I notice gravity starting to take its toll on my skin, which makes any late 20's female with disposable income flip a switch and pull out the checkbook for anyone who promises to restore the youthful glow. My esthetician is located out of state (I travel), but decided I should have one near my home base. I don't buy into the Elizabeth Arden and fluffy spas, because I don't need to be fluffed and pampered, I want the real deal treatment. Plus, I don't see the need pay someone to slap and lather creams on my face. I usually want micro-dermabrasion or other procedures requiring the use of devices. After reading the reviews and checking out her website, I thought it would be good place to go, because I don't want the frills, I just want to get straight to business of perfecting my skin. Sandra Cope creeps me out. There is something creepy about her, and something about her demeanor, I just don't trust her. She does talk A LOT like everyone mentioned. I think its eerie, very unusual for someone to recite an entire soliloquy, completely disregarding whether or not I am paying attention. She puts on a show, whether or not you like it, which feeds back to, something off about her demeanor. The face-to-face interaction was just unnatural experience. Look lady, I don't care about what you have to say. I'm here already, I know how much you charge, I'm still going to pay you, so save yourself the breath, lets get to work already. The talking lasted longer than the actual work. She told me she was going to extract the blemishes on my face. I have pretty clear complexion, only minor blemishes. So it shouldn't take that long, but she didn't do my entire face (although she charged me for it). People raved Sandra for helping to clear their face. So the extraction must be her trademark. But her "technique" isn't so special. All she does is take a hospital thumb tack needle looking thing and poke your pimples and then squeeze your pimple juices. I'm not sure if I like this technique, or if its effective. No one should be poking holes in your face. She emphasizes avoiding germs from your face. Well creepy old lady, you just poke and repoke my face with the same needle..everytime you poke a hole in my face with that needle, its got the juices from the previous pimple... 2 weeks later, I still had scars from the holes she poked in my face with the needles. Then she did a little dermabrasion. And slapped some creams on my face. $125. I knew it would be this price, but I seriously thought I was coming to the skin guru for secret time reversal treatment. It ended up being a backward practice (poking needles in the face) and cream slapping - all something I could have done at home. So I feel like, all I did was pay for the quick wave of the dermabrasion wand. Definitely NOT a $125 value. (You can pinch and squeeze your own pimples at home) Ladies - I get dermabrasion all the time. You should know the value of dermabrasion. With my regular esthetician, I only pay $50 for an hour long dermabrasion plus an hour long facial (this includes extractions). I understand its hard to find that kind of deal in this neighborhood. But just know that I pay $50 for dermabrasion. Try to find a place that offers pricing comparable to that. As for Sandra Cope's product line she basically forces you to buy. Like I said, wrinkles make me flip a switch and automatically my checkbook comes out. To lay out all of the facts - I never consistently used a skin care regimen. And often times I just go to sleep after a quick shower at the gym. But since I paid a pretty penny, and want to take skin care seriously, I've been using Sandra's 4 steps almost everyday. I no longer dry splotches and wrinkles faded a little. I think its because I've actually been moisturizing - can't say its the credit of the 4 steps, but the mere act of moisturizing. I recommend you ladies try moisturizing the face every day and night with other products before buying Sandra's products. She also gave me an antibacterial serum to use on blemished skin. She said I could use it on occasional breakouts, and any skin flaws on my body. So I put it on my right elbow and right knee. My right elbow has a scab that never goes away (because I keep picking at it). And my right knee has discolored skin/bruise from a fall I had in May. I rubbed the serum on TWICE. And now I have a rash that won't go away. Its been over a month. Another thing.. Someone previously posted that Sandra's son showed up during a session. He did during my session too. If you aren't dressed like an employee, no grown up man, not quite old enough to be my father, wearing jeans and a flannel should be standing by the doorway peering into the room while I am laying down, beckoning, "mom...mom....mom..." It was an odd odd experience. She's old yet has amazing skin. There is a creepy factor to her, kind of like the luring witch in Hansel and Gretal read more

