Choosing a Skincare Spa – What To Look For

Many people consider anti-aging and beauty among their top priorities. So it is not surprising that skincare spas are opening all over the country. Since 2006 the number of spas in the US has quadrupled. And alongside that growth is a corresponding rise in the number people suffering from mishaps and mistakes.  In the crowded, confusing forest of skincare spas promising effects from “amazing” and “age defying” to “flawless perfection” and “fountain of youth”, how do you find your way?

You should look for a well established business or clinic established and operated by experts in the field of skin care. Skincare spa treatments are typically pricey and most spas are supervised by qualified dermatology experts.  However there is another tier of skincare spas that cater to– and oftentimes prey upon– the segment of consumers hoping to get A-list treatment at bargain prices. To avoid becoming a victim of poorly managed or substandard skincare spas, you must take care in choosing the establishment. Of course, the more significant a procedure, particularly one involving injections, surgical or other invasive procedures, the more thorough your homework should be.  Take a little time to confirm that the business you plan to get your treatment from is legitimate. Look for reliable reviews and assessment online and references from former attendees.  Always ask to view and confirm any relevant accreditation and licenses.  You should be willing to pay for the reputation– and the security of a well-known and recognized establishment.  While even the best operated facilities will have had an occasional problem or difficulty, better known establishments value their reputations and are more careful with their rules and cautious about how they deal with clients.

It probably is truer in this situation than in most others that you get what you pay for.  In most all jurisdictions, skincare spas are regulated  and subject to standards of health and safety.  While the specifics of applicable rules vary from state to state, you should always choose a business that has on its active staff a least one qualified physician, board certified in cosmetic surgery or similar dermatological procedures   In addition, you are entitled, and should make it your business, to know the qualifications and experience of the non-medical staff that will tend to your treatment and procedures. Your homework should inform you that estheticians should only handle microdermabrasion, mild facial peels, and acne extractions. A registered nurse or a nurse practitioner should be the one handling chemical peels, collagen or hyaluronic injections, and light pulse and laser treatments.

Finally, only physicians, dermatologists or plastic surgeons should administer Botox® injections and surgical or other invasive procedures.  Destination skincare spas are another level of consideration.  Combining a vacation with the prospect of returning fitter and more radiant sounds pretty good.  And if you can afford it, it happens all of the time.  A week at a destination spa can do wonders for your wellness and skin care program. There are destination spas throughout the North America, the Caribbean and Europe. Why do you want to take a skincare spa vacation? Identify what you want to accomplish first, door some homework and choose accordingly.