Elizabeth Anderson, MD, a dermatologist from Elizabeth Anderson Dermatology in Knoxville, TN published a blog post with a link to an interesting article published in Medical News Today on the trend towards providing "specials" online for cosmetic medical procedures like Botox Cosmetic or Juvederm and laser procedures such as Fraxel or Thermage:
Every day email inboxes get bombarded with coupons for movies tickets, restaurants, fitness memberships and spa packages. Frequently, non-surgical medical procedures are promoted on websites like Groupon, Lifebooker and Living Social, but it is important for prospective-patients to keep in mind that procedures like microdermabraison, Botoxinjections, chemical peels, and laser hair removal, while not surgical are still medical procedures.
"Patients must do their homework when choosing where and with whom to have any medical procedure," says Felmont F. Eaves, MD, President of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. "Cost is always a factor, but it should never be the deciding factor in cosmetic surgery. Safety and quality are always the key issues."
As advocates for patient safety and healthy outcomes, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) have created the following questions you should ask before purchasing any procedure or medical treatment in a spa or non-traditional facility. It is important that you do your homework as you should on anything that can affect not only your appearance but your health and safety as well. We suggest obtaining the following information:
About the facility:
- Is the Medi-spa located within a physician's office? While problems are infrequent, physician's offices generally have medical personnel available if a problem develops.
- Is the Medi-spa located outside of a doctor's office in, for example, a mall or salon? If so, ask the name of the physician responsible for oversight and when they are available for consultation or questions before having any injectable, deep peel or laser treatment. Also ask about the training of any other medical personnel. This is vital to protect your health and insure an optimal outcome. These are generally safe procedures with minimal recovery, but do have real risks.
About medical supervision and personnel training:
- Does your medi-spa have a physician who can help in determining your goals, provide a treatment plan and direct your care?
- What are the credentials of the physician supervising your treatment in the medi-spa?
Injectables(such as Botox and tissue fillers), skin treatments (such as laser, intense pulsed light, and radiofrequency) and deep peels should be under the supervision of board-certified plastic surgeons. Ask to see these credentials. Doctors in other specialties, designating themselves as "cosmetic medicine physicians" may lack the comprehensive training that is needed for administering drugs and treatments to the deeper levels of the skin and lack the experience necessary to achieve optimal aesthetic results or to manage potential complications. Just as you wouldn't see an allergist if you were having a baby, it's in your best interest to see a physician who specializes in plastic surgery and dermatologic care when seeking cosmetic medical procedures.
- Who is performing the injection?
Depending on the State you're in, injections and deep peels may be performed by a nurse, physician's assistant or nurse practitioner. However, never allow a non-medical, unlicensed person to perform a medical procedure and be sure that the procedure is supervised by a physician board-certified in plastic surgery. Your health and safety depend on it.
Elizabeth Anderson, MD
Dermatologist
Elizabeth Anderson Dermatology
Knoxville, Tennessee
www.elizabethandersondermatology.com
Content courtesy of Medical News Today
