About Us
Our Story
A Skin & Body Sanctuary was founded in 2005 by Marj Selle. She is the owner, practitioner and sole operator of the business. Marj is a Colorado State licensed Paramedical Aesthetician (certified in Chemical Peels & Microdermabrasion ), as well as a Massage Therapist and has been working in spa environments since 2000. After several years working for other spa businesses in the Denver area, Marj decided to go out on her own and has enjoyed every working moment of her life ever since!
Her focus is on the client & what they specifically need each time they are in the studio. Marj understands that ever changing daily environmental, health, heritage, occupational, nutritional and lifestyle issues effect ones’ skin and body. She really digs problem solving! Coming up with the right combination of healing touch and treatment protocols is what allows her clients to leave feeling refreshed & rejuvenated!
Goal setting with the client, being direct, truthful, educating the client about ingredients and the clients' own personal role in skin & body health is something that Marj is truly passionate about! She easily moves from skin care to massage and body work modalities. She also has a good understanding of physiology and natural health applications. Being an "intuitive", Marj considers what she does “healing work” and thrives on helping people feel and look better.
Our Philosophy
At A Skin & Body Sanctuary, we believe true beauty and wellness come from harmony — when the mind, body, and spirit are aligned. Every treatment is guided by intention, compassion, and expertise to support your individual needs. Through honest communication, education, and customized care, we empower you to take an active role in your own skin and body health. Our goal is simple: to help you feel balanced, confident, and renewed — inside and out.
ETHNIC SKINCARE
Many ethnic skin types are considered tricky to work with and prone to hyperpigmentation (dark spots). Because of my experience in the industry, working with Black skincare and Asian skincare as well as Native American, East Indian, Middle Eastern and Hispanic ethnic skin has become a welcome challenge.
Let’s start with the differences and challenges an esthetician faces when treating ethnic and Asian skincare.
As soon as a client walks through the door I begin my analysis by looking at the undertones and overtones of the skin as well as the client’s medical history, environment, pore size, hair growth and nutrition. This helps me to determine how to best treat the skin for optimal results.
ETHNIC SKIN
RESPONDS DIFFERENTLY
At A Skin & Body Sanctuary, we believe true beauty and wellness come from harmony — when the mind, body, and spirit are aligned. Every treatment is guided by intention, compassion, and expertise to support your individual needs. Through honest communication, education, and customized care, we empower you to take an active role in your own skin and body health. Our goal is simple: to help you feel balanced, confident, and renewed — inside and out.
HERITAGE PLAYS A VITAL FUNCTION
Some ethnicities hailing from a Native American or Asian heritage can be especially reactive. Using ingredients that will not stimulate flushing or reactivity in the skin is key. The chances of such a reaction make working with Black and Hispanic skin particularly tricky.
Sometimes, African American people don’t know they have Native American in their bloodline. Therefore, I look at how the eyebrow and eyelash hair grows as well as the skin undertones to determine if I should use skincare protocol for Black skin, or perhaps go another route.
Because of this increase in awareness, calming products created for ethnic skin have steadily increased in the beauty industry in the past ten years.
Middle Eastern or East Indian skin types tend to be fairly hearty and strong; however, this skin type tends to develop dark spots when healing from a blemish or overexposure to the sun. Stimulating the skin's healthy melanin production by applying products high in fruit acids, vitamins, and phytonutrients (plant compounds) makes this type of skin more resistant against hyperpigmentation and discoloration.
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Lastly, a client’s blood type gives me a lot of information about their heritage and how to treat their skin. I can also determine if there is something in the client’s diet that is contributing to skin issues. What’s going on inside the body shows up in your skin, so you really are what you eat! There are actually zones on the face that correspond to specific organ systems and their functionality.
Every time I work on any ethnic skin type, Hispanic, Black, Asian, Native American, Middle Eastern, or East Indian I take all the factors I've mentioned into consideration. Call today for a facial and consultation so we can figure out how to help you put your best face forward!