I am surprised that Sandra Cope is already on Yelp, to be honest. She was sold to me as "Old Town's best-kept secret." I heard about her for the first time last year, when a 40-something woman came into Bellacara, where I work on weekends, who had amazing skin. Gesturing to the walls, I asked her which product line she was using for her skin care regimen, and she whispered in my ear: "Oh, honey, I don't use any of this stuff. I go to Sandra Cope." My ears perked up, and she filled me in on the details, including that a typical facial takes two or more hours. I haven't had the time to schedule such a facial until last Friday, when I showed up for my 12:30 p.m. and didn't have to be at the airport until 3 p.m. to pick up the Welshman. Sandra blew my mind. Her own skin was astounding. She is 70, but her skin looks 30, max. Her knowledge of the skin as an organ, as well as the beauty and pharmaceutical industries, is beyond impressive. She did tell me that her line was developed from treating burn victims, where healing and regrowth, as well as protection against bacteria, are essential. She pointed out how most beauty products on the market--from Lancome to La Mer--have essentially the same basic ingredients, no matter what the price tag. And she also thinks that no company spending the kind of money on advertising most big beauty companies do can really put out a quality product--it's just not financially possible. She told me how doctors are quick to prescribe Accutane to pizza-faced teens and adults, but that Accutane is incapable of discriminating within a person's body what to dry out. So in addition to drying out the skin, Accutane also dries out your brain and productive organs. I've had problems on my chin with acne since I hit 30. I thought it was hormones, since they pop up right before "that time of the month" and everyone always laments how your body changes as you age. Sandra took one look at my face and chin and said "that's viral." Basically, the acne I was suffering from was due to a virus that got under my skin via something nasty on money, a door handle or a phone. The extraction was torturous. I, like the Maria M., definitely shed some tears of pain. Sandra followed up with some light therapy, leaving me under an intense lamp for close to 20 minutes to address my viral acne. She then followed up with a facial consisting of her products. It kind of creeped me out, but at the end she applied makeup (organic powder) that she has specially made for her. She said it's to create a barrier and seeps into the products. I recreated the effect with my Becca Cosmetics pressed powder today (Tuesday) and it looked fantastique. Aloe is the main ingredient in her line, formulated by herself and her sister's husband (a burn victim doctor) as well as a few other experts and crafted down in her lab in Lorton, Va. All of her ingredients are organic (you can buy her line at Whole Foods, by the way). She also uses a lot of jojoba, bearberry, shea butter and lots of other water-soluble ingredients. Sandra wasn't super specific on how to use her products, even though I bought about five of them. I had to pry her for directions. She was very chatty and full of knowledge. She also cut me a deal. I'll be back in six weeks to check my progress and will update accordingly! read more

When I walked into Sandra Cope's shop, she literally could not see any of my skin. Every inch of my face was covered with embarrassing marks, including "knots, seeds, etc." I have been embarrassingly struggling with acne for over 10 years (since I was a teenager). Now that I am an adult, it has become even more disheartening to struggle with this "disease." I searched "acne facial" on Yelp and prayed that Sandra Cope was as good as people said. Sandy is amazing! I'm going for my fourth treatment tomorrow, and my skin is slowly but surely improving. I have used the 4-step system with some additions, given my severe acne condition. What is unique about my skin is that when a pimple seems like it's going away, another one appears on top or next to this pimple, almost protecting itself. This replication process has made it unbearable to deal with. In addition, when it scabs over, most people would think this is "improvement," but not on my skin. My point is not to gross anyone out, and it is obviously difficult to share my struggle; The point is: Sandy gives you this custom information and treatment. She treats you with the care and detail your skin requires. I call her the "Magical Lady." I have gone to multiple dermatologists and estheticians. I have tried pills including birth control to cope with the acne. I have used the "most popular acne system" out there, and it is just overpriced benzoyl peroxide. I have even gotten smooth beam treatment, which kept the acne at bay for at most, 6 months, but unfortunately, these were ineffective. Sandy has been slowly picking away (no pun intended) at my problem. In addition to Sandy's knowledge and expertise regarding the skin (e.g., taking L-Lysine to build up the immune system and improve the skin, not touching door handles or money to pick up bacteria, and the use of natural products to treat the skin), Sandy is just so entertaining! She has great conversations with you and does not hide her opinion about the corporatization of skincare. In fact, she always gives me a good price on the products and treatment every month. I look forward to my visits because it gives me hope that my skin will get better! So, tomorrow should be a good day =) read more

