What is a MedSpa?
In recent years, the interest in non-surgical procedures has increased, leading to an ever-increasing number of medical spas—or MedSpas—appearing across the United States. MedSpas have become a multi-billion-dollar industry, serving a wide range of patients, particularly those under 55. While these institutions may seem like a relatively inexpensive and convenient way to get anti-aging cosmetic treatments, there are, in fact, many dangers associated with visiting a MedSpa. In a recently released report by the Oversight and Investigation Division of the New York City and State government, researchers determined that every MedSpa they investigated is offering medical procedures without the oversight and licenses required by law. Additionally, a vast majority of these institutions have no medical supervision at all, chemical or fire safety violations, and sanitation and hygiene issues, providing a huge risk of adverse events for patients. Luckily, there are other options for patients seeking non-surgical cosmetic enhancement or anti-aging treatments: a licensed, board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Michele Green.
Dermatologists are board-certified medical professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment skin concerns, including acne breakouts, acne scars, sun damage, signs of the natural aging process like wrinkles and sagging skin, suspicious moles or other lesions, early indicators of skin cancer, hair loss, hyperpigmentation, skin conditions like melasma, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, and melanoma, and much more. Additionally, dermatologists can perform a wide range of non-surgical procedures, including Botox, dermal fillers, laser treatments, IPL, microneedling, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and much more. Taking advantage of dermatology services is essential for patients’ overall health, and scheduling regular checkups with a board-certified dermatologist like Dr. Michele Green can help patients address a wide range of skin issues by generating an individualized treatment plan to achieve healthy skin.
Experienced, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green has been expertly treating patients in her Upper East Side, New York City office for more than 25 years. An expert in cosmetic and medical skincare treatments, Dr. Green is adept at creating personalized, effective skincare plans for each patient. With her proprietary line of skincare products, MGSKINLABs, Dr. Green can recommend the highest-quality topical creams, lotions, and serums to patients. Dr. Green is also an expert injector for Botox, Dysport, and dermal fillers, providing patients with natural-looking, rejuvenated skin using her less-is-more approach. Well-known for high patient satisfaction, Dr. Green has been voted one of the best dermatologists in New York City by such publications as Castle Connolly, Super Doctors, and New York Magazine.
What is a Medical Day Spa? What is considered a MedSpa?
A medical spa, also known as a MedSpa, is a facility that offers both aesthetic treatments, such as facials, laser hair removal, and waxing, and cosmetic treatments considered medical procedures, such as Botox injections, dermal fillers, microneedling, and high-depth chemical peels. It provides wellness, traditional day spa services, combined with medical aesthetics. Typically, MedSpas are staffed with physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and estheticians, with a licensed healthcare professional on-site to perform or supervise medical procedures. However, while medical spa services may sound ideal, the reality is that these institutions are rife with medical malpractice, poor oversight, and violations of state law. A recent investigation conducted in collaboration between the New York City and State governments has found that MedSpa services violate state law. 100% of the state-inspected MedSpas were offering cosmetic procedures without proper medical supervision by the medical director, increasing the risk of adverse events for all patients. In fact, 73% of the inspected medical spas provided no medical supervision or oversight during medical skin treatments. The best alternative to potentially dangerous medical spa treatments is to schedule an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist, such as Dr. Michele Green, who has more than 25 years of medical expertise.
What does a MedSpa do?
A MedSpa sits at the intersection between a traditional day spa and a doctor’s office, offering wellness treatments and cosmetic enhancements like waxing and facials, as well as medical procedures like Botox, Xeomin, dermal fillers, laser treatment, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), chemical peels, and microdermabrasion. As MedSpas offer both aesthetic treatments and medical procedures, it can be difficult to discern which is which—and to determine who should be performing the procedure. Any procedure that involves breaking the skin barrier, such as injectable or ablative laser treatments, or the use of medical-grade needles, requires oversight by a licensed physician. However, too often, these procedures are performed at MedSpas by unlicensed aestheticians or nurse practitioners, which increases the risk of serious adverse events. To ensure you receive the highest-quality care, schedule your anti-aging, non-surgical skincare treatments with a board-certified dermatologist like Dr. Green.
What does a MedSpa offer?
Any MedSpa treatments that are offered are also offered at Dr. Michele Green’s Upper East Side, New York City dermatology office. Some of the most popular treatments that Dr. Green is an expert at performing include the following:
Botox
Botox is an injectable neuromodulator that relaxes the muscles at the injection site, enabling a wide range of cosmetic and medical uses. Containing the active ingredient botulinum toxin type A, Botox is currently FDA-approved cosmetically to treat horizontal forehead wrinkles, “11 lines” or frown lines between the eyebrows, and crow’s feet, which are the tiny creases that extend out in a fan at the corners of the eyes. Medically, Botox injections are FDA-approved to treat such conditions as chronic migraines, hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), cervical dystonia (muscle spasms), blepharospasm (eyelid twitching), overactive bladder, and upper lip spasticity. Botox has also been shown to be highly effective in treating TMJ, a condition characterized by jaw tension, pain, headaches, teeth grinding, and, in severe cases, lockjaw.
