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A med spa (medical spa) is a facility that combines the relaxing environment of a day spa with medical-grade aesthetic treatments performed or supervised by licensed medical professionals. Services typically include injectables like Botox and fillers, laser treatments, skin resurfacing, and body contouring — treatments that require medical oversight but do not require a hospital or surgical setting.

Med spas specialize in non-surgical aesthetic treatments: injectables, lasers, facials, and body contouring. A plastic surgeon's office performs both surgical procedures (rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, face lifts) and often offers non-surgical treatments as well. For surgical procedures, you need a board-certified plastic surgeon. For non-surgical treatments, both settings can be appropriate depending on the provider's credentials and your specific goals.

Most providers offer or require a consultation before treatment, particularly for injectables, lasers, or any procedure with a recovery period. A consultation allows the provider to assess your anatomy, understand your goals, and recommend the right treatment plan. For surgical procedures, a consultation is always required. Many non-surgical treatments can be done same-day after a brief intake.

FDA-approved aesthetic treatments performed by qualified providers are generally considered safe. The most important safety factor is provider credentials — always verify that your injector or technician is a licensed medical professional (MD, NP, PA, or RN) operating under appropriate supervision. Surgical procedures carry inherently more risk and should only be performed by board-certified plastic surgeons in accredited facilities.

Botox (and similar neuromodulators) relaxes facial muscles to reduce dynamic wrinkles — lines caused by expressions like squinting or smiling. Fillers add volume to areas that have lost fullness or structure, such as lips, cheeks, under-eyes, or jawline. Both are injected, but they work differently and target different concerns. Many patients use both at the same appointment.

Most aesthetic providers do not publish prices because pricing varies by patient — the number of units of Botox needed, the number of syringes of filler, the size of the treatment area. Publishing a single price can be misleading. That said, most providers can give you a ballpark estimate before your appointment, and verified providers on Get Clear Beauty post their actual pricing up front.

Costs vary widely by treatment and location. Botox typically starts at $10-$15 per unit nationally, with a full upper-face treatment running $300-$800. Lip filler starts around $500-$700 per syringe. Non-surgical treatments like HydraFacials start around $150-$200 per session. Surgical procedures like breast lifts or face lifts start at $6,000-$8,000 and range significantly higher. Use Get Clear Beauty to compare prices from providers near you.

Almost never. Aesthetic treatments are considered elective cosmetic procedures and are not covered by health insurance. Rare exceptions include procedures with a documented medical necessity, such as blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) that impairs vision, or certain reconstructive procedures. Most patients pay out of pocket or use patient financing options.

Many providers accept CareCredit or Cherry, which are healthcare-specific financing programs that offer promotional interest-free periods. Some practices offer in-house payment plans. Applying for financing is typically quick and does not require a hard credit pull for pre-qualification.

For injectables, look for a licensed medical professional — MD, DO, NP, PA, or RN — with specific training in aesthetic procedures. For laser treatments, confirm the technician is trained and certified on the specific device being used. For surgical procedures, only consider board-certified plastic surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). Always ask how many times they have performed the specific procedure you are considering.