What is a MedSpa?

Popular MedSpas Services

Some top services offered at medical spas include, but are not limited to:

• IPL photo facial-pulsed light
• Injectable wrinkle relaxers like Botox®
• Body contouring/Body sculpting like Kybella® and CoolSculpting®
• Skin tightening
• Medical weight loss
• Tattoo removal
• Laser skin resurfacing
• Chemical peels
• Injectable dermal fillers like Bellafill®
• MiraDry sweat reduction
• Laser hair removal
• Microdermabrasion
• Cellulite removal
• Laser Vein Removal
• Dermaplaning
• Hormone replacement
• Halo® hybrid fractional laser skin treatment
• Visia® scan for skin analysis
• PRP (platelet-rich plasma) breast booster
• Microblading for eyebrows
• Microneedling 
• Teeth whitening
• PicoFocus Laser pigment reduction
• Lash lifts
• Lash extensions
• BroadBand light technology for improving skin complexion
• Power peel for melasma

Are MedSpas Safe?

All procedures are non-invasive or minimally invasive, and most offer a high degree of safety and effectiveness. However, ‌evaluate the risks and benefits before committing to a treatment.

Below, we will discuss some of the most popular MedSpa services: their use, benefits, and risks.

Botox® and Other Injectable Wrinkle Relaxers

Injectable Wrinkle Relaxers, such as Botox, target the superficial facial muscles responsible for causing wrinkles. 

These injectables prevent muscles from contracting, reducing the appearance and preventing future wrinkle formation.

The most common injectable wrinkle relaxers include: 

• Botox®
• Dysport®
• Jeuveau®
• Xeomin®

Risks of injectable Wrinkle Relaxers

• Bruising, swelling, or infection at the injection site
• Treated areas may droop or become crooked

Body Contouring Techniques: CoolSculpting® and SculptSure® 

These are non-surgical fat reduction techniques to sculpt your body. These involve non-invasive or minimally invasive treatments that help the breakdown of fat under the surface of the skin. 

Popular FDA-approved body sculpting techniques offered at MedSpas may include:

• Cryolipolysis: It involves using a device to apply extreme cooling to the skin surface, which breaks down underlying fat. 
• Laser Treatment: It applies heat to the skin surface to break down fat cells. 
• Injectables: a naturally occurring substance, deoxycholic acid, is injected into the targeted fat pocket. It is mainly used to reduce the appearance of a double chin.
• Ultrasound treatment: In the treatment, sonic waves are used to break down fat cells under the skin.

Some well-known non-surgical fat reduction techniques include: 

• CoolSculpting
• SculpSure
• Kybella

Body Contouring Risks

Risks for body contouring treatments are uncommon but may occur. Side effects may include:

• Scarring
• Infection
• Itching
• Swelling

Chemical Peels

A chemical peel is a skin resurfacing procedure where a chemical solution is applied to gently remove the outermost, damaged layers of the skin.

Chemical peels can ease various skin concerns, including

• Precancerous-like growths
• Wrinkles
• Fine lines
• Scars
• Acne marks
• Skin discoloration

Chemical peel treatments are entirely customizable based on the needs of each patient.

MedSpas typically offer light, medium, or deep peels, resurfacing the most superficial to the deeper layers of the skin. Treatment results in improved skin tone and texture.

Chemical Peel Risks

• Hyperpigmentation
• Scarring
• Burning
• Infection

Laser Skin Resurfacing

A skilled practitioner utilizes a laser device to reduce common skin concerns, such as wrinkles, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, scars, and uneven skin tone. 

There are two types of laser treatments:

• Ablative: the laser gently removes the top layers of the skin. 
• Non-ablative: the laser heats the deep underlying tissue to produce new collagen.

Both lasers produce a more youthful appearance by reducing visible signs of aging. However, ablative lasers possess a higher degree of risk and a more lengthy recovery time than non-ablative lasers.

Laser Skin Resurfacing Risks

• Scarring
• Skin discoloration
• Slight burns
• Swelling
• Infection

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is an FDA-approved skin rejuvenation procedure that uses a medical device to exfoliate the skin. 

