Medical spas are a rapidly growing industry in America as new procedures emerge which can make women look 10-20 years younger without going under the knife. A medical spa is a mix between a traditional day spa and a medical center.

Because there is a medical specialist on staff, these facilities can offer the traditional treatments such as massage and facials in addition to cosmetic treatments such as Botox, Restylane, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, and laser hair removal.

The experience offers a relaxing alternative to a doctor’s office, where a woman can pamper herself and benefit from the amenities of a spa while still getting cosmetic procedures from a medical professional. For most women, getting a medical treatment in a spa setting is far more relaxing than getting one in a cold, sterile, clinical setting.

A variety of treatments are available at these innovative and relaxing facilities. Botox is perhaps the most popular, widely available at spas across the country. Botox is injected around “expression lines” (the nicer term for what women call wrinkles!) either to diminish their appearance or to prevent the lines from forming or deepening, which causes women to look older.

It works by blocking the nerve impulses, which cause muscles to contract. It is reported that the three most common areas for Botox injections are the forehead, between the eyebrows, and on the sides of eyes (commonly referred to as “crows feet”).

Prices for Botox range greatly from one facility to the next, but typically spas charge from $12-15 per unit with the forehead taking anywhere from 10-20 units and areas around the eyes taking significantly less. Botox typically lasts for 3 to 6 months.

Microdermabrasion is a second treatment that is exceedingly common, offering youthful-looking skin without cosmetic surgery. A mechanical exfoliation that removes the top layer of dead skin from the face, chest, and/or hands, microdermabrasion reveals the more youthful, glowing skin underneath.

Benefits include diminished look of wrinkles, large pores, sun damage, and coarse skin leaving an overall more youthful look. In addition, this procedure is sometimes called a “lunchtime peel” because it is fairly quick and requires little recovery time. The price for microdermabrasion usually ranges from $100-150 for a single session, though generally multiple sessions are recommended for optimal results.

Restylane, chemical peels, and laser treatments are also low cost, effective treatments offering a look younger without going under the knife. With medical spas, a simple day of pampering can dramatically improve your overall appearance with little to no recovery time.

One important question in choosing a medical spa is to determine whether a trained physician is involved to oversee and supervise the various treatments. While a doctor does not necessarily have to conduct the procedures, it is important that the person doing them is qualified, experienced and physician-trained. Regulations vary from state to state.

Overall, medical spas are an excellent alternative to the surgeon’s office to get treatments that will leave you looking more glowing and youthful than you ever thought possible, all while relaxing in a spa-like setting.

Have you ever tried medical spa treatments? It is a great way to improve your health and relax at the same time. It offers a great alternative to plastic surgery for those who want to look younger and feel better. A medical spa crosses between a clinic and a resort. It is a spa just like any other, with the exception that they offer a variety of medical treatments. They are supervised by a doctor and their staff is trained in various medical procedures.

What Can You Get At A Medical Spa?

The kind of treatments available at the spa depend on the place, but most offer these standard treatments:

Botox And Other Injectibles-You’ll often find plastic surgery’s wonder treatment Botox at medical spas. Botox is a non-surgical treatment involving injections of a virus into the skin. The collagen reacts by relaxing, thus getting rid of your wrinkles and other signs of aging. Injectible treatments like Botox are taking the cosmetic surgery world by storm because they are non-surgical, safe and effective. You’ll most certainly find some injectible therapies at a medical spa.

Facial Peels-Also at the top of the list are facial peels. A mask containing non-invasive chemicals is put on the face, and then peeled off, removing excess skin, fine lines and acne scarring. By removing the damaged outer layer, your skin is rejuvenated.

Laser Treatments-Medical spas use lasers for a variety of simple treatments. The most common laser treatment is acne scar removal. This treatment can be used to get rid of the bumps and craters that remain after the ravages of acne. Lasers are also used for hair removal. This offers an easy and convenient way to get rid of hair on parts of your body where you’d rather not have it. There are also laser treatments that tighten the skin, in order to get rid of wrinkles and blemishes.

Intense Pulsed Light-This is a light-based therapy, also known as IPL. This therapy uses light which is turned into heat energy to stimulate the collagen in the skin. When we age, we develop wrinkles because the skin tenses and tightens. Collagen in the natural relaxer built into your skin. IPL focuses light rays on the skin which the collagen naturally reacts to, thus relaxing the skin.

IPL is most effective against the damage done to the skin by the sun, but it is also effective for removing wrinkles, broken blood vessels, age spots and other signs of aging. It is safe and non-invasive, and it can be used for other parts of the body as well.

Microderm-Microderm (or microdermabrasion) is a treatment used to remove old excess skin or scars. In the past, crystals were used, but now most medical spas use a wand with a rough surface. Think of it as a buffer for your skin.

Some have called microderm the “instant face lift” because it is so effective in making people look younger. It gets rid of blemishes, scars and wrinkle lines, as well as rejuvenating your skin by shaving off the old, outer layer. It is also used for the neck, arm and hands.

Every medical spa has a slightly different menu, so it’s worth shopping around until you find the right one for you. But if you’re not picky, all offer some variation of these treatments.

Being realistic about the outcome of your plastic surgery is the key to success. First, you have to get ready for the consultation.

What Is A Plastic Surgery Consultation?

Before they get surgery, most people don’t understand what the consultation is all about. The consultation is a chance for you to talk to a plastic surgeon about your operation.

They can look at you and make recommendations about what work should be done. They will walk you through the procedure and tell you about any risks, as well as explain in detail the recovery period after surgery is over. It’s your chance to ask questions and design your new body or face with the doctor.

Check Out The Surgeon

Even more important, the consultation is a chance for you to check out the plastic surgeon. First, make sure they are ASPS Board Certified. This means that they have undergone the proper training and gained the right experience to perform plastic surgery operations.

You should never even think about going under the knife of someone who isn’t certified. The doctor should explain everything to you so that you can understand. What’s really important here is comfort level. If they are vague or don’t explain fully, you should look somewhere else.

They should be honest and professional, they shouldn’t be making a sales pitch, but simply explaining what they can or can’t do. You need to be totally comfortable with your doctor, so if there is anything that sets you ill at ease, you should keep shopping.

You can also have a look at the doctor’s before and after pictures. This will not only show you their work, but give you a good idea of what you can expect with the outcome.

Questions You Need To Ask

- Ask about their certification if they haven’t already told you.

- Ask them about anesthetic, for some procedures they will simply numb the area getting work done, and for others you will be put to sleep. Most surgeons offer both options where possible.

- Find out about their experience. They should have several years of experience doing exactly the procedure you want done.

- What kind of risks and complications are there? Ask them what the most common complication is and how it can be avoided.

- Ask about the recovery period. This is need-to-know information. You should find out how long it will take and what it will involve. It’s also a good idea to ask about the pain and discomfort you may experience.

- Ask to talk to former patients or see their endorsements. A former patient who is happy with their work will be happy to put in a good word for them.

- Who will be performing the post-operative care? In some cases, the doctor will see you through the entire recovery period, but in other situations they will pass you off to a surgeon-in-training. If it’s a concern for you, find out now who will do it.

Get as much detail as possible about the actual procedure so that you will know what is happening. The most important thing to understand is the outcome. An unrealistic expectation of plastic surgery is the number one cause of failure. Make sure you know what you will get out of it.