Safety Concerns With Non-physician Owned Medi-spas


by Keion Moradi - Date: 2007-11-13 - Word Count: 470 Share This!

Medi-spas are full-service facilities that can offer everything from a Swedish massage to hair removal, facial injectables, laser treatment and other medical procedures. Medi-spas integrate medical cosmetic treatment with luxury and convenience. They may be located in a physician-owned outpatient facility, a shopping mall, salon or other facility.

While many are owned and/or directed by physicians, there are a number of medi-spas performing medical cosmetic procedures without the proper supervision of a qualified medical professional. As federal standards are not yet in place, be aware of safety concerns with non-physician owned medi-spas. For your own protection, ask questions and make an informed decision before accepting treatment from any medi-spa.

Medi-Spa Safety Concerns: Expertise

A qualified medical doctor should be available for a consultation at a physician-owned medi-spa. The consultation allows you to discuss your goals, ask questions and address concerns. The doctor can create an appropriate treatment plan and discuss the benefits and risks associated with the medical cosmetic procedure in question.

Treatment from a non-physician owned medi-spa can lead to misguided advice regarding treatment options and realistic results. Improperly trained individuals do not have the qualifications to provide medical advice and treatment. The presence of medical personnel is also crucial for your safety in cases of emergency. Receiving medical cosmetic treatment at a non-physician owned medi-spa can put your health in jeopardy.

Medi-Spa Safety Concerns: Education

Request credentials from the physician and individual performing the procedure. For physicians, ask about educational background and board certification. Make sure that the medi-spa is under the direction of a board certified dermatologist or cosmetic plastic surgeon. Additionally, find out what role the physician has in planning and administering your treatment.

If someone other than the physician is performing the procedure, verify his or her medical qualifications and experience. Some states allow licensed and trained nurse practitioners or physician's assistants to perform certain procedures, such as laser treatment, deep peels and injections. However, all cosmetic medical procedures must be supervised by a board certified dermatologist, or plastic surgeon.

Medi-Spa Safety Concerns: Ask Questions About Treatment

Before receiving medical cosmetic treatment, it's important to be secure in your decision. Request as much information as possible. In addition to learning about the benefits, limitations and risks, inquire about FDA approval. If a product is FDA approved, is it for the intended use?

Medi-Spa Safety Concerns: Avoid Empty Promises

When you have a consultation with a qualified cosmetic plastic surgeon, expect to be informed about the realistic benefits and risks associated with any procedure. Hold the same standards when visiting a medi-spa. Claims that pharmaceutical injectables and laser treatment are equivalent to facial plastic surgery are inaccurate and misleading. Many non-invasive medical cosmetic procedures are safe and effective, but they will not achieve the same results as plastic surgery. Be wary of the pushy salesman approach, and watch out for 100 percent success claims.

Related Tags: plastic surgery, cosmetic plastic surgery, facial plastic surgery

Remember that price, luxury and convenience are among many features to evaluate when seeking treatment from a medi-spa. For more information about medi-spas and plastic surgery procedures, visit DocShop.com where you can find information on cosmetic plastic surgery and specific types such as facial plastic surgery .

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