For some clients, a regular skincare appointment is simply part of their routine. For others, permanent hair removal or clinical esthetics marks an important step toward feeling more comfortable in their own skin.

At SkinSations, owner Anna Hernandez-Ray understands that every journey is different. Whether someone visits for a relaxing facial, electrolysis, or permanent hair removal, Anna’s goal is the same: to create a place where every person feels welcome, respected, and supported.

That philosophy has guided SkinSations since Anna opened the business in Sugar House in late 2021. What began as a single treatment room has grown into a thriving salon with nine private treatment rooms, a growing team of professionals, and a reputation for providing compassionate care to people from every walk of life.

That commitment has helped SkinSations build a loyal following throughout Utah while earning recognition as the 2026 Best of SLC Silver Winner.

Creating a Truly Inclusive Space

SkinSations serves clients from every background, of any age, and with any identity. Anna intentionally built the salon to be an all-inclusive space where everyone receives the same level of respect and care, a commitment that has made SkinSations especially meaningful for many members of the transgender community.

In addition to offering electrolysis for permanent hair removal and a variety of clinical esthetics services, Anna helps many clients navigate insurance coverage for electrolysis while connecting them with nonprofit resources whenever possible. She considers it an honor to help clients access resources that can make an important service more attainable.

She knows every person’s journey looks different. Some clients are focused on healthier skin, while others are pursuing permanent hair removal as part of a deeply personal journey. Whatever brings someone through the door, Anna wants them to know they’ve found a place where they will be treated with dignity, compassion, and respect.

That welcoming environment has become one of the defining characteristics of SkinSations and one of the reasons clients continue recommending the salon to friends and family.

Confidence Is More Than Skin Deep

When Anna reflects on her entrepreneurial journey, she doesn’t immediately think about business milestones.

She thinks about the clients who have stayed with her over the years—people whose lives she has watched change.

One client faithfully came to SkinSations every week for electrolysis appointments that often lasted two hours. Appointment after appointment, Anna watched her confidence steadily grow as permanent hair removal helped her achieve a personal goal that had once felt out of reach.

Today, the unwanted hair is gone.

More importantly, Anna says, the confidence the client gained along the way remains.

Experiences like that remind her why she chose this profession. She has facilitated similar journeys with many long-term electrolysis clients, including those preparing for gender-affirming surgeries. Those treatments often span months or even years, creating relationships that extend beyond the salon.

Watching clients move on to the next chapter of their lives is incredibly rewarding, even if saying goodbye is bittersweet.

Building Something From the Ground Up

Starting a business often felt overwhelming, and like many entrepreneurs, Anna questioned whether she was on the right path. Through those early challenges, she leaned heavily on the support of her family, especially her father, George, and her wife, Jenny.

“I remember my dad came to visit me and I cried to him,” Anna recalls. “I wanted to give up.”

He reassured her that she would be okay and that her hard work would eventually pay off. Not long afterward, things began to change.

It took nearly two years to build the loyal clientele Anna had envisioned, but as referrals increased, the long hours and persistence began paying off. Nearly every milestone came through word of mouth. Dermatologists, hormone replacement therapy providers, insurance professionals, medical facilities, and former clients continue recommending SkinSations because they’ve experienced the care Anna provides firsthand.

As the business grew, so did the team. In 2024, Anna hired her first employee, Rebecca, whose dependability and dedication have made her an invaluable part of SkinSations.

Those early struggles also inspired Anna to help other beauty professionals navigate the same challenges she once faced.

Helping Other Beauty Professionals Grow

As SkinSations became more established, Anna often found herself remembering how alone she had felt while starting her own business. She wished someone had been there to answer questions about licensing, inspections, insurance, marketing, taxes, and everything else that comes with becoming a business owner.

Instead of keeping those lessons to herself, she decided to share what she had learned.

Today, SkinSations offers affordable booth rental opportunities for beauty professionals looking to build independent businesses, but Anna says the space is far more than a place to work. She helps booth renters navigate nearly every aspect of launching a business, from inspections and insurance requirements to marketing strategies and business planning. She also hosts educational classes covering topics such as marketing, taxes, and entrepreneurship.

As SkinSations continues to grow, Anna is expanding the services available within the salon. She is currently bringing laser services into the space and is actively looking for a qualified laser technician and electrologist to join the team. For Anna, growth isn’t simply about adding new services—it’s about creating opportunities for beauty professionals while continuing to meet the evolving needs of her clients and community.

Watching those entrepreneurs establish thriving businesses has become one of the most rewarding parts of owning SkinSations. Seeing them grow reminds Anna of where she started and reinforces her belief that success is even more meaningful when it can be shared.

Growing Alongside the Community

Even as SkinSations continues to grow, Anna believes there is always more to learn. She and her team are constantly researching new products, exploring treatment options, staying current on insurance processes, and identifying resources that may benefit clients. While much of that work happens behind the scenes, it reflects the salon’s commitment to continually improving the experience for every person who walks through the door.

Recently, SkinSations completed the second phase of its expansion, with additional booth rental spaces expected to become available in August 2026. Once those rooms are filled, Anna plans to begin the third phase of growth: creating space for hairstylists while continuing to expand opportunities for independent beauty professionals. She also looks forward to growing her team and continuing to strengthen the resources available to the transgender community throughout Utah.

Looking ahead, Anna says none of this would have been possible without the love and support of her wife of 29 years. Through every challenge and milestone, she has been by Anna’s side, offering encouragement as SkinSations has grown from a single treatment room into the thriving business it is today.

Whether someone visits for a facial, hot stone treatment, clinical esthetics, or permanent hair removal with an experienced electrologist, Anna hopes they leave feeling more confident than when they arrived. She wants every client to know that at SkinSations, they have found a place where they are welcomed, respected, and genuinely cared for.

That commitment to compassionate care, meaningful relationships, and creating opportunities for others continues to shape SkinSations as it grows, ensuring the salon remains a trusted resource for clients across the Salt Lake Valley and a place where beauty professionals can build successful careers of their own.