I was on the hunt for a new facial provider and was looking for the next spa to try out since I'm new to the area. I didn't just want a fancy 'feel-good' spa where that's bascially all you get is 'feel-good' but no results since I am also trying to treat my 'acne situation in my mid-30s.' So after reading the reviews here and talking to another Yelper, I decided to look into Sandra Cope. I checked out her website to understand her products and business. Seems interesting enough so I made an appt. Her shop is a cute little unique storefront in Old Town. She comes out and you can't stop looking at her beautiful skin b/c you know she's definitely older than what her skin displays. She kinda looks Celebrity-like, very well-put together. She brings me into her facial room which is nothing like any of the fancy smancy spas that I've been too. It's basically an older outdated room with the facial bed. She proceeds with friendly conversation and assesses my face and begins to do her work. Her facial is painful indeed, it's almost surgical as she is squeezing and digging into all the impurities and 'oil seeds' that are hidden under my skin. That went on for almost an hr and then she lathers me up, cleanses and puts me under that light treatment. It's still kinda painful and stings a bit as if you've been sunburned on your face. She concludes with some makeup to cover up all the redness which was definitely something different that Ive never had done. I ended up buying her 4 step products and a sunscreen and some fading cream. She accepts CASH ONLY. Alittle skeptical bc Ive used plenty of products in the past that didnt work. I go home and try to be disciplined and follow her steps. After a mth, I'm happy to say that I do see positive results. My breakouts are handled much better with her ClearSkin treatment. My skin feels very soft and looks radiant and much clearer than 4 wks ago. I would highly recommend her products b/c they do show real results. Her facial is painful to say the least but NO PAIN NO GAIN I suppose. read more

When I first looked at the before-and-after book Sandy keeps in her waiting room, I was not buying it. Yeah. Aloe can do all this. It can rid a man of his cystic acne in a couple of weeks. It can even out skin tone. It can grow the skin back onto a burnt hand (ask Sandy about that). Yeah, sure, miracle, whatever. My facial with Sandy hurt like hell. I think two tears fell out of my left eye at some point. Those extractions were killer. I even had scars for a couple of days after. But I'm not lying: my face changed color. In a good way. All my blackheads were gone and I saw what my nose really looked like under all that. It's cute! And all the weird, plugged up pores were opened up and free like the wind. At my mom's insistence (insistence like my mother's has never been seen before - trust me), I bought the 4-step system. Oh sure, just slop a bunch of creams and oils on an already oily face and it will all of a sudden clear up. But if you say so, mommy..... Apparently, the skin starts to dry out as we age. At 32, my face is still not showing signs of drying out, but I swear to the Lord on a stack of Bibles, this system works. After years of having at least 4 mini-Krakatoas on my face simultaneously on any given day, of trying Differin, salycylic acid, Retin-A, anti-bacterial whatnot and a huge helping of hope, the creams and oils that I thought would turn me into an oil refinery did the job beautifully. It is 4 months later and I have nothing on my face except ravishing beauty. No wrinkles, even. I swear it, whenever I feel a zit coming, I have no fear, for I know it will retreat in the face of the Clear Skin and Propolis oils. The oils are made of natural antibiotics, and the other products I use, steps 3 and 4 (creams) are aloe-based. Don't forget step 2, the actual aloe. My skin does not peel, it does not flake, it does not swell, it no longer torments me. I actually can't wait for winter so I can watch as everyone else's skin cracks while mine stays perfectly moisturized and in tact. Heh heh. There is no way I will ever use anything else on this mug. Sandy, don't ever leave me. Please. read more

PAINFUL, UNPROFESSIONAL, OVERPRICED Where do I start? I've been dreading writing this review. The first thing Sandra asked me when I met her was how I found her, and of course I told her, Yelp! She asked me to write a few words on her so here I am. I was really impressed by Courtney R. and Maria M.'s reviews (the only reviews at the time, except there were 1 or 2 other 5 star reviews that suspiciously disappeared--I know for a fact that one of the reviews was from a Sandra Cope employee), but my experience was very different. I hate to ruin the party, but I would feel guilty if I didn't write this review. I've been putting it off for a few months because it gives me a headache to even think about this experience. TRUE: You will cry during your extractions. My god it was painful (physically and mentally). She was trying to sell, sell, sell the whole time. Telling her I read the reviews on Yelp didn't help, she gave me the whole spiel on viral acne, brand name skincare being ripoffs, vaseline is gasoline, etc. She was either talking, or gone. She was gone for 15 minutes AFTER my 20 minute light therapy ended. I ended up being there for over 2 hours and she didn't even do my whole face! She said my nose was too dry to extract, yet she charged me the highest price for a facial. I could've left in half the time if she didn't talk so much or was missing. And let me just say, Sandra is a pretty negative and condescending person unless she's trying to sell herself. She complained about everything from people parking in the wrong parking spots to how she only watches Fox News and Glenn Beck because all other news channels are corrupt. She was only positive when she assured me my skin would clear up (it didn't) or when praising her permanent makeup artist (kept pushing business cards on me even though I insisted I didn't want permanent makeup or knew anyone that did...and sorry to say this but you only have to take one look at Sandra's face to know her permanent makeup artist is not the best, to put it nicely). She also told me she has NEVER met someone whose skin she couldn't fix--that is near impossible and is a lie. And here's where it went from bad to worse: during the procedure, her son came in the room and they started arguing about money right in front of me. Apparently she was supposed to deposit some money for the business but it was missing or something--I don't know, I don't care, but it was very unprofessional. And what do you know, when it was time to pay, Sandra kept insisting I pay her in cash. I told her I brought a check because her assistant Eva told me on the phone and by email that I could pay with check or cash. She still kept insisting she wanted cash (again, very unprofessional) and offered me $5 off for me to walk across the street and get cash from the ATM. I was in disbelief at this point. I went and got $300 out, which wouldn't have even covered all the items she wanted me to buy. I only got the 4 step items and propolis oil. It was such a rip off but I was still hoping these products would help my skin. I think she was just happy to get my money and sent me along my way. Well, enough time has passed and I can tell you the products don't work. I don't think they're necessarily bad but it didn't help me. I was sold by the before and after pictures on her website, but my skin looked more like the "before," after (I thought the horrible makeup she puts on you with a cotton ball was bad but she does this for a reason--my skin had red marks EVERYWHERE, literally like the "before" pictures on her website). It took months for the scars on my forehead from the extractions to disappear. I contacted Courtney R. (who has been very helpful) for advice because I was concerned with when it was finally going to get better. Apparently, you should take a Lysine supplement to help your skin and Sandra sometimes forgets to tell you that. I wonder if the people who wrote good reviews are taking Lysine. I haven't tried taking Lysine, but I would research and try taking Lysine first before you even think about letting Sandra touch your face. Obviously you can tell from my review that I don't recommend her, but I guess it works for some people, not for others, or it can actually make your skin worse (ME). I found a facialist that will give me a microdermabrasion, chemical peel, and extractions for half the price--and she actually cares about my skin! She doesn't have a one-size-fits-all approach, and is very caring and gentle. My skin looks calmer and cleaner after her. I also invested in a Clarisonic brush, which I highly recommend. Sandra Cope is not the best kept secret of Old Town, she is best kept a secret. ***FYI: As I write this, Sandra Cope has TWENTY-ONE filtered 5 star reviews so that should give you an idea about something (scroll down and click on the filtered reviews and read why it was filtered). Just sayin'...don't let the overall 4 star review fool ya! read more

When I was age 19 in the late 70s, I was disfigured in a car accident when my face went through a windshield. I was left with a Frankenstein scar that stretched from my forehead to the corner of my mouth. There was only so much plastic surgeons could do. Quite by accident I discovered Sandra Cope's products and services twenty-plus years ago and have used her 4-step treatment exclusively for my skin care since then. I also get facials from her, including power peels, twice a year. Now a woman in my mid-fifties, I get compliments constantly on my beautiful skin. I consider Sandra Cope the High Priestess of Skin Care and don't like to consider going without her products. Sandra Cope is a very unique person. She formulated her product line years ago and has single-handedly developed a way of manufacturing them to deliver the results she's looking for. She's worked with plastic surgeons to rejuevenate skin on burn patients. She and her son run a business that competes with multi-national conglomerates for your attention. She's a purist about the formulation of her products and refuses to alter the ingredients to turn a greater profit. She survives in this rough-tumble business because of many people like me who are serious about addressing skin issues and feel lucky enough to know about her and go to her. If what you're looking for is a sleek space, chi-chi pampering and mood music to complement your "spa experience", Sandra is not for you. She is eccentric and will talk a lot during the treatments. If you really want to do your skin a favor--get past that. This woman is a Skin Genius. Put up with the quirkiness and know that with her help you can totally change the appearance of your skin. I'm grateful to have found her. read more

The Nurse Practitioner in my internist's office recommended Sandra Cope's products to me. I had asked her about her own beautiful skin. I scheduled a consultation with Sandra, and she examined my skin. She recommended her aloe-based products. I have now been using them for several months, and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM!!! My skin had a bit of rosacea, lots of broken capillaries, scarring, and enlarged pores. It was also sallow and did not look youthful. I had been buying some of the most expensive skin care products on the planet, and none of them worked well. I also have had several facials from Sandra, which have included microdermabrasion and light therapy. The result is amazing! The rosacea went away, the broken capillaries healed, the scarring is less visible, and the sallowness went away. Sandra's own skin is her real selling point. She is gorgeous. She admits to being 70 plus, but she looks like she might be about 40. The products are made from a generous amount of pure aloe, along with other organic products. She grows her own aloe nearby in Lorton, VA, and supervises the manufacture of the products. She is full of insider information about how commercial skin care companies take advantage of the public, which I now totally believe. I look forward to my facial appointments, and I whole-heartedly recommend Sandra Cope's products and her facials to everyone who wants better and healthier skin. read more

I have used Sandra Cope's products for over a dozen years, and have never before written a review. Her products are outstanding and she deserves my vote of confidence. Since I was in my thirties, I have used her 1-2-3-4 product line, the basic line of cleansers and moisturizers that she pioneered. There are instructions on how to use them - the process is clear, easy and pretty fast. Even I could do it easily. The best is the results. Now in my forties, people say I look much younger. I am glad I discovered Sandra Cope and her products in my old neighborhood, and I'll be her customer for life. read more

Day 6 after my first appointment, and I'm seeing some incredible results. I've been helplessly searching for solutions as an acne-sufferer for over a decade, and her products are mild enough for my sensitive skin, but also strong enough to get rid of a few scars and more worrisome breakouts. I'm optimistic to see where I am a week from now. I've also been drinking the Aloe Spectrum with water or juices, and can see my inflammation going down. I was pretty worried after the appointment, because I was so sore from the extractions, and I'd never had so many at once. I didn't feel as if I was given enough information about the process from her, and I didn't get the sense that she appreciated my questions to understand everything. It took me until day 5 to feel more relaxed about the whole process, because I didn't feel too comfortable with her. On the phone, however, she was very kind and helpful. In person, she made me feel very insecure (and it's already a vulnerable situation to be in!): she made comments about my short hair and suggested I wear a wig, and on top of that continued to comment on how "ridiculous" my skin was. I can understand that for some patients, that can be helpful to talk about, but it was hard to face the public after the appointment, with my red face and the hair I then felt self-conscious about. My nutritionist recommended her to me, and she has beautiful skin. I think I would go back, though, because I am for the first time seeing drastic results and I think it's worth the expense, especially given the multitude of products and doctors I've paid for in the past. I don't think her comments will get to me as much in the future, now that my skin is improving and is becoming less of an insecurity, but I wasn't mentally prepared the first time around. read more

