Mission Wellness & Aesthetics
Frequently Asked Questions
01. What is Mission Wellness & Aesthetics, and what makes it different from other medical spas in Jacksonville and Hampstead, NC?
Mission Wellness & Aesthetics is a physician assistant-led medical spa and wellness clinic with two convenient locations — one in Jacksonville, NC, and one in Hampstead, NC — proudly serving patients across Onslow County, Pender County, and the greater southeastern North Carolina area. What truly sets Mission Wellness apart from other med spas and wellness clinics in the region is the combination of nearly two decades of medical experience and a genuine, patient-first philosophy rooted in one core belief: “normal” is not the same as optimal.
Founded by Amanda Baker, a certified Physician Assistant with close to 20 years of clinical experience and over a decade specializing in aesthetics and regenerative medicine, Mission Wellness takes a highly personalized approach to every patient’s care. Rather than offering cookie-cutter treatment plans, the team here takes the time to understand your unique symptoms, lab results, lifestyle, and health goals before designing a customized wellness or aesthetic plan that’s built specifically around you.
Services range from bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) and medical weight loss to Botox, Dysport, laser hair removal, IV hydration therapy, medical grade chemical peels, regenerative medicine, and sexual wellness treatments — all under one roof. Whether you’re looking to address stubborn hormonal imbalances, improve your skin’s appearance, or simply feel more energized and confident in your daily life, Mission Wellness & Aesthetics provides the advanced tools, medical expertise, and compassionate care to help you get there. The mission, simply put, is to help every patient look their best and feel their best — not just “good for their age,” but truly optimal.
02. What hormone replacement therapy options does Mission Wellness & Aesthetics offer, and who is a good candidate?
Mission Wellness & Aesthetics offers bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) to both men and women experiencing the effects of hormonal decline or imbalance. BHRT uses hormones that are chemically identical to those your body naturally produces — typically derived from plant sources and compounded to match your body’s exact molecular structure. This is an important distinction from traditional synthetic hormone replacement therapy, and it’s one of the reasons so many patients report feeling dramatically better after starting their treatment here.
Delivery methods at Mission Wellness include hormone pellets, injections, and oral medications, allowing the team to match your treatment to your lifestyle and specific hormonal needs. Pellet therapy in particular is popular among patients because it provides a steady, consistent release of hormones over several months without the need for daily administration.
Good candidates for BHRT are men and women who are experiencing symptoms that suggest declining or imbalanced hormone levels. These symptoms can include chronic fatigue and low energy, unexplained weight gain, mood swings or irritability, brain fog and difficulty concentrating, disrupted sleep patterns, low libido or sexual dysfunction, hot flashes and night sweats, and even joint pain or loss of muscle mass. Many patients who come to Mission Wellness have been told their labs are “within normal range” by other providers — but normal and optimal are two very different things, and Amanda’s approach is to optimize, not just normalize.
If you’ve been struggling with any combination of these symptoms and feel like your quality of life isn’t where it should be, a BHRT consultation at Mission Wellness & Aesthetics in Jacksonville or Hampstead, NC, is an excellent first step.
03. What is the difference between Botox and Dysport, and which one does Mission Wellness recommend?
Both Botox and Dysport are FDA-approved injectable neurotoxins used to temporarily relax the muscles responsible for dynamic facial wrinkles — the kind caused by repeated expressions like smiling, squinting, frowning, and raising your brows. Both are derived from botulinum toxin type A and work through the same basic mechanism, but they do have a few subtle differences worth knowing about.
Dysport tends to diffuse slightly more than Botox, which can make it a preferred option for treating larger surface areas like the forehead. Some patients also notice that Dysport kicks in a day or two faster than Botox, though results from both typically become fully visible within 7–14 days. Botox, on the other hand, stays a bit more localized, which can be advantageous when treating smaller, more targeted areas like crow’s feet or lip lines.
At Mission Wellness & Aesthetics, both Botox and Dysport are available, and your provider will help determine which product is the better fit based on your treatment goals, facial anatomy, and personal history with injectables. Common treatment areas include forehead lines, frown lines (the “11s” between the brows), crow’s feet around the eyes, bunny lines on the nose, chin dimpling, neck bands, lip lines, and downturned mouth corners.
