Premier PlacementListed first of 17 in Medical Spa

Catara Med Spa

Women-owned Algonquin medical spa open since 2014, rated 5.0 across 136 Google reviews.

5.0136 Google reviews308 S Main St, AlgonquinMedical Spa
Editorial Spotlight

Eleven years on Main Street, and a 5.0 across 136 reviews

Catara Med Spa has run a single clinic at 308 South Main Street in Algonquin since December 2014, and its Google Business Profile records a 5.0 average across 136 reviews as of August 2026. The women-owned practice covers a wide range of treatment for a single location: injectables, HydraFacials and clinical facials, RF microneedling with PRP, laser hair removal and laser vein treatment, Emsculpt Neo body contouring, and nutrition coaching. Its named team is published on the practice’s own site — a nurse practitioner and medical director, a clinic manager and licensed aesthetician, and a registered-nurse injector — and reviewers cite those clinicians by name. The published service area reaches across McHenry and Kane counties, from Crystal Lake and Cary to Barrington and Elgin.

  • 5.0 average across 136 Google reviews, captured August 2026
  • Women-owned single-clinic practice in Algonquin since December 2014
  • Named clinical team of three published on the practice’s own website
  • Service area spans McHenry and Kane county communities in the Fox River Valley
  • Online scheduling, free on-site parking, wheelchair-accessible entrance

About Catara Med Spa

Catara Med Spa is a women-owned medical spa on South Main Street in Algonquin, operating a single clinic since December 2014. The practice offers non-surgical medical aesthetics — injectables, HydraFacials and clinical facials, RF microneedling, laser hair removal and laser vein treatment, body contouring, and medically supervised weight loss with nutrition coaching. Its published service area spans McHenry and Kane county communities across the Fox River Valley.

Services

CATARA Custom Clinical Facial
Ultimate HydraFacial
Dermaplaning Facial
Acne Facial Treatment
Acne Bootcamp
Tox to Relax Facial Lines
Lip Flip
Treatment for Masseter (TMJ)
Microneedling with PRP - Face
RF Microneedling Maintenance
LASER Rejuvenation Treatment - Small Area
Muscle Prehab and Rehab with Emsculpt Neo

Google Maps categories

Medical SpaFacial spaHair removal serviceLaser hair removal serviceNutritionistSkin care clinicTeeth whitening serviceWeight loss service

Team

Listed on business site
S

Stefanie Drozd

Medical Director, Nurse Practitioner

Adult Health Nurse Practitioner with more than a decade in medical aesthetics. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2005 and a nurse practitioner degree from Loyola University in 2010, working in oncology, hematology, and bone marrow transplant at Loyola University Medical Center before moving into aesthetics.

Listed on business site
J

Jeanne Foote

Clinic Manager, Licensed Aesthetician, Certified Nutrition Coach

Clinic manager at Catara Med Spa with more than 30 years of experience in operations, customer service, and health optimization. She recruits and develops the clinical staff, oversees compliance, and guides the client experience.

Listed on business site
L

Lily Zelaya

Aesthetic Nurse Injector

Registered nurse and aesthetic injector. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Purdue University and worked as a travel nurse and in hospital emergency departments on the west side of Chicago before moving into aesthetics.

Listed on business site
C

Cathy Neuhalfen

Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Founder and chief executive of Catara Med Spa, a role the practice states is not a clinical one. She began her career as a portrait photographer and founded the practice in her hometown of Algonquin, Illinois.

Listed on business site
K

Karlene Stitle

Advanced Clinical Aesthetician

Advanced clinical aesthetician at Catara Med Spa who has worked as an aesthetician for more than two decades, including years with North Shore dermatologists. She specializes in adult acne and pigmentation concerns, is a certified Skin of Color specialist, and is an Air Force veteran.

Listed on business site
A

Ava Packiewicz

Aesthetic Nurse Injector

Registered nurse and aesthetic injector at Catara Med Spa, certified in neuromodulator injection and in medical weight loss. She is fluent in English and Polish and consults in either language.

Listed on business site
L

Lynette Reedy

Certified Medical Assistant

Certified medical assistant at Catara Med Spa. She served more than 20 years as a Rutland Dundee firefighter and EMT and spent nine years as a phlebotomist at St. Alexius. She is Lead Medical Assistant Instructor at First Institute and teaches CPR and EKG at Elgin Community College.

