Why Choose Us
Why choose The Summit Aesthetics - the physician-owned medical spa serving Scranton, Clarks Summit, and NEPA.
Patients choose The Summit Aesthetics because we are structurally different from franchise medical spas in ways that matter clinically: every injectable treatment is personally placed by Dr. Charles Dennis →, our physician-owner; every laser, skin health, and body treatment is personally performed by Lori Barone →, our lead aesthetic provider with more than 5 years of experience on the Cutera platform. The same provider you see at your consultation is the same provider you see at your fifth visit, and your third year of maintenance care. This is meaningfully different from rotating-provider franchise models where injectors and technicians vary by visit. Combined with our comprehensive advanced-device suite (TetraPRO CO₂ Laser →, Virtue RF Microneedling →, EVERESSE by Volnewmer →, and the Cutera XEO quartet), a complimentary consultation with written treatment plan, and 20+ years as a trusted local practice (formerly Abington Center Medi Spa), we are the medical spa Scranton-area patients choose when practice structure matters more than fastest booking.
What makes The Summit Aesthetics different
The medical spa industry has grown rapidly, and the term “medical spa” now covers a wide range of practice structures – from franchise chains with rotating nurse injectors to boutique physician-owned practices. Understanding the structural differences helps you understand why choosing the right medical spa matters more than the treatments look on paper.
Four structural features distinguish our practice:
1. Physician-owned AND physician-injected
Dr. Charles Dennis is the physician-owner of our practice. Every syringe of Botox, every unit of Daxxify, every filler placement is performed personally by him – not delegated to a nurse injector or aesthetician. This is different from “physician-supervised” or “physician-affiliated” practice structures where a physician’s name appears on marketing but the actual injection is delegated. If injectables are why you’re choosing a medical spa, who is actually placing the needle matters. At our practice, that person is always Dr. Dennis.
2. Same aesthetic provider across your entire treatment journey
Lori Barone personally performs every laser, skin health, and body treatment we offer. For multi-session series treatments (Laser Hair Removal typically 6-8 sessions, Laser Genesis 4-6 sessions, Virtue RF Microneedling 3 sessions, Chemical Peels 3-4 peels), continuity of provider technique across the series produces measurably better outcomes than rotating-technician models. Lori’s 5+ years on the Cutera platform mean each session’s settings and technique build on how your skin responded to the previous.
3. Comprehensive advanced-device suite
Our device suite spans entry-level to advanced treatments across multiple platforms: TetraPRO CO₂ (ablative resurfacing plus low-downtime CoolPeel), Virtue RF Microneedling (gold-plated with Fine handpiece for delicate areas), EVERESSE by Volnewmer (non-surgical monopolar RF lift), TruSculpt iD (non-surgical body sculpting), and the full Cutera XEO quartet (Laser Hair Removal, Limelight IPL, Laser Genesis, Laser Vein Removal). Not every Scranton-area medical spa offers this device range – for patients researching advanced treatments like CO₂ laser resurfacing or non-surgical facelift alternatives, device availability is often the specific reason patients choose our practice.
4. 20+ years as a trusted local practice
The Summit Aesthetics is the practice that operated for years as Abington Center Medi Spa. Same physical location on North State Street in downtown Clarks Summit, same physician-owner throughout, same lead aesthetic provider. The rebrand in 2025 changed the name; it did not change the practice. For patients specifically looking for an established local medical spa rather than a recent arrival or franchise expansion, our 20-year practice history in the Abingtons and Scranton area is a specific reason patients choose us over newer alternatives.
How to choose the right medical spa: a practical checklist
If you’re researching medical spas in the Scranton, Clarks Summit, or wider NEPA region for the first time – or if you’ve been to a franchise medical spa before and want to evaluate alternatives – asking the right questions makes the difference between choosing a practice you’ll stay with for years and choosing one you’ll switch away from after your first visit. Here are the questions worth asking any medical spa you’re considering.
Question 1: Who will actually perform my treatment?
The person who owns the practice is often not the person who performs treatments. Ask specifically: for injectables, is it a physician, a nurse practitioner, a registered nurse injector, or an aesthetician? For laser treatments, is it a certified cosmetic laser technician with specific platform experience, or a general aesthetician? The answer determines what your actual experience will be like – not the marketing copy on the website.
Question 2: Do I see the same provider every visit, or does the provider rotate?
This is the single most-underasked question in medical spa selection. Franchise medical spas typically have multiple injectors and technicians who rotate through the schedule. Your first visit may be with one provider; your third visit may be with someone completely different. That rotation produces provider-to-provider variation in technique, dosing, and aesthetic judgment – the single largest source of patient dissatisfaction with medical spa treatments.