Results from either treatment typically last 3–4 months, and with little to no downtime, most patients return to their normal routine the same day. Preventive Botox and Dysport treatments are also increasingly popular among younger patients in their 20s and 30s who want to slow the formation of deeper wrinkles over time. If you’re in the Jacksonville or Hampstead, NC area and considering neuromodulator treatments, Mission Wellness & Aesthetics offers the expertise and personalized touch to give you natural-looking, refreshed results.
04. What laser services does Mission Wellness & Aesthetics offer, and are they safe for all skin types?
Mission Wellness & Aesthetics offers a comprehensive range of laser-based treatments at its Hampstead, NC location, designed to address a wide variety of skin concerns in both men and women of all skin types. Laser technology has advanced significantly over the years, and the treatments available at Mission Wellness are both safe and highly effective when performed by a knowledgeable medical provider.
Laser services currently available include permanent laser hair removal, spider vein removal, sun spot and age spot removal, skin rejuvenation, treatment of pigmented lesions, and removal of facial redness and broken blood vessels. Of these, laser hair removal tends to be one of the most sought-after treatments — and for good reason. After a series of sessions, most patients achieve a significant and permanent reduction in unwanted hair, eliminating the ongoing expense and hassle of waxing, shaving, and threading.
One of the most common questions patients have is whether laser treatments are safe for their skin tone or type. At Mission Wellness, the approach is always individualized. During your consultation, your provider will assess your skin, discuss your concerns, and develop a treatment plan that’s appropriate for you. Treatments are typically spaced several weeks apart to allow for proper skin recovery between sessions, and most patients find the experience to be quick and manageable — often completed in 20 minutes or less depending on the area being treated.
If you’re in the Hampstead, NC area and have been curious about laser hair removal, spider vein treatment, or skin rejuvenation, Mission Wellness & Aesthetics is a trusted and experienced provider to turn to.
05. How does the medical weight loss program at Mission Wellness work, and what makes it different from commercial diet programs?
The medical weight loss program at Mission Wellness & Aesthetics is a physician-guided, individualized approach to sustainable fat loss and metabolic health — and it’s fundamentally different from the generic, one-size-fits-all programs you’ll find at commercial weight loss centers. Rather than handing you a meal plan and sending you on your way, Mission Wellness builds a truly personalized plan that accounts for your current health, your metabolic profile, your lifestyle, and your long-term goals.
The program combines personalized nutrition and lifestyle coaching with medical interventions where appropriate. This includes access to GLP-1 receptor agonist medications — a class of drugs that has transformed the medical weight loss space in recent years by helping regulate appetite, blood sugar, and fat metabolism. The LipoStat “Skinny Shot,” another popular option at Mission Wellness, delivers a customized blend of B vitamins and amino acids that support energy production, liver function, and fat metabolism, helping patients who are close to their goal weight push through those final frustrating pounds that diet and exercise alone haven’t been able to budge.
What makes this program worth considering is the medical oversight behind it. Rather than trying to navigate weight loss on your own or relying on unproven supplements, you have an experienced PA guiding your care, reviewing your labs, adjusting your plan, and holding you accountable every step of the way. Patients at Mission Wellness & Aesthetics who participate in the medical weight loss program consistently report not just weight loss, but improved energy, better sleep, and a renewed sense of confidence.
If you’re in Jacksonville, NC, Hampstead, NC, or the surrounding southeastern North Carolina region and you’re ready to take a smarter, medically supported approach to weight loss, Mission Wellness is ready to help.
06. What is IV hydration therapy, and what conditions or situations can it help with?
IV hydration therapy — also known as intravenous vitamin drip therapy — involves delivering a customized blend of fluids, electrolytes, vitamins, and nutrients directly into the bloodstream through an IV line. Because the infusion bypasses the digestive system entirely, your body absorbs close to 100% of the nutrients delivered, making IV therapy significantly more effective than oral supplementation for many purposes.
At Mission Wellness & Aesthetics, IV hydration therapy is available both as an in-clinic service at the Hampstead, NC location and as a mobile service that comes to you — in Jacksonville, Hampstead, and now Moore County, NC. This makes it an exceptionally convenient option for patients who may be under the weather, recovering from illness, or simply need a boost without the hassle of coming in.
