FAQs About a Medical Spa

Sometime in the 1990s, medical spas started opening around the United States, and their popularity has grown into a thriving business model with locations opening up worldwide. These medical clinic-day spa hybrids are increasingly becoming preferred destinations for those looking to pamper themselves while taking advantage of the aesthetic medical services and advanced wellness treatments medical spas have to offer. If you are considering visiting one, here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about medical spas.

What is a medical spa?

Medical spas, or med spas, come in many shapes and sizes. The idea is to combine the benefits of a wellness and aesthetic medical clinic with a traditional day spa. Though some present as more of a clinical environment, others lean toward a day spa feel. The biggest distinction is that medical spas offer more advanced medical and aesthetic treatments performed by doctors and other licensed medical professionals.

Who staffs a medical spa?

Though you will find cosmologists, skin hair care professionals, and other day spa staff, medical spas are largely run by licensed medical staff. Their staff includes physicians, nurses, medical assistants, medical aestheticians, and other healthcare personnel performing procedures requiring a medical license. Med spas are also typically owned and run by a medical doctor, usually a dermatologist or plastic surgeon.

What treatments are available at a medical spa?

Medical spas often offer typical day spa treatments such as facials, massages, and wraps. However, they specialize in more advanced treatments that require medical oversight. Their services go beyond the surface and produce more dramatic results. Examples of typical med spa services include:

• Botox® and dermal filler injections
• Chemical peels
• Laser resurfacing
• Laser and electric body contouring
• Laser hair removal
• Microneedling
• Skin rejuvenation
• Minimally invasive facelift treatments

In addition to the advanced cosmetic procedures medical spas are famous for, many offer sexual wellness services such as hormone therapy or the P or O-shot. Medical weight loss services may also be part of a med spa’s offerings.

What are the advantages of a medical spa?

Along with offering more advanced cosmetic treatments, med spas also address health and wellness issues, such as hormonal health and nutrition. The treatments they provide often last longer and have more of a dramatic impact but still require little to no downtime. Because medical professionals staff these spas, clients benefit from high safety standards and top-of-the-line, medical-grade products.

How do I find the right medical spa?

Talking to family and friends is always a great place to start for those who have never been to a medical spa. Learning about a practice from someone you know and trust is advantageous. Ensure a medical doctor runs the medical spa and that licensed medical staff perform the medical procedures. A great place to learn about local medical spas is by reading online reviews. If a place has a high number of good reviews, this is a positive sign. Above all, people should ensure the practice is skilled in the services they are considering.

How much do medical spa treatments cost?

Med spa prices vary by type and location, like all medical practices and day spas. Also, cost will depend largely on the type and number of services one chooses. In general, because many of the services are medical, prices run higher than a traditional day spa. Also, it is important to remember that health insurance plans do not usually cover cosmetic treatments and may not cover medical spa services. However, some businesses offer discounts and payment plans.