Question 3: Is there a complimentary consultation with a written treatment plan?
Consultation formats vary widely. Some practices offer 5-minute consultations that function as a sales pitch for treatments. Some offer no free consultations at all. The right consultation format is 30 to 45 minutes with a physical assessment, discussion of your goals, and a written treatment plan you take home – with no obligation to book treatment. If a practice can’t offer that, ask why.
Question 4: What specific devices does the practice have?
Not all “laser treatments” are the same. Ask specifically which platforms the practice uses: for ablative CO₂, is it a fractionated system (like TetraPRO) or an older device? For microneedling, is it RF microneedling (like Virtue RF) or basic mechanical microneedling? For non-surgical firmness, does the practice offer EVERESSE, Thermage, Ultherapy, or nothing in that category? Device specifics matter substantially for the results you’ll actually get.
Question 5: Who owns the practice – a physician, a corporate franchise, or an aesthetician?
Ownership structure affects everything: which treatments are prioritized, whether physicians are on-site, what happens if a complication arises, and whether the business model prioritizes patient outcomes or transaction volume. Physician-owned practices are held to different clinical standards than aesthetician-owned or corporate-franchise practices. Ask.
Question 6: Are patient reviews specific about who performed treatments?
This is a signal worth reading for. Read the Google reviews of any practice you’re considering: do reviews mention specific providers by name, or do they describe the “team” or “staff” generically? Specific reviews suggest patients actually know who treated them. Generic reviews often mean the reviewer never saw the same person twice.
Question 7: How does the practice handle complications or bad results?
While complications are rare across medical spa treatments, they happen. How a practice handles them tells you a lot about the practice. Ask: is there a physician on-site who can manage complications immediately? What is the follow-up policy? What happens if you’re unhappy with results?unsatisfactory work.
Question 8: Will the practice refer me elsewhere if my concern isn’t a good fit?
This is a genuine trust signal. Practices that push every patient toward their available treatments regardless of appropriateness produce disappointed patients. Practices willing to refer patients to specialists (vein specialists for varicose veins, dermatologists for skin cancer, plastic surgery for structural work) are practices that prioritize patient outcomes over treatment volume.
What patients specifically choose The Summit Aesthetics for
The reasons Scranton and NEPA patients drive to Clarks Summit for medical spa care fall into distinct patterns. Different patients prioritize different reasons, but these are the specific factors that come up most in our new-patient conversations.
For patients who’ve had inconsistent results at franchise medical spas
A significant share of our new patients come to us after unsatisfying experiences at franchise medical spas – usually inconsistent results from provider-to-provider variation, or unsatisfying filler work that they want to correct. Our physician-injected structure eliminates the rotation variable; our hyaluronidase capability (for hyaluronic acid fillers specifically) can dissolve unsatisfactory previous work as a clean starting point.
For patients wanting advanced treatments (CO₂, Virtue RF, EVERESSE)
Not every Scranton-area medical spa offers advanced platforms like fractionated CO₂ with CoolPeel, gold-plated RF microneedling with a Fine handpiece for delicate areas, or non-surgical monopolar RF lift (EVERESSE). For patients specifically researching these treatments, device availability drives the choice. Kingston and Wilkes-Barre patients in particular drive 30-40 minutes north to us specifically for these platforms.
For patients with Fitzpatrick IV-VI skin who’ve been declined elsewhere
Patients with darker skin types are sometimes told by less-informed providers that they “can’t have laser treatments.” That’s not accurate for our practice. Our Cutera XEO Nd:YAG platform (Laser Hair Removal, Laser Genesis, Laser Vein Removal) is safe across all Fitzpatrick skin types (I through VI). For patients who’ve been declined at other practices, ours is often the first practice where laser treatment becomes possible.
For patients who want comprehensive treatment planning, not menu-based selection
Our written treatment plans reflect genuine sequencing decisions: which treatment first, which stacks with which same-day, which builds on the results of another, how the year should look for ongoing skin health. This kind of longitudinal planning is what physician-owned practice structure produces. Patients who’ve outgrown menu-based medical spa experiences find our approach specifically valuable.
For returning Abington Center Medi Spa patients
Many of our current patients have been with the practice for years – including under our previous brand name, Abington Center Medi Spa. Continuity of care across the rebrand matters to these patients; their treatment records, provider relationships, and treatment plans all continued forward. If you were previously a patient of Abington Center, welcome back – nothing changed except the name.
