Introduction
Finding the right fit for a Medical Spa can be a very challenging process, especially if you’re picky about who is doing the procedure. And being picky is highly encouraged, this is your face we’re talking about here!
A great fit for one person also may not be a great fit for another so how do you decide personally?
This article will go through some frequently asked questions (FAQs) and some tips for what to look for in a good practice or injector.
Medical Spa FAQs
What is a Medical Spa?
In short a Medical Spa is a hybrid practice between a Spa and a Medical office. It will typically offer spa like procedures such as facials and microneedling as well as aesthetic procedures such as Botox injections, Laser/IPL treatments, Fillers, and other skilled procedures.
Who can open a Medical Spa?
Really anyone can open a Medical Spa but they will need to hire the people with the credentials to perform the procedures and these credentials will vary from state to state. They will also have to abide by all of the medical guidelines and standards of care practices for their state and profession.
What is offered at a Medical Spa?
This also varies per location but as above, a common menu might include: facials, micro-needling, Neurotoxin Injections, Filler injections, Laser/IPL treatments, Kybella or other fat modification procedures, etc.
Who can do injections at a Medical Spa?
This varies by state but in Colorado a Medical Aesthetician or RN can inject under the direct supervision of a Physician or Nurse Practitioner Medical Director. A Physician Assistant can inject under the supervision of a Physician. A Nurse Practitioner or Physician can inject under their own independent license.
What is the difference between all the different types of injectors at a Medical Spa?
An aesthetician:
An esthetician in CO is required to complete 20 credit hours (or 600 clock hours or 3 months of full time commitment) in the areas of: facials and skincare, facial makeup, hair removal, legal, management/ethics, and safe work-practices. They may complete additional training for medical injections (like Botox) and courses are variable from ~2-6 weeks.
A Registered Nurse (RN):
A RN is typically a 4-year bachelor’s degree with a heavily scientific focus including biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, and other specific medical focused classes.
RN’s also complete extensive clinical hours where they are supervised taking care of patients, handling medications and doing injections before graduating and practicing in whatever setting they choose.
After all of this training a RN has to complete aesthetic injection training in order to become a cosmetic injector.
A Nurse Practitioner (NP):
A NP has to have a RN degree first and then goes through 2-4 years (depending on the program) of full time graduate school to also learn how to diagnose and treat medical conditions, prescribe medications and learn advanced procedures.
A Physician Assistant (PA):
A PA has to have a bachelor’s degree (in any area) and complete all the medical/scientific prerequisites for PA school which is 2-years of additional full-time graduate school. PA school is heavy on the Medical Model and these individuals have a strong scientific and practical background when they graduate.
Depending on their background prior to PA school they may or may not have any prior Medical experience and training outside of their 2 years of PA training.
A Physician:
Physicians can have a bachelor’s degree in any area but must complete all of the prerequisites for Medical school, which is 4-years. Then they do a medical or surgical residency to specialize in whatever area of medicine they decide to go into. Some examples of physicians that are most specialized for aesthetics include dermatology and plastic surgery but in reality any physician can technically be an injector.
Are Medical Spas safe?
Most Medical Spas are safe but some of the laws regarding the spas are ambiguous. As above many different types of professionals can do injections and it’s difficult to know who is safe and who is not.
Most professionals also require a Medical Director, typically a Physician but this law does not necessarily protect the consumer.
A Physician Medical Director can work in any field of medicine and may have never done an aesthetic injection themselves. They also do not necessarily have to be present when your procedures is done.
See what kind of questions to ask below to ensure you are well taken care of and in the right hands.
What factors should I consider when choosing an injector?
Background and experience- do they have actual injection experience and training? What kind of experience and training?
For instance, some of the best Physicians I know have not done an actual injection themselves since their residency. They are excellent at what they do in medicine but I would never allow them near my face with a needle.
Even a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon may not do their own injections, their nurses might do injections so that they can focus on more lucrative surgeries. This is not a bad thing, you want whoever is most experienced in the office with injections doing your injections. Or whatever type of procedure you’re having.
So don’t be afraid to ask about background or experience regardless of how prestigious a title is.
Communication– whoever you pick to inject you should be a good communicator that can thoroughly explain pre and post-treatment instructions. It’s normal to be nervous for any procedures and you need to be able to openly communicate all of your concerns with your injector. This also includes good communication for follow-up.
How will they respond in an emergency? This might just be my Critical Care background creeping through but I always want to know what happens in the worst case scenario. How will this person prevent complications and how will they react if a complication occurs. Be wary of anyone that tells you that anything is 100% safe.
How do I pick out a Medical Spa?
If you have a standard for what type of credentials you want your injector to have find that first. For instance if you would like a RN or Physician to inject you then research Medical Spas that have these Medical Professions on staff. Typically there is an about page on the website where you can find this information.
Once you find a few companies or individuals you like online see if you can find any reviews on them.
Schedule a consult and consider making a list of your questions to bring to your consult. Some examples of questions might include:
- Who will be doing my actual procedure?
- What is the background and experience of that individual?
- What can I expect before and after the procedure?
- Do you have any photos of real clients that have had this procedure?
- What precautions and side effects should I know about?
- How would you treat said side effects?
- Can I get an exact quote today?
- Do you offer free follow-up?
- How do touch ups work?
How will I know who is the right injector for me?
After considering all of the above it really comes down to just trusting your instincts. Who feels right to you and shares your vision for what you want out of your procedure and outcomes?
It might take a few consults to find the right place but it is worth it. Again, this is your face we’re talking about here. You definitely want to be picky.
If you’re considering Elite Medical & Aesthetics for one of your consults learn more HERE and also check out My Story of why I started my Medical Spa.
