Medical spas, also known as med-spas, are up-and-coming centers
focused on getting clinical beauty procedures done while relaxing at the same
time.
With people getting busier every day,
why not combine a visit to the doctor’s office with some self-pampering all
into one day? At med-spas, the
traditional spa treatments such as massages and body treatments are offered. In
addition to this, medical treatments such as Botox, laser hair removal,
chemical peels or skin rejuvenation can be done at med-spas as well. At some
higher-end med-spas, services such as acupuncture, nutritional and naturopathy
counseling, and other doctor consultations are offered.
Because med-spas are a fusion between
relaxation spas and medical clinics, the atmosphere at a med-spa can seem
relatively more medical than at a regular day spa. Of course, on the other end
of the spectrum, it is much more comfortable for the client to visit a med-spa
than a doctor’s clinic because of the additionalspa treatments given.
Treated
by doctors?
There has been some controversy about
med-spas since its creation. While the med-spa must always be supported by a
medical doctor, this does not necessarily mean that he will always be offering
his consultation at the spa. In many cases, doctors have little involvement in
the med-spas they support. It is also important to note that the doctor backing
this enterprise could know nothing of the medicaltreatments provided, as doctors signing on to medical spas can come from
any specialty, not just cosmetics.
Unlicensed
Aestheticians and a Profit-oriented Business
In some states in the US, licenses
aren’t required to perform the medical treatments. This can result in more harm
than help, so it is essential to inquire about the med-spa’s staff before
participating in the treatments. Having uncertified employees could result in
the burning of skin if dealing with pigmentation issues or laser hair removal
treatments, so fully research the med-spa beforehand.
One example of treatments gone awry is
temporary paralysis from Botox. The aesthetician, who is
responsible for the procedures, may inject too much Botox into body, thereby
causing paralysis.
Another concern to keep in mind when
going to med-spas is the number of treatments you need to receive. When doing
laser hair removal or getting rid of discoloration, some med-spas claim to take
more sessions than necessary to complete the task at hand. Of course, laser
treatments do take several sessions to fully succeed, but many med-spas tend to
extend these sessions to earn more profits.
Research,
research, research!
One way to combat the risks of
procedures-gone-wrong is to fully investigate the med-spa in advance. A doctor
should always be at the spa, and make sure that the aesthetician is licensed.
If you experience any discomfort during or after the procedure, contact the spa
center or a doctor immediately. When looking for a medical procedure, be sure
to know the approximate length it takes to complete it, as this can help avoid fraudulent
behavior on the part of the spa. Being knowledgeable about the procedure can
also help prepare you for unforeseen complications about the procedure, so it’s
always best to know some facts beforehand!
