Top Atlanta med spa Secrets
Many people think of a med spa as a type of one-stop shopping for all their personal cosmetic needs. In theory, a med spa - short for medical spa - is a cross between a doctor's office and a day spa, with all procedures carried out under the supervision and authority of a licensed medical doctor. The reality, however, is far from that.
Not all medical spas cater to the same clientele.
If you want to have a facial using the latest French products or a full back massage, then looking in the phone book and finding your nearest med spa is your best bet. If you want anything more invasive, from having a laser hair treatment to trying out the latest chemical peel, it's best to do your homework.
Better Safe than Sorry
Visiting a med spa should be fun, relaxing and productive, and not result in a visit to the emergency room, infection or permanent scarring. While the non-invasive treatments carried out at most med spas have less risk of complication than full-on plastic or cosmetic surgery, serious injury could still occur. Ask these questions before you book an appointment:
Is there a doctor in the house? Med spa regulations vary from state to state. While medical treatments are, in theory, supposed to be carried out only with full medical supervision, often the doctor is not even on-site, let alone in the same room. And in some cases, unlicensed personnel with only the most rudimentary training in a specific procedure will be working on you. Make sure there is a licensed full-time medical director and nurse on-site - preferably in the room with you, or at least in a supervisory position overseeing qualified medical personnel. It's advised that the doctor be either a licensed plastic surgeon or member of an affiliate group such as the American Society of Aesthetic Medicine.
Is staff experienced in specific procedures? A med spa may have ten years of experience overall - but only two weeks' experience in the procedure you want to have carried out. Find out who your practitioner will be and ask how many times he or she has carried out the specific procedure you want - in the last year, month and week. Find out how often serious side effects occur - this should happen with less than one percent of the treatments provided. Finally, check credentials and ask about training and background. If staff appear insulted by your questions, go somewhere else.
Is the consultation up to standard? It's no use visiting a med spa where personnel are condescending to their questions and clients are either brushed off or not allowed. Real med spas encourage their patients to ask as many questions as they need to until they feel entirely comfortable, and will give them up-to-date information to take home and leaf through in private. Consultations should be one-on-one with a medical professional, not a secretary, and should leave you feeling satisfied with the outcome, not uncomfortable or confused.
What is the equipment like? The equipment should not only be up-to-date, sterile and well-maintained, but there should be the right choice available for different skin types - different types of FDA-approved lasers. There also be resuscitation equipment on hand, especially if the spa offers procedures such as varicose vein removal and deep chemical peels. The equipment should not only be clean but the entire facility should be hygienic, with proper hand-sterilizing facilities available for both guests and personnel. You can't afford to invest in them if the facility can not afford to invest in quality equipment.
Are clients satisfied overall? Find out if patients return for repeat visits because they are so satisfied with the med spa's reputation and practice, or if they vow never to come back again. Some med spas draw people in with seemingly cheap prices, but for some reason nobody ever returns. Find out why. Ask if the med spa can provide contact details of satisfied patients if you are interested in one specific procedure. A confident doctor would not mind doing this - or will have patients contact you.
Is the price? Beware the bogus scams. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is - and if the price is way out of your reach, what's the point? Med spa websites that make impossible promises or offer prices that are significantly cheaper than other places in the same area are usually not to be trusted. And remember, over-eager med spa personnel who want to sell you a series of treatments usually don't have your best interest at heart (unless you're impossibly ugly, that is). Their main goal is to make money.
Do's and Do n'ts in Choosing the Right Med Spa
Now that you know the basics, you may think it's all plain sailing from here on in. Many people still get roped in by unbelievable promises, and make decisions they later regret. Here are a few do's and do n'ts to follow, to make sure you get the best treatment at the right price ...
DO take your time in finding a med spa that's right for you, where you feel comfortable, and where the staff are fully trained, certified and licensed. Time spent now will save you hours rectifying mistakes later.
