Cosmetic Medical Spas offer nonsurgical and minimally invasive surgical options to consider instead of the more commonly known surgical procedures for a lifetime of maintenance and enhancement for a younger looking you.

Physician services are provided by a medical consultant working along with licensed and certified Aestheticians, Nurses and alternative medicine health care professionals offering a unique non invasive approach to healthy, vibrant skin and body improvement.

Each medical spa will define the physician to consumer relationship based on state regulations and laws. The accredited physician could be a range of recognized specialties such as plastic surgeon, dermatologist, and others.

Beware that a specialty as listed as cosmetic/aesthetic/laser medicine is not recognized by state medical boards. Standards are incomplete and consumers must research the accepted credentials to access the trust component of their ultimate experience at the medical spa.

Not all lasers are alike.  Standards for the accredited use of cosmetic aesthetic lasers for physicians, RN's, or Aestheticians are set by American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgeons, the National Coalition of Aestheticians, Manufacturers/Distributors & Associations and The American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Academy of Dermatologist. Laser manufacturers provide laser safety and use of new lasers to practices that purchase the lasers. Dermatologist, Surgeons and Aestheticians are trained in skin care charting, skin hygiene and consumer skin safety procedures under their scope of practice.


In contrast to ablative medical laser treatments that require a full scope of physician care due to their risk and robust action on skin tissue, there are several well-tolerated non-ablative laser treatments commonly used to promote healthy vibrant skin, tighten sagging skin tissue and remove unwanted hair, cellulite, small veins, and red and brown spots. Multiple treatments are required, some treatments are temporary and most are combined with relaxing spa treatments for optimal results.

All light based treatments require eyewear protection for the client and service provider. Invest in non ablative treatments for low risk accumulating results that will improve your appearance for life. Learn and understand what will happen to your skin after the treatment and get it in writing from your treatment provider. Experience will allow your provider to predict your personal experience. A consumer's hopeful and unanticipated results are discussed prior to treatment with the treatment provider, not a sales person.

Laser maintenance, calibration, and ease of use are paramount to the safety and success of the treatment. Laser owners are more likely to "care" for and protect their laser investment. Ask your provider if the lasers are rented through companies that drop the lasers off when contracted. There is a difference in treatment outcome and safety.


Not all medical injection RX's are alike. Some relax, some plump, and each is placed by medical injection in different areas of skin surface and depth with varying techniques and dilutions. Each new patient's face presents an artistic and technical interpretation of the desired outcome. Look at your injectors face and ask yourself if you want to look like them. Validate your decision to select a treatment based on a medical evaluation and consultation.


Your present health or skin condition may prevent the desired outcome. Some bodies reject aesthetic treatment or have limited results. A 35% response yield is acceptable treatment in medicine. Beware of medical spas offering a "cure" or "fix". You can expect to look more youthful with a combination of spa and medical treatments and home care as recommended by your Aesthetician.
-All cosmetic laser and injection treatments methods that heat, peel or break the skin tissue for the desired result may lead to blisters, infection, scarring, viral and or acne breakout. You should discuss your current medications, current skin care and the use of prophylactic drugs and post care with your medical professional and treatment provider. A written "Post Care" letter must be provided.
-There is no difference in liposuction or endoscopic surgery procedure performed at a surgery center or in a cosmetic medical spa except for the accreditation of the practicing physician. An "in office surgery" procedure would most likely be performed by a non-surgeon that would not have the privilege of operating in an accredited surgery facility. Physicians can perform procedures they want to and the choice of physician and treatment remains the consumer's privilege.


100% permanent laser hair removal is advertising fraud. Lasers remove hair, lighten hair color, and reduce the quantity and size of pre-determined hair re-growth over a period of time utilizing the energy from multiple laser treatments. This can be your most expensive beauty investment due to the multiple treatments required for a desired result. Most clients agree that successful laser hair removal is worth every penny spent. Beware of establishments that sell cheap multiple visit packages. Their lasers and business will quit running before you use 20 or 30 visits.
-Find a licensed professional. CIDESCO, NCEAA, and ASLMS are recognized for education standards and provide advanced accreditation and certification for cosmetic and technology industry professionals. Members are peer reviewed and/or are accepted by examination. ISPA, The Day Spa Association, and Medical Spa Society have established business conduct code of ethics and are established by a collaboration of industry vendor sponsorships that provide workshop standards for education.

Experience counts. The medical spa industry is not well defined by specialty or practice and is approximately six years young. While offering a wide variety of aesthetic services with advancing technologies, new treatments are not always better. The most experienced in the minimally invasive field of aesthetic service providers are cautious not to embrace trends. We know more now than ever before and have learned through a fellowship of association mentoring and reporting of caring providers. Select physician groups and cosmetic boards are eager to defend the emerging industry for the best interest of consumer safety.
-Professional skin care products recommended by your Aesthetician assist in the anti-aging process for life. Many ingredients recognized as de-agers are included in daily skin cleansers, serums and moisturizers. Stay out of the sun, exercise, reduce alcohol intake, drink pure water and eat well for healthy skin for life.

Written by  Mona Sappenfield, CEO of Mona Spa and Laser Center 

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