Turquoise Talk


November, 2007

Is There Really a Doctor In the House?


Questions you Should ask at a Medical Day Spa


Richard A Levin, MD

Medi- or medical spas are booming around the country because they combine the relaxing comforts of traditional spas with results-oriented cosmetic procedures that were, until recently, performed primarily in a physician’s office.

Unfortunately, many new businesses that promote themselves as medical spas lack certain credentials and fall short of conforming to Connecticut state laws and statutes. Medi-spas are appearing in hair salons and shopping malls and many lack direct physician supervision of medical procedures that are being performed by ancillary personnel.

A savvy consumer needs to ask the following questions when looking into medical spa procedures:

- Is the physician affiliated with the spa actually on-site?
- What are the physicians’ credentials?
- Is a nurse who may administer injections or perform laser treatments properly trained and supervised by on-site, qualified physicians?
- Is the practitioner using the latest and most effective laser technology and fillers?
- Do the physicians specialize in facial cosmetic surgery procedures?
- Do the physicians perform detailed consultations, review medical history and recommend appropriate and effective procedures?
- Are the risks and benefits of the procedures discussed as well as other options for treatment?
- Are injections performed using sterile technique?
- Are the physicians available if post-procedure complications arise?

A journey through Fairfield County will reveal a proliferation of new spas. If your destination is a medical spa, make sure that there really is a physician, with the appropriate credentials, in house.