Some background

Dermatologist Bruce Katz, M.D., founded the first medical spa in 1999. Today, according to the International Medical Spa Association, there are 2,000 to 2,500 medical spas around the country.

You’ll find medical spas called by many names, according to Prevention. These include “medispa, med-spa, laser clinic or laser center.”

Dangerous complications

The biggest and scariest problem with medical spas is that “…you can have untrained people doing procedures without proper supervision in unsafe settings,” Los Angeles cosmetic surgeon Michael McGuire, M.D., tells Prevention. He adds, “I’ve seen some pretty god-awful-looking results.”

Such results can bring irreversible, harmful consequences. These are several incidents that’ve made the news.

• One woman who went in for laser hair removal at a medical spa experienced second-degree burns. Turns out that the person who performed her laser procedure was a cosmetologist, and the medical spa was associated with a dentist.
• After going to a medical spa to have sun spots removed, a Florida woman suffered second- and third-degree burns on her back.
• In preparing for laser hair removal, a laser and skin clinic sold a college student numbing gel to apply before the procedure. After covering herself in this gel, the student had a seizure, fell into a coma and passed away eight days later.

In addition, according to the doctors she interviewed for her article in Marie Claire, Jenny Bailly noted that others have experienced “seared flesh, droopy eyelids and lumpy lips.”

Tips for safety

This doesn’t mean you should steer clear of all medical spas. But you should do your homework before booking that first appointment.

If you’re interested in visiting a medical spa, here are some tips to ensure that your visit is a safe one.

1. Don’t judge a book by its cover. Just because a medical spa may look clean, professional and pretty doesn’t mean it is. Look beyond the fancy packaging and ask lots of questions and do your research.

2. View yourself like a medical patient. “It’s not like going to a beauty parlor or the cosmetic counter. These are medical treatments,” says Dr. McGuire. So, take your research seriously — and proceed with caution — just as you would with any other medical procedure.

3. Make sure the doctor’s in. Though Dr. Katz says a doctor doesn’t have to perform the procedure, he or she should always be present in the clinic. As Prevention puts it, “No doc? You walk.” Also, the doctor should take your medical history and create the appropriate treatment plan for you. A physician’s assistant can also obtain your history, but a doctor must review it, adds Prevention.

4. Check for credentials and experience. Always ask the person performing the procedure these questions: How many of these procedures have you done? What classes have you taken? How many hours did you spend taking these classes? Also, request to see “before” and “after” photos of past clients who’ve had the same procedure.

5. Find out exactly what to expect. Talk to your doctor about what you should experience during and after the procedure. This way you can better identify when you’re experiencing abnormal discomfort or pain or another noteworthy feeling or sensation.

6. Know your state’s laws. Must a doctor perform Botox? Does he or she even need to be present during the treatment? Every state has different regulations, and many aren’t stringent. Part of the problem is that states haven’t been able to keep up with the rapidly growing medical spa industry. For example, one state might require medical spas to have a doctor on-site, while another state only requires a “ghost doctor” who’s many miles away and only present by name. Visit this link to view your state’s regulations.

7. Understand that a deal is irrelevant. Just because it sounds like the perfect, inexpensive deal doesn’t mean you should jump at the chance to have the procedure. Some medical spas might offer unbeatable prices on Botox injections, but that can mean they’re either skimping on the quality of their staff or on the Botox. Facilities have been known to water down vials, which compromises Botox's effectiveness. Even worse, some facilities get their Botox outside the U.S., where both effectiveness and safety can’t be guaranteed.

Be cautious about lasers

Many people don’t view laser treatments as medical procedures. But, it’s important to understand that, as mentioned above, laser therapy can have serious complications in inexperienced hands and not everyone is an ideal candidate.

Lasers can be especially risky for individuals with tan or darker skin tones. Also, one size doesn’t fit all: There are different lasers for different treatments.

Here’s what to ask a medical spa, according to the American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery (ASLMS):

• Is the laser right for my skin type, hair color and complexion?


• Has the laser been approved for the specific procedure I’d be having?


• What kind of results can I expect?


• How many sessions will I need?


• What’s the recovery time and associated risks?


• Do you rent or own your lasers? According to Marie Claire, if the facility rents laser equipment, the technicians probably only perform a handful of treatments per month.

Also, keep this in mind:

• Make sure the treatment is performed on a small area of your skin first — called a patch test.
• Talk with your doctor about your medical conditions and any history of scarring or herpes.
• As with any treatment, always ask to see pictures of previous clients and inquire about the person’s credentials and experience.

See also:

How to Find a Great Dermatologist: 7 Tips and More!

Microdermabrasion: Scratching (Beyond) the Surface

Laser Resurfacing: Weighing Your Options

Cutting through the Myths of Plastic Surgery