By KIM ESTES, Four Points News

Dr. Alina Sholar, a board certified plastic surgeon, believes beauty is more than skin deep and much can be gained by combining ancient indulgences with modern medical aesthetics. She opened Sage & Sweetgrass Wellness Spa in Steiner Ranch in August.

The native Texan recently returned to her home state from educational training and private medical practice, bringing her husband, a team of rescued dachshunds and a mission — for people to feel better about themselves.

About two years ago, Sholar noticed a need in patient service and care. “I felt there was gap between the traditional day spa and medical spas. I wanted to offer a cohesive, thorough fusion of the two,” said Sholar, who moved to Steiner Ranch in July. She and her husband, Buddy, have seven dachshunds.

Dr. Alina Sholar moved to Steiner Ranch this summer, bringing her husband, Buddy, a team of rescued dachshunds and a mission —​ for people to feel better about themselves. She opened Sage & Sweetgrass Wellness Spa several weeks ago at the Meritage building at 4500 Steiner Ranch Blvd. L-R Pepper and Presley.

A fresh idea and a new start in Texas made the timing right so she opened Sage & Sweetgrass at the Meritage building at 4500 Steiner Ranch Blvd.

Sage & Sweetgrass

Sage & Sweetgrass provides day spa amenities such as facials and massages and medical spa options like laser therapy, Skinprint Analysis, and Botox and dermal fillers. Rounding out these selections are a variety of yoga classes.

Sholar boasts on her staff members, all who carry professional licenses and/or certifications for the services they give. Medical aestheticians are also certified laser technicians, members of the Society of Plastic Surgical Skincare Specialists, and certified Skinprint analysts.

She says services unique to Sage & Sweetgrass are its Native American philosophy and Skinprint Analysis services. It is a blending of “modern with the ancient” that is the Spa’s cornerstone, she says.

Sholar notes that most spas follow European models. She, however, has always enjoyed Native American history and cultural studies. “I don’t know why,” she says. “My family is German but I’ve always been interested in the American Indian.”

Skinprint services, she continues, is not only a unique Sage & Sweetgrass service, it is personally distinct as well. “Skinprint is as individual as your fingerprint,” Sholar says.

The procedure includes an imaging process for objective measurements to detect damage from ultraviolet rays, bacterial counts, moisture levels, elasticity, oil production, and collagen activity. From this, Sage & Sweetgrass partners in New York formulate a skin care product prescription.

“Our philosophy of individualized skin care is based on the fact that your skin can’t be improved without first knowing the critical aspects of its unique structure, function, and biochemistry. It is a whole new level of skincare,” Sholar concludes.

Dr. Sholar

Sholar grew up in Orange County, Texas but now all her family is in Mason County. “I wanted to come home,” she says.

Lone Star State pride shines bright in Sholar, a proud member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, a Magna Cum Laude undergraduate from Texas A&M, and recipient of a medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch (earned on a full tuition merit scholarship).

She moved north of the Red River for a general surgery residency at the University of Louisville followed by an additional residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Tennessee.

There, she received awards for research writing and presentation achievements. She also participated in Project Happy Faces for children with cleft lips and palates.

Upon completion of training, an established Indiana practice recruited Sholar.

Today, she is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. She is also a medical illustrator, with works in medical journals and textbooks such as the Annals of Plastic Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal, Annals of Surgical Oncology, and Cameron’s Current Surgical Therapy.

Sholar’s current focus, however, is the Sage & Sweetgrass Wellness Spa, which features some of her own paintings.

For more information, call (512) 436-8018 or visit www.SageandSweetgrassSpa.com