For first-time medical spa patients wanting a thoughtful introduction
Some patients specifically want their first medical spa experience to be at a physician-owned practice rather than a franchise. Our complimentary consultation format – 30 to 45 minutes with no fee, no card required, no obligation – is designed exactly for this: a non-transactional introduction that helps you decide whether medical aesthetic treatments are right for you before committing to anything.
Comparing The Summit Aesthetics with typical franchise medical spas
The category-level differences matter more than treatment lists suggest. Here’s how our practice structure compares with typical franchise medical spa structure across the factors that affect your actual experience:
Factor
The Summit Aesthetics
Typical franchise medical spa
Ownership structure
Physician-owned (Dr. Charles Dennis)
Corporate franchise or non-physician owner
Injectable provider
Physician-owner personally, no delegation
Nurse injector (often multiple, rotating)
Laser / skin provider
Same certified provider every visit (Lori, 5+ years)
Rotating aesthetic technicians
Consultation format
Complimentary, 30-45 min, written plan, no obligation
Often brief; immediate treatment focus
Provider continuity across visits
Same provider across years
Provider varies by visit
Advanced device availability
TetraPRO CO₂, Virtue RF, EVERESSE, Cutera XEO quartet
Varies; often limited platforms
Fitzpatrick IV-VI skin safety
Nd:YAG platforms safe across all skin types
Varies; some franchises don’t stock Nd:YAG
Referrals when out of scope
Standard practice principle
Rare; often push toward available treatments
Reviews mentioning providers by name
Yes (because providers are consistent)
Often generic (because providers rotate)
Booking timeline
2-3 weeks (deliberate capacity limit)
Often same-week
Practice history
20+ years (formerly Abington Center)
Varies
What Google reviews of our practice actually say
Our Google reviews mention Dr. Dennis and Lori by name. That specificity is meaningful – it indicates patients actually know who performed their treatments and remember their providers between visits. This is different from franchise medical spa reviews where patients often describe “the team” or “the staff” generically because they may not have seen the same person twice.
Common patterns in our reviews:
- Specific mentions of Dr. Dennis’s injectable technique and results
- Specific mentions of Lori’s laser treatment expertise and personal approach
- References to multi-year patient relationships (patients returning across 3+ years)
- Specific treatment mentions (patients naming which treatments they received)
- References to the boutique, calm environment
- References to honest advice and no-pressure consultation format
Read our current Google reviews directly to see the specific patient experiences. We don’t select or feature reviews here – the whole set is publicly visible.
Is The Summit Aesthetics right for you?
Honest fit assessment is more useful than universal marketing. Our practice structure genuinely fits some patients better than others.
The Summit Aesthetics is probably right for you if:
- You value physician-injected care (Dr. Dennis personally places every injectable)
- You want the same provider across your entire treatment journey (Lori for lasers, skin, and body; Dr. Dennis for injectables)
- You’re considering advanced treatments like CO₂ laser resurfacing, Virtue RF Microneedling, or EVERESSE
- You’re specifically comparing multiple medical spas before choosing where to book
- You’ve been unsatisfied with prior franchise medical spa results and want a structural change
- You have Fitzpatrick IV-VI skin and want a practice with all-skin-type-safe laser platforms
- You value written treatment plans and honest treatment planning discussions
- You’re willing to book 2-3 weeks out for the specific providers
- You’re from Scranton, Abington, Dunmore, Waverly, Dalton, Kingston, Wilkes-Barre, or the wider NEPA region
A different practice may fit better if:
- You need fastest possible booking (we’re 2-3 weeks out for new consultations)
- You prefer anonymous, transactional treatments over ongoing provider relationships
- You’re shopping specifically on lowest price rather than practice structure
- You want extended evening or weekend hours (we’re open 5 days a week with limited Wednesday evening only)
- You want the immediate-treatment single-visit franchise convenience
This honesty is deliberate. Building our practice around the wrong patient produces disappointment on both sides. We’d rather help you decide honestly whether we’re the right fit than have you arrive expecting something we’re not.
Our Philosophy
Four convictions we won't compromise.
Pillar
Grounded in science
Our approach is grounded in science — utilizing the latest technology alongside proven, popular injectables. Every recommendation is evidence-based.
Pillar
Boutique, unhurried, personal
We’re a relaxed, boutique-style practice — not a factory. Every appointment is personal, every plan is individual.
Pillar
Results-oriented care
We’re a relaxed, boutique-style practice — not a factory. Every appointment is personal, every plan is individual.
Pillar
Advanced technology
TetraPRO CO2 with CoolPeel, Virtue RF, EVERESSE by Volnewmer, TruSculpt iD, and the Cutera XEO laser platform — the platforms that deliver measurable results.
Why Patients Trust Us
The quiet things that make the difference.
