Meet the Founders

The Visionary: Melanie Cowling

In 1996, Melanie Cowling established the first medical spa in historic St. Augustine. Her journey was built on twenty years of rigorous clinical precision as a Registered Dental Hygienist. Working alongside Haley’s father, Endodontic Specialist Dr. David W. Cowling, in their family dental practice, Melanie mastered the nuances of facial anatomy and sterile environments long before "medspas" were a household name. As a Master Medical Aesthetician, Electrologist, and Cosmetic Tattoo Artist, Melanie’s expertise is deeply personal; her own battle with cystic acne fueled a lifelong mission to master the science of true skin healing.

The Evolution: Haley Cowling

Haley represents the evolution of the About Face legacy, bringing a unique understanding of the body and its functions from the inside out. Following her early experience as a Dental Assistant in the family practice, Haley dedicated herself to mastering the body’s interconnected systems. As a Licensed Massage Therapist, Full Specialist, Electrologist, and Laser Technician, Haley looks beyond the surface to understand how internal health dictates external beauty. Her expertise as a MPS Therapy Specialist complements her work as a Licensed Massage Therapist and Pilates Apparatus Instructor, a combination that allows her to treat the body as a high-functioning whole. Having navigated her own struggle with cystic acne and scars, Haley pairs this technical versatility with a profound empathy for her clients. Today, she leads the storefront operations, merging thirty years of family tradition with a modern, holistic approach to medical aesthetics.

The Mission: Clinical Integrity, Personal Results

The Cowling family has spent four decades dedicated to the health and confidence of the St. Augustine community. Because both Melanie and Haley have navigated the complexities of severe acne, they have made it their mission to ensure no client has to guess their way to clear skin. Together, they have curated a proprietary skincare collection born from years of searching the country for the highest-grade clinical ingredients. This simplified, step-by-step system bridges the gap between our clinical treatments and your daily life, providing a clear roadmap to maintain professional results and lasting skin health at home.