What Is a Medical Spa and What Can It Do for Your Health?

Should you visit a medical spa or a regular one? Is there even a difference? Well, since we’re crafting an entire guide on the topic, there most definitely is.

There are numerous rigorous requirements for the opening of a medical spa. Because these facilities are considered medical practices, they’re subjected to serious scrutiny in terms of treatment and service provision. 

You can rest assured that properly trained and qualified professionals work there. Also, patients get access to spa treatments and medical procedures that simply aren’t available in their typical day spa.

What Is a Medical Spa and How Is It Different from a Day Spa?

A medical spa differs from a day spa in that it gives clients access to the services of a licensed medical physician or even a plastic surgeon. Requirements for the licensed physician’s medical background vary by state, but most often, medical spas are opened by dermatologists.

So essentially, you get the pampering and relaxing experience you’d enjoy at a typical day spa, combined with some of the niche procedures that will only be available in a doctor’s office. It’s a win-win situation, especially if you’re serious about addressing a problem that you have or getting the most precisely tailored anti-aging therapies.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. At a medical spa, you can enjoy a whole lot more, including

medical treatments. Laser treatments, tattoo removals, acne treatments, stretch mark therapies, cellulite reduction, and even tailored protocols for addressing issues like sexual dysfunction will often be available at a medical spa.

Medical Spa Treatments: Biggest Benefits

Some of the medical spa advantages are obvious, but there’s a whole host of amazing perks you’ll get to enjoy by visiting such a facility:

• Supervision by a trained medical professional: even if you’re going for a simple procedure, it’s still a good idea to have a medical professional with the right amount of training on board during the process. This way, you’ll be recommended an approach that’s bound to give you the best outcome, and you’ll also benefit from the experience/know-how of the spa staff.
• Access to cutting-edge technology: as already mentioned, medical spas often offer cosmetic treatments that aren’t available in regular aesthetic centers. To do so, such facilities will often invest in cutting-edge technology and some of the most innovative solutions on the market.
• Innovative treatments and products: The world of aesthetic procedures is rapidly evolving. Procedures that used to be invasive are now being offered without the need to go under the scalpel. A non-surgical facelift is now one of the most sought-after medical spa services due to its effectiveness and minimal downtime.
• Not just focused on aesthetics: a day spa gives you access to facials, anti-aging treatments, and other pampering options aimed at improving your appearance. You’ll get these options at a medical spa and then some more. Very often, medical spas offer specialized treatments developed to address specific health issues. Some of the options include varicose vein treatments, relieving pain from injury or trauma, effective weight loss, and erectile dysfunction solutions.
• Relaxing atmosphere: going to the doctor’s office isn’t the most peaceful or relaxing experience. A medical spa offers an alternative. You’ll immerse yourself in a luxurious, Zen environment that will help you overcome everyday stress and get your batteries recharged.

Some of the Most Common Medical Spa Therapies

To decide if a medical spa is the right choice for you, it’s a good idea to learn a bit more about the therapies and pampering treatments you’ll get access to when visiting such a facility.

Needless to say, each medical spa has its strengths and areas of specialization. Some procedures, however, are common to most med spas. 

Chemical Peels

Some reports suggest that chemical peels rank among the most popular procedures in a med spa. The procedure offered at a medical spa involves high concentrations of the active ingredient, and as such, it can only be offered by a trained medical professional.

A chemical peel uses a chemical solution to exfoliate the top layer of the skin. The result is a more radiant, youthful appearance. The prominence of dark spots and scars can also be reduced.

Botox and Filler Injections

Only a qualified medical professional can administer Botox injections (after a comprehensive consultation). Botox and dermal fillers are so popular that they don’t need additional explanation, do they?

Injectables are one of the most effective ways to reduce wrinkles and deep lines. For a long time, Botox has been one of the most demanded procedures on the cosmetic market, and with each passing year, its popularity continues to increase.

LED and Laser Procedures

LED and laser therapies can rejuvenate the skin and address certain skin conditions. These treatments are often considered a good choice for acne and acne scars, skin rejuvenation, and hair removal. Laser hair removal delivers some of the most long-lasting and satisfactory results out of all procedures.

Microneedling

Small, sterile needles are used to create micro-tears in the skin. The punctures push the skin to trigger its wound-healing response. This way, cell turnover is increased, and microneedling can have a pronounced anti-age effect. Dermatologists recommend getting microneedling sessions once per month for plumper, more radiant skin.

Fat Reduction and Body Sculpting

Non-surgical fat removal is a thing, just like non-surgical facelifts. FDA-approved procedures and technologies are employed at the med spa to target fat cells and get them to break down. Because non-surgical fat removal is so popular, several different innovative approaches to getting the result have already been developed.

Final Verdict

A medical spa is a place you can visit if you want to turn back the hands of time, enhance your appearance or address a specific medical problem that’s been affecting you for a long time.

One thing you need to understand, however, is that medical spas aren’t created equal.

Just because you’re getting solutions from a trained medical professional doesn’t mean you’ll get an amazing result every single time. You need to check the reputation of a medical spa in advance. Also, making sure that the staff has enough experience with the procedure that you’re interested in will be important.

There’s one more thing you need to remember when visiting a med spa, and that’s to have fun. The aim of these places is to help you relax and get pampered. If you have a hectic routine, a visit to the med spa could be the one way to escape everyday reality and have a wholesome experience focused on you and nobody else.