Set the Scene
New York, being the mega-metropolis it is, is replete with aesthetics clinics. From discreet dermatology offices hidden in the lobbies of posh Park Avenue buildings to glossy med-spas with prominent storefronts promising instant glow, options abound.
Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue — as the cliché goes — is in a league of its own.
Founded by celebrity plastic surgeon David Shafer, the destination aesthetics clinic offers everything one might expect from a world-class cosmetic practice — injectables like Botox and Juvederm, lasers for redness and scarring, PRP, peels, metabolic aesthetics, and surgical procedures including facelifts and liposuction.
But step inside the clinic’s swanky 30,000-square-foot, seven-story headquarters on Fifth Avenue, and it becomes clear that this is far more than a medical office. The space feels like a welcoming retreat — a place where the stresses of everyday life momentarily fade. Contemporary interiors worthy of the pages of Architectural Digest mingle with striking paintings, sculptures, and crystal pieces that reflect Dr. Shafer’s personal interests. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the rooms with natural light, while the waiting lounge dressed in creamy tones, velvet blankets, and plush couches invite you to settle in.
Shafer Clinic also has a 1,330-square-foot terrace with sweeping views of the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings that feels more like it belongs to a multi-million-dollar co-op than a medical clinic.
The experience is bougie: clients sip coffee, sparkling water and other drinks, tuck into candy and other snacks, breathe in the decadent smell of lit candles, and let go.
The Treatments
The clinical menu here is extensive. Lasers target redness and scarring — something I’ve personally dealt with — while injectables, PRP, peels, and fat-combating treatments promise their own miracles for your skin and body.
One standout is EVERESSE, a non-invasive radio-frequency treatment designed to tighten your complexion and stimulate collagen without surgery. The technology gradually firms and lifts and completely rejuvenates your skin without any downtime the way a facelift does. I looked like a new person after mine and have already made an appointment for a second hit.
But the Shafer Clinic isn’t purely medical. Celebrity aesthetician Edyta Jarosz brings the pampering element. Her facials are where science meets serenity. During my visit, she layered creams, serums, and masks with rhythmic strokes that felt so soothing I drifted off. She also has a bevy of pricey, high-tech machines at the ready and customizes every treatment based on what your complexion needs most. By the end, my skin looked clearer and brighter. I had that enviable post-facial glow, and the effect lingered for days.
Fast Facts
Location: Fifth Avenue, New York City Atmosphere: Chic and exclusive
Price Point: $$$$ Our Favorite Thing About the Clinic: The design-forward, seven-story space that feels more like a luxury retreat than a medical office Recommended Treatment: It’s hard to pick just one. I’ve trusted Dr. Shafer to fill in my lines and plump my face with a variety of injectables, and have also tried the EVERESSE radio-frequency skin tightening, and a facial with Edyta Jarosz. Each are excellent in their own way.
New York City, New York, United States
