A medical spa is a place to relax, decompress and detach from the stresses and pressures of daily life. Visitors usually enjoy massages, hydrotherapy, skin treatments and other aesthetic solutions. It can be a place of respite, but it also serves as a conduit to healing and medical treatment, as clinical professionals can determine the cause of pain and physical difficulty of their patients, and help find solutions.
History of the Medical Spa
In the late 1980s, the idea of a medical spa came into the forefront with the advent of alpha hydroxyl acids and the original Collagen injectable. The idea of performing minor medical procedures in an environment most people used as a place of relaxation and rejuvenation was compelling. It was also noted that, while patients often delay important treatments due to the stress of being in a traditional clinic or doctor’s office, their fears were often allayed in a more comfortable space like a spa.
Spas also hearken back to the ancient Greek and Roman times, when bathing in natural waters was considered both therapeutic and sacred treatment to purify the mind, body and spirit. In fact, the word spa can be traced to the Latin term, sanitas per aqua, which means health through water. It also has ties to the Walloon word “espa,” which means fountain.
The Modern Day Medical Spa
Some of the treatments that are performed in a modern day medical spa include anti-wrinkle injections, Botox, chemical peels and laser treatments. Some spa health professionals also conduct breast implant operations, perform chin, face, brow and eyelid lifts, and even tummy tucks.
Only skilled and licensed professionals are qualified to tend to patients. It is crucial to do some research before visiting any spa. You want to be sure that the facilities are well-maintained, clean and up to code. Most importantly, a medical spa should be licensed. Not all regions require spas to have a license, but it’s best to visit the ones that do.
One of the best ways to research a medical spa is to look them up online and read their reviews. Also, if you know anyone who has been a patient, it would be useful to ask them about their experience. As a prospective patient, you should feel free to ask as many questions as you wish about procedures you may be unsure of. Any health care practitioner should be forthcoming and helpful, and you should definitely take into consideration how attentive the medical staff is to your needs and concerns.
Medical Spa Benefits
Many people visit a medical spa for aesthetic procedures like Botox injections, facial rejuvenation and laser treatments – all of which are alternatives for more invasive techniques like face-lifts or other forms of plastic surgery. The recovery time is also a lot shorter.
Another benefit of frequenting a spa is that patients often report that they have a more natural look, compared to others who have undergone traditional surgery.
And possibly the best benefit of all is the fact that whatever service you choose to get, you’re most likely going to leave feeling better about your appearance and your health.
Ultimately, you should keep in mind that the medical spa experience is all about one person: you! As such, you should feel comfortable, safe and inspired by your choice. If you feel intimidated or that you aren’t treated like a “VIP” then that’s probably a sign that you should look elsewhere.