Aesthetic Physician vs Your Local MedSpa — Which is best for Aesthetic Procedures?

We always want to look our best, and aesthetics services in Salt Lake City are a big help with this. Today, things can be done to help in areas that would have been impossible just a few years ago! More options mean more choices, though, and it can be difficult to know who to talk to about having this work done. Let’s take a look at your two options for aesthetic procedures—an aesthetic physician or a MedSpa—so you can determine which will be the best choice for you.

The biggest difference

The main difference is that MedSpas are overseen by medical doctors instead of aesthetic physicians, and while the two positions may sound similar, they are far from the same thing. Aesthetic physicians are certified skin specialists who administer cosmetic treatments. A MedSpa, