Element Salon & Spa opens in new WU location | Fayette County Newspapers

Passersby may have been wondering lately what was going inside the recently constructed building located at the corner of Highway 18 and North Pine Street in West Union. Well, Chelsea Ahlstrom’s faithful customers know it is now the new home of Element Salon and Spa.

“Hair is just something I’ve always wanted to do.” Ahlstrom said. “It all started with playing with my barbies. I’ve tried other jobs, waitressing, milking cows, working at Roto-Cast Plastics, but always seemed to come back to hair!”

A Waukon native, Ahlstrom ventured to Nashville, Tennessee, where she began her cosmetology schooling. However, a family illness brought her back to Iowa, and she completed her cosmetology education at Total Look in Cresco in 2016.

“After that I worked at Eclipse in Decorah until 2017, then I took a year off for my family- — Liam born in 2013 and my new-born daughter, Hayden,” she explained. “In 2018 I decided to have a salon at my home on 307 Guyer Street, right behind my current location. As my client base grew, I told my partner, Mike Clark, ‘It’s time for you to build me a salon on the corner lot which we owned.”

Element Salon and Spa provides the usual services such as cuts, coloring, extensions, and more.

“I’ve worked in regular salons with several chairs, clients all a buzz and from that experience decided I wanted to offer more privacy to my clients as I did in my home,” Ahlstrom remarked. “It’s that individual relationship and privacy my clients enjoy.” Thus, the salon doesn’t accept walk-ins, and everything is done by appointment.”

A popular service offered by Element Salon and Spa is the Infrared Therapy Sauna.

“Not many people know about this therapy but according to research it has several health benefits,” Ahlstrom stated.

Unlike regular saunas, which use steam to make a person sweat and release toxins, infrared waves provide the heat, so the body sweats out the toxins.

“If you enjoy regular spas, or hot tubs, I’m sure you would enjoy relaxing in the Infrared Therapy Sauna,” Ahlstrom added.

Web-MD and other sources provide these described benefits of an Infrared Therapy Sauna: body detoxification, improved circulation, stress reduction, skin health, reduced pain relief and inflammation, improved sleep, heart health, boast immune system boost and more.

“A lot of people really enjoy using the spa, and say it makes them relax and feel great,” Ahlstrom continued. “I’m glad I can offer this therapy to clients.”

Ahlstrom wanted to offer more than hair styling and the sauna, so she offered space to Shelby Moore, a licensed esthetician who owns The Beauty Room, and who has her client base at the salon as well.

“Shelby Moore was a hair client and as we got to know each other, I decided her business as a licensed esthetician would be a good addition to my salon,” Ahlstrom explained.

For some clarification, an esthetician is trained in evaluating skin types and tailoring treatment plans. Some treatments include facials, light chemical peels, waxing, including full body waxing, spray tans, lash lifts with tints, make-up and more. By contrast, a dermatologist is a physician who usually addresses more severe skin concerns.

“I’m happy to have The Beauty Room providing additional services,” Ahlstrom said. “As for future in house services, Ahlstrom adds, “I’d like to add a licensed massage therapist and a nail tech, so if you know anyone interested, send them my way.”

Another unique service offered is on-site wedding bridal party hair styling and make-up.

“Shelby and/or I go to their (clients’) homes or desired locations and style the bridal party’s hair, do their make-up, and enjoy the excitement of their wedding day,” Ahlstrom explained. “Going to their location takes away a lot of wedding prep stress and it’s so much fun.

Appointments can be made on the Element Salon Facebook page or by calling Ahlstrom at 563-380-9417. To contact Moore at the Beauty Room, call 563-379-8651 or visit thebeautyroombyshelby.glossgenius.com.

“I would like to thank my grandparents Jerry and Cheryl Bollman who have always been so supportive and a huge part of my life, along with Mike Clark, my companion for the past 14 years who built my new salon,” Ahlstrom closed. “Without their help I wouldn’t be where I am today.”