Spas Go Medical

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Spas have been around for thousands of years, but they have recently gotten a makeover. The fastest growing segment of the $11.2 billion spa industry is medical spas. Medical spas, also called medi-spas, are a hybrid of sorts: they combine the comforts and cosmetic treatments of a traditional spa—such as massage, body wraps, and facials-- with non-invasive plastic surgery procedures—like Botox, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion. The number of medi-spas operating in the United States has tripled since 1999. The International Spa Association estimates there are nearly 500 medical spas in the United States today.

According to Joanne Barry, director of spa operations and education at a Southern California medi-spa, “It’s just the growth stemming from what the consumer wants. They are demanding more from spas, they want more effective services and they want it in one place.

Like-minded plastic surgery experts attribute the growth of medi-spas to the demand for less-invasive medical treatments and more effective cosmetic treatments, conveniently offered under one roof. The popularity of non-invasive procedures like Botox has created a special niche—and demand—for medical spas. Increasingly, people are favoring less-invasive plastic surgery procedures performed in a comforting environment. Likewise, people are also seeking spa treatments overseen by medical professionals.

Many medical spas are offering a comprehensive “lifestyle” approach to beauty and rejuvenation. Skin Authority, a medical spa company with 25 clinics across the western United States, offers skin care coaches who coordinate a patient’s care, from dietary supplements to skin treatments. This holistic approach to beauty and health is attracting many people to medi-spa services.

While many people feel that medi-spas are the best of both worlds, they are not a utopia according to some. Some business ethicists argue that providing medical services outside of a traditional medical setting is asking for trouble. Linda Thompson, a business professor at John Hopkins University, believes medi-spas “blur the line between cosmetic self-care and serious medical care.”

To remedy these worries and prevent complications, it is important for those seeking cosmetic treatments to approach medical spa services as they would approach cosmetic surgery in a traditional medical setting. It is important to verify the training, qualifications, and experience of the professional who will be performing your desired procedure. Learn about the benefits and drawbacks of your desired treatment, as well as what that procedure can and cannot do for you.

The consultation component of the cosmetic procedure process should never be left out. It is imperative to speak with your cosmetic professional before treatment to make sure your desired procedure is right for you.

While some people are slightly reluctant to embrace medi-spas, many experts are excited about this new trend in cosmetic treatments and believe recent developments are just the beginning.

According to a professor at the University of Maryland: “It is absolutely my conviction that the grand majority of [cosmetic] medical care in America will eventually be delivered in decentralized spalike settings. People are looking for a wellness environment.”

This is just what medi-spas strive to provide their clients.


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