What a difference a few years make.

If you had asked surgeon Dr. Choon Kia Yeo about his business when he opened Honolulu MedSpa (formerly named Honolulu Laser Center and Spa) eight years ago, he would have said he was in the business of medical esthetics.

Today, he says, quite happily, that he sells happiness.

This turnabout came with the responses of clientele over the past year, a number that has grown just because people like what they see when they look at others who have dropped in for MedSpa's procedures.

Now those who have been curious about procedures designed to remove unwanted hair and improve their skin's texture and appearance have the opportunity to ask questions, see demonstrations and receive discounts on popular procedures during MedSpa Week running Monday through Aug. 22.

Four treatments will be highlighted during the week:

» Laser hair removal under the arms and facial areas: 50 percent discount.

» AFT Photofacial for sun damage: Pulsed light therapy for improving uneven pigmentation, removing age spots and brightening dull complexions. Costs $200, discounted from $250.

» InstaLift Oxygen Facial: For line reduction and glowing skin. Costs $85, off regular price of $140.

» Ultimate Hydrafacial: For deep cleansing and softer, smoother skin. Costs $99, off regular price of $185.

Seminars to be featured cover topics such as graceful aging (5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday), painless laser hair removal (5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday), Botox and dermal fillers (12:30 to 2 p.m. Wednesday) and oxygen and skin care (5:30 to 7 p.m. next Thursday).

Call 528-0888 for treatment and seminar reservations. On Monday, visitors can buy anti-aging skin-care products from such respected cosmeceutical brands as Skin Medica, IS Clinical and SkinCeuticals, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., at a “;buy one, get the second half off”; discount.

Yeo's knowledge of the limitations and pitfalls of surgery, plus an eye on Hawaii's aging demographic, led him to open the MedSpa to help individuals improve their appearance through non-invasive means. He said business leaders and CEOs were among the first to use the MedSpa's services.

“;You know why? Because they're the face of their company and when they speak to their employees, they don't want to look like they're frowning at them. Then the employees get scared.”;

Not to mention stockholders, who might read a glum countenance as a sign of bad news.

Before starting the business, Yeo had looked in the mirror himself and knew that people feel better when they think they look good. Even so, he doesn't believe in the drastic changes sometimes seen with cosmetic surgery and heavy doses of Botox.

“;If you change too much, you're not you anymore,”; he said. “;You don't want people to look at you and say, 'Whoa, what did you have done?' You want them to say, 'Wow, you look great!'”;

The aim at Honolulu MedSpa is to have people walk out the door looking as if they've just returned from a relaxing vacation.

“;People leave feeling happy, and that's what I want to see,”; Yeo said.