Benefits of a Medspa vs. Day Spa Q&A

Med spas and day spas can offer some of the same treatments such as massages and facials, but they are actually quite different. A med spa has to be owned by or associated with a licensed medical professional such as a dermatologist or plastic surgeon and employ highly educated and trained practitioners to perform the more advanced and complex treatments. They can perform both invasive and non-invasive treatments that are medical in nature, such as Botox, microdermabrasion, laser hair removal and many other services that are not available through a traditional day spa. Due to the higher risk of complications or infections from the treatments offered at a med spa, they require the oversight of a medical professional to ensure that the procedures are being performed accurately and safely. Med spas will also have more stringent business licensing and health and safety measures to adhere to for the safety of their clientele and staff. Both med spas and day spas will have a warm, welcoming atmosphere to make the clients feel at ease during their visit. Choosing whether to visit a med spa or a day spa will be based on your needs and what you are looking to get out of your visit. Their services offered will be quite different so you will need to do your research ahead of time to make sure the spa you are visiting can perform the treatment you are looking for.

Medical spas offer a wide variety of services, depending on the training and certifications of the practitioners they employ, as well as the medical professional who owns or oversees the practice. It is best to check the websites of the med spas in your area for their list of services offered or give them a call if you aren’t sure. Med spas will offer services similar to a day spa, like massages, facials and seaweed wraps, but they will also offer more complex and advanced treatments. Most med spas will offer both invasive treatments, which puncture the skin, and non-invasive treatments, which don’t puncture the skin. These treatments can include Botox and filler injections, microdermabrasion, laser hair removal, body contouring and chemical peels among their list of services. It is important that you understand the risks associated with your procedure and ensure that they practitioner performing it has the proper qualifications and certifications. Prior to the start of any treatment, you should book a consultation appointment with the practitioner to have them walk you through what will happen during the treatment, any associated risks or potential complications, what the expected results will be and what would happen if a complication were to arise.

The most popular medical spa services will vary by individual location and can be affected by factors such as age and demographic of the surrounding area’s population, the services the spa offers, the experience and client base of the practitioners and the specialization of the medical professional that owns or oversees the spa. Some of the most common med spa treatments are Botox and filler injections, microdermabrasion, chemical peels and hair removal. Many of these treatments are cosmetic in nature to improve the skin’s appearance by smoothing out wrinkles to appear younger or to treat scarring, stretch marks or sun damage so they appear less noticeable. The different procedures use different techniques that can include lights, lasers, chemicals or injections based on the area of the body and the condition of the skin that the client is looking to improve.

Generally speaking, you do not need a referral to a med spa as the treatments aren’t surgical in nature. That being said, it is still best to consult with your primary doctor prior to proceeding with any treatments offered by a med spa to ensure that there isn’t anything in your medical history that could be aggravated or cause complications from a med spa treatment. Your doctor will also want to know if you have had a med spa treatment so that information can be included in your overall medical history. The med spa you are interested in will let you know if a doctor’s referral is required for a visit, but as most treatments are cosmetic, there shouldn’t be an issue.

If you are looking for a medspa in Cary, NC, Contact InShape Medical today. Please give us a contact or book an appointment. We are conveniently located at 107 Edinburgh S. Drive, Suite 215 Cary, NC 27511. We serve clients from Cary NC, West Raleigh NC, Apex NC, Morrisville NC, Clegg NC, Preston NC, Durham NC, and surrounding areas.