No-nonsense health care is on the rise in Gig Harbor

Nurse practitioner offers family practice and skin care

Susan Schell

of the Gateway

Harbor Health & Skincare wants to offer basic health care at an affordable price. The business’ sole practitioner, Karen Smith, ARNP, also offers cosmetic skin care in her Gig Harbor office, like Botox, fillers, chemical peels and acne treatment.

“A lot of people are doing that,” Smith said. “A lot of family practices are doing Botox.”

Smith opened her office at the end of January and has been doing well so far. She said the bulk of her business is skin care, but offers low cash-pay minor acute care for $40 for a simple visit.

“This is ideal for people that don’t have insurance, or a high deductible,” she said. “I can give flu shots in the fall and last minute sports physicals. I can also diagnose earaches, strep throat, expanded migraines or depression.”

Smith has been a registered nurse for 22 years. She worked in family practice in Tacoma and learned skin care along the way, which eventually became her “passion.”

She obtained her degree to become an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, allowing her to practice independently.

Smith said nurse practitioners going solo is becoming more of a trend due to the escalating cost of health care.

“I feel for people that don’t have insurance,” she said. “It’s a real mess out there. My office is small, but it’s more personable and less threatening. I want to make every patient feel like they’re the only patient.”

Smith said she offers a personal touch for someone who is considering skin care treatments. She sells medical grade advances in skin care technology like Glytone, SkinMedica and Avene.

“These products all have scientific studies behind them,” she said. “For someone who wants to do Botox treatments for the first time, I can walk them through it.”

Harbor Health & Skincare, LLC is in the harbor

Basic family health and skin care is affordable

Address: 4221 Harborview Drive NW, Suite 103 in Gig Harbor

Days of operation: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays by appointment

Phone: 253-314-2618