Day Spa VS Medical Spa

Posted on 06/02/2021

Day Spa VS Medical Spa

We all travel for rest and relaxation. There is nothing better than a massage on the beach with the breeze flowing and the waves curling onto the sand. We sign up for treatments as soon as we arrive in destination. But do we ever check to see what kind of certification the staff carry? What kind of treatments are the staff qualified to give and where do we draw the line between Personal Care and Medical Care?

Most resort and cruise ship spas offer Day Spa, or Rest and Relaxation Treatments. Traditional day spas provide personal care treatments focused on improving beauty, health, and relaxation. Common services at day spas include massages, pedicures/manicures, aromatherapy, facials, and mud wraps. Some Day spas offer specialized treatments like lava stone massage and reflexology, while others integrate hair salon and makeup services so spa-goers can get a new hair style while they relax.

Day spas are not under the supervision of a medical director, and treatments are not typically performed by medically trained professionals such as nurses or nurse practitioners. Day spa providers of some treatments are certified in the area of their expertise, such as a licensed massage therapist, or they may be trained as a spa tech or aesthetician.

Before you trust yourself to the Spa, ask about the staff's certification. Know what your getting and whether it's good for your body.

An important different between medical spas and day spas is that medical spas require professional oversight since treatments offered are powerful and have a risk of negative side effects if they are not performed by a skilled provider. In fact, many countries require med spas to be overseen by a specially trained and licensed physician (such as a dermatologist ) and be staffed by medically trained providers to obtain proper operating licenses. The licensed physician that oversees the medical spa may supervise other providers to actually perform the treatments. These providers are often the physician themselves, nurse practitioners, certified physician assistants, medical assistants, or licensed aestheticians.

Medical Spas offer treatments such as:

• Medical Grade Skincare and Facials
• Chemical Peels
• Microdermabrasion
• Lasers
• Botox

Talk to your Doctor before signing up for any Medical Treatment. The more you know about your treatment the better you will relax and enjoy your vacaiton.