A day at the spa is a great way to relax. They are a popular method to aiding relaxation with the various treatments they offer. However, many people are choosing to combine their experience of cosmetic treatments with the spa experience.
A medical spa is a combination of your regular spa, with a medical clinic that offers cosmetic treatments in a traditional spa environment. Foregoing their doctors office, individuals are deciding to have them completed at a medical spa in favour of the calming atmosphere.
The type of treatments offered at a medical spa are not the same as those that are offered at a regular one. If you are planning to visit a medical spa, there are certain treatments that are traditionally carried out. They will also have a range of equipment that you can expect to see.
The Type of Treatments used in a Medical Spa
Anti- Wrinkle Injections
Anti-Wrinkle injections, or the more commonly named Botox, are injections that are used to relax the muscles in the face. This then leads to fewer wrinkles and lines. This type of treatment will typically last between 3 and 4 months, but ensure you speak with the professionals to decide how often you should attend this type of treatment.
Pros - Anti-wrinkle injections can reduce signs of aging, making you look and feel younger. This is not an invasive procedure and does not require surgery. If you are suffering with medical conditions such as migraines or sweating, it can help to reduce symptoms. As usual, ensure you discuss this with a professional first. If you use this form of treatment for medical conditions, it may lead to a more relaxed state of mind as it may reduce symptoms.
Cons - Although it is not a surgical procedure, it does still require a medical professional to carry out this treatment. However, if you are attending an accredited Medical Spa this should not be a cause for concern as they should be qualified to carry out any procedure they offer. Anti-wrinkle injections are a temporary solution and do not offer a long term solution to your problem. There is also the risk of side effects.
Fat Reduction
This is a non-surgical option for fat reduction that uses technology in the form of heating, cooling, lasering or the use of sound waves. It is typically used for small areas of fat, and it is not that effective on large areas. This is not the same outcome as liposuction, which is a surgical procedure that uses suction to remove larger areas of fat from the body. This shows a much more dramatic result in comparison to non-invasive fat reduction. The results will also be more gradual whereas liposuction is much quicker. If you are looking for a painless and non-invasive method to fat reduction, medical spas provide a great method.
Pros - Little to no downtime is required for this type of treatment. This is because it is not a surgical procedure. There is no need to use general anaesthesia, and it does not leave any scars. Additionally, the side effects are minimal as per the patient.
Cons - Non-Invasive fat reduction can only target smaller areas of fat and the portion of fat that is lost cannot be chosen. It may even take more than one appointment for the results to start to be seen.
Microdermabrasion
This treatment involves fine crystals and a handheld device that vacuums your skin. The fine crystals are rubbed into your skin to gently exfoliate the top layer. This then removes the dead skins cells. This can be done on the face, neck, chest, back or your hands. The crystals are responsible for removing the dead skins cells, which are then vacuumed away with a hand held device.
Pros - This can reduce the lines and wrinkles that may be present. It can work to remove blackheads and other swollen or blocked pores. If you having scaring from previous flare ups of acne, then this can help to reduce minimal scaring. It can also target stretch marks and patches of uneven skin tones.
Cons - There are some potential side effects that can be experienced after microdermabrasion. Although it should not be painful, there can be some minor bruising, redness, small skin abrasions and skin tightness after the treatment.
Laser Hair Removal
This is the process of using a laser, or an intense pulse light that removes unwanted hair. A cooling gel or air should be used on the area of skin selected before the session. This can be done in any area, but some common areas of focus are armpits, upper lips, chin and bikini lines. However, it can be used on larger areas but these sessions will take considerably longer to do. This works on the basis that the pigment of hair absorbs the light and damages the hair follicle. This should not damage the skin.
Pros - It reduces hair growth and is a fast way to eliminate body hair in unwanted areas for longer. The procedure can be fairly quick, with small parts of the body, such as the lip, taking around 15 minutes to complete.
Cons - This is not a permanent method of hair removal and the hair will eventual grow back once the treatments have stopped and it can take many sessions before the hair growth is reduced. Depending on the type of medical spa you are attending, the sessions can be expensive. As with any treatments, there are some side effects, such as itching, swelling and numbness, among some others, that you may experience. Laser hair removal works best on light skin and dark hair, which is not convenient for everybody who may want to experience this type of treatment.
Treatments will vary depending on what each medical spa is offering. Ensure that any treatment you receive is carried out by a professional who is qualified to carry out such procedures. In addition to the treatment, there are various pieces of equipment that you can expect to find at a medical spa.