The conditions and situations that IV therapy can help with are wide-ranging. Many patients turn to IV hydration therapy for relief from dehydration, food poisoning, stomach flu, COVID-19 recovery, and hangovers. Others use it proactively for immune support, athletic performance and recovery, energy enhancement, and overall wellness maintenance. IV drips can be customized with vitamins like vitamin C, B vitamins, magnesium, zinc, glutathione, and other nutrients depending on your individual needs and goals.
Whether you’re a local athlete in Jacksonville or Hampstead who wants to recover faster, someone bouncing back from an illness, or simply someone who wants to feel their best, Mission Wellness & Aesthetics offers safe, medically supervised IV hydration therapy that’s tailored to your body’s needs.
07. What is regenerative medicine, and what sexual wellness treatments does Mission Wellness & Aesthetics provide?
Regenerative medicine is an exciting and rapidly evolving field of healthcare that harnesses the body’s own natural healing mechanisms to restore, rejuvenate, and revitalize damaged or underperforming tissue. At Mission Wellness & Aesthetics, regenerative medicine treatments are available for both cosmetic and sexual wellness purposes — and the results patients experience are often described as genuinely life-changing.
The foundation of most regenerative treatments at Mission Wellness is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) — a concentration of growth factors and healing proteins derived from your own blood through a simple blood draw and centrifugation process. PRP can be applied in several powerful ways:
For skin rejuvenation and aesthetics, PRP is used in Vampire Facial treatments and microneedling sessions, where it’s applied topically or injected into the skin to stimulate collagen production, improve texture and tone, reduce scarring, and promote an overall more youthful, radiant complexion.
For sexual wellness, Mission Wellness offers the P-Shot (Priapus Shot) for men — a PRP injection designed to improve erectile function, enhance sensitivity, and support sexual performance — and the O-Shot (Orgasm Shot) for women, which uses PRP to address issues like low libido, decreased sensitivity, vaginal dryness, discomfort during intimacy, and difficulty achieving orgasm.
In addition to PRP, Mission Wellness also utilizes PRFM (Platelet Rich Fibrin Matrix), often referred to as “liquid gold,” which is an even more concentrated form of PRP with enhanced healing properties.
These treatments are available at both the Jacksonville and Hampstead, NC locations and are ideal for men and women who want to take a proactive, natural approach to sexual health and skin restoration without surgery or synthetic medications.
08. What are medical grade chemical peels, and how are they different from spa peels?
Medical grade chemical peels are a professional-level skin resurfacing treatment that uses carefully formulated chemical solutions to exfoliate the outer layers of damaged or dull skin, revealing fresher, smoother, and more youthful skin underneath. The key word here is “medical grade” — and it’s an important distinction.
The chemical peels offered at Mission Wellness & Aesthetics, including the VI Peel, are significantly stronger and more clinically advanced than the superficial peels you’d find at a standard day spa. Medical grade formulations contain higher concentrations of active ingredients and can penetrate deeper into the skin, which means they’re capable of producing real, visible results for concerns that lighter peels simply can’t address.
Conditions that medical grade chemical peels at Mission Wellness can improve include fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone, sun damage and age spots, active acne and acne scars, enlarged pores, and rough or dull skin texture. The VI Peel, in particular, is a favorite among patients because it’s effective across all skin types and skin tones, requires minimal downtime, and begins working relatively quickly — with peeling typically occurring within 3–7 days post-treatment and final results visible within two weeks.
One of the biggest advantages of receiving a medical grade chemical peel at a provider like Mission Wellness & Aesthetics, rather than a traditional spa, is the oversight of a licensed medical professional. Your provider will assess your skin type, discuss your concerns and expectations, and select the appropriate peel formulation and depth to ensure you achieve the best possible outcome safely. Chemical peels can also be combined with other treatments like Botox, laser services, and PRP facials for a comprehensive skin rejuvenation approach.
09. What massage therapy options are available at Mission Wellness & Aesthetics?
At the Hampstead, NC location, Mission Wellness & Aesthetics offers professional massage therapy services delivered by skilled, licensed massage therapists who understand that no two bodies — and no two clients — are the same. Rather than offering a rigid, one-style-fits-all approach, the massage therapists at Mission Wellness draw from a diverse range of techniques to create a customized session that addresses your specific needs, whether that’s deep muscle tension, stress relief, injury recovery, or pure relaxation.
