Like most women, you don’t mind getting a little help when it comes to looking your best. But maybe you’re noticing that over-the-counter beauty treatments and anti-aging remedies—even the expensive ones—just aren’t delivering the results you want. You’re thinking of trying a visit to a medical spa, but how do you choose a good one?
Understand the Business Model
The first step in choosing a medical spa is educating yourself on business models. Just about anyone can operate a “day spa” or “skin care clinic.” In fact, today many hair salons offer some of the services found in day spas, such as facials, wraps and so on. Here, the emphasis is as much on relaxation and pampering as it is on refreshing your looks.
Though laws vary from state to state, a medical doctor must oversee a “medical spa.” That said, there aren’t usually many hard and fast rules about how that actually happens. Some of the first things you may want to find out include: who is the physician involved with the spa, what is his or her main practice, how often are they on site and could you have a consultation with him or her if you’d like to.
Some industry insiders recommend giving a chain or franchise medical spa an automatic pass. These businesses tend to take a formulaic, or cookie cutter, approach to their clients. The focus on turning a profit can be such that service suffers.
On the other end of the spectrum, take care if you’re considering a medical spa that’s attached to another medical practice. Some doctors add medical spa services to their ongoing operation—gynecology, for instance—simply to bolster the bottom line. Others, notably cosmetic surgeons, open a medical spa to provide a pipeline for surgery prospects. You don’t necessarily need to cross these medical spas off your list, just be sure you feel there’s a sincere focus on the medical spa side of the practice and its clients.
Evaluate the Services
As you consider whether a medical spa is really integral to a physician’s practice, one indicator is the range of services and options provided. To a degree, the more, the better. Find out how many different dermal fillers are available, for example. Since different fillers tend to be better for different purposes, if the spa just offers one choice you should go elsewhere.
Even more important is a good variety of equipment, lasers in particular. Like most fast-changing technology, these machines can become obsolete almost the day of purchase. It’s easy to be sympathetic about the cost of this equipment and supplies (called “consumables” in the industry) and the hype physicians have to sort through to decide what’s best for their practice.
Even so, the physician should invest in several lasers. Not only does a medical spa need a variety of machines for laser hair removal, wrinkle treatment, tattoo removal, and acne treatment, the same laser won’t necessarily work for a fair-skinned patient and dark-skinned patient who come in for laser hair removal. Getting good results while avoiding damage to the skin is tricky business for medical spas. There should be at least a few different lasers on site and staff should be able to explain clearly why one is best for you.
Take a Close Look at the Staff
After finding out about the physician who oversees the medical spa, you’ll want to know who’s next in command. What kind of training and credentials do they have? How many years have they been performing medical spa procedures? What treatments are they trained in? How often do they have contact with the supervising physician?
Then find out a little bit about the rest of the staff, including the person who will treat you. Ask about his or her credentials as well as his or her longevity with the medical spa. How are new staff members selected and trained?
Give One a Try
After doing a bit of homework, choose the medical spa you feel best about and give it a try. Visit with a list of your remaining questions in hand. Don’t be afraid to probe a bit, such as asking the rationale behind Botox pricing (by unit or by treatment area?), why the medical spa doesn’t own what seems to be the latest, hottest laser equipment, and what happens if you are unsatisfied with your treatment.
Note whether you are seen promptly and not left in the waiting room too long. Observe how well your practitioner listened to your concerns, whether he or she presented more than one option, explained thoroughly any recommendations and didn’t make you feel “upsold.” Make sure your questions about treatment were answered to your satisfaction, and note whether you felt you gained a realistic view of the results you could expect.
When your first medical spa experience is over, the bottom line is—are you excited about the results and do you feel your money was well spent?
If so, chances are you've found a new tool you can use to help you look and feel great.