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Owners

Meet Our Team

STACEY UPCHURCH

OWNER, CLT, CLS, LSO, CLHRP

Stacey Upchurch is one of the founders and owners of Avante Laser & MediSpa. A native Houstonian, Stacey began her hair removal career in Houston, TX, in 1984, opening her own business as an Electrologist. In 1998, Stacey researched laser hair removal services performed through out the United States. After two years of research, she andher business partner, Mary Ann Urban, decided to expand their electrolysis practice by adding laser hair removal.

Stacey became a Certified Laser Technician (CLT) in 2000 and a Certified Laser Specialist (CLS) in 2002, receiving both of these certifications from the Rocky Mountain Laser College in Denver, CO. She also completed additional training at the Light Speed Laser Training Center in Naples, FL. She was awarded the prestigious National Achievement Award in 2003 by the Rocky Mountain Laser College. Stacey has performed more than 30,000 laser hair removal procedures on men and women and remains dedicated to continuing her education process in the field while working to reform laws on the state level for laser hair removal practices.

She and Mary Ann opened the original Avante Laser & MediSpa location in The Woodlands, TX, in August 2000. As their client base grew, they expanded the practice, opening a River Oaks-area location in October 2001. In September 2011, Stacey and Mary Ann opened the Avante Laser Training Institute in The Woodlands, TX, for laser hair removal training. In addition to overseeing both Avante Laser & MediSpa locations and treating clients, Stacey conducts frequent speaking engagements, educating the public on treatment options, the certification process, and the need to seek treatment from qualified technicians.

STACEY UPCHURCH
MARY ANN URBAN

MARY ANN URBAN

OWNER, CLT, CLS, CME, CLHRP

Mary Ann Urban is one of the founders and owners of Avante Laser & MediSpa (Avante). A native of Alabama, Mary Ann began her hair removal career in Mobile, Alabama, in 1985, working as an Electrologist. In 1986, she moved to Texas and resumed her profession in the electrolysis industry.

Looking to expand her knowledge in the aesthetic industry, she received her aesthetics license in 1990, which enabled her to perform a variety of skin treatments on all skin types. Mary Ann was at the forefront of the laser hair removal movement and became a Certified Laser Technician (CLT), receiving her certification from the Rocky Mountain Laser College in Denver, CO, as well as completing additional training at the Light Speed Laser Training Center in Naples, FL. She has performed over 30,000 laser hair removal procedures.

Mary Ann, along with her business partner, Stacey Upchurch, opened the original Avante Laser & MediSpa location in The Woodlands, TX, in August 2000, and as their client base grew, they expanded the practice, opening a River Oaks-area location in October 2001. She maintains the highest level of service and quality for her clients, insisting that only certified laser technicians/specialists perform laser hair removal treatments at Avante. Mary Ann, who has more than twenty-five years of experience in the field, continues to educate herself and her staff on technological advances in the field. She is an advocate for state-level reform of the industry, requiring all laser hair removal technicians/specialists to be certified to secure a high level of service and protect clients.

She and Stacey opened the Avante Laser Training Institute in September 2011 for laser hair removal training. Mary Ann holds memberships in the following Professional Organizations: Texas Association of Hair Removal Specialists (TAHRS), The Society of Dermatology Skincare Specialists (SDSS), The Society for Clinical and Medical Hair Removal (SCMHR), Texas Association for Laser Education and Regulation (TACLER).