Massage modalities available at Mission Wellness include Swedish massage for relaxation and circulation, therapeutic massage for addressing chronic tension and muscle dysfunction, hot stone therapy for deep tissue warming and release, cupping therapy for myofascial decompression and circulation, reflexology for targeting pressure points that correspond to specific organs and systems, and prenatal and fertility massage for expectant mothers and those on a fertility journey.
Massage therapy at Mission Wellness is not just a luxury add-on — it’s a meaningful part of a holistic wellness approach. Regular therapeutic massage has been shown to reduce cortisol levels, improve sleep quality, decrease chronic pain, and support the body’s natural healing processes. When combined with other services offered at Mission Wellness — like hormone replacement therapy, IV hydration, or regenerative medicine — massage can serve as a powerful complement to your overall health optimization plan.
If you’re in the Hampstead, NC or Pender County area and looking for an experienced, personalized massage therapy experience in a clean, welcoming clinical environment, the team at Mission Wellness & Aesthetics would love to help you decompress and restore.
10. Does Mission Wellness & Aesthetics offer facials and skin care services, and what can I expect from a treatment?
Yes — Mission Wellness & Aesthetics offers professional facial treatments, lash services, and brow treatments at the Hampstead, NC location, all delivered by a licensed aesthetician who takes the time to assess your skin and customize every service to meet your individual needs and goals.
Facials at Mission Wellness go well beyond the basic cleanse-and-moisturize experience you might expect at a chain salon. Your aesthetician will evaluate your skin type, discuss your primary concerns — whether that’s acne, dryness, hyperpigmentation, aging, or texture issues — and then select the right combination of professional-grade products and techniques to address them. Treatment benefits include skin tightening and firming, stimulation of collagen production, increased cell renewal and turnover, and improved blood flow and circulation for a healthy, radiant glow.
Dermaplaning is also available and has been particularly popular among patients looking for an instantly smoother complexion. By gently removing the top layer of dead skin cells and vellus hair (peach fuzz), dermaplaning creates an exceptionally smooth canvas for makeup application and allows skincare products to penetrate more effectively.
In addition to facials, Mission Wellness also offers professional lash and brow services to help frame and enhance the appearance of your eyes — a detail that can make a significant difference in your overall look without requiring any invasive procedures.
Whether you’re coming in for a monthly maintenance facial, a corrective treatment for a specific skin concern, or a pre-event glow session, the aesthetics team at Mission Wellness & Aesthetics in Hampstead, NC is equipped to deliver real results in a comfortable, professional setting.
11. Who is Amanda Baker, and what qualifications does she bring to Mission Wellness & Aesthetics?
Amanda Baker is the founder and lead provider at Mission Wellness & Aesthetics, and she brings a level of clinical depth and genuine patient dedication that’s not always easy to find in the med spa and wellness space. Amanda is a certified Physician Assistant (PA-C) licensed in North Carolina, with nearly 20 years of experience in the medical field and over a decade of specialized focus in aesthetics, hormone optimization, regenerative medicine, and functional wellness.
Amanda founded Mission Wellness on the firm belief that every patient deserves to feel and look truly optimal — not just “normal for their age.” She recognized that too many people were being told their labs were “fine” or being offered only surface-level solutions to symptoms that were actually rooted in deeper hormonal or metabolic dysfunction. Her approach combines evidence-based medicine with a highly personalized treatment philosophy, meaning she reviews your labs, listens carefully to your symptoms, considers your lifestyle, and then builds a care plan tailored specifically to you.
Patients who’ve worked with Amanda consistently describe her as knowledgeable, thorough, approachable, and genuinely invested in their outcomes. She explains everything clearly, checks in throughout treatments, and never makes patients feel rushed or dismissed. Beyond her clinical expertise, Amanda is also deeply rooted in the coastal North Carolina community — she loves spending time with her family at the beach, exploring the Carolina coast by boat, and being a part of the communities she serves in Jacksonville and Hampstead.
