How a Medical Spa Differs From a Traditional Day Spa

Those looking to enhance their appearance and wellness have more options than ever before. Since the early 1990s, when medical spas began emerging throughout the United States, their popularity has increased. So, what is a medical spa, and is it like a traditional day spa? For those wondering where to go for their next spa experience, here is how they compare.

Overview of a Day Spa

Traditional day spas are what most people think of when they hear the word spa. Here, the focus is relaxation and pampering through services such as massages, facials, body wraps, manicures, and pedicures. Some day spas may offer waxes, eyelash extensions, and hair and makeup services. At traditional day spas, staff offer services focused on personal care and non-invasive beauty treatments.

Overview of a Medical Spa

Medical Spas, also known as med spas, may offer many of the same services as traditional day spas, but medical spas also offer medical-grade treatments and procedures, such as injectables, laser hair removal, and medical-grade facials. Med spas also have medical staff on-site, such as licensed physicians, registered nurses, and medical aestheticians. Offerings may even include wellness services such as sexual health procedures and medical weight loss.

Key differences

Both are excellent destinations for those looking to look and feel more beautiful. However, understanding their key differences will help determine where a patient should go.

Staffing

Perhaps the most distinct difference between these businesses is who staffs them. Cosmetologists, massage therapists, and estheticians are usually at traditional day spas. These professionals may also work at medical spas and licensed medical professionals, such as nurses and physicians. In addition, medical spas are typically run and owned by a licensed medical doctor, usually a plastic surgeon or dermatologist. The medical staff performs or oversees the more advanced and medically related procedures.

Equipment

Traditional day and medical spas will likely have some of the same equipment. These include massage tables, tools and equipment for performing facials, steamers, and supplies and equipment for doing nail, hair, and body care. In addition, medical spas are supplied with equipment for dermal fillers/Botox®, laser treatments, and other medical-grade supplies and equipment intended for aesthetic treatments.

Treatments

Though medical spas will offer a few of the same services as traditional day spas, their main focus is more advanced treatments and procedures. The treatments found at these practices require medical skill and typically produce more dramatic results. Therefore, medical spa treatments are usually more expensive than day spa treatments. Here is a look at common procedures you will find at a medical spa that traditional day spas do not offer:

• Botox® and dermal fillers. These are among the most popular and well-known procedures for temporarily reducing wrinkles and other signs of aging.
• Laser treatments. Medical spas use laser treatments for hair removal and for treating signs of aging in the skin.
• Body contouring. Includes various treatments used to shape and tone certain areas of the body, such as the belly, thighs, and buttocks.
• Chemical peels. Because the chemical peels performed at medical spas are done under medical supervision, formulas are typically stronger, producing more dramatic results.
• Microdermabrasion and microneedeling. Minimally invasive procedures aimed at improving skin tone and texture and reducing the signs of aging and the appearance of some scars.

This is not meant to be an exhaustive list of medical spa offerings, and each practice has its own set of services.