✓
Physician-led
Dr. Dennis is caring, talented, and — as our patients say — a perfectionist. Every treatment plan reflects that standard.
✓
Continuity of care
You’ll see the same providers — Dr. Dennis, Marissa, and Jessica — visit after visit. Trust builds, and results compound.
✓
Complimentary consultations
Every treatment starts with a no-pressure consultation. Written recommendations, honest guidance, no upsell.
✓
Boutique setting
Housed in a beautifully appointed office in downtown Clarks Summit, PA — steps from the Abingtons’ quiet main street.
Meet Our Experts
The people behind the results.
DD
Dr. Charles W. Dennis
Owner · Medical Director
Physician · Leads treatment planning
“Dr. Dennis is so caring and talented. A perfectionist.” — Alison, Google Review
L
Lori Barone
Provider · Microneedling & Injectables Specialist
Advanced injectables · Virtue RF Microneedling
“Very sweet, very knowledgeable and professional. Highly recommend.” — Tracey, Google Review
Advanced Technology
The most complete platform in NEPA.
Platform
Virtue RF Microneedling
Gold-plated microneedling with radiofrequency energy — for lift, texture, and scar remodeling. Specialized handpieces for delicate areas.
Platform
TetraPRO CO2 Laser
Fractional CO₂ resurfacing with the award-winning CoolPeel option — dramatic results with flexible downtime.
Platform
EVERESSE by Volnewmer
Next-generation monopolar RF that lifts and firms, with continuous water-cooling for exceptional comfort.
Platform
TruSculpt iD
Radiofrequency body sculpting that permanently reduces stubborn fat in 15-minute sessions with no downtime.
Platform
Cutera XEO Laser Platform
Cutera XEO powers our Laser Hair Removal, Laser Vein Removal, Laser Genesis, and Limelight IPL therapies.
Platform
Diamond Glow
The 3-in-1 diamond-tipped medical facial that exfoliates, extracts, and infuses SkinMedica-quality serums.
Learn More
From the education library
Private treatment rooms
Every treatment happens behind closed doors — never in a shared open floor plan.
By appointment only
We keep the schedule uncrowded on purpose. You’ll never feel rushed, and there’s always time to ask questions.
Boutique setting
A relaxed, downtown Clarks Summit atmosphere designed for calm — not clinical fluorescents.
Personalized Plans
No two faces. No two plans.
Every treatment plan is authored around your anatomy, your history, and your long-term goals — not a template. We stage recommendations so you always know what’s next, what’s optional, and what’s simply not necessary.
Personalized Plans
✓
State-of-the-art medical suites, sterilized between every patient
✓
Trained providers — Dr. Dennis, Marissa, and Jessica — for every treatment
✓
FDA-approved and FDA-cleared devices only
✓
Detailed intake and medical-history review at every consultation
✓
Continuing education to stay current on the latest platforms and techniques
Awards & Certifications
Recognized by the industry.
certified
RHA Exclusive Provider
Next-generation resilient hyaluronic acid filler
certified
SkinMedica Elite
Medical-grade skincare + Diamond Glow infusions
certified
Cutera XEO Certified
Advanced laser platform — hair, veins, IPL, Genesis
certified
Dermaplane Pro Certified
Safe surgical-blade exfoliation
Before & After
Real patients. Real results.
Browse hundreds of before-and-after photographs from our own patients — Botox, dermal fillers, laser resurfacing, RF microneedling, body contouring, and more.
Testimonials
What patients say.
“The most sophisticated medspa experience I’ve had. The results feel entirely mine — just refreshed.”
Sarah M.
Member since 2022
“Dr. Chen’s approach is quietly revolutionary. Bespoke, science-backed, deeply personal.”
Alexandra L.
Patient
“The consultation alone changed how I think about skin longevity. Everything since has been extraordinary.”
Priya R.
Member
Procedure Details
What happens in-office
01
Body assessment
In-office measurements, photos, and goal setting with your provider — Dr. Dennis, Marissa, or Jessica.
02
Applicator placement
Custom-fitted RF applicators are secured to the target area.
03
Treatment cycle
A comfortable 15-minute RF cycle — many patients describe it as a hot-stone massage.
04
Return to your day
No downtime. Return to normal activity immediately.
Why We're Different
Four things you won't find elsewhere.
01
Owner-injector care
Every injectable is personally performed by Dr. Dennis, the owner — never handed off. Real informed-consent conversations, not check-box paperwork.
02
We invest in the best platforms — early
TetraPRO CO2, Virtue RF, EVERESSE by Volnewmer — we bring next-generation technology to Clarks Summit and Scranton.
