Yet confusion still abounds. The number of medical spas in the country now reaches into the thousands. I found nearly as many definitions of the term "medical spa."

Like any smart woman, I know when I'm in over my head. So, I turned to a team of industry experts and insiders to get the skinny on medical spas, from wellness clinics to aesthetic dermatologists. Attention, ladies: Before that needle gets anywhere near your forehead, lips or eyes, here's what you must know about medical spas, from what they are to how to pick the right one for you.

Walk into the nearest medical spa and you may be surprised to find a space that is at once soothing and sterile. Contradiction in terms? Not quite. From plush spa robes to crisp lab coats, the medical spa thrives on blending results-driven medical treatments with the relaxing, stress-busting attributes of a traditional day spa. I've always thought of a medical spa as type of clinic and spa hybrid. A place where I could go and get a facial or Fraxel.

But what is a medical spa really, and who decides? I posed this and other questions to John Buckingham, CEO of Solana Medspas, a medical spa management consulting company and a director of the International Medical Spa Association (IMSA).

According to Buckingham and the IMSA, a medical spa is "a facility whose medical program is run under the strict supervision of a licensed healthcare professional. Services are provided that integrate both traditional and nontraditional medicine and spa treatments."

Most medical spas fall into one of two categories: aesthetic and cosmetic medical spas, or preventive and wellness medical spas. Services offered can range from weight loss programs to dermatology, from plastic surgery to alternative medicine.

Medical spas are admittedly a new animal. Buckingham refers to them as "the new kids on the spa industry block." As such, opinions differ dramatically as to whether a true medical spa has a doctor on site or is merely physician-supervised with other healthcare professionals running the show (think: registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants).

One thing most experts agree on is that by asking a few key questions, consumers can cut through some of the confusion.

Ask your professional of choice how many of these specific treatments he or she has performed and over what length of time. Ask about possible side effects; a reputable spot should paint a complete picture of the treatment in question, warts and all.

Tammy Romer, Radiance Group vice president, concurs, explaining that the staff should "thoroughly explain the options for your particular skin type/situation, and they should be forthcoming with any side effects."

The bottom line is that doing your due diligence is always a must. The skill and reputation of the technician is key in achieving the results you paid for. What you know before you go can make all the difference in the success of your medical spa day.

Carolyn Brundage is the founder of ChicagoBeauty.com, a guide to all that is hip and happening in local beauty.

Source: Radiance Medspa

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