7 MediSpa Treatments That Really Work

What To Look For In A MediSpa

1. Credentials, Above All

If you want medispa treatments that really work, you need a practitioner who knows what they’re doing.

Medical staff may have questionable credentials. Donna Tepper, M.D. FACS, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, states that “most MediSpa staff are performing potentially dangerous treatments with limited medical knowledge.” Wow.

In Britain, almost anyone can administer Botox and fillers. But in most countries in Europe, aestheticians are required to have up to four hundred hours of training. Only after completing a thorough training course can they call themselves “advanced aestheticians”.

In some cases, especially in the UK, MediSpa directors have not been trained to deal with the possible severities of the risks that come with some treatments. For example, while many of us think nothing of using a dermal filler, Tepper warns: “If filler is injected around the eyes or between the eyes, there is a higher risk for injection into a blood vessel, causing blindness.”

That’s terrifying. But remember that even a simple manicure can lead to infections and other health consequences if the technician isn’t properly trained.

Ensure the MediSpa of your choice posts the qualifications and certifications of their staff on the wall, or at least announces them in a brochure.

2. Proper Equipment

Dr. Kerry Phelps from RenewStemSellandLaser.com says: “The equipment used in MediSpas is highly technical. It involves lasers and frequencies that can do serious damage if not handled correctly. Using these machines requires proper training, not only to use, but to recognise whether the machine is working well or not.”

Request certificates of training and pictures of the spa’s previous patients who underwent the same treatment in order to ensure that their equipment is effective, and the handler is knowledgeable of how to use it.

3. Good Reviews

As mentioned, standard medical regulations don’t apply to MediSpas. As Dr Tepper says: “You develop a certain level of trust when you see someone in scrubs or a white coat. But that attire is misleading. It means nothing. It’s only a symbol.”

Since the talent and knowledge of MediSpa operators can greatly vary, it’s essential to check reviews of the spa on sites like Yelp. If you see even a few negative reviews, it’s probably best to stay away. After all, we’re talking about your face here! Why risk it?

Here’s another tip. If the reviewer leaves their email, contact them directly to see if they’d be willing to answer your personal questions.

Some MediSpa Treatments Work, Some Don’t

Once you find a reputable MediSpa, you need to know which treatments really work and are worth the money, and which aren’t.

By that, I mean some people come away from procedures such as Thermage and radio frequency skin tightening, and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) facials with incredible results. However, others see nothing at all. Or worse, suffer a bit from the procedure.

For example, I personally had a bad experience with radio frequency treatments. I aimed to tighten the skin on my stomach after giving birth. And the result? I felt sick for a few days. Queasy. I had a bit of pain in my lower abdomen. The skin did seem a tiny bit tighter, but it also went from being smooth and loose, to tighter, but with dimples. Kind of like cellulite on my tummy, which I never had before.

I was told that more treatments would solve the problem, but after not feeling well when the equipment was applied right over my guts, and knowing that radio frequency can have negative effects on your cellular structure, I said no. And now I live with the dimply tum.

But not all treatments have dodgy results. Here’s a list of MediSpa treatments that really work.

7 MediSpa Treatments That Really Work

1. Topical Peels And Retinoid Creams

Topical anti-aging medications are popular because they’re both effective and non-invasive. As we have written in Eluxe in the past, there are myriad skin peels you can do at home. Of course, those done in MediSpas will be more effective – but also more profound. Oh, and healing time is longer.

Retinoid cream is one popular way you can rejuvenate your skin. It’s derived from vitamin A and helps fight wrinkles by boosting collagen production. It also helps stimulate the blood vessels to deliver more nutrients to your skin. If you use one of these creams or do a peel, however, you will have to stay out of the sun and/or use a high SPF cream. Like, always. Otherwise, you could be doing more harm than good for your skin.

Tretinoin is a popular retinoid anti aging prescription and is FDA-approved to treat wrinkles. It comes in various strengths, which makes treatment customisation easy. Most people start with the mildest strength and then slowly move up to a stronger formula as they’re able to handle it. 