Reviews

5.0
136 reviews

Rating & review provenance

This average is a snapshot of the business’s Google Business Profile, captured . Ratings on that platform change continually, so the live figure may differ.

The 12 sourced reviews below were published by their authors on public review platforms and are reproduced here with the source marked on each card. Only reviews rated four stars or higher are listed. Reviews submitted through this site are listed separately and are not counted here.

Read every review on Google →
via Google

I had an amazing hydro facial in preparation for my wedding! They accommodated me and listened to my concerns and explanations on my skin conditions and what I needed - also the conversation was really pleasant and fun with my esthetician! It was a last minute appointment and they were able to squeeze me in and were so kind:) loved it and would recommend again to anyone!!

Response from the ownerThank you so much, Vaidika! We’re so happy we could fit you in before your wedding and that you had such a great experience with your HydraFacial. We truly appreciate your kind words about our team and are glad you felt heard and cared for throughout your visit. Wishing you all the best for your wedding, and we hope to see you again soon!
Vaidika P.
via Google

I went on 06/23/2026 for a consultation regarding a treatment I was considering. While I didn’t get anything done that day (I had to research my options further), Lily was super informative and thoughtful. She didn’t put me down to try to upsell me on beauty treatments like some other spas do, she also was very thoughtful in her recommendations even if she felt I didn’t need the procedure I was considering. I enjoyed the experience very much and the place was so comfortable. I ended up crying in the parking lot for unrelated, personal reasons and the owner saw me in my car and invited me in.

Response from the ownerJohnae, thank you so much for sharing this with us. We’re incredibly glad Lily made you feel informed, comfortable, and supported during your consultation. We always want our recommendations to be thoughtful and based on what is truly right for each person, never on pressure. Your kind words about the care you received from our entire team mean more than you know.
Johnae B.
via Google

Catara is a special place. I got a consultation and a hydra facial and it was great! The owner even sat with me until it was my appointment time. I really appreciated that. Everyone was friendly and I will be going back! Highly recommend!!

Response from the ownerYou had our heart at "special place" the hydrafacial is a special treatment. Clean skin = healthy skin. We appreciate your time and consideration for sharing your experience at our med spa. Your words truly are appreciated. The love and care for our visitors is real and comes from a genuine belief in providing personal care to any person who chooses our medical spa for aesthetic services at out Algonquin spa.
Stephanie W.
via Google

I had an excellent experience at Catara Med Spa. The staff was professional, knowledgeable, and made me feel comfortable from the moment I walked in. They took the time to answer all of my questions and explain my treatment options without any pressure. The office is beautiful, clean, and welcoming. I was very happy with my results and appreciated the personalized care I received. I highly recommend Catara Med Spa to anyone looking for high-quality aesthetic and wellness services.

Response from the ownerGetting called the best facial someone’s ever had is about as good as it gets. We’re really glad you felt the experience was worth it, from the results to the pricing. Facials here are meant to feel like true self-care, professional skincare paired with a calm, day spa atmosphere where you can actually relax and walk out feeling refreshed. Thanks for recommending us, Shawn.
Shawn B.
via Google

Lily was absolutely lovely. After three years of trying different spas downtown Chicago and spending thousands of dollars trying different treatments trying to get rid of my deep nasal labial folds. They are finally gone! I feel like myself again! I will 100% be a return client. Thanks Lily! See ya again soon!

Response from the ownerThank you so much, Stephanie! We’re thrilled to hear how happy you are with your results and that Lily was able to help you feel like yourself again. After everything you tried over the past few years, it means a lot that you trusted our team with your care. We truly appreciate your kind words and look forward to seeing you again soon!
Stephanie G.
via Google

Love this location it’s beautiful! The staff are super knowledgeable and are very friendly. Super glad I found them! Looking forward to trying other services as well. Looking forward to my weight loss journey with Catara!

Response from the ownerFinding a place where you feel comfortable, supported, and excited to come back makes such a difference, and we’re so glad you found that here with us. Our team really cares about taking the time to educate, listen, and help you feel confident in whatever service you choose next. We’re excited to be part of your weight loss journey and look forward to supporting you every step of the way.
Meagan M.
via Google

Love this place!!! my facial was AMAZING and the staff is VERY Kind. When you think it couldn’t get any better, BOOM!! Karlene is a ROCKSTAR ♥️♥️ I have sent my two daughters, daughter in law and my son!! All for facials and they are amazed as well!!!!

Response from the ownerThank you Marlene💙
Marlene J.
via Google

Jeanne was wonderful. I had the Hydrafacial with the add-on Dermaplaning. The services were wonderful, I received great advice for my skincare routine, and loved how my skin looked after my appointment. I'll be back!

Response from the ownerThat HydraFacial with dermaplaning combo is hard to beat, and we’re so glad you loved how your skin looked afterward. Jeanne really takes her time to make sure everything is tailored to you, so it’s great to hear the recommendations helped you feel confident about your skincare routine going forward. Walking out with smoother, brighter skin and a clear plan for what to do next is exactly what we want every…
Mary S.
via Google

Lilly and Jeanne are outstanding aestheticians who truly focus on long-term skin health rather than quick, temporary fixes. They carefully assessed my sensitive skin and designed a customized treatment plan using safe, medical-grade procedures. I really appreciate their thoughtful approach and attention to detail. If you’re looking for personalized skincare with minimal downtime and results that actually improve your skin over time, I highly recommend them.

Response from the ownerThat kind of thoughtful, long-term approach to skincare is exactly what Lilly and Jeanne really care. Taking the time to really understand sensitive skin and build a plan around it makes all the difference, especially when the goal is healthy skin over time, not just a quick fix. We’re so glad you felt the attention to detail and that the treatments were tailored in a way that felt safe, effective, and…
Puja B.
via Google

Had a wonderful experience getting a relaxing facial . From the moment I called continuing to the service I received everything was amazing!

Response from the ownerFrom the first phone call all the way through your facial, that smooth and welcoming experience is exactly what we hope every visit feels like. We’re really glad everything felt easy, relaxing, and worth it. A good facial should leave your skin feeling refreshed and your mind a little lighter, and it sounds like that came through for you.
Audrey C.
via Google

I've been coming to this med spa for a few years. It's a 45 minute drive, but I enjoy the service, atmosphere and staff. This week, I tried a HydraFacial with Jeanne and loved it! That will be a part of my routine from now on.

Response from the ownerMaking a 45-minute drive and choosing to come back year after year says a lot, and we don’t take that lightly. The atmosphere and the people here are meant to make every visit feel worth the time, so it’s great to hear that’s been your experience. Jeanne will be happy to know the HydraFacial made such an impression.
Dave B.
via Google

Catara Med Spa has such a calm, welcoming atmosphere — relaxing, beautiful, and never clinical. You instantly feel at ease. Jeanne has taken care of my skin for many years, and I wouldn’t trust anyone else. She’s gentle, attentive, and always leaves me feeling rested and relaxed. Her knowledge of skincare is incredible, and she truly understands what my skin need - and that includes dermaplaning my hairy face 😆. I always leave glowing and refreshed. Highly recommend Jeanne and Catara Med Spa!

Response from the ownerNina, you just made our day! And we're absolutely dying at "hairy face" 😆 – that's the kind of realness we love. Dermaplaning is seriously one of the best exfoliation treatments for getting rid of peach fuzz and dead skin cells, and you wear that glow like a badge of honor. Jeanne is so lucky to have a loyal client like you who trusts her with your skincare routine year after year.
Nina R.
Why this listing looks different

Catara Med Spa holds a Premier Placement

Top of its Medical Spa category on this directoryListed first of 17 in Medical Spa. Premier members sort ahead of every Claimed and free listing, in their category and everywhere else in this directory.
Featured on the Chicagoland Reviews homepageThis business appears in the featured rail on the homepage, not only in category search results.
Direct lead routingContact actions are promoted to the top of this page rather than a sidebar, routing enquiries straight to the business by phone, online booking, website.
Editorial spotlightA written spotlight and proof points sit above the fold, alongside 12 sourced reviews. Standard listings carry a plain description only.