Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMed Spa vs. Day SpaTreatmentsRisksCostsWhat to Expect
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Med Spa vs. Day Spa
Treatments
Risks
Costs
What to Expect
Medical spas, also known as medi-spas or med spas, offer a wide range of treatments, including microneedling, CoolSculpting, Botox, and others. Services address cosmetic issues such as deep wrinkles, acne, weight loss,loose skin, scarring, and body firming.
Medical spas are a hybrid between the traditional day spa and a medical clinic. They provide nonsurgical cosmetic medical services.
Ugur Karakoc / Getty Images
Difference Between Med Spa and Day Spa
The biggest differences between a traditional day spa and a medical spa are which types of procedures are offered and who can perform them. Medical procedures that can’t be done at the average day spa can be performed at the medical spa.
Expect that anesthetician, also known as a skincare therapist, will perform all nonmedical procedures and cosmetic procedures, such as massage, body scrubs, wraps, and the like.
Estheticians can also perform certain noninvasive treatments, such asacne treatment facials,microdermabrasion, and superficial chemical peels.
Types of Treatments Offered
While the menu will vary depending on which medical spa you visit, you can expect to find treatments for acne, aging skin, hair removal, and more.
Like a traditional day spa, a medical spa offers luxurious treatments such asmassage, salt glows, seaweed wraps, and facials.
Medical spas also offer more specialized treatments that are typically found only at a dermatology or plastic surgery clinic. Some of the more common offerings include light andlaser treatments; injectables like Juvederm, Restalyne, and Botox; and chemical peels.
You can get acne treatment at the medical spa, too. Medical spas offer procedures to treat breakouts, lightenpost-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, reducescarring, and improve the overall appearance of the skin.
Treatments at Medical Spas
Treatments available depend on the medical spa and the certifications of its providers. Some treatments you may encounter include:
When considering treatments at a med spa, ensure the med spa is licensed and the providers are certified and experienced in the treatments they offer. Always choose med spas that offer clear information about their qualifications and FDA-approved treatments.
Possible Risks
Like all medical procedures, there are risks of adverse effects from various medical spa treatments, some potentially more serious than others. For example, up to 25% of patients who receiveBotoxexperience bruising.
Side effects associated with other med spa treatments include:
How to Avoid Fake Botox
Med Spa Treatment Costs
The cost of med spa treatments varies widely depending on the type of treatment, the provider’s expertise, and the specific med spa.
General price ranges for common treatments are as follows:
The prices mentioned here may not factor in other fees you may encounter at a med spa. Many med spas require you to have a consultation to discuss treatment options. Consultations alone can cost $25 to $50.
Procedures like Botox injections, fillers, chemical peels, and breast or butt lifts may also require follow-up visits, which could incur additional charges. As always, it’s a good idea to discuss the full cost of your treatment upfront.
What to Expect During a Med Spa Visit
If you are interested in getting a treatment at a med spa, call the med spa ahead of time and ask if they require a consultation. If so, ask how much the consultation costs, and whether you will be refunded that amount if you choose not to go through with a procedure.
With most med spas, you can generally expect:
Although some med spa procedures can be a little uncomfortable or even painful, your overall med spa experience should be pleasant and relaxing. If you do not feel confident in the expertise of the provider or the safety and hygiene of the med spa, you have every right to retract your consent, or ask the provider to stop the procedure.
Who Performs Treatments
Med spas that are fully licensed with qualified healthcare providers should have nothing to hide. The med spa and providers' certifications should be clearly listed on the med spa website, and displayed in the med spa itself.
Healthcare providers offering services at med spas should ideally be one of the following people:
In addition to these qualifications, make sure the provider working with you is experienced in the procedures they offer. Providers should have certifications for each procedure they perform.
How to Check and Verify a Doctor’s Board Certification
Summary
Med spas are facilities that bridge traditional spa treatments with advanced medical technology. Med spas offer a variety of aesthetic and wellness treatments, from soothing facials to Botox, laser resurfacing, and body contouring.
Before choosing a med spa, it’s important to verify the med spa’s licenses, along with its overall safety and cleanliness. Never receive a treatment from a med spa provider who is not an RN, board-certified dermatologist, or otherwise highly qualified and experienced.
If something doesn’t feel right, do not hesitate to retract your consent to a procedure. You should feel well-informed about your procedure before it starts, and your overall experience should be nothing short of pleasant.
36 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Med Spa Association.Med spa treatments.
Satriyasa B.Botulinum toxin (Botox) A for reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles: A literature review of clinical use and pharmacological aspect.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2019;12(1):223-228. doi:10.2147/CCID.S202919
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA-approved dermal fillers.
Silveira I, Martinez B.Bilateral gluteal augmentation with hyperdilute calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres performed using the Bella Visa Instant Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)™.Cureus. 2022;14(6):e26261. doi:10.7759/cureus.26261
O’Neill R, Abu-Ghname A, Davis M, et al.The role of fat grafting in butt augmentation.Semin Plast Surg. 2020;34(1):38-46. doi:10.1055/s-0039-3401038
Beigvand H, Razzaghi M, Rostami-Nejad M, et al.Assessment of laser effects on skin rejuvenation.J Lasers Med Sci. 2020;11(2):212-219. doi:10.34172/jlms.2020.35
Bhat Y, Bashir S, Nabi N, Hassan I.Laser treatment in hirsutism: An update.Dermatol Pract Concept. 2020;10(2):e2020048. doi:10.5826/dpc.1002a48
Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School.Is CoolSculpting effective?
Sawetz I, Lebo P, Nischwitz S, et al.Platelet-rich plasma for striae disease: What do we know about processed autologous blood contents for treating skin stretchmarks?—A systematic review.Int Wound J. 2021;18(3):387-395. doi:10.1111/iwj.13541
Gabriel A, Chan V, Caldarella M, Wayne T, O’Rorke E.Cellulite: Current understanding and treatment.Aesthet Surg J Open Forum. 2023;5(1):ojad050. doi:10.1093/asjof/ojad050
Piccolo D, Fusco I, Zingoni T, Conforti C.Effective treatment of rosacea and other vascular lesions using intense pulsed light system emitting vascular chromophore-specific wavelengths: A clinical and dermoscopical analysis.J Clin Med. 2024;13(6):1646. doi:10.3390/jcm13061646
Torbeck R, Bankowski R, Henize S, Saedi N.Lasers in tattoo and pigmentation control: Role of the PicoSure laser system.Med Devices: Evidence Res. 2016;9(1):63-67. doi:10.2147/MDER.S77993
Storgard R, Mauricio-Lee J, Mauricio T, Zaiac M, Karnik J.Efficacy and tolerability of HydraFacial clarifying treatment series in the treatment of active acne vulgaris.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2022;15(12):42-46.
Soleymani T, Lanoue J, Rahman Z.A practical approach to chemical peels.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2018;11(8):21-28.
Goberdhan LT, Schneider K, Makino ET, Mehta RC.Combining diamond-tip dermabrasion treatments and topical skincare in participants with dry, hyperpigmented, photodamaged, or acne-prone/oily facial skin: A clinical usage study.Clin Cosmet Investigational Dermatol. 2023;16(1):2645-2657. doi:10.2147/CCID.S423688
Wolffenbuttel B, Ward M, Owen J, Green R.Therapeutics: Vitamin B12.BMJ. 2023;383(1):e071725. doi:10.1136/bmj-2022-071725
Anagnostaki E, Mylona V, Parker S, et al.Assessing the viability of laser-activated dental bleaching compared to conventional in-office bleaching methods: A systematic review of clinical and in-vitro studies.Appl Sci. 2023;13(22):12459. doi:10.3390/app132212459
Bonati L, Epstein G, Strugar T.Microneedling in all skin types: A review.JDD. 2017;16(4):308-324.
Marwah M, Kerure A, Marwah G.Microblading and the science behind it.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2021;12(1):6-11. doi:10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_230_20
Hedström K, Falk-Delgado A, Sackey H.Complications after breast augmentation with dermal fillers containing copolyamide: A systematic review.JPRAS. 2024;40(1):19-31. doi:10.1016/j.jpra.2024.01.009
Masud M, Moshirfar M, Shah T, Gomez A, Avila M, Ronquillo Y.Eyelid cosmetic enhancements and their associated ocular adverse effects.Med Hypothesis Discov Innov Ophthalmol. 2019;8(2):96-103.
Witmanowski H, Błochowiak K.The whole truth about botulinum toxin – a review.Postepy Dermatol Alergol.2020;37(6):853-861. doi:10.5114/ada.2019.82795
Hedayati B, Juhász M, Chu S, Mesinkovska N.Adverse events associated with cryolipolysis: A systematic review of the literature.Dermatol Surg. 2020;46(1):8-13. doi:10.1097/DSS.0000000000002524
Heidari Beigvand H, Razzaghi M, Rostami-Nejad M, et al.Assessment of laser effects on skin rejuvenation.J Lasers Med Sci. 2020;11(2):212-219. doi:10.34172/jlms.2020.35
Hu S, Atmakuri M, Rosenberg J.Adverse events of nonablative lasers and energy—based therapies in subjects with Fitzpatrick skin phototypes IV to VI: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Aesthet Surg J. 2022;42(5):537-547. doi:10.1093/asj/sjab398
Pham C, Lee A, Sung C, et al.Adverse events of injectable deoxycholic acid.Dermatol Surg. 2020;46(7):942-949. doi:10.1097/DSS.0000000000002318
Friedmann D, Bourgeois G, Chan H, et al.Complications from microfocused transcutaneous ultrasound: Case series and review of the literature.Lasers Surg Med. 2018;50(1):13-19. doi:10.1002/lsm.22768
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Dermal fillers (soft tissue fillers).
Măgerușan Ș, Hancu G, Rusu A.A comprehensive bibliographic review concerning the efficacy of organic acids for chemical peels treating acne vulgaris.Molecules. 2023;28(20):7219. doi:10.3390/molecules28207219
American Society of Plastic Surgeons.How much do botulinum toxin injections cost?
American Society of Plastic Surgeons.How much do dermal fillers cost?
CoolSculpting.Pricing.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons.How much does laser skin resurfacing cost?
American Society of Plastic Surgeons.How much does laser hair removal cost?
West Michigan Plastic Surgery.How much does microneedling cost?
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
