5 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.

5 MediSpa Treatments That Really Work

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 radiofrequency 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 radiofrequency 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 radiofrequency 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 Med SPA treatments that really work.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

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.

4. Fotona 4D Laser

After Kim Kardashian posted a video of her receiving a Fotona 4D laser treatment on her neck and face, requests for this treatment exploded!

Apparently, Fotona 4D Face treatments are one of Kim’s go-tos when it comes to looking flawless. She posted “The neck is key” (as you can see in the photo, above) and showed the laser treating her neck in a video.

Fotona 4D treatments are delivered on a systematic basis where each part of the treatment serves a different purpose in restoring the skin from the inside out.

According to Dr Tepper, these treatments are non-surgical, non-invasive treatments that can do a lot of amazing things for your skin, including:

• Stimulating the production of collagen
• Restoring fibroblasts within the dermal structures
• Reducing pigmentation and colouration
• Smoothing wrinkles
• Removing fine lines
• Eliminating sun damage
• Tightening skin
• Reducing nasolabial folds
• Accelerating skin healing
• Reducing acne scars

“This treatment is for anyone who wants younger looking skin and long-lasting results. It’s perfect for anyone who has noticed some sagging and a decrease in skin quality, but who’s not quite ready for a face lift,” Dr Tepper states.

Fotona offers lasting results for skin tightening and wrinkle reduction with low-to-no downtime for recovery. Its unique modes and wavelengths can be used to improve skin quality and tightness on the face, chest, or body, and can result in a beautiful rejuvenation of the treated area.

This is a comfortable treatment that builds up results gradually and naturally over time. Patients will immediately notice smoother, tighter skin, lifted brows, and a sharper jawline after treatment. And improvements gradually increase over time.

Also, you can choose to have additional sessions to maintain and build off of accomplished results, creating a new baseline of natural youth and beauty that lasts.

Average cost: Standard Fotona 4D procedure for the face is around $600 per treatment, which lasts approximately 1 hour. Usually 3 treatments are recommended, spaced 2-3 weeks apart. Maintenance treatments are recommended 2-3 times a year.

5. PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma)