At your initial consultation, our aesthetician will ask you to fill out an intake form to detail your concerns. After a discussion of your concerns and needs, we will perform a facial analysis using one of our facial mapping technologies to help guide our treatment plans. From there, our aesthetic team, in conjunction with our board-certified medical professionals, will formulate a bespoke treatment plan consisting of treatments and medical-grade skincare to address your concerns. From this, we will be able to identify which of our facials in Des Moines is right for you.

Treat Yourself to Smoother, Brighter Skin
Our outcome-oriented medical facial treatment plans can address a wide variety of skin concerns from acne, acne scarring, texture, enlarged pores, pigmentation, fine lines & wrinkles, and more. Meet with an aesthetician today to discuss your concerns and we will customize your treatment plan to address your needs.
When you visit us for a series of transformative facials, know that your treatment plan is designed by an experienced aesthetician with oversight by a board-certified dermatologist.



The Brightside Process
Consultation
Interested in our facials in Des Moines? The best starting point for any concern is a consultation with our skilled aesthetician team. For many skin concerns, including enlarged pores, dullness, texture, minor scarring, fine lines & wrinkles, active acne, and more, we can address your concerns with a series of our advanced medical-grade facials customized to your needs.
Treatment
Depending on your skin concern and recommended treatment plan, expect to visit our clinic monthly for treatments. Your progress will be tracked by your care provider and we will make course corrections along the way. All of our treatments are well tolerated with minimal discomfort. Expect each treatment to take up to an hour.
Results
Results vary significantly depending on your concern and on the individual. For our advanced medical facial treatments, a series of at least 4 treatments is strongly recommended to see clinically significant results.

See how we can help
Use our treatment planning tool to discover the perfect service to meet your aesthetic and wellness needs.

Frequently Asked Questions
All of our facials are generally well-tolerated by patients and do not require any topical numbing. After your session, you may experience some residual soreness or tenderness as your skin heals, but this should dissipate soon after your session.
The results from our facial treatments generally last around 4 to 6 weeks. However, for longer-lasting results, we always recommend a series of treatments, usually spaced a month apart. Over the course of your full treatment plan, you can achieve months of naturally improved skin thanks to the talented team at Ducharme Dermatology and Brightside Aesthetics.
Our Facial Options
SaltFacial
Our most popular treatment with the most outstanding clinically-significant outcomes, the SaltFacial starts with a customized anti-microbial sea salt exfoliation to remove the outer layer of your skin. The second step involves a tailored chemical peel applied with a cavitational ultrasound handpiece. The ultrasound opens up cellular pockets in the skin, pushing the peel deeper into the dermis than a regular chemical peel. Finally, we use a customized LED phototherapy treatment to help soothe the skin, eliminate acne-causing bacteria, and/or stimulate the production of healing proteins within your skin.

SaltFacial
Our most popular treatment with the most outstanding clinically-significant outcomes, the SaltFacial starts with a customized anti-microbial sea salt exfoliation to remove the outer layer of your skin. The second step involves a tailored chemical peel applied with a cavitational ultrasound handpiece. The ultrasound opens up cellular pockets in the skin, pushing the peel deeper into the dermis than a regular chemical peel. Finally, we use a customized LED phototherapy treatment to help soothe the skin, eliminate acne-causing bacteria, and/or stimulate the production of healing proteins within your skin.
HydraFacial
With the HydraFacial, you’ll enjoy a medical-grade exfoliation treatment to rejuvenate your skin and improve your glow. HydraFacials also use special anti-aging serums tailored to your needs to further improve your skin’s quality.
Bela MD+ Facial
Improve your overall skin quality along with targeted care thanks to Bela MD+! Relative to the HydraFacial, the BelaMD provides additional exfoliation with the pore scrubber and muscle firming with the stimulation handpiece. Similar to the HydraFacial, you will benefit from customized serum hydration into your skin and deep pore clearing. BelaMD can help with a range of concerns from active acne to anti-aging.
Why Choose Ducharme Dermatology
Medical Expertise
Why go anywhere but a board-certified dermatologist for your skincare needs? Ducharme Dermatology has won multiple awards for best dermatology clinic in Des Moines. Our med spa in Des Moines, Brightside, leverages our medical dermatology expertise to provide unparalleled specialized skincare expertise.
Natural & Outcome Oriented Results
When you meet with an aesthetic professional at our aesthetics clinic, Brightside, expect a customized treatment plan to guide you on your journey to your best self. We pride ourselves on providing outcome-oriented treatments to have you looking years younger, naturally.
Compassionate Staff
From our providers to our nursing staff, aesthetician team, and front office, everyone at Ducharme and Brightside is passionate about your needs. When you call during business hours, expect to be greeted by a front office professional promptly. If you have an urgent need, expect us to work you into our clinic ASAP. We are passionate about providing the best patient care in the Des Moines area.
Meet Your Provider
Erin Ducharme, MD, FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist and is the founder of Ducharme Dermatology and Brightside Aesthetics. Originally from southern Iowa, she received her medical degree from Columbia University in New York City. She has been practicing in Iowa since 2013 and is a board-certified Mohs Surgeon and President Emeritus of the Iowa Dermatological Society.
After years of providing excellent care to our military veterans at the VA, Dr Ducharme opened Ducharme Dermatology in 2018 with her husband. Since then, recognizing the need for dermatologist-overseen aesthetic care, she opened Brightside Aesthetics in 2023 to provide the very best in physician-overseen medical aesthetic skincare.
Financing at Brightside
We want every patient in need to have access to our services, which is why we’ve partnered with Cherry to offer financing on almost any of our treatments!
With Cherry, you can receive treatment now and pay later. Just apply online and then you can book your service with us once you’re approved!