If you’re a child of the 80s, you will remember Blockbuster video. 

The video rental giant used to house its marketing department in North Melbourne - but the first-floor offices are now unrecognisable as the serene treatment rooms of Take Off Skin & Body.

“Five years on, we’re still renovating and expanding the space,” laughs Erin Laird, the owner. “We have five treatment rooms and a spray tan area, but there are plans for even more treatment areas.”

After many years in the construction and infrastructure industry, in 2012, Erin was ready for another challenge. As a North Melbourne resident, she wanted to invest in a local business and as she had a personal interest in skin health, purchasing Take Off seemed like the perfect opportunity for her to apply her skills to new endeavours while still keeping one foot in the corporate world. 

When Erin purchased the business, it was primarily focused on waxing and tanning services - hence the punny ‘take off’ name! 

Their skincare and facial services now comprise about eighty percent of the business. However, Erin has chosen not to change the inherited business name due to the high brand recognition from local residents, their primary clientele. 

Now she refers to Take Off helping their clients to “take off the stresses of the everyday”. 

Erin recommends that clients first undertake a paid skin consultation that uses the Observ machine to scan the skin layers in depth. This allows the therapist to address a client’s skin concerns, build a skincare and treatment plan and suggest products and ingredients that will work best. 

“Our signature treatment is a type of cosmeceutical facial called Dermafusion,” explains Erin. “It is a customised multi-modality facial involving LED light therapy, peel and microdermabrasion and promises incredible results.”

Take Off Skin & Body is also the only North Melbourne stockist of O Cosmedics, an Australian professional clinic-only line of cosmeceutical skincare. 

“While our services are cutting edge, our clients appreciate that we are down-to-earth and low-key. We’re not here to judge you, and there are no stupid questions,” smiles Erin. “We’re just here to take care of you.”

WORDS BY JOYCE WATTS
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNA ENCIO