Registered nurse brings confidence-boosting skincare services to local clients

Shantelle Nichol spent 16 years moving through high-pressure hospital units before realizing she felt most at home talking to patients about skin health. The registered nurse, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, left the acute-care shift work behind last year and opened Superior Glow MedSpa, a boutique clinic devoted to what she calls “subtle, confidence-building aesthetics.”

Nichol says the decision was equal parts professional pivot and personal lifeline. “I live with depression and anxiety, and I found real comfort in looking after my own skin,” she explains. “Creating a space where others can do the same, free of judgment, felt like the right next step.”

From the start, safety has guided every choice. Nichol trained one-on-one with a Windsor nurse practitioner who is now the clinic’s medical director. Every injectable and device she uses carries Health Canada approval, and consultations include detailed health histories. 

“A clinical background is not strictly required in aesthetics, but it helps you recognize risks and act fast if something does happen,” she says.

Enhance, don’t change

The most common question new clients ask is whether Botox or fillers will leave them looking “fake.” Nichol’s answer is always the same: aim for refreshed, not redrawn. 

“Five or 10 years ago, big lips were trendy, but today people want results no one can pinpoint,” she says. Botox softens lines without freezing expression, while filler replaces lost volume in small, strategic amounts. 

“It is about restoring what time moved away, not creating something that was never there.”

Preventative care underpins that philosophy. She recommends starting microneedling, a collagen-induction treatment, as early as the late twenties to “bank” collagen before it declines.

When used early, light Botox can also stop fine lines from becoming etched. “Think of it as regular maintenance, the same way you might book a dental cleaning,” Nichol says.

Consultations focus on patient priorities

Nichol keeps initial visits free and client-led. She asks people to point out what bothers them in the mirror instead of presenting a menu of fixes. 

“We work on one concern at a time because aesthetics should fit a budget and a comfort level,” she says. After a medical screening and consent forms, patients can book treatment on the spot or take information home to consider.

She is quick to dispel another misconception, that self-care is selfish. Many of her clients are mothers who have put their own needs last. 

“Looking good helps women feel good, and that affects how they show up for their families,” Nichol says. The clinic’s monthly service giveaways, open to anyone in the community, are her way of making confidence more accessible.

New technology on the horizon

Superior Glow will soon add platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, treatments. Nichol will draw a small vial of a patient’s blood, spin it to isolate growth-factor-rich platelets, then microneedle or inject that concentrate back into the skin for extra hydration and healing. 

“PRP uses your own blood’s growth factors to naturally stimulate collagen, heal tissue, and rejuvenate skin or hair,” she adds.

She also continues to attend conferences to refine lip and filler techniques.

For anyone curious yet nervous, Nichol’s advice is to book a consultation. “Education eases fear. We will talk costs, timelines, post-care and safety before a needle comes near you,” she says.

“‘superior glow’ It is that lit-from-within look you get when your skin is healthy and your confidence catches up,” she says. “If someone leaves my clinic feeling they can face the world without makeup, I have done my job.”

Book online here.