You may have noticed a new sign hanging outside 111 E. Jackson Ave., one of the most recognizable entryways in the Old City. Astra Aesthetics med spa opened for business earlier this year. Molly Muecke (last name of German origin pronounced like Mickey in Mickey the Mouse) is a Nurse practitioner who began her medical career with a dermatology focus at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH. She loved the holistic approach you can take with dermatology, but noticed a disparity in anti-aging and skin wellness for all skin types, tones and pigments.
She started in this field in Nashville, TN, working within the country music scene and practicing there for 4 years. COVID changed the world, and at the same time, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. At that point, she knew it was time to come home to Knoxville to be with her family and support her mother through her cancer journey. Molly’s mom is now in remission and enjoying life as a grandmom to Molly’s niece and nephew.
Molly practiced for a year under another company, but eventually decided it was time to go out on her own, and she opened her private practice med spa in Maryville, where she operated for two years. However, living in downtown Knoxville, she couldn’t help but notice the changes and progress happening here and, through a friend, found the perfect location in the heart of the Old City at 111 E. Jackson Ave. Suite 102. The entrance to this space, with its iron gates and sweeping staircase, is one of my favorites in town. Good choice, Molly!
The name Astra comes from a blend of family nostalgia and her love for the beauty found in the stars. Her father used to play the album Astral Weeks by Van Morrison on the way home from school every day, and this song/album holds sweet memories for her. This, coupled with her appreciation of celestial beauty, gave birth to Astra, which comes from the Greek word aster for the word star.
One of Molly’s goals at Astra is to make self-care accessible for anyone who wants it. Many med spas market to only certain skin tones and genders, but through her experience and research, she has chosen products and techniques that work for all pigments and both males and females. For example, she provides hair loss treatment and Botox for men. She also offers fillers, micro needling, chemical peels, hair treatments, and more. She wants the community to know that anyone wanting to explore anti-aging is welcome at Astra.
She has found “clean” products that are as close to or analogous to the body as you can get in the field and prides herself on this care for her clients. All her services are backed by clinical studies, and the services do not overlap, which removes some of the confusion for clients as to which service will be best for them…