Working in a Pampering Day Spa Versus a Medical Spa – What You Should Know

There are obvious differences between working in a pampering day spa environment and working in a medical spa. Both types of spas have their places in our world, both have loyal clients and sometimes even share clients. But a clinician who works in one or in the other should understand the difference.

A traditional day spa, or pampering spa will offer treatments that make the client feel good and to the extent they are able treatments that make them look good as well. The pampering spa however is not operated under the supervision of a doctor or healthcare professional. There are definitely limits to the procedures that can be performed. For instance, microdermabrasion may be performed but dermabrasion will not be performed. Dermabrasion is limited to the medical spa, the clinic, doctor’s office or other facility under the supervision of a physician. Dermabrasion is a deeper, more serious and potentially more dangerous procedure than microdermabrasion. The results are much longer lasting and dermabrasion can take care of some skin conditions that microdermabrasion simply can’t take care of. Microdermabrasion however is faster, has no recovery or down time, and can be performed by a trained clinician in the traditional spa environment.

Dermal injectible fillers are another procedure that can be found in a medical spa but not in a pampering spa. Botox injections, collagen injections and other injectibles must be delivered under the supervision of a physician in most states. Also much more serous applications such as various plastic surgery procedures may be performed in a medical spa. Serious procedures are generally performed in the physician’s facility but some medical spas do offer liposuction and other procedures that would never be found in a pampering spa or for that matter considered to be pampering.

While medical spas have gained tremendous popularity in recent years and will continue to do so, there is still a lot to be said for the pampering spa. Many women consider a trip to the spa for a hedonistic experience to be the ultimate Valentine’s Day present. Many working women schedule trips to the pampering spa during lunch hour or right after work, fitting in a facial, a manicure or perhaps a massage as a way to unwind and relax from the stress of the job. Women with families at home look forward to the relaxation the pampering spa offers. Whichever spa environment you work in, your customers will benefit from a thorough knowledge of both types by you.