Adapalene is another popular retinoid cream. It can be less irritating than tretinoin cream and is often ideal for people with sensitive skin who may not tolerate stronger formulas. Ask your medispa expert which kind of peel or retinoid cream is best for you.

Average cost: Retinoid creams start at around $60 and go up from there.

2. Laser Hair Removal

Whether you’re trying to get rid of pesky chin and lip hairs, or want to eliminate every strand on your legs, bikini line and/or pits, under your armpits or on your legs, laser hair removal can be highly effective. The process incorporates the use of laser light light, which is then sent through hair pigments. The light “converts to heat, which damages the hair follicle and hair bulb”, explains Dr. Daron Seukeran, Group Medical Director at the sk:n clinic.

Before the procedure, the target hair will be trimmed to a few millimetres above the skin. The thickness, colour and location of the target hair as well as your skin colour will determine what laser equipment settings are applied. The damage to the hair follicles and bulbs will then lead to less hair growth in that area, until eventually, it just stops.

This is one of the most popular MediSpa treatments that really work. But keep a few things in mind: the darker the hair, the better the success rate. And you will need to go in for several sessions: that bikini line won’t disappear in just one sitting! 

Average cost: Around $200 a session, but remember, you are likely to need around three.

3. Botox

I’m not going to lie: although there are some natural alternatives gaining popularity, Botox is still one of the most popular and effective MediSpa treatments that really work. But that being said, a lot of women – even celebrities – have really gone over the top, either getting so much Botox that they look ‘frozen’, or using it to the point where their eyebrows are in really unnatural positions (hello, Kylie!).

But when done correctly, Botox can take decades off your face. Dr Phelps says: “Botox also prevents further wrinkling by weakening the muscles that cause creases and lines in the face.” Just make sure your practitioner uses Botox, the brand name: there are other cheaper brands of the same product, which may not last as long, though the clinician may charge the same price.

Dr Phelps believes it’s also important to ensure you don’t go ‘off label’ with the product: “Some clients request Botox in the corners of the mouth or even on the chin and neck. It’s not approved for this purpose, and can result in temporary paralysis of important muscles. I wouldn’t advise it,” she says.

Average cost: Around $250 for the eyes and forehead. Botox should last around 3 months.

4. Dermal Fillers

If you want to lift sagging cheekbones, smooth lip wrinkles, or get rid of deep under-eye circles, consider dermal fillers. These injectable, gel-like substances are another of our MediSpa treatments that really work! They can address a wide variety of ageing symptoms and help you look younger than you are. They restore volume and hydration to treated areas, so they soften wrinkles, smooth fine lines, and enhance the natural contours of the face.  

Most dermal fillers are made with the active ingredient hyaluronic acid. This is a component that’s naturally found in your skin and helps retain hydration and volume. Unfortunately, your body produces less of it as you grow older. Dermal fillers are generally a safe solution, but there are occasional risks.

Improper injections can lead to issues such as uneven distribution of filler, lumps, and bruising. Only get dermal fillers from a skilled injector who knows how to avoid common problems caused by improper injection techniques.

Average cost: Expect to pay around $300 for a syringe. Prices go up from there.

5. Spider Vein Removal (Sclerotherapy)

Sure, most of us have a few spider veins. You know, those reddish, web-shaped veins that snake their way onto your feet and legs. And most of us don’t mind them. But when they multiply, or even end up on your face, well – that’s where a MediSpa can help.

Dr Phelps says there are a multitude of reasons for the appearance of spider veins. These include ageing, hormonal changes, injury and pregnancy. “They’re caused by an accumulation of blood forming in veins from damaged one-way valves, which subsequently weakens the vessel walls and results in a visible vein,” she says.

Luckily, safe spider vein removal is another of those MediSpa treatments that really work.

It involves a highly concentrated light directed onto the blood vessels, encouraging the veins to disappear or fade gradually without damaging the skin. There is no incision-making, downtime, or general anaesthesia to worry about. 

It’s the perfect solution for spider veins on the face, legs…anywhere, really.

Average cost: The cost of this procedure can vary wildly, but after doing some research, I averaged it out to $335.

6. PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma)