A few years ago, the 31-year-old New York interior designer discovered Juva MediSpa, one of the country’s first facilities to offer medical procedures like laser hair removal and Botox as well as traditional spa services. Now she goes there almost exclusively. Founded in 1999 by dermatologist Dr. Bruce Katz, Juva now has a staff of 60 and annual revenue growth of 20 to 25 percent. “When I opened it, a lot of my colleagues thought it was a silly idea,” says Katz. “Now everyone wants to do it.”
There are more than 1,250 medical spas in the United States today–up 50 percent from just a year ago, according to SpaFinder, which tracks the industry. President Susie Ellis says it’s the fastest-growing segment, accounting for about 10 percent of all spas. But as the number has risen, so have concerns about the risks to patients. While cosmetic treatments like chemical peels and laser resurfacing can have more-dramatic results than a traditional facial, they can also cause lasting damage if done incorrectly.
“Many people just think these treatments will help them look better. They don’t realize these are potentially dangerous medical devices that can leave permanent scars,” says Dr. Marta Van Beek, an assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Iowa, who helped write a 2003 state law placing limits on who can perform laser and other “tissue altering” procedures.
A handful of other states, like California and Florida, are starting to implement similar restrictions. But most have not, so consumers should be cautious.
Don’t be fooled by fancy décor, says Van Beek. “You can’t judge the quality of the providers by how nice-looking the spa is.”
Make sure to check with the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed against the spa.
Before agreeing to any cosmetic procedure, consult with a physician or dermatologist to weigh the risks and benefits. Find out who will administer the treatment at the spa and how much training and experience he or she has had. Ask if a doctor will be present. (Some spas have one on call, but not on site.) Check the price, recovery time and possible side effects–and how many sessions you may need for your desired results. Make sure the staff knows your medical history and allergies. And if you’re given medication, check on side effects, drug interactions and proper dosage.
Both the risks and the prices are higher for medical cosmetic treatments than for traditional spa services. But if they are done correctly, the results can be dramatic. Weiner says her sunspots disappeared after a few microdermabrasion sessions. “My skin looked noticeably better,” she says. Of course, sunspots can return, so she still gets monthly maintenance sessions. Having her dermatologist oversee her treatments gives her peace of mind, she says. The only damage Weiner worries about now is to her wallet.
