Difference Between a Spa and Medical Spa

It could be a long week, a rough day or just another way to treat yourself —  the spa experience has become synonymous with relaxation and betterment. While both day spas and med spas offer a tranquil and beautifying experience, there must be a reason why you would choose one over the other. The emergence of medical spas has become a popular choice for looking great and feeling amazing. But what is the difference between a regular old day spa and a med spa?

On the surface, day spas and medical spas seem very similar. But there are essential differences when it comes to getting the right treatment and care for your health and wellness.

Day Spas

Relaxation, beauty treatments and personal care are all reasons why you may take a trip to your local day spa. These are the ultimate retreat for anyone looking to loosen up and escape daily stressors. Unwinding while catering to beautification and health are all part of the day spa experience.

Day spas are able to offer a long list of services including:

• Facials
• Massages
• Mud wraps
• Seaweed wraps
• Waxes
• Manicures
• Pedicures

There are plenty of other services that may be available at your local day spa. But as you can see, the majority of these focus primarily on comfort and relaxation — and less on the medical or anti-aging benefits.

Med Spa

The best part about med spas is that you are getting the best of both worlds. Relaxation alongside the expertise and procedures you would get from a doctor.

One of the key differences between day spas and medical spas is the staff’s level of skill. Med spas work under licensed medical professionals that are skilled and experienced in specified procedures. There are a myriad of cosmetic services and injectable procedures that can only be administered by licensed professionals. Estheticians and cosmetic nurses also typically undergo far more training than their license may require, making the level of care you receive worlds-ahead of a day spa experience.  

Here are just some of the services that can be found at a med spa:

• Injectables (Botox, Dysport, fillers)
• Laser hair removal
• Chemical peels
• Microneedling
• Kybella
• Microdermabrasion
• Dermaplaning
• Scar revision
• Liposuction

Some med spas may offer more services than listed, or less depending on their specialization or licensing. Many med spas offer free consultations with a professional to better understand your own specific beautification and health goals. The great part about med spas is the combination of relaxation and advanced treatment that is specific to your exact needs.

If you have any questions about a service or procedure you are interested in, feel free to contact us for a free consultation with one of our professionals!