DMK Enzyme Therapy
By Yana A., certified DMK Paramedical TherapistPublished November 2, 20269 min readYou have probably seen “DMK facial” on a few Chicago treatment menus and wondered what sets it apart. We perform DMK Enzyme Therapy at our Streeterville studio every week, so this guide covers how it works, what a visit looks like and who it suits, including where the evidence is solid and where a claim comes mainly from the brand.
A DMK facial, formally called DMK Enzyme Therapy, is a 120-minute professional treatment that uses an enzyme masque to break down dead skin cells, followed by a home routine and a series of visits. It is the core of the DMK Skin Revision method created by Danné Montague-King. At YA Skin Studio in Chicago, a first visit is $349 and includes a consultation and a free skincare kit.
A DMK facial is a professional skin treatment built around enzymes. Its proper name is DMK Enzyme Therapy, and it sits at the center of DMK Skin Revision, a method that aims to treat the cause of a skin concern instead of only masking it.
The DMK approach follows four steps for every client: remove, rebuild, protect and maintain. In practice that means clearing dead and congested material from the skin, supporting repair, shielding the skin from sun and irritation, and keeping it healthy with the right products at home.
A DMK facial is performed by a trained therapist, and the intensity is chosen for your skin on the day. That is why it is closer to a treatment plan than to a one-off spa visit.
DMK is the professional skincare brand and method developed by Danné Montague-King. The brand describes its work as “paramedical,” meaning it is aimed at skin function and skin concerns rather than relaxation alone. Paramedical is a brand term, not a medical license: DMK therapists are estheticians who complete DMK training, and treatment at our studio is not medical care.
DMK’s own trade coverage describes Enzyme Therapy as its signature treatment; you can read that description in Dermascope’s overview of the DMK method.
Enzymes are proteins that speed up chemical reactions. In skincare, enzyme exfoliants are used to loosen the bonds between dead cells on the surface so they can be removed gently. In DMK Enzyme Therapy, your therapist mixes an enzyme masque with a formulation chosen for your skin and applies it for a set time.
DMK describes several effects beyond exfoliation. According to the brand, the masque creates a “reverse osmosis” effect that helps draw impurities out of the skin, while encouraging circulation, oxygenation and lymphatic drainage, and stimulating collagen. These are DMK’s own descriptions of the mechanism, so we present them as the brand’s claims rather than established findings.
What we can say from our treatment room: the process is methodical, it is not a quick glow, and it works best when it is repeated and supported at home.
People often ask which one they need. They do different jobs, and the right choice depends on your goal and how much time you want to invest. A classic facial, such as our Signature Facial, is a single-visit refresh, while DMK and chemical peels are more targeted.
| DMK Enzyme Therapy | Classic facial | Chemical peel | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main approach | Enzymes, in progressive levels | Cleansing, exfoliation and hydration | Acids chosen for depth and concern |
| Best for | A long-term plan for skin health | A refresh and maintenance | Texture, tone and pigment concerns |
| Visit pattern | A series, with home care | Regular or occasional visits | One treatment or a series, by depth |
| Session at our studio | 120 minutes | Signature Facial: 75 minutes | Varies by peel |
| Starting price at our studio | $349 first visit, $299 recurring | Signature Facial: $197 | See our peels page |
If you want a quick refresh before an event, a classic facial is the better fit. If you want to treat texture or pigment with a defined acid, a chemical peel may suit you. DMK is for people who want a longer plan.
Overwhelmed by the options?
Answer a few quick questions about your skin and goals. Takes about 60 seconds.
DMK Enzyme Therapy is offered in progressive levels. Each level builds on the one before it, and intensity increases as your skin’s tolerance and health improve. Your esthetician decides your level when you arrive, based on your DMK history and how your skin looks that day.
Our DMK page lists these effects of the treatment. Results vary from person to person, and they build across a series of visits:
DMK is described as suitable for all skin types and conditions. For active breakouts specifically, we usually build a plan around an individual acne program, which can include DMK.
This is where honesty matters. Enzyme exfoliation as a category has been studied: a 2025 review of cosmetic enzymes (bromelain, ficin and papain) in Applied Sciences describes enzymatic exfoliation as a gentler alternative to physical or chemical exfoliation, and also notes that the published literature is still limited. You can read the review here.
For the DMK method specifically, most of what has been published, including the “reverse osmosis” and collagen explanations, comes from DMK and its trade coverage. We are not aware of independent clinical trials on the DMK protocol, so treat the mechanism claims accordingly. That does not mean the treatment is ineffective. It means the strongest claims deserve a careful reading, and we would rather tell you where the proof is thin than oversell it. We do not promise specific outcomes.
One more point from dermatology guidance: for peels, the American Academy of Dermatology notes that results depend largely on the skill of the person performing the treatment. The same logic applies to any professional exfoliating treatment, so ask about your provider’s training. Ours is below.
Your first visit is a 120-minute DMK Enzyme Therapy session with a consultation. Based on DMK’s published protocol and how we run it, here is the typical flow:
Your esthetician reviews your history and examines your skin’s texture, color and secretions.
The skin is cleansed, then prepared with DMK products to remove makeup, oil and surface debris.
The masque is mixed with a formulation chosen for your skin and applied for a timed period.
The masque is removed and your skin is finished with products that support repair and protection.
You leave with a home routine and a recommended schedule for your next visits.
First-time clients also receive a free skincare kit valued at $50 to continue care at home.
At YA Skin Studio, your first DMK Enzyme Therapy with consultation is $349 (120 minutes, first-time clients only), and recurring DMK Enzyme Therapy is $299 (120 minutes). A separate 30-minute DMK consultation is $50. Prices can change, so check the DMK Enzyme Therapy page for current pricing and booking.
It may be a good fit if you want a long-term plan for your skin, you are open to a home routine, and you are comfortable building results over several visits.
Another treatment may suit you better if you want a same-day glow (try a facial), you are targeting acne scars or deeper texture (microneedling may be worth a look), or you want a defined acid treatment (a chemical peel).
Not sure? Book a DMK consultation and we will tell you honestly where to start, even if that is not DMK.
Ready to start your DMK plan?
First-time clients: $349 with consultation and a free $50 skincare kit.
A DMK facial, or DMK Enzyme Therapy, is a professional treatment that uses an enzyme masque to break down dead skin cells and support the skin over a series of visits, as part of the DMK Skin Revision method.
No. A chemical peel uses acids to exfoliate the skin. DMK Enzyme Therapy uses enzymes and works in progressive levels alongside a home routine. Both can improve texture, but they work differently and suit different goals.
At YA Skin Studio a DMK Enzyme Therapy session takes 120 minutes. A separate DMK consultation takes 30 minutes.
Results build across a series. Your esthetician sets the level and the pace for your skin at your visit, so there is no single number that fits everyone.
Treatment intensity depends on your level and your skin’s tolerance. Tell your esthetician how you feel during the session so they can adjust.
DMK is described as suitable for all skin types and conditions, and it can be part of an acne plan. We usually build acne care around an individual program, so book a consultation to see what fits.
At YA Skin Studio, a first DMK Enzyme Therapy with consultation is $349 and recurring treatments are $299. First-time clients receive a free skincare kit valued at $50.
Yana A., a certified DMK Paramedical Therapist and the 2021 DMK Paramedical Therapist of the Year, who founded the studio in 2015.
YA Skin Studio, 230 E Ohio St, Suite 112, Chicago, IL 60611, in Streeterville near the Magnificent Mile.
This article is for education and is not medical advice. If you have questions about your skin, contact our experts. They will guide you to the best solution for your skin and needs.
Yana is a certified DMK Paramedical Therapist and was named DMK Paramedical Therapist of the Year in 2021. She founded YA Skin Studio in Chicago in 2015 and previously worked as a nationwide esthetic educator. Meet the team.