Equipment used at a Medical Spa
The type of spa equipment that is used will depend on the treatments being offered, however there are some universal pieces of equipment that you can expect to find at most of them.
- Massage tables
- Hydraulic chairs
- Sterile equipment
- Manicure Table
- Trolley on wheels for easy access utensils used
- Facial and body treatment chair
- Facial steamer
What is the difference between a medical spa and a regular spa?
Regular Spa
A regular spa has every intention of providing relaxation to those who attend. Regular spas will offer treatments such as massages, facials and mud baths. They can also do additional treatments such as waxing, manicures and pedicures. These treatments are intended to help you destress and relax. Members of staff in a regular spa should be trained and qualified to the level of treatment they are giving.
Medical Spa
Whilst a medical spa does have the clients relaxation as a priority, its main focus is to address the medical concerns of the client. It aims to create a calming and relaxing environment in which a medical clinic may not be able to encompass. As such, it combines what a spa and medical clinic both aim to achieve. They perform medical treatments in the same way that a spa would carry out relaxation treatments. Those who work at a medical spa should be medically qualified to the level of treatment that they are giving.
Is there a medical spa for men?
Yes, there are medical spas available to men. It is a long standing assumption that medical spas and regular spas are for women. However, men wanting to be more active in caring for their skin has become a bigger concept in more recent years. There are various treatments held at medical spas that are enjoyable for men. As of 2019, the number of men who are visiting spas has risen to 47%. A massage is one of the most popular services for men at a spas. Men are able to attend any spa, however, there may be spa services for men that are more favourable.
What are the spa services for men?
Botox for Men
Botox is also available to men. This is not something that just affects women, and men who are wanting to get rid of facial wrinkles are able to receive facial injections. The process of Botox require little to no anaesthesia and can be a very quick experience. It can be a great way to enhance your self-esteem and improve your confidence. It can also help to manage any adult acne that you might be suffering from. In addition, research suggest that a leading number of medical spas administer Botox for men on the premise that it helps them remain competitive in the workplace.
Facials for Men
Facials are a great way for men to enjoy taking care of their skin. It can delay the noticeable changes that come with aging. If you also suffer with acne, it may be worth looking into forms of facials that typically deal with acne. It is worth noting that medical spas are becoming increasingly knowledgeable on the facial structures and qualities that are uniquely masculine. A man's skin will behave different in comparison to a woman's, as such, it should be treated that way. It can help to unplug pores, sooth dry skin and irritation from shaving, such as razor burn and blemishes.
Laser Hair Removal for Men
Laser hair removal can be given to anyone who wishes to remove a section of hair. It may be that you want to test laser hair removal on your beard. Laser hair removal can remove up to 90% of male facial hair permanently. With beard hair being coarse for many men, ingrowing hairs can become painful. If you are tired of daily shaving and are prone to painful shaving rashes, hair removal is a great way for men to eliminate these negative experiences. If you are not keen on laser hair removal, medical spas will often offer waxing as an alternative. Waxing can be a great way of targeting smaller areas like the eyebrows, ears and the back of the neck. As mentioned, laser hair removal is best done on light skin and dark hair, therefore if this is not suitable for you, waxing is a great alternative. However, note that this is not nearly as permanent as laser hair removal and will require a regular session.
Chemical Peels for Men
When they are used correctly, a chemical peel is a great way to improve the colour, texture and tone of your skin which may have been affected by previous experiences with acne. If you produce large amounts of facial oil, it can help to control oil production. If you have current issues with acne, this would not be a suitable spa treatment for you, however it is always worth discussing treatment options with the professionals at the spa. As chemical peels have a controversial reputation, ensure that those providing the service are knowledgeable and qualified on the topic. Chemical peels can cause some skin irritation if you suffer with sensitive skin. This may not be a universal treatment that is beneficial to everybody.
Medical spas are absolutely available to men. They can enjoy any of the treatments available at a medical spa. This is not something that is exclusively available to women. Although this article only outlines a few treatment options for men, they are able to decide the best course of treatments for them based upon their chosen medical spas area of expertise.
Overall, medical spas are a great alternative for people who are looking to have cosmetic procedures done, but would much rather to have them performed within a calm and relaxing atmosphere as apposed to a doctors office, which may feel less welcoming. For some, a trip to the doctors is not relaxing, but to experience such treatment in a spa can introduce a relaxed state of mind almost instantly. However you identify, a medical spa is a great way to explore skin care and various methods of relaxation.
