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Cosmetic Services
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) Treatments
A procedure that endeavors to permanently remove hair from the body by using a specially constructed xenon flash lamp and focusing optics. This treatment is also used to diminish the appearance of skin blemishes, also known as photo rejuvenation.
Artefill
A combination of precision-filtered microspheres and purified collagen, providing a permanent support structure to prevent wrinkles; allergy test required.
Botox®
These spas all offer Botox®, a highly purified form of botulinum toxin A and is injected, in very small amounts, into specific muscles. It acts by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses to muscles to paralyze them. Many states stipulate that only medical doctors may administer Botox® injections; some states allow registered nurses or physician's assistants to deliver Botox® with doctor supervision. Be sure to ask questions of spa management before booking.
Cellulite Treatments
Composed of fat and fibrous tissue, cellulite deposits and their characteristic dimpling effect can occur regardless of your weight or body size. These medical spas employ new techniques that are thought to reduce the appearance of cellulite.
Chemical Peels
Chemicals peels remove the top layer of skin to expose fresh skin and are used to treat lines, scars, discolorations, and sun damage. Most often these three chemicals are used: Alphahydroxy acids (AHA) are the most superficial; trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is a medium peel; and carbolic acid (phenol) is the most severe and in many states can only be administered by a doctor. These medical spas offer one or all of these types.
Cosmoplast
Cosmetic filler made from purified human collagen that may last up to 6 months; best for lip borders.
Dermatology
Dermatology is the field of medicine that specializes in the treatment of skin disorders. Each of the medical spas below has a dermatologist and offers spa treatments such as massage, facials, or body treatments alongside traditional medical techniques to help you look and feel your best.
Fraxel
A laser skin resurfacing procedure which only resurfaces 15-20% of the skin each session, dramatically reducing recovery time. It decreases redness, acne scarring, sun damage and stretch marks.
Juvederm
High concentration Hyaluronic acid filler; best for nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and lip borders.
Laser Hair Removal
Those tired of the hassle of shaving may want to give laser hair removal a try. It offers permanent reduction of hair growth (the FDA insists that manufacturers can promise only reduction, not removal) by using laser light to target the melanin in hair follicles. These medical spas all offer laser hair removal, but it's important to remember the procedure is most effective on fair-skinned candidates with dark hair.
Laser Spot Removal
Procedure that utilizes laser's powerful beam of light to remove discolorations on the skin.
Laser Vein Removal
A procedure that utilizes laser's intense heat to cause the veins to close up and disappear.
Mesotherapy
A French treatment that originated in the early 1950's, mesotherapy involves the stimulation of the mesoderm, a superficial layer of the skin, via a series of very fine injections. These small needles deliver conventional or homeopathic products directly to the skin to combat such conditions as arthritis, hair loss, and the appearance of cellulite. Mesotherapy is said to dissolve the fat-cell deposits that cause cellulite while improving blood flow and lymphatic drainage. The spas below offer this innovative modality, which is only now gaining American adherents after decades of popularity in Europe.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion uses the power of micro-crystals to counteract the visible effects of aging. This non-invasive, no-downtime procedure employs a closed vacuum system that delivers aluminum oxide crystals that impact the skin, then are suctioned away so fresh skin is exposed. At these medical spas, you can undergo this quick, painless, and popular procedure.
Perlane
Hyaluronic acid gel particles larger than those found in Restylane. Perlane's larger gel particles offer enhanced volume and lifting power, ideal for severe wrinkle and fold correction in deeper layers of the skin; results could last up to two years.
Permanent Makeup
Cosmetic tattooing has increased in popularity since the treatment was introduced to the spa market in the late 1980s. Micropigmentation, the specialized technique used in permanent makeup treatments, is a way for medical spa guests to forgo the often-inconvenient process of daily cosmetic application. The most common facial areas for micropigmentation are the lips, eyebrows, and eyelids. Patients should be aware that cosmetic tattoos often require maintenance or touch-ups within three to five years of the initial treatment. These spas offer permanent makeup treatments administered by professionals.
Photorejuvenation
A cosmetic procedure using IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) to reduce the appearance of rosacea, brown spots, and sun damage.
Plastic Surgery
The term plastic surgery encompasses both reconstructive procedures—which address face and body defects resulting from illness, trauma, or birth disorder—and appearance enhancement procedures, such as facelifts, rhinoplasty, and liposuction. Most of these medical spas have on-staff plastic surgeons (fully trained and certified surgeons qualified to perform both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures). In addition, many offer non-invasive techniques such as microdermabrasion and chemical peels.
Pre- and Postoperative Treatments
An operation can be a major source of physical and emotional stress. Sometimes, you need help with the all-important processes of preparation and recovery. These medical spas can provide doctor-prescribed or elective procedures for before or after surgery. Options may include pre- or post-operative facials to accompany cosmetic surgery or therapeutic massage. In some cases overnight options are available.
Radiesse
Consists of calcium hydroxylapatite suspended in gel (carboxymethycellulose). As calcium hydroxylapatite is a natural constituent of bone, it shows promise as a new agent for facial contouring with no serious side effects and reasonable efficacy and durability.
Restylane
FDA-approved cosmetic filler derived from hyaluronic acid, which is a natural sugar found in the skin, intended for wrinkle correction, lip enhancements, and thin superficial lines. Is in the same family as Perlane; can last up to 6 months.
Sclerotherapy (Veins)
Long offered in Europe but fairly new to the United States, sclerotherapy is an invasive way to address unsightly, often painful spider veins. A solution is injected into the vein, causing it to collapse and disappear. Repeated treatments are necessary at regular intervals. Each procedure may involve several injections with extremely fine sclerotherapy needles.
Sculptra
Known as "liquid facelift," works by both filling in lines and wrinkles and by stimulating the body to produce new collagen and underlying tissue. It is injected below the surface of the skin in the area of fat loss and provides a gradual and significant increase in skin thickness, lasts two years or more.
Smart Lypo
Sound energy dissolves the cells on contact and gentle suction removes the fat out of the body. A very small percentage is retained and absorbed into the body. It is then excreted as waste within 24 hours.
Teeth Whitening
A procedure that removes stains and discolorations from the teeth.
Thread Lift
A facelift procedure that uses specially designed surgical threads to lift saggy areas on the face, jowls, and neck.