DON'T go for the lowest-price option. That usually means something fishy is going on if a price is way too low. You're talking about your body, not just buying a new dress or fancy pair of shoes. You really can't afford to risk your health, can you?
DO make sure the clinic or facility in question is devoted to med-spa procedures and aesthetics in general. You don't want to be seen by a chiropractor who is making a bit of money on the side by running a third-rate med spa. Or by a proctologist with no training in dermatology who is making money by doing facial skin procedures.
DON'T be embarrassed to leave if something doesn't feel right. Often, our gut instinct is all we have. Rely on it. There's probably a damn good reason if something seems more than a little suspicious or a bit out of kilter. Go with your intuition and go somewhere else.
DO make sure that all medical procedures are performed by medical personnel, not unlicensed or non-medical staff. Check state laws to see if procedures such as giving injections and doing deep chemical peels must be preformed by a doctor, or if nursing staff can carry them out under a doctor's supervision. And if you see an untrained secretary giving injections or doing a chemical peel, don't be afraid to report them. You may be doing someone else in future a big, big favor.
DON'T go to someone's home, a hotel room or a temporary rented space for a medically related treatment. You would never have your tonsils taken out on your doctor's kitchen table, would you? Similarly, be wary of locations in shopping mails or adjacent to nail salons that are outside a proper medical facility. Even if they are legit, there may be no resources available if something goes horribly wrong. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons as well as the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery recommends only visiting a med spa located within a physician's office.
Choosing the right med spa, in the vast majority of cases, is a bit trickier than choosing the right place to have a haircut - and the consequences of choosing the wrong one can be much more dire than a broken fingernail. Do your homework carefully and make sure you make the right choice. Your health, safety and permanent appearance may depend on the choices you make.
A med spa is a unique animal, a hybrid between a day spa, beauty salon and doctor's office. The idea, at least in theory, is to provide a comfortable, non-clinical setting where clients can relax and enjoy both non-medical and medical treatments without feeling they are in a clinic or hospital. From a back massage to Botox injections to laser hair removal, you can have a variety of treatments designed to make you look younger and/or feel better carried out under one roof.
It's important to know which medical spa is right for you.
Med spas are designed to be relaxing, informal places offering a variety of procedures, both invasive and non-invasive. But if you intend to have anything carried out that is more medically oriented than a manicure, light facial or reflexology foot massage, make sure a doctor is on-site, and that a licensed medical professional is performing your treatment.
Med spas "may offer traditional, complimentary, and alternative health practices and treatments in a spa-like setting," the National Coalition of Estheticians, Manufacturers/Distributors and Associations states. They must always "operate under the on-site supervision of a licensed health care professional operating within their scope of practice, with a staff that operates within their scope of practice as defined by their individual licensing board if licensure is required."
So if you are interested in visiting a med spa, do your homework first. While the experience is meant to be pleasurable with fantastic results, your health and safety should always be paramount.
Then don a fluffy robe and a pair of flip-flops, tie your hair back and expect to be pampered ...
Spa Treatments (Non-Invasive).
Med spas offer all sorts of non-invasive treatments, ranging from run-of-the-mill facials to New Age alternative therapies such as iridology and Satvik Energy Healing. Most can be enjoyable and relaxing, as long as they are not used as a substitute for conventional medicine. Among the most popular ones are:.
Facials. Many types of non-invasive facial treatments are on offer, the choice is up to the med spa. From lightening and tightening to deep cleansing and facial massage, there is literally something for everyone.
Peels. Light chemical peels can be carried out by licensed staff, a deeper chemical peel should only be done under the strict supervision of a doctor. They exfoliate the outer layer of the skin to reveal newer, more blemish-free skin underneath.
Waxing. Med spas offer a variety of hair removal techniques, with waxing being perhaps the least time-consuming and cheapest - but with only temporary results. Some people say that regular waxing makes their hair grow in less coarse and more sparse.