When you come to Mission Wellness & Aesthetics, you’re not seeing a rotating roster of unfamiliar providers — you’re building a long-term relationship with a medical professional who truly cares about your health and your results.
12. Where are the Mission Wellness & Aesthetics locations, and what areas do you serve?
Mission Wellness & Aesthetics currently operates two clinic locations in coastal North Carolina, making it accessible to patients across a wide stretch of southeastern NC:
The Jacksonville, NC location is at 1201 Gum Branch Road, Jacksonville, NC 28540, shared space with Jacksonville Chiropractic. This location serves patients in Onslow County, Camp Lejeune, Swansboro, Richlands, and surrounding communities. You can reach the Jacksonville office by calling or texting (910) 508-4228.
The Hampstead, NC location is at 17117 Hwy 17, Suite A, Hampstead, NC 28443. This location serves patients in Pender County, as well as those traveling from Wilmington, Surf City, Topsail Island, Holly Ridge, and the surrounding areas. The Hampstead office can be reached at (910) 821-5055.
In addition to in-clinic services, Mission Wellness also offers Mobile IV Hydration therapy, which brings the benefits of IV vitamin and hydration drips directly to your home, office, or event location. Mobile IV services are currently available in the Jacksonville area, Hampstead area, and Moore County, NC, making it one of the most convenient ways to access IV therapy in the region.
Appointments can be booked online through the Mission Wellness scheduling portal, or by calling or emailing the office directly at info@missionwellnessnc.com.
13. What payment options and financing does Mission Wellness & Aesthetics accept?
Mission Wellness & Aesthetics strives to make high-quality wellness and aesthetic care accessible to as many patients as possible, and that includes offering a variety of convenient payment options.
The practice accepts cash, and all major credit and debit cards including Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. For patients who want to spread the cost of treatment over time, Mission Wellness also accepts CareCredit — a healthcare financing credit card that offers flexible payment plans, including promotional periods with low or no interest. You can apply for CareCredit directly through the Mission Wellness website using their dedicated QR code or at carecredit.com/go/CTK252.
Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) cards are also accepted, which is worth knowing for patients who’ve set aside pre-tax dollars for qualifying healthcare expenses. Depending on the treatment, some services may be eligible for HSA/FSA reimbursement, so it’s always worth checking with your account administrator.
Additionally, Mission Wellness & Aesthetics offers two financial incentives worth taking advantage of. First, there is a $25 referral credit program — for every new patient you refer who comes in for a service, you earn $25 in clinic credit toward future treatments. There is no cap on how much you can accumulate, making it a genuinely rewarding way to share the benefits of Mission Wellness with the people you care about. Second, active duty military personnel and their spouses receive a 10% discount on all services (excluding products) as a gesture of gratitude for their service.
14. How do I get started at Mission Wellness & Aesthetics, and what should I expect at my first appointment?
Getting started at Mission Wellness & Aesthetics is straightforward, and the team works hard to make sure every new patient feels informed, comfortable, and genuinely cared for from the very first interaction. You can schedule your appointment online through the Mission Wellness booking portal, or by calling or texting either location directly — (910) 508-4228 for Jacksonville or (910) 821-5055 for Hampstead. You can also reach the team by email at info@missionwellnessnc.com.
When you come in for your first visit, you can expect a thorough, unhurried consultation. Whether you’re coming in for an aesthetic service like Botox or laser hair removal, or a wellness treatment like BHRT or IV hydration, your provider will take the time to understand your health history, your current symptoms or concerns, and what you’re hoping to achieve. For hormone-related concerns, a review of your lab work will often be part of the conversation, and the team can help guide you on getting the appropriate bloodwork done if you don’t already have recent results.
There’s no pressure and no one-size-fits-all approach here. The Mission Wellness philosophy centers on education, honest conversation, and building a long-term relationship with each patient. Some people come in knowing exactly what they want; others aren’t sure where to start and need some guidance — both are completely welcome.
Above all, first-time patients consistently walk away remarking on how comfortable, professional, and welcoming the environment feels. With services spanning aesthetics, wellness, regenerative medicine, and everything in between, Mission Wellness & Aesthetics is a one-stop destination for anyone in Jacksonville, Hampstead, or southeastern North Carolina who is ready to invest in looking and feeling their absolute best.