Medical Treatments Don't Belong In Malls

by Kimberly Kolodziejski

For those who have been on the fence about branching out into the world of anti-aging facial procedures, it has become very easy to find inexpensive sources for BOTOX®*, laser and chemical peel treatments … maybe too easy. With the prolific sprouting of day spas and medi-spas, it is important to know the difference in the two and what regulations are required for the procedures they offer.

A Medi-Spa is a facility that operates under the full-time, on-site supervision of a licensed health care professional. The facility operates within the scope of practice of its staff, and offers traditional, complementary, and alternative health practices and treatments in a spa-like setting. Practitioners working within a medical spa will be governed by their appropriate licensing board, if a license is required.

Day spas, on the other hand, may be stand-alone facilities, in a hotel, connected to a health club, allied with a one-stop wellness center or an adjunct to medical facilities.

In an article entitled When lasers misfire: Unregulated spa treatments hazardous to public health by Laura Crimaldi in the Boston Herald this week-end, countless stories of permanent damage were recorded as a result of treatments received at the hands of unregulated or untrained “specialists”.

However, just because a “specialist” has a Training Certification on their wall, you should know that there are many websites that will provide these certificates without requiring any hands on experience with the lasers or chemicals involved.

“These are medical treatments. Medical treatments don’t belong in malls,” said Dr. Ranella Hirsch, a Cambridge dermatologist and chairwoman of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS). “It shouldn’t be, ‘OK, I’m shoe shopping. Maybe I should go get some BOTOX®*.’ ”

Because each state has its own regulation requirements for these potentially damaging treatments, it is as important to do your research and get referrals as you would with any other medical procedure you were considering. You may also want to consult with your own State Medical Board for information on licensing regulations.

* BOTOX®* is a registered trademark of Allergan, Inc.