In 2019, Megan Vernon was lying flat on her bed staring at the ceiling, replaying every decision that had led her there.
After years of earning degrees — an MBA, MSc, BA, and CME — the thought of returning to school was the last thing on her mind. Yet, despite her qualifications, she struggled to find a job, and she was starting to lose hope.
That was until she decided to pray.
The answer she received wasn’t what she expected.
Megan, I am not giving you a job because I need you to start your own business.
This calling reminded her of an experience that had stayed with her. Vernon once asked for a chemical peel treatment and instead of receiving it, she got rejected because of her darker complexion. Her skin — rich in melanin — was considered too high risk. It made certain procedures “unsafe.”
Melanin, the pigment that gives skin, hair and eyes their colour, exists in everyone. The more the body produces, the darker the tone. Back in 1975, the dermatology world introduced the Fitzpatrick scale — a classification system for skin types — where darker complexions sit at the higher end. Historically, many aesthetic treatments were designed and tested with lighter skin tones in mind, excluding those with melanin-rich skin.
But science evolved and Vernon adapted.
As technology advanced, she recognized that safe, effective treatments for darker skin were not only possible but necessary. She created a medical spa experience designed for people with melanin-rich skin. That spa has earned positive recognition, including the Health & Wellness Award at the Her Legacy Awards, presented by When African Women Talk (WAWT).
Her studio offers services such as laser hair removal, hyperpigmentation treatments and care for scars and stretch marks. Each service is delivered with equipment and protocols that prioritize safety across all skin types.
Vernon now mentors aspiring aestheticians and entrepreneurs, encouraging those who have experienced rejection. “Continue to believe in yourself, pushing boundaries even when people say no, it is your dream and it is for you to execute,” she tells them. She pursued her own vision despite being constantly warned about how niche her concept was. Even her choice of name was questioned.
“Melanin welcomes everyone — we all have melanin in our bodies,” she says. “That is the message I am trying to convey with its name.”
And there is one final lesson she wants to leave everyone with: Wear sunscreen. Regardless of your melanin level, skin health starts with protection.
If you think the winter sun can’t touch you, think again. As Vernon says, “If you can see the sun, the sun can see you.”
Melanin Studio
Highlands | 11503 66 St NW, Edmonton | themelaninstudio.com