03
The same two faces every visit
Dr. Dennis for injectables, Lori for everything else. Continuity is not a nicety — it's how great results happen.
04
Complimentary consultations, always
We take the time to understand your goals, explain your options, and design a treatment plan you can trust.
The Process
From first visit to lifelong care.
01
Complimentary consultation
An unhurried conversation. We review your goals, your medical history, and your skin — and answer every question.
02
Individualized plan
A written treatment plan built around you. Staged so you can pace treatments to your budget and schedule.
03
Treatment
Performed in a private treatment room by Dr. Dennis (injectables) or Lori (everything else).
04
Follow-up
Post-treatment guidance, check-ins, and refinements. We watch the whole arc, not just the appointment.
05
Long-term partnership
A maintenance calendar built around your face and your life — not our schedule.
Frequently asked questions about choosing a medical spa
Questions before you book.
What should I look for when choosing a medical spa in Scranton PA?
The most important questions to ask: who will actually perform my treatment (not just who owns the practice), do I see the same provider every visit or does the provider rotate, is there a complimentary consultation with a written treatment plan, and what specific devices does the practice have? These four questions differentiate practices more than treatment lists or marketing copy do. See the “How to choose the right medical spa” section above for the complete 8-question checklist.
What makes The Summit Aesthetics different from other medical spas in the area?
Four structural features: physician-owned AND physician-injected (Dr. Charles Dennis personally performs every injectable), same aesthetic provider across your entire treatment journey (Lori Barone for lasers/skin/body, 19+ years on the Cutera platform), comprehensive advanced-device suite (TetraPRO CO₂, Virtue RF, EVERESSE, Cutera XEO quartet), and 20+ years as a trusted local practice (formerly Abington Center Medi Spa).
Is The Summit Aesthetics the best medical spa in Scranton PA?
“Best” is a subjective term that depends on your specific priorities. For patients who value physician-injected care, same-provider continuity across years, advanced device access, comprehensive treatment planning, and 20+ years of trusted local practice history, we are structurally different from franchise medical spa alternatives in ways that produce meaningfully different patient experiences. For patients whose priority is fastest possible booking or lowest-price transactional visits, other practices may fit better.
Do you offer better results than other medical spas?
Results depend on the specific treatment, the specific patient, and the specific provider. What we can commit to structurally: same provider every visit, physician-injected technique, comprehensive treatment planning, and honest advice about when a different treatment or specialist would produce better results for you. Those structural commitments consistently produce better long-term patient outcomes than rotating-provider franchise models can – that’s the specific reason patients choose us.
How long has The Summit Aesthetics been in business?
20+ years in Clarks Summit at our current North State Street location. The Summit Aesthetics is the same practice that operated as Abington Center Medi Spa until our rebrand – same physician-owner (Dr. Dennis) throughout, same lead aesthetic provider (Lori Barone) throughout, same clinical standards.
Why should I drive to Clarks Summit if there are medical spas in Scranton?
For basic single-visit maintenance treatments where any qualified provider produces similar results, staying local in Scranton may make sense. For patients wanting physician-injected care specifically, same-provider continuity across multi-session laser series, or access to advanced platforms not universally offered in Scranton (TetraPRO CO₂, Virtue RF with Fine handpiece, EVERESSE), the 12-15 minute drive north to us routinely pencils out. See our Scranton location page for detailed comparison.
Are your Google reviews from real patients?
Yes. Our Google reviews are unfiltered patient reviews – we don’t select or feature reviews on this page. Read them directly on Google. What you’ll notice: reviews consistently mention Dr. Dennis and Lori by name, describe specific treatments received, and reference multi-year patient relationships. That specificity is a signal of provider consistency you should look for at any practice you consider.
What if I'm not happy with my treatment results?
For dissatisfaction with results, we discuss honestly. For hyaluronic acid fillers specifically, hyaluronidase can dissolve unsatisfactory previous filler in most cases – giving us a clean starting point to rebuild. For other treatments, we assess what happened, discuss what went wrong, and build a corrective plan appropriate for your situation. We do not push patients toward more treatments when honest advice is “let’s wait and reassess.”
How do I book a consultation to compare your practice with other options?
Call (570) 585-0201 or request an appointment online. The consultation is complimentary (no fee, no card required, no obligation). It’s specifically designed for comparison shoppers who want to evaluate multiple practices before choosing where to book treatment. You leave with a written treatment plan you can take to other practices for comparison.
Now Accepting New Patients
Begin your botanical journey.
Reserve a complimentary 45 – minute consultation with our board-certified team. No card required,
no obligation, no upsell – just a real conversation and a written plan you take home.