The Differences Between Day and Medical Spas
More men and women go to day spas today than ever before. Also called spas or pleasure areas, these facilities offer a wide range of personal wellness services. But what defines a day spa, and when should you visit one?
Day spas differ from medical spas in that they do not offer an array of services requiring a doctor’s supervision. One or more doctors typically own, operate or manage medical spas and their operations. But your services can take place under the care of a range of practitioners, depending on the required licensing, skill and knowledge. Some of the professionals working in medical spas include:
- Dermatologists
- Plastic surgeons
- Estheticians
- Nurses
- Massage therapists
You can expect the relaxation of a day spa and expert care of a doctor’s office in a medical spa. However, you can expect a higher level of care and deeper relaxation in a day spa.
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Med Spas vs. Traditional Day Spas
The primary difference between a medical spa(1) and a day spa is the services offered. A traditional day spa cannot perform medical procedures. But at a med spa, you can receive treatments performed by medical professionals working in fields requiring special licensing and education.
A med spa must have at least one medical doctor overseeing its operations or affiliated with the business. Not all of the spa’s services are performed by a doctor. But that physician, usually a plastic surgeon or dermatologist(2), supervises offerings and patient treatments.
Each med spa offers its own array of services. These depend on which spa you choose, their philosophy of treatment and the type of medicine the primary doctor’s practice. For example, a dermatologist-operated spa typically offers skin treatments for acne and other skin conditions. But a plastic surgeon-supervised med spa may provide cosmetic procedures, such as Botox injections or dermal fillers.
Your treatment also varies from one med spa to the next. Some are luxurious. Others are more clinical. Some focus on getting the results you need, whereas others strive to pamper and relax patients.
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