Tinting. Eyebrow and lash tinting, or a combination of the two. Make sure you have a consultation with the therapist beforehand, as well as an allergy test at least two days before you go for the tint.
Massage. From Thai massage, deep tissue massage, shiatsu and Reiki, there is a therapy to suit most needs, tastes and even desires. How about a hot stone massage, where - surprise - hot stones are placed on your back to encourage the blood to circulate better, and the lymphatic drainage system to empty? There's even a spa in Israel that tempts clients with a snake massage, where the little reptiles are set loose to crawl all over your skin ...
Medical Treatments (Invasive).
It's recommended that these treatments be administered by a dermatologist or doctor, not just any old aesthetician. Ask before you go to make sure you have only the most qualified people treating you. As regulations vary from state to state, your safety really is in your own hands. Insist on the best and don't be fobbed off - would you want a receptionist giving you injections to plump up your buttocks?
Injections. Botox injections are arguably the most popular invasive treatments a med spa can offer. The Botulinum toxin poison, which is FDA-approved, works by relaxing - read paralyzing - the facial muscles to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles.
Dermal Fillers. Whether you want Restylane, Juviderm, Radiesse, Sculptra, collagen or other fillers, they can perform a plethora of miracles, from giving your lips that Angelina Jolie look to filling in crow's feet and smoker's lines on the face. Can even be used on the hands (ouch!).
Dental. Med spas often offer a variety of cosmetic dental treatment, including teeth whitening, straightening and realignment.
Dermatology. Medical procedures such as wart, mole and scar removals can be carried out at med spas, along with specific acne treatments and deep chemical peels, facials etc. Many also do tattoo removals these days, with excellent results in most cases.
Laser Hair Removal. An intense beam of pulsed light passes through the hair, and the heat destroys it at the follicle point. The choice is up to you: you can have hair removed from your legs, face, bikini area, tummy, underarm area, back or even neck. Suitable for both men and women.
Laser Skin Treatments. Kind of like a chemical peel with laser light used to penetrate the top layer of the skin instead of chemicals. It falls away, revealing newer, more unblemished skin underneath. Ebrium and Fraxel lasers are some of the most popular on the market today.
Photo Rejuvenation. These treatments are suitable for those with specific skin issues such as age wrinkles, blemishes and spots. A combination of heat and pulsed light therapy helps remove the worst of the culprits, and make the rest appear less noticeable through promoting collagen production in the skin.
Vascular Treatments. From sclerotherapy to laser treatment, including getting rid of spider veins on the face, legs, ankles and other parts of the body. Can also get rid of skin tags and hemangiomas.
Visiting a med spa is meant to be a positive experience, not one that will leave you with serious injury or permanent scarring. They can be a fantastic place to have more info a non-invasive treatment carried out, but often a doctor's office or hospital is best for something more invasive. Use common sense, and speak with your own doctor.
Before you visit any med spa ensure that a physician will be overseeing the facility, and that he or she is always on-site. Make sure staff are qualified and licensed, that the equipment is state-of-the-art and up-to-date, and that staff are properly trained to use it correctly. Find out what you're getting into before you visit any spa, and do your research carefully. Good luck!
In theory, a med spa - short for medical spa - is a cross between a doctor's office and a day spa, with all procedures carried out under the supervision and authority of a licensed medical doctor. In theory, a med spa - short for medical spa - is a cross between a doctor's office and a day spa, with all procedures carried out under the supervision and authority of a licensed medical doctor. Here are a few do's and do n'ts to follow, to make sure you get the best treatment at the right price ...
DO take your time in finding a med spa that's right for you, where you feel comfortable, and where the staff are fully trained, certified and licensed. A med spa is a unique animal, a hybrid between a day spa, beauty salon and doctor's office. Medical procedures such as mole, wart and scar removals can be carried out at med spas, along with specific acne treatments and deep chemical peels, facials etc.