What Is the Difference Between a Spa and a Med Spa?

When you’re in the mood for a little pampering, a day at the spa may be just the thing. There is nothing more relaxing than self-care! However, not all spas are the same or offer the same services. While a traditional day spa and a medical spa may look alike, there are many important differences between the two, like the treatments and products available, and who is administering them. Let’s have a look at what distinguishes traditional spas from medical spas so you’re able to choose which one is right for you.

What is a Traditional Spa?

You can’t say “spa” without “ahhh” and that is just the feeling most people are looking for when they visit a traditional spa. Widely known for their relaxing atmospheres, these spas typically focus on improving our outward appearance and cater to those looking for treatments to help rejuvenate their skin, relieve aches and pains with massage, hydrate with facials, and more.

Popular Services at a Traditional Spa

These services vary widely based on the establishment and their expertise, but this list details some of the more common treatments offered at a day spa.

Massage Therapy: These can range from traditional full-body massages to deep tissue, sports and maternity massages.
Skin Care: Brighten, tighten, hydrate, exfoliate, smooth, peel – you name it and there might be a service for just about any skin concern and desired outcome.
Body Treatment: Lift away dead skin cells to reveal soft, silky skin with services such as anti-aging wraps and hand, foot, and scalp treatments.
Beauty: Get even more gorgeous with beauty services like lash sets, brow tinting, tanning, waxing and permanent makeup.

Now let’s have a look at medical spas and their unique services. While some treatments may overlap, medical spas offer several treatments traditional spas can’t and don’t.

What is a Medical Spa?

Just like a traditional spa, a medical spa can help improve the look and feel of skin using various treatments, but a med spa goes a few layers deeper by assisting in repairing skin, hair, and, in some cases, metabolic processes. Many treatments also seek to provide patients with longer lasting and, in many cases, permanent positive results. Another important difference between traditional spas and med spas is the team administering treatments and procedures; estheticians, massage therapists, cosmetologists and nail technicians carry out treatments at day spas while physicians, nurses, and nurse practitioners are responsible for procedures at a medical spa meaning you will always be under the care of a professional.

Common Services Offered at Medical Spas

While medical spas are all different and unique, there are many procedures that are common among them. Here is a closer look at what you may find at a medical spa.

Botox: Commonly known as Botox, Dysport or Xeomin, these treatments are used to prevent and treat fine lines, wrinkles and crow’s feet.
CoolSculpting: This is a very common non-surgical procedure that combines freezing fat and mechanical stimulation to help remove fat deposits, particularly in stubborn areas around the abdomen, thighs, back of arm, and waist.
Dermal Fillers: This minimally invasive procedure is designed to plump lips, enhance contours of the face, and diminish the appearance of lines and wrinkles. The end result is a more visible youthful appearance.
Laser Hair Removal: Highly concentrated light is directed into the root of the hair follicle inhibiting its ability to grow back leaving you with silky smooth skin every single day.
Microdermabrasion: Rejuvenate your skin with this deep exfoliation treatment to lessen the appearance of scars, discoloration, sun damage, stretch marks, and more. A minimally abrasive instrument is used to gently remove the uneven outer layer leaving you with glowing skin.

Depending on your goals, both traditional and medical spas offer many excellent treatment options to help you unwind in a relaxing environment. However, there are several factors that set Dr. Buddiga and his team at BUDDIGA Skin Aesthetics Med Spa apart from the rest.

What Sets BUDDIGA Skin Aesthetics Med Spa Apart

As a leading M.D. in allergies, asthma, and skin immunology, Dr. Buddiga has been caring for people with inflammatory skin conditions for over two decades. His customized and trademarked approach to enhancing the beauty and integrity of your skin — the body’s most important organ and first line of defense — is one-of-a-kind a trusted by his patients. Not only does he develop a deeper understanding of his patients’ conditions through comprehensive testing, but he also offers the newest and most advanced technologies and treatments to help reverse skin damage and the visible signs of aging.

One of Dr. Buddiga’s more revolutionary procedures you may not find at other medical spas is the Hydrafacial™ Keravive™ treatment. Thinning hair is a concern for many people, but few realize it could be due to an unhealthy scalp. With this treatment, Hydrafacial™ Keravive™ addresses dry skin, clogged follicles, dead skin cells and a lack of circulation through this trademarked Keravive ® ‘first of its kind’ treatment designed to cleanse, exfoliate, nourish and hydrate the scalp. The result? Healthier, thicker, fuller-looking hair.

Another service Dr. Buddiga proudly offers at his Med Spa is OPUS™ Plasma Skin Resurfacing. It features unique radiofrequency and microplasma technology to address superficial to complex tone, textural or skin laxity concerns, and can be used on most areas of the body including the face, neck, décolleté, and abdomen. As one of the most prolific advancements in the cosmetic industry, you can trust you’ll get lasting results you’ll love.

Cosmetic treatments aren’t the only services Dr. Buddiga offers at his Med Spa. In addition to his world class services, he offers a wide range of products specifically designed to aid in the ongoing treatment and management of healthy skin. ZO® Skin Health is a trusted line of anti-aging products that support the long-term health of your skin no matter age, ethnicity, unique skin condition or skin type. Whether you are looking to prevent, correct or protect–or all three!–there is a ZO® Skin Health product for you.

Schedule A Consultation With Dr. Praveen Buddiga

To refresh your look, rejuvenate your skin, or simply ask questions about which procedure, treatment or service is right for you, it is a great time to book an appointment at BUDDIGA Skin Aesthetics Med Spa. You can trust you are in good hands with Dr. Praveen Buddiga and a highly-trained and professional team as they apply the latest in cutting-edge skin aesthetics treatments and technologies.

To book an appointment today, fill out the form right here: https://www.buddiga.com/contact/