Common types of microdermabrasion include

• Diamond Glow Microdermabrasion: Top layers of the skin are gently exfoliated using a device with a diamond-mantled tip. This 3-in-1 treatment simultaneously exfoliates, extracts, and infuses the skin with a custom skin-enhancing serum.
• Crystal Microdermabrasion: Sprays super-fine crystals on the skin, which gently exfoliate the skin. A spraying device then suctioned dead skin cells and crystals off. This procedure stimulates collagen production and blood flow to the skin. 
• Hydradermabrasion: A three-step process that infuses the skin with hydrating serums after exfoliation.

Microdermabrasion can reduce various common skin concerns, such as

• Wrinkles and fine lines
• Acne and acne scars
• Large pore size
• Age spots
• Melasma
• Uneven skin texture

The effect of microdermabrasion can be noticed immediately after treatment.

Microdermabrasion Risks

• Swelling
• Redness
• Itching
• Tingling sensation at the site of treatment

Who Performs Treatments at Medical Spas?

All treatments are performed under the supervision of a licensed physician. Complex medical procedures are usually performed by the physicians themselves.

Other less complex medical procedures may be administered by experienced nurses, nurse practitioners, or physician assistants.

Non-medical procedures are commonly performed by licensed aestheticians trained in medical aesthetics.

MedSpa vs. Regular Spa

The word ‘Spa’ may cause one to think that a medical spa is a type of day spa you go to for a regular facial. But there are some critical differences between the two.

MedSpa vs. Plastic Surgery Clinic

A plastic surgery clinic often encounters patients with burns, injuries, damaged tissue, or other illnesses. All procedures are usually provided by a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Treatment at Medical Spas may be provided by a plastic surgeon, physician, nurse, or aesthetician.

The primary difference between the two practices is the invasiveness of cosmetic treatments.

Most treatments at Medical Spas range from non-invasive to minimally invasive. Plastic surgery clinics offer both non-surgical and surgical treatment options.

MedSpa vs. Dermatologist

If you have a skin condition and are deciding if you should go to a MedSpa or a dermatologist, then you need to know the difference between the two.

A dermatologist is a licensed skin doctor who can take your comprehensive health exam, perform a diagnosis, and prescribe medicines.

This is not possible at a Medical Spa unless the treatment you are undergoing is performed by a board-certified physician and your health condition warrants it.

Less complicated procedures at a MedSpa, like facials and peels, can be performed by a trained aesthetician who is not a doctor.

Comparison: MedSpa vs. Plastic Surgery Clinic vs. Dermatology Clinic vs. Regular Spa

Average Cost of Top MedSpa Treatments

Costs vary depending on the severity of the problem, brand, location, and the experience of the treating physician.

Additional costs may include anesthesia, blood tests, and medication. The number of sessions depends on the severity of the condition or the size of the area being treated.

Are MedSpa Services Covered by Insurance?

Since treatments performed at Medical Spas are cosmetic, insurance does not cover them. However, many Medical Spas offer flexible payment options.

Finding the Best Medical Spa Near You

With so many regular spas masquerading as medical spas, it is vital to know the criteria when choosing the best MedSpa near you.

Most medical spa procedures are medical-grade and could require injections or minor invasiveness. Choosing a medical spa near you that is safe, genuine, and high-quality is essential.

Preferably, choose a medical spa that:

• Is operated by a board-certified physician
• Requires a preliminary consultation with an expert provider for a complete evaluation before treatment
• Has experts explain the risks and benefits of the procedures and understand your expectations
• Is preferably within or adjacent to the doctor’s clinic or office
• Is well-staffed with experienced physician assistants, registered nurses, and aestheticians
• Has aestheticians that are adequately trained in medical aesthetics
• Is clean, safe, and medically and legally compliant
• Has an on-site physician full-time
• Has a relaxing atmosphere with most luxuries offered by a day spa
• Is preferably operated by a specialist like a plastic surgeon or a dermatologist

Is a Medical License Needed to Own a MedSpa?

The requirements vary state-wise. Most often, the state requires that the medical spa should be operated by a qualified board-certified physician.

However, in some states, non-physicians can own a medical spa, provided it is managed and supervised by a full-time on-site qualified physician.