Our Story
About the Founder
Rachel Roff
CEO & Founder
"I am beyond proud of the work that I and Urban Skin Rx® have done to elevate and expand the category of clinical skincare for melanin rich skin tones. When I started my career as an aesthetician 15 years ago, I was solely focused on providing safe and effective treatments for the multicultural patient at my medical spa in Charlotte NC, because at that time there were no other medical spas doing so. Today, I am thrilled able to be able to leverage that previous experience by providing formulas that address the needs of melanin rich skin that can reach consumers in households across the globe."
- Licensed Medical Aesthetician, National Aesthetics Institute
- Certified by UBS Aesthetics in the application of medical microdermabrasion
- PCA Skin Biology and Chemical Peels Certified
- Accredited by The Society for Clinical and Medical Hair Removal, Inc.
- Certificate in Skin Color and Pigmentation, The International Dermal Institute
- Laser Technician Certification in Therapeutic Application of Candela Lasers, Candela Corporation
- Laser Technician Certification, Allied Health Association
Rachel received postgraduate certification in skin color and pigmentation from The International Dermal Institute, in Atlanta, GA, as well as laser technician certification by Candela Corporation in the therapeutic application of Candela Lasers and by Allied Health Association. In addition to being certified by UBS Aesthetics in the application of medical microdermabrasion, she has received post graduate education and certification in skin biology and chemical peels by Physicians Choice, PCA. Rachel Roff and Urban Medspa and Weight Loss Center® are accredited by The Society for Clinical and Medical Hair Removal, Inc.
Rachel Roff grew up in Northern California, where - at an early age - she experienced intense bullying due to being overweight, struggling with acne and brandishing a large, precancerous nevus mole on her face. For Rachel, getting a college degree was important; however, her experiences also fueled a growing passion to become a medical aesthetician and open a medical spa. She attended University of San Francisco and later moved to Charlotte, NC, where she attended University of North Carolina at Charlotte for Sociology.
Determined to push forward, Rachel only waited one week after graduating before attending the National Aesthetics Institute. Upon receiving her license in 2004, she began working at a medical spa as a laser technician. New to the industry, Rachel quickly discovered the lack of education and services available for treating common concerns and conditions seen in darker skin tones. Shocked and frustrated by this total injustice, Rachel has made it her life’s mission to make the skincare industry more inclusive. This unrelenting passion drove her to start Urban Medspa® and Weight Loss Center in 2006 in Charlotte, NC.
Urban Medspa® quickly became a huge success, with clients and celebrities traveling from out of town to seek her treatments for common skin conditions in darker skin tones. After treating thousands of patients, Rachel recognized the need for her expertise outside of Charlotte, NC, and launched Urban Skin Rx®, a collection of clinical skincare products for diverse skin tones, in order to extend her expertise and treatments to people all over the world.
In her personal life, Rachel's first and most important job is being a single mother to her young daughter, Rosie. When she is able to step away from the office, she loves traveling to new places, ordering room service and going on long hikes in beautiful places. Rachel is grateful to be able to use her platform to bring awareness and raise money for organizations that support women and children who have suffered from abuse, single moms, and mothers who have lost their children from police brutality. To learn more about some of the organizations Rachel and Urban Skin Rx® support, please visit our Non-Profits We Support + Community page.
Q & A
Why do you think there is a lack of available treatments and services for darker skin tones? Melanin-rich skin is always more prone to hyperpigmentation. 15 years ago very few medspas, laser centers, or dermatologists had the experience or training in safe and effective treatments for darker skin, like chemical peels and laser treatments. Many clients with melanin-rich skin were unable to take advantage of medical spa treatments due to businesses not investing in products and lasers safer for darker skin tones.
What do you find most rewarding about your role as CEO and Founder of Urban Skin Rx®? Hearing the words "Your products changed my life!" never gets old and is so rewarding! To know that I have made an effective product and helped someone else feel more confident in his or her skin is a true blessing.
How do you manage work/life balance? It’s not easy! Sometimes, I feel very overwhelmed and run down. I have been a business owner since 24, and run two companies with over 65 employees. When you're a CEO and entrepreneur there is no turning off. Texts and emails are 24/7 because although I have a great executive team, there are many things I still have to approve and things could be time sensitive. Working out and vacations definitely help to regenerate me. I try to take 3-5 day breaks every 2-3 months. Plus, great reviews and growing sales keeps me going. I am incredibly proud that Urban Skin Rx® is now a household name. I want to be the go-to brand for diverse skin tones battling uneven skin tone and other skin conditions.
What advice can you give to any entrepreneur who is starting a new business venture? You have to be so passionate about your venture because that passion is what will give you the determination to never give up. Also being able to quickly pivot, which to me, means you are always thinking about backup plans to every scenario. So many things will not go as planned or promised so being prepared for that is essential.
What’s next for Urban Skin Rx? I would love to continue to expand our presence - I would be thrilled to be in more retailers and secure strong international distribution.