Injectable Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are injectable treatments used for multiple cosmetic purposes, including reversing volume loss, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles (such as nasolabial folds), facial contouring, and filling atrophic acne scars. Dermal filler treatment can be used on the hands and across many areas of the face, including under the eyes, in the cheeks, around the nose and mouth, in the lips, and along the chin and jawline. With a wide variety of formulations and active ingredients, dermal fillers can safely address a range of cosmetic concerns, providing patients with smooth, contoured, youthful-looking skin. A non-invasive treatment, dermal fillers require no downtime after injections, allowing patients to resume their regular activities immediately.
Facials
Facials can address several skin concerns, including hyperpigmentation, dry skin, oily skin, acne breakouts, and rosacea. They can also boost collagen production for smoother, brighter skin. Dr. Green recommends scheduling regular HydraFacial appointments to address blemishes, uneven skin tone, and pigmentation for clearer, brighter, glowing skin. The first step of the HydraFacial is to cleanse the skin of any superficial dead skin cells and impurities. The cleansing solution includes lactic acid for exfoliation and extraction, as well as an algae extract to soothe and hydrate the skin. The next step involves exfoliation with patented vortex function technology, designed to deliver powerful extractions that unclog pores. The third and final step of the HydraFacial is to hydrate the skin with boosters and serums for maximum moisture retention. The hydrating step helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, firm the skin, and create a radiant glow.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are highly effective for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, tightening the skin, and improving skin tone and texture. There are many types of chemical peels, each serving different functions: mild peels for fine lines, acne, and uneven skin tone; medium-depth peels for deeper wrinkles, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation; and deep peels for deep wrinkles, scars, and pre-cancerous growths. With so many chemical peels available, it is best to consult an expert, such as Dr. Green, who can recommend which peel is safe for your skin type and help you achieve your aesthetic goals. Chemical peels work by applying an acidic solution that, depending on the depth of the peel, penetrates the skin to slough off the top and middle layers. Exfoliation promotes skin cell turnover, revealing newer, brighter, smoother skin for a more naturally youthful appearance.
Laser Treatments
Dr. Green has many types of lasers available at her dermatology office in New York City, each serving a slightly different function in skin rejuvenation and skin resurfacing on the face, neck, chest, and body. While the various treatment options differ in their mechanisms of action, they each deliver targeted laser energy that heats the inner layers of the skin, boosting collagen production to tighten, contour, and increase elasticity. At Dr. Green’s office, laser treatment options range from ablative lasers, such as the CO2 fractional laser and the Erbium laser; non-ablative fractional lasers, such as the Fraxel laser; picosecond lasers, such as Picosure; radiofrequency lasers, such as Thermage; and Intense Pulsed Light, which, though technically not a laser, offers incredible improvement in skin tone and texture. During your initial consultation, Dr. Green will examine the treatment area and consider your aesthetic goals to determine the best laser treatment for you.
Body Contouring
Non-invasive body contouring treatments typically rely on one of four technologies to remove excess fat. Cryolipolysis is a fat-freezing technology that uses cold to destroy fat cells. CoolSculpting is an incredibly popular non-invasive body contouring treatment that uses cryolipolysis to reduce fat. Laser lipolysis, radiofrequency lipolysis, or injection lipolysis are also highly effective, FDA-approved, non-invasive body contouring options. Cryolipolysis utilizes controlled cooling and freezing temperatures to target and destroy fat cells. Laser lipolysis utilizes high heat and laser energy to target fat cells. Radiofrequency lipolysis also uses heat and ultrasound to target fat cells. Injection lipolysis uses deoxycholic acid to target fat cells. Each type of non-invasive body contouring procedure offers distinct benefits. An expert in non-surgical body contouring treatments, such as Dr. Green in NYC, can help you determine which procedure or combination of procedures is best suited to address your specific needs and deliver your ideal aesthetic results.
Are MedSpas safe?
Seeking treatment at a MedSpa comes with a significant risk of suboptimal care. In a recent study published by the Oversight and Investigation Division of the New York City and State government, researchers found that all of the MedSpas they inspected across the five boroughs had at least one violation of state law. These violations, which include a lack of medical supervision and oversight, improper licensing, safety violations, and sanitation issues, pose a significant risk to the population. 73% of the investigated MedSpas lacked medical oversight during procedures, and 26% relied on unqualified, unlicensed practitioners to perform medical cosmetic procedures. The risk associated with improper treatment includes permanent scarring, serious infection, necrosis of blood vessels during improper placement of injectable treatment, and hospitalization. To increase your safety during cosmetic procedures, you should seek treatment from a board-certified dermatologist, such as Dr. Green.
