A medical spa is a hybrid between a medical clinic and a day spa that operates under the supervision of a medical director. Medical spa menus vary, but most usually offer medical spa treatments, including laser treatments, laser hair removal, IV therapy, microneedling, injectables like Botox/fillers, chemical peels, skin tightening, skin rejuvenation and body contouring services.
Medical spas tend to have a more clinical atmosphere than day spas. But many also offer relaxing services like facials and massage. Some medical spas have a wellness focus and include services like Lipotropic MIC B12 shots, bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, thyroid treatment and medical weight loss.
Normally the first question to ask is who owns and operates the medical spa? Knowing if the owner is a medical professional and if they will be on site supervising and performing treatments to ensure safety. Sometimes medical directors lend their names to medical spas but have relatively little involvement. Make sure the medical director is on site or easily accessible to handle any complications.
In Arizona, the medical director has to be on site when any laser or radio frequency device is being used. The only exception, in Arizona, for an off-site medical director is for laser hair removal. Other questions to ask include who will be performing the procedure? What is the licensing and training of the person who is actually doing the services? How long have they been doing the procedure? This is especially important with laser hair removal, injectables, hormones, body contouring, radio frequency and any facials.
Some facilities do not carry any license whatsoever, and you can be badly burned, develop an infection, and develop blindness or scars if someone doesn’t know what they’re doing. Knowing that the provider or aesthetician is operating under a license and has had proper training is important. Knowing the facility also operates under licensing and certification boards is important to know someone is monitoring the facility to ensure safety.
In Arizona anyone using a laser or radio frequency must be laser-certified by the Arizona Department of Health Services and Bureau of Radiation Control. The laser technician’s license must be visible during the treatment, similar to a cosmetology license. The license must be renewed yearly.
Additional questions to ask include: What kind of equipment do they use? When did they buy it? Prices for medical spa treatments like laser and skin tightening (or skin rejuvenation) are higher because the equipment is expensive. Research the type of equipment they use for the treatment you’re interested in, because it’s a complex field and the technology is always changing. You really want the most up-to-date, least painful technologies for procedures like skin tightening, radio frequency and laser treatments.
Understanding how the process works in the body is also important. Body contouring can be the most popular service and it’s sometimes confusing. Some body contouring machines “shrink” fat cells similar to what body wraps will accomplish. These services are great for instant results and can be beneficial right before a wedding or event. Unfortunately, these results are not permanent and last 48-72 hours. Once the fat cell rehydrates, the effects will be gone.
Other body contouring procedures using radio frequency at deeper depths or cryotherapy cause the fat cell to rupture and takes 12 weeks to fully flush through the lymph system. When a fat cell ruptures, the results are permanent, similar to liposuction. Understanding the risks associated with radio frequency and cryotherapy is also important.
Some of the most important questions to ask are what will this treatment realistically do for me and what are the risks? Asking for before or after photos of their work is always a good idea. Understanding realistic expectations and deciding if the procedure or treatment is right for you is important for your satisfaction. Also, asking about the risks and how they will be managed ensures the provider or aesthetician understands what can go wrong and know what to do if it does.
One of the most common questions is how many treatments will I need to see results? This is a hard question to answer. People respond differently, and you may get good results from just one treatment or you may be unsatisfied after a series. But ask the provider or aesthetician what the general protocol is – how many treatments you require, frequency, and how to maintain results. The best approach is to identify what is bothering you, then see what the medical spa recommends for treatment. It’s important to know if it’s the best choice for you.
Red flags include no medical director on site, the provider is not trained in the services or the person doing the facial/procedure is not a licensed aesthetician. Other red flags include deep discounts or many negative reviews.
Laws to remember: no one below the training of an RN can administer injectables; aestheticians must be licensed; RNs need a medical director to oversee them; Botox parties are illegal in Arizona; and fillers cannot be administered in a home. Laser technicians must be licensed in Arizona and all laser devices must be registered with Arizona’s Bureau of Radiation Control.
At Maricopa Wellness Center, safety is our number one priority. A medical director is on site and certified in all services offered. They offer some of the latest technology including the Aerolase Neo and Era Lasers, Evolve by InMode body contouring machine, Evoke by InMode facial tightening system and more. The aestheticians are certified and laser-certified in Arizona. The lasers are registered with Arizona’s Bureau of Radiation Control. Maricopa Wellness Center strives for safety and transparency within the aesthetic industry. Call for your free consultation today. LIVE WELL, BE WELL.
(520)464-6193
MaricopaWellnessCenter.com
41600 W. Smith-Enke Road
Building 14, Suite 3
