Med Spa Skin Treatments
Med Spas offer a wide range of skin treatments, such as microdermabrasion, acid peels (chemical peel), and Thermage®, to correct flaws in the skin formed by acne, sun damage, injuries, loss of elasticity due to age, and other causes, thereby enhancing the appearance and texture of an individual's skin.
Med Spas also offer permanent hair removal services such as laser hair removal to create smoother skin without the rough stubble, and to eliminate the hassle of shaving.
Some insurance policies will cover certain costs of the following procedures when they're medically prescribed to treat skin damage caused by an accident or injury, but in most cases, skin treatments are considered elective procedures and, as such, are not covered by insurance. However, due to advances in technology and chemistry as well as increasing interest in these treatments, they're generally much more affordable than more invasive procedures.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a non-surgical procedure that removes the outermost layer of skin from one's face, thereby bringing healthier skin to the surface. The procedure relies on tiny crystals to "sand blast" the skin, which promotes the production of new skin cells below the skin's surface and helps generate more collagen to plump out indents and pocks along the skin's surface.
The best candidates for microdermabrasion are individuals of any age who want to make "surface repairs" to skin that may have been scarred by acne, accidents, surgery or even pre-cancerous growths. (It should be noted that older clients generally require longer recovery times.) It can also be used to smooth out wrinkles, particularly around the lips.
To ensure the best and safest results, microdermabrasion should be performed in a sterilized medical facility by a board-certified physician. Before the microdermabrasion procedure, the client and the physician will discuss the goals of the procedure, and the physician will offer instructions on preparing for the procedure, from dietary choices to avoiding aspirin and cigarettes.
Typically, the client will receive local anesthesia around the treatment area. If the client requires extensive treatment, a general anesthesia may be used. Once the anesthesia has been applied, the physician uses the hand piece from a microdermabrasion machine to scrape the client's face with abrasive crystals, usually made of aluminum oxide. The physician moves the hand piece back and forth over the chosen area to remove the top layer of skin. A vacuum in the hand piece removes the crystals and the dead skin cells.
Clients can usually go back to their normal schedules right after each treatment. For best results, they usually receive up to 12 microdermabrasion treatments, several weeks apart, that last from 30 to 60 minutes. To maintain the look, periodic follow-up treatments are sometimes required, although they're not as involved as the initial series of treatments.
Acid peels
Acid peels, a type of chemical peel, typically use alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) to treat ailments such as dry skin, acne, sun spots and other skin problems. Acid peels remove dead skin cells and stimulate collagen production to help reduce wrinkles and promote better skin texture. Alpha hydroxy acid peels, also known as glycolic acid peels, use an acid that's naturally produced in fruits and other foods, so, unlike other chemical peels, they aren't harmful to the skin.
The best candidate for acid peels is someone whose skin is showing signs of aging, as well as people who've developed fine lines, uneven pigmentation and dry spots in their faces. These facial peels can also help soften acne scars.
For optimal, safe results, a client should speak with a physician before undergoing any chemical peel, including an AHA peel, to ensure that the acid peel is an appropriate course of treatment for the client's condition. Any and all chemical peels should be performed in a medical facility.
Since acid peels typically result in a mild stinging sensation at worst, they don't require anesthesia. The physician simply cleanses the client's face, then applies the AHA peel to the face for up to 10 minutes. Once the facial peel is removed, the procedure is over. Some clients often use an AHA-based cream or face wash once or twice a day at home to supplement the treatment and achieve the desired results.
Clients can typically resume their normal routines right after an acid peel treatment, but they'll need to protect the treated area from sunlight until the physician instructs them otherwise. For optimal skin rejuvenation, clients typically undergo a series of facial peels performed over several months. Ultimately, AHA peels will result in a healthier-looking face and a smoother skin texture.
Thermage® or Non Surgical Face Lift
Thermage is a non-surgical face lift (sometimes called a "weekend face lift") that uses recent advances in heat technology to firm up sagging or wrinkling skin. Thermage is an easy alternative to the more invasive surgical face lift, with quicker recovery time and, usually, immediately apparent results.
The best candidates for Thermage are women, age 35 to 60, whose skin is beginning to droop or wrinkle as a result of sun exposure, age or heredity. However, the more lax a person's skin is, the less dramatic her (or his) results will be.
Thermage skin treatments should be performed by Thermage-certified providers in a medical facility. As is the case for any medical procedure, the client should speak with a physician before undergoing a Thermage face lift.
Thermage relies on capacitive radiofrequency (CRF) technology to heat the underlayer of the client's skin and thereby firm up the natural collagen found in the inner layer. The physician will apply the tip of a handheld device to the client's face, sending the CRF energy deep beneath the client's surface skin. A cooling spray is administered to avoid overheating the skin. Depending on the size of the area being treated, the procedure can last anywhere from 20 minutes to two hours.
Clients can typically resume their normal routines right after a Thermage procedure, and the results can be seen immediately. Most patients achieve their desired look in just a single session, and the results — tighter, firmer skin — can last up to six months. Some clients experience temporary redness or minor swelling, but these effects usually subside within a day. For a permanent solution, a face lift is typically the best option. To find out more about face lifts, click here.
Laser hair removal
Laser hair removal is designed to eliminate unsightly or unwanted hair almost anywhere on the body. The laser targets melanin in the hair and follicle through the use of a specific wavelength of light. The intense, targeted heat from the laser damages the hair follicle, inhibiting further growth, but leaves the tissue around it unaffected. Individuals generally require several treatments to achieve the desired effect, whether the goal is body hair removal or facial hair removal, but the exact number of treatments will vary, depending on the area in question. (Learn more about Laser Hair Removal.)
