Medical Spa Vs Day Spa

What’s the Difference?

by Haley Armand Tarasiewicz

Sometimes you just need a good spa day to de-stress while rejuvenating your mind, body and skin. But which spa is right for you? Over the past decade or so several new spa business models have appeared as new treatments become available and technology advances. Spas diversify and create new niches of business, like a medical (med) spa. So, what makes a med spa different from a traditional day spa? 

“A med spa is a hybrid between a day spa and a medical aesthetic clinic that operates under the direct supervision of a highly trained and specialized physician,” said Dr. Allison Clement, Medical Director and Master Injector at The Skin Studios in Lake Charles. “In a med spa, all medical-grade treatments are performed by a qualified physician or under the physician’s supervision by a trained medical professional. Whereas a day spa is not under the supervision of a medical director, and providers of spa treatments are licensed in areas of non-medical expertise, such as a licensed massage therapist, esthetician, or trained spa technician.”

Traditional day spas provide personal care treatments focused on improving beauty and relaxation. But a med spa is less about relaxation and pampering, and more about providing lasting improvements to the health of your skin with advanced medical grade skincare and treatments. 

Most Popular Medical Spa Treatments

Medical Grade Facials (Microneedling): Sometimes called collagen induction therapy, microneedling involves the creation of microscopic channels through the surface of the skin, which leads to the formation of new tissue and releases the skin’s natural growth factors which promote scar and hyperpigmentation repair and healing.

Chemical Peels: Topically applied formulations that trigger a controlled shedding of the skin to accelerate the growth of new and youthful appearing skin cells. Chemical peels are available in a variety of different types, each using different active ingredients (peeling agents) depending on the condition being addressed with treatment.

Skin Lightening: Treatments that address common pigmentation issues including dark spots, blemishes, melasma, and melanin imperfections. Skin lightening systems can also boost the texture and luminosity of the skin.

Lasers: There are many laser treatment options available to address a variety of concerns, including wrinkles, loss of collagen, texture issues, discoloration and blemishes, and more.

Radio Frequency (RF): A device used to impart energy into the deep tissue to provide a tightening effect for the face or body.

Botox or Dysport: Injectable treatments to relax lines and wrinkles.

Dermal Fillers: Most commonly formulated with hyaluronic acid, dermal fillers help to volumize areas of the face that have hollowed or formed wrinkles due to a loss of collagen. Common fillers include Juvederm, Restylane, and Radiesse.

Body Sculpting: For many people, some areas of fat are simply resistant to diet and exercise, which is why non-surgical body contouring treatments may be ideal to eliminate excess fat. In addition, a personalized muscle sculpting treatment that adjusts to your fitness level, shape and goals to strengthen, firm and tone your muscles can help increase muscle mass on average by 30 percent. 

“Laser treatments, injections and other medical procedures require experience and skill to be done safely and effectively,” said Dr. Clement. “You should feel comfortable asking for credentials and experience from your service provider, and please verify that a physician is readily available.”

To sum it up, medical spas are a hybrid between a day spa and a physician’s office. They still promote a relaxing atmosphere in a spa-like setting but combine that degree of luxury with clinical medicine. 

“At The Skin Studios, we offer a comprehensive range of advanced treatment options for a variety of aesthetic conditions including lines, wrinkles, pigmentation issues, acne, redness, volume loss, body contouring, permanent hair removal and broken capillaries,” said Dr. Clement.  “We treat these skin issues with the most cutting-edge techniques and the highest-quality products available.”

To get the care of a physician and comfort of a spa, visit The Skin Studios at www.skin-studios.com or call 337-474-1220.