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How To Choose Your Med Spa
Dr Patel is frequently asked by friends and family about how to assess and choose a facility to get a skincare treatment. Below are some recommendations for making that important decision. At The Institute for Advanced Skin Care and Optimal Health our goal is to provide high quality advanced skincare with leading edge technology in a safe, skilled and serene environment under immediate guidance of a board certified physician.
Do’s and Don’ts When Considering Cosmetic Procedures in a Spa or Salon
As the quest for the perfect body and a flawless face continues, many consumers have turned to salons, spas and malls to enhance their appearance at bargain prices. While all cosmetic procedures are medical, many consumers are being influenced to believe that certain procedures are easy and free of risks or complications – leading many to seek non-traditional settings in which unlicensed non-physicians are administering treatments. To educate potential patients about the red flags associated with non-physicians offering cosmetic treatments, Dr Patel has developed a few important do’s and don’ts for consumers:
Do's
Do choose a location carefully. Beware of locations outside of a physician’s office, such as a spa, salon, or store-front in a shopping mall. These locations usually have no medical staff on-site or emergency care services in place should something go wrong. Also, although a medi-spa may be owned or directed by a doctor, the doctor may only visit the facility occasionally. Ask if the doctor is on-site and immediately available to supervise procedures.
Do make sure the doctor is on site. Most cosmetic procedures should be performed by a physician who is board-certified in dermatology or another specialty with equivalent training and experience. If the physician is supervising the procedure, make sure he is on-site and immediately available to respond to any questions or problems that may occur while the procedure is being performed.
Do check credentials. Putting people in scrubs and having medical charting on the walls make a facility appear professional, but it doesn’t make their staff qualified to perform a medical procedure. Ask about background and training. Is the physician a member of a medical specialty organization? This indicates a physician’s desire to keep abreast of the latest scientific data and medical information.
Do discuss pain management options. Discomfort or minimal pain may be associated with some minor cosmetic treatments. Ask about your options? What are the benefits and risks associated with each option? Which option do you recommend and why?
Don'ts
Don’t ever go to someone’s home or a hotel room to have a cosmetic procedure performed. Cosmetic procedures are medical procedures, which should not be performed in these settings.
Don’t rely on price. If you are receiving a procedure that costs significantly less than usual, you can assume you are not receiving the best treatment. Price should not be the determining factor.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
What if something goes awry?
What procedures are in place to deal with an emergency?
What training does the staff have?
Who will perform the procedure?
Is this treatment right for me?
Is this laser, device or technique appropriate for my skin type?
Have you performed this procedure before on the same body part I’m considering?
May I see your before and after photographs?
Have you reviewed my medical history?
Don’t go through with a procedure if they can’t prove a trained physician is accessible.
Don’t be afraid to walk away. If it doesn’t feel right, then find a more reputable location.
Below is an exerpt from CNN article on 9-24-07
We see a definite increase in the number of people being damaged by untrained individuals using these lasers and we think that this is just going to be more of a problem," said Alastair Carruthers, president of ASDS. He and other doctors say the increased demand for laser surgery is outpacing the number of people properly trained to use it.
"If you use them inappropriately, you can damage tissue severely. You're trying to damage very selectively, but you can do more than that, so that you can draw a hole in someone if you are being dumb about things," he said.
"Sadly, there are many people who are laser techs who have done very little, maybe a weekend course, maybe some other training. We believe that you require more information than that," Carruthers said. He thinks a physician should always be present during the procedures and that those performing it should have at least basic knowledge of the response of body tissue to lasers, like a registered nurse or physician's assistant.
The ASDS and organizations like the National Coalition of Estheticians, Manufacturers/Distributors & Associations, put the blame squarely on state regulatory boards for what they consider a lack of effective oversight in the industry. Regulation on who can use lasers and what defines "medical supervision" differs from state to state. Some states require a doctor on site, others do not.
According to the ASDS, Kentucky is the only state that requires a doctor to be present in the room while the procedure is taking place. Only four other states require that a physician be on site and available for consultation during treatments. The rest require less stringent physician involvement -- like simply being available by phone or beeper, for example.
"If we could get a clear definition from the state medical boards as to what medical supervision is, it would make our lives a lot easier and it would keep consumers much safer," said Susanne Warfield, executive director of the NCEA.
