular standouts.

1 - Vida Wellness 

 Urban chic reception area.

Jolanta Amblo, MD, an internal medicine physician at Northwestern Medical Center in Saint Albans, and Diana McTeague, RN, a former staff nurse at Weeks Medical Center and Memorial Hospital in North Conway,NH, are the owners of Vida Wellness.

The business came about after Jolanta experienced problems with her skin and was happy with the procedures she got. She decided to share her experience with others, so she partnered with Diana, who shared her belief that a holistic approach is the best way to achieve a healthy mind and body. Before Vida Wellness opened, “People here in Central Vermont had to drive to Burlington for these services,” Jolanta says.

The main treatment room at Vida Wellness 

Unlike some med-spas, Vida Wellness focuses solely on nonsurgical medical procedures. Besides offering neuromodulators, laser treatments, chemical peels, and microneedling, Vida Wellness offers platelet-rich plasma treatments for hair and skin rejuvenation, and IV therapy for boosting energy and replenishing electrolytes.

Jolanta says the therapy will be especially helpful to people recovering from periods of strenuous exercise.“There’s a huge range of treatments,” Jolanta explains. “We start [with] very sensitive treatments and build up to more aggressive ones. We do consultations first before we treat a patient.”

2  - Capitol Spa 

 The inviting entrance to Capitol Spa, where morning glories and tomato plants grow.

Capitol Spa, a boutique spa, offers advanced skincare, body care, therapeutic massage, infrared sauna, waxing services, and brow and lash services, along with some medical-adjacent procedures, like teeth whitening. “We try to provide authentic, customized services,” says owner Margo Hanson. “We’ll analyze your skin and talk to you and see what your goals are for that day and what your long-term goals are. We value the relationship in addition to giving the service.”

 The spa's waiting area has a quiet elegance.

As a boutique spa, Capitol also plays an important role in skin awareness. Estheticians and massage therapists are trained to notice changes that clients might miss—sometimes spotting a mole or skin concern in a hard-to-see place. “We’re not diagnosing,” Margo explains, “but part of our work is knowing when to say, ‘this looks like something you might want to have checked out.’ It’s another way professional spa services can support long-term wellness.”

3  - Wild Rose Holistic Skin + Body 

 The spa's cozy, welcoming reception area.

Founder and owner Jenn Harrigan's former career as a critical care and surgical nurse taught her the importance of self-care and stress relief. After suffering a severe skin reaction to a medication, she decided to dive into organic, clean, plant-based skincare herself. At Wild Rose, she seeks to offer clients the benefits of what she learned.

The spa specializes in organic facials, microneedling, and dermaplaning—treatments that blend organic botanicals with eco-friendly practices to help your skin feel radiant, renewed, and deeply cared for.

Partnering with local brands like MJH Ayurvedic Botanicals allows Jenn to use locally sourced, organic products in facials and advanced skin treatments, ensuring that every person’s experience is effective and eco-conscious. “Everyone deserves to feel rejuvenated without harmful additives,” Jenn says.

 Jenn Harrigan, a former critical care and surgical nurse, is the founder of Wild Rose.

“I [founded the spa] to show people that botanical skincare is just as effective—if not more effective—than the super-high-end medical-grade products.” Jenn stresses she’s diligent about creating a partnership with clients to build custom treatment plans, including advanced in-spa treatments like facials and peels, coupled with a revamped at-home regimen.

“Professional skincare isn’t just about vanity; it’s about health,” Jenn says. “The skin is our largest organ, and what we put on it truly matters as much as what we put in our bodies. Clean, organic, plant-based products can be both gentle and powerful, and with the right guidance, they can transform not only your skin, but also the way you feel in your own body.

Vida Wellness

105 North Main Street Suite 204

Barre, VT

802-858-5657

www.vidavt.com

Capitol Spa

78 Barre Street

Montpelier, VT

802-917-6766

www.capitolspavt.com

Wild Rose Holistic Skin + Body

132 Main Street 2nd Floor

Montpelier, VT

802-522-6237

www.wildroseholistic.com