A recent study by Sara Hogan MD, reported in Cosmetic Surgery Times September 2024, investigated the MedSpa industry and came to important conclusions regarding the care delivered in non-physician, absent physician, and non-core physician settings.
Important discoveries in her study include:
- Recent data shows a higher incidence of complications from cosmetic procedures delivered in a MedSpa.
- A study conducted in 2020 concluded that higher complication rates are due to lack of supervision, inadequate training, and improper techniques.
- According to the study reviewed, only 40% of Med Spas review the patients’ medical history.
- Only 65% of Med Spas informed the patient that the supervising physician is not on site.
- Many Med Spas do not post the name of the Medical Director at the reception desk.
- Medical directors in the state of Colorado are required to know how to perform all the procedures offered.
- Two thirds of procedures are performed by aestheticians. Medical skills are not a part of aesthetician training.
- There are no federal regulations for oversite of Med Spas. They are regulated by the states, and they are not a priority for investigation or regulation.
- There have been reports of Med Spas using counterfeit products. Counterfeit Botox was reported to cause harmful effects in April 2024 according to the CDC.
- Med Spas are not held to the same ethical standards as medical practices.
