About Us

Pura Vida Med Spa specializes in advanced aesthetic and anti-aging procedures led by the expertise of Dr. Gwendolyn Yates and Dr. Leslie Apgar who are the supervising onsite physicians.

"Pura Vida"  is a Costa Rican term meaning, "The Good Life" and the good life is what Dr. Yates and Dr. Apgar want to bring to the clients in their medspa.  Our goal is simple:  to enhance your beauty utilizing the most minimally invasive and painless techniques; to customize your entire treatment to your specifics needs; and to make your life changing experiences at Pura Vida  a positive, relaxing and exciting one.  We welcome you to experience Pura Vida for yourself!  Our modern, Costa Rican inspired suite is comprised of our private relaxation room, 5 beautiful treatment rooms, and a private consultation room all equipped with state of the art technology. Please take your personal tour now.

Pura Vida is honored to be the recipient of Howard County's Best Medspa Award. 

Dr. Gwendolyn M Yates, M.D.

Inspired by a personal commitment to optimum health, wellness, and enjoyment of life, Dr. Gwendolyn Yates is passionate about Pura Vida's mission: to bridge the continuum of health care from internal health to external beauty. Over the years, Dr. Yates has been privileged to see women through many stages in their life: the teen years, childbirth, and menopause. Each of these times carries its own influences on one's appearance. These concerns arise daily and patients actively voiced their desire to optimize their appearance. It is an integral part of her patient care to advise them on skin care, treatment for acne, stretch marks, anti-aging, management of surgical scars, leg veins and much more…This is what led her to conceptualize what is now Pura Vida Medspa & Cosmetic Laser Center.
 
Dr. Yates is a Board Certified physician who has been practicing in the Metropolitan area, for over ten years. Dr. Yates received her medical degree at the Medical University of South Carolina and completed her residency training at George Washington University. Dr. Yates is passionate about  incorporating health, wellness and beauty into the care of her patients.

Dr. Leslie Apgar, M.D.

Dr. Leslie Apgar, M.D. is a board certified physician and has also practiced in the metropolitan area for over 10 years. Dr. Apgar's special interests  are health and wellness promotion. Her expansion into the health and beauty industry is a natural one in response to her patients' desires for the aesthetic procedures now offered at Pura Vida. Given her strong desire to make a positive impact on her patients' lives, she decided to expand into the aesthetic business. She received her medical degree and completed her residency training at Penn State University. Dr Apgar brings her surgical and medical expertise and energy to make a real difference to her patients.

*Pura Vida Med Spa photographs by Kimberly Fine Portraits, Kimberly@kimberlyportraits.com