What to check before visiting a med spa

Medical review pending. This article is awaiting review by a qualified clinician.

Injectables, many lasers and some energy devices are medical procedures. State law decides who may perform them and what level of physician or nurse-practitioner oversight is required, and those rules differ from state to state.

A trustworthy provider will tell you who the medical director is, who will perform your treatment, what their license is, and what happens if there is a complication.

Use this checklist

• Ask for the name and license of the medical director, and look the license up on your state board's website.
• Ask who will perform the treatment and what their credential is.
• Ask which product or device will be used and how complications are handled after hours.
• Be cautious of guaranteed results, heavy discounts on prepaid packages, or pressure to decide the same day.

Sources

1. American Academy of Dermatology — Cosmetic treatments

Find providers

• Med spas
• Botox & injectables
• Dermal fillers
• Laser skin treatments

General educational information only — not medical advice. Coverage, regulations and individual needs vary. Talk with a qualified clinician about your situation.