While a Medical Spa provides the highest level of clinical-grade medical treatments in a spa-like setting, not all can deliver on both ends of the equation to give their clients the best experience possible. At the end of the day it is up to the Medical Spa to give the best experience possible for their clients, blending safety with exceptional client care.
Professional oversight changes everything
The most important feature of a medical spa is the medical supervision provided by the practitioner(s). Is a physician involved in planning your treatments? A licensed medical doctor is the best ingredient in a medical spa recipes. Many spas list a physician on their staff but do not have that person involved in the actual planning of treatments. In addition to planning your treatments a qualified medical professional will conduct your initial consultation. Don’t be fooled by sales people who work in medical spas and try to sell you the most expensive package. They are only looking to make a profit and do not have your best interests in mind. In a good medical spa, qualified medical professionals are only looking to give you the best possible treatments and advise you on the best course of treatment for your specific skin type and needs. In order to do this they will review your medical history, current medications, and specific concerns that you have regarding your skin. A qualified medical professional will explain to you the contraindications of various treatments. Meaning, he or she will explain to you the reasons why certain treatments are not indicated for your particular skin type or health profile. For example, individuals with active acne should avoid using products that contain glycolic acid or benzoyl peroxide because these can cause further irritation and more breakouts. Individuals with active cold sores should avoid using laser or light based treatments because these can cause outbreaks. Licensed practitioners take the time to review all of your options and explain the potential benefits and risks to you before proceeding with any treatments.
First and foremost is the medical oversight of the doctors and or the nurse practitioners and or the physician’s assistants that work in the medical spa. In any given consultation with a technician or assistant in a medical spa that you’re considering, you should expect for the individual to go through your full medical history and all of your current medications with you. The technician or assistant can then proceed to determine the best course of treatment for you based on your individual concerns prior to recommending any treatment to you. They will also be able to explain in full detail any contraindications to any recommended treatment that may affect you as an individual in particular. For example, they can inform you that due to your skin type or your overall health, that a particular treatment may not recommended for you and provide you with an alternative treatment for example a Nurse Practitioner or Physician’s Assistant can inform you of the above information.
A key aspect to consider when trying to figure out whether or not a medical spa is going to be able to meet your needs would be to look at the credentials of the Staff. The skills that the nurse, or technician, have in order to administer any type of medical treatment are very important. It is not enough for the medical staff to be able to administer a treatment, they must also be certified to do so. Most medical spas will list the certifications of their staff on the walls of the rooms in which the treatments are administered. In addition, many medical spas will list the credentials of their staff on their website as well. So, if you are looking for a good medical spa, you should always ask about the qualifications of the staff and the medical spa should be able to list all of the credentials for you.
Consultation quality reveals priorities
In medical spas, patients are not typical patients of a medical office. Because of this, their assessment and recommendations are typically very individualized to the patient’s skin and needs.
What comprehensive assessment looks like
If a person wants medical treatments for the skin, they should search for the top medical spa Jacksonville has to offer. What they should look for in a consultation is a doctor or NP who does a comprehensive assessment of their skin or treatment area to determine their individual needs. This means they will discuss their cosmetic objectives with them as well as their schedule and budget. The practitioner should then give them a realistic idea of what to expect from the results. They should then present them with the options available for their particular skin care or cosmetic needs and explain the cost of each. The patient should then ask what they will have to do in order to maintain the results of the treatment. For instance, laser hair removal is permanent but will require maintenance sessions of laser treatments in order to remove any regrowing hair.
It is also important to understand the maintenance that is required to get the best results from the treatment. For example, laser hair removal typically requires multiple treatments spaced a certain amount of time apart in order to get the best results. Knowing this before you begin will help you to understand what to expect from the treatment.
Red flags in the consultation room
Typically the medical spa will be very aggressive in the beginning to try to sell you for treatments and then for specials that are only good for that day and if you leave and come back they will be gone. As well as them saying that the results are too good to be true. As with any business there are always people who claim to have the best results, but a truly professional business will set realistic expectations for you and allow you the time to make an educated decision on your treatment options.
A good medical spa will be able to give you a realistic idea of what to expect with any treatment or procedure and will be able to give you a list of potential side effects and limitations as well.
Treatment customization and safety protocols
Of course, a medical spa may offer a variety of different medical aesthetic procedures. But a quality medical spa is not going to offer every procedure to every client. What they are going to do is develop a specific treatment plan that is just right for your specific needs, that fits within your budget, and that you can afford. In addition to asking a potential medical spa about the specific medical aesthetic procedures they offer and about their prices, you should also ask about how they intend to work with you to achieve the maintenance of results that you will achieve from the procedures that they perform. For example, if a medical spa performs Laser Hair Removal, they should explain your full treatment schedule including how often you will need to come back for treatments as well as how often you will need to come back for any touch-ups that may be necessary.
You should find out about the quality of the medical spa’s equipment. If a medical spa doesn’t even mention the equipment they use for treatments, you can safely assume that it is not the latest or of the highest quality. The difference between old technology and new technology with the latest software for laser treatment, for example, is huge in terms of the level of precision and the quality of the treatment and after effects.
It is also very important for the practitioner to explain the after care to you as well as what you would do in case of an emergency. Also the practitioner should explain to you the sanitizing of the room as well as the use of disposable products that will be used in your treatment. In addition, the practitioner should also explain to you the possible side effects as well as what you would look like after the treatment as well as how long it would last.
The environment matters
The environment of your medical spa also should make you feel safe and comfortable. A clean, well-organized treatment room with the latest and greatest medical-grade equipment is a must. It is also important that the environment feel like a medical office. I do not want to go to a place that feels cold and inhospitable.
You shouldn’t have to worry whether or not a medical spa is clean or not.
Post-treatment support.
A good medical spa should have a clear way of you to get in touch with them in case you have any questions or any concerns after your treatment. In addition to this, a good medical spa will book a follow-up appointment with you as needed and will check on you during your after care healing process.
A good medical spa will also document all of your previous treatments. This could include details about the settings that were used, the products that were applied, and your individual reaction to the treatment. This is especially important where more than one person will be treating you, such as with a team of technicians.
They are also crucial for your future treatments and follow-up treatments. Your nurse or medical esthetician will be able to provide you with the best possible treatment, should you require additional treatments in between visits. They will keep a record of your medical history and all previous treatments, including specific product used, as well as settings on any devices such as lasers or chemical peels. The best medical spas take a very clinical approach to skin care. At the same time, they will also take a very personal approach to your skin care. So, look for a medical spa that can provide you with a great deal of individualized attention. Remember, it is very important to feel safe and well cared for at your medical spa. Therefore, always take the time to review all of the safety protocols in place at any medical spa prior to which you are considering going. Also, be sure to take a close look at the overall environment at the spa. Ask lots of questions about your treatment, before you have it. And, review before and after photos of previous patients.