Like many of the previous posts I had acne and it was a pretty bad case. I have been in three times to see Sandra this summer and today will be the fourth. The result of the very painful extraction and her light therapy in conjunction with her 4 step and acne extract my skin is nearly blemish free. Sandra's office location is easy to get to and I have never had difficulty parking. The office itself is outdated, but I was there for my skin, not ambiance. My acne basically began this past January when my overall health tanked due to adrenal fatigue. I saw my doctor and was offered drugs with a ton of side effects and decided I would try and clear it on my own using over the counter topical stuff. Nothing worked. Then I went to see a "professional" at one of those places advertised on the radio to meet with a woman whose face looked almost as bad as mine! There was no way I was going to let them treat my skin. Finally I found Sandra Cope International on the Internet with organic aloe and saw that she was here in Alexandria. I quickly made an appointment. The treatments are only $125, and as far as I'm concerned a bargain when thinking about the amount of money I spent on topical crap from the store and online promising perfect skin. Nothing but Sandra Cope worked! She chats away, trying to keep your mind off the pain, sharing stories from her interesting life or even just day to day things. She is really sweet and I enjoy my appointments and the results. I will continue to see her even after my acne heals as she does other skin treatments to help my skin look fresh and healthy. Upon returning to work from the summer off (I teach) many of my coworkers said I looked unbelievably well, I was even told that I have beautiful skin and that it seemed to glow! Enough said! read more

based on the reviews, I was expecting more than I received. first, the facility is outdated and you cn tell no money has been added in many a year. the reception area reminded me of someone's grandma's lost in time kind of sitting room complete with one overgrown plant and no magazines or cool water. next, to the treatment. since there is only a false wall separating the reception area from the treatment room so I got to hear the scripted spiel twice, exactly the same except the previous client obviously was urged to purchase acne treatments which during my service, i did not require. I felt the experience was all about Ms Cope and her own wonderfulness, both personally and her products. so, it is now about 8 weeks later, Did the products work for me? some are nice, but certainly no better then the high quality natural products I purchase at Whole Foods. As far the treatment, it s one size fits all and a strong sales pitch. before you buy her products, read the labels, go compare to natural products elsewhere. treatment? really nothing special that would make me return. did not feel pampered at all. oh, with services like this I think it is a good idea to offer some information, I am middleaged and have been to other places for service, so base this review on my other experinces. hope it helps you. read more

I wanted to wait a couple months before writing a review to see if her products actually made a difference to my skin. Two months after my first visit to Sandra, I can say I'm a fan! I didn't have horrible skin, but I would break out in the same places on my face over and over again. She gave me advice on how to deal with this - turns out it's a virus underneath my skin - and her 4-step system plus the Clear Skin is making a big difference. Not only that, my skin is softer than I think it's ever been, and her stuff doesn't have any strong perfumes in it (which drives me crazy in other products!) I'm definitely making visits to her a regular part of my schedule. read more

Sandra Cope is a walking testimony that her products work. I had very dry skin when I went to her for a facial. Now my face feels dewy and I am inspired to follow her very generous advice that she gives. She is a kind person who tells you how to properly take care of your skin. I find her 4 step process skin care line very easy to use and she gives you a sheet of directions in how to use it. The directions are simple to follow. She knows how skin works and she answered all my questions thoroughly. She is a beautiful. I find her to be inspirational. I am taking her advice and am grateful that she shares her knowledge all for the price of the facial. Sandra Cope is impressive and she has been doing this for a long time. She is an expert in her field. read more

Sandra Cope has changed my life. I used to have terrible acne and I tried every product under the sun but all of them would dry out my face and never take away my acne. She made me feel comfortable right away and I could tell that she cared about helping me change my skin. She said to me that I wouldn't even believe how my skin would look and she was right. My skin has completely changed and for the first time in years I am able to go out of my house without make up on. I am no longer self consciousness about how my skin looks or that people are starring at my pimples when they are talking to me. All of my friends asked me what I was doing differently and it was all because of Sandra Cope's products. I would highly recommend you visit Sandra Cope, it will change your life too. read more

Have been using Sandra Cope products for over 10 years. Very often I am asked what I use to make my skin look so great and fresh. I attribute my smooth, moist skin to Sandra Cope products and, of course, good genes! read more