Do MedSpas have doctors?
The laws regarding MedSpas vary from state to state. However, most states, including New York, require that MedSpas have a medical director who is a licensed physician. In many states, the medical director is not required to be on-site, meaning medical procedures are performed without a licensed physician’s supervision, which greatly increases the risk of side effects and adverse events. While licensed physicians must complete medical school, rigorous testing, and intensive training, other personnel at a MedSpa may have only a weekend of training in medical procedures. Even in New York City, where oversight by a medical professional is required, some MedSpas still operate without their licensed physician on-site.
How to open a MedSpa
Under New York State law, MedSpas are required to acquire both an Appearance Enhancement Business license issued by the state and a licensed medical professional to perform medical procedures. In New York, a MedSpa must be owned by a licensed physician. If the owner is not on-site, a licensed medical director must be available to perform and oversee all medical procedures. Medical procedures are any treatments that break the skin barrier, including Botox, dermal fillers, IV therapy, and deep chemical peels.
Can an esthetician open a medical spa?
An esthetician is a professional who performs cosmetic procedures related to beauty and appearance. Under New York State law, estheticians cannot own a medical spa. While many aestheticians work at these institutions, a MedSpa must be owned and operated by a licensed medical professional under New York law. Estheticians are also not allowed to perform medical procedures, administer injections, or prescribe medication.
How much do MedSpa owners make?
MedSpas have become highly profitable institutions, and the industry has grown every year for the last 15 years. As the sector continues to grow, profits for MedSpas rise, with medical spa institutions making an average of $1.8- $2 million per year. Owners of medical spas can also generate large profits, with the average salary for MedSpa owners falling within the $280- $500K range per year. The profit margins of MedSpas and the owners’ salaries can vary depending on the institution’s geographic location, the clientele it serves, and the services it offers.
Do MedSpas take insurance?
MedSpas typically do not accept insurance because the procedures they offer are considered cosmetic. Health insurance companies do not cover most cosmetic procedures, as they are considered “non-essential.” If you are unsure if a procedure is covered by insurance, it is always best to call your insurance provider directly.
Do you tip at a MedSpa?
While wellness spas usually take tips, MedSpas are different because they are also considered partially medical institutions. Most MedSpas do not take tips to comply with regulations on taking incentives for medical procedures. Some MedSpas, however, may allow tips for non-medical procedures, such as waxing or facials.
What is a MedSpa clinic?
A MedSpa clinic is an institution that offers aesthetic procedures, including Botox, dermal fillers, chemical peels, facials, and weight-loss treatments. While MedSpas may seem like a relatively inexpensive, convenient way to achieve cosmetic enhancements, investigations have shown that MedSpas often violate licensing agreements and suffer from a dangerous lack of medical oversight. The best place to get cosmetic treatments is at the office of an experienced board-certified dermatologist and expert injector, such as Dr. Green’s New York City Upper East Side office. While getting treatments like Botox and dermal fillers at an institution like a MedSpa is usually cheaper due to specials and deals, the risk of developing serious side effects from the treatment is higher. An expert injector, on the other hand, knows exactly how much Botox to use and where to place the injections for the best results. Dr. Green typically employs a less-is-more philosophy for Botox injections, providing patients with a naturally youthful look.
How to get safe and effective skincare and aesthetic treatments at a dermatologist’s office today
MedSpas are very common these days, offering inexpensive anti-aging and enhancement procedures. However, these institutions should not be trusted to perform medical procedures that breach the skin barrier, such as Botox injections, dermal fillers, deep chemical peels, laser therapies, and IV treatments. Recent investigations have found that the majority of MedSpas in New York City operate without medical oversight, treating patients without a licensed physician on-site, which greatly increases the risks associated with medical treatment. To reduce the risk, the best way to achieve a naturally youthful-looking appearance is to schedule an appointment with board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Michele Green, who can perform a wide range of cosmetic treatments. With a medical license and over 25 years of experience, Dr. Green provides patients with the highest quality of care.
Dr. Michele Green is an internationally renowned board-certified dermatologist with over 25 years of experience providing her patients with the best non-invasive treatment options. Dr. Green takes a holistic approach and embraces a less-is-more philosophy, creating customized skincare routines and treatment plans tailored to her patients’ unique concerns and aesthetic goals. She is consistently recognized by Castle Connolly, New York Magazine, and Super Doctors as one of New York’s best dermatologists for her dedication to her patients and expertise. Please call us at 212-535-3088 or email our New York City-based office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Michele Green.