If you find you are in search of skincare treatments that are not provided at a typical spa, you may want to consider visiting a medical spa. These faclities offer skincare treatments that require technician to be medically trained. They are able to offer prescription strength products for use at home, and provide treatments that require special training. Most services are noninvasive and do not include surgery, but they can only be performed by a nurse, physician’s assistant, or doctor. Medispas are not federally regulated, so if you are considering having a service performed, you will be responsible for doing your own research. Armed with an understanding of safety and professionalism, you can make an educated choice and find a competent medical spa. The following is a list of factors to consider when shopping for a medical spa.
Technician
The person who will use your equipment should be well-trained and experienced. If your treatment will require several visits, determine whether you will be working with same technician each time. At a medical spa, your services will be given by a nurse, a nurse practitioner, or a physician’s assistant. The entire staff should be under the supervision of a doctor. Determine what training the technician has undergone, and whether the facility requires continuing education. Paula Gilmartin, regional manager and aesthetic nurse trainer at Dermalounge in California, reports that her staff has continuing education constantly. They are sure to keep their staff up to date with the latest technological developments and procedures. She believes much of the success of Dermalounge is due to its top=notch equipment, thoroughly trained practitioners with 15 to 25 years of medical experience, and a conservative approach to their treatments. They pride themselves on the fact that their clients are “well-educated.”
If you are performing Internet research, keep in mind people will mainly take the time to report mishaps. Look for patterns of mis-managed treatments when reading reports, and take into account your personal impressions, as well as assessments from other clients. Finally, ask yourself if the medical spa you are choosing seems too good to be true. Are the prices bargain basement? Are they promising you perfection? If it seems as if you are being misled, you may fare better finding another option.
Experience
It is important to know how long your chosen medical spa has been in business. When interviewing potential providers, ask how many procedures they perform per month or per year. A facility that has been in business for several years but who has few clients may be a poor choice, compared to a company in business a year or so with numerous clients. It is also important to find out how many of their clients have returned for procedures. Medical spas who are able to please their clients enough that they return for follow up procedures have obviously done a good job.
Find out if the facility has a doctor on staff full-time or part-time. Some facilities only have a doctor available to read over charts of the patients to make sure things are generally on track. Medical spas that offer the services and oversight of a doctor full-time may be more credible than other options. Finally, speak with the clinician about adverse reactions to treatment. You should expect there to be a variety of side effects depending on the treatment. If the clinician is honest, he will be upfront with you about this. However, if it seems that all of their clients have suffered negative reactions, it may be a good idea to look elsewhere. You will also want to ask for references from previous clients.
Consultation
Meeting with a clinician should be the first step in your skincare plan. This service is preferably complimentary, and should include a skincare analysis. The technician should also review your medical history and determine if there are treatments you are ineligible to receive. They should give you a tour of the facility and discuss the goals you have for your skin. You may be able to speak about specific treatments, as well as pre- and post-treatment, and potential side effects. However, if you are just undergoing analysis, you may not get to the point of addressing specific treatments.
It is important in this stage to determine if you feel comfortable with the clinic and the technician. Just as you would with a traditional medical procedure, you should feel confident in the abilities of the person performing the procedure. He should be able to easily explain the procedure, and offer you advice concerning side effects and aftercare.
Technology and Treatment Options
All services and products offered by the medical spa should be FDA approved. The technician should be able to supply you with literature for each of their services to look over at home. It is a good idea to research the equipment that will be used, so be sure you have the accurate names of the machines the facility will use during treatment. Finally, be sure the technician is comfortable with the equipment. He should be able to explain how it operates and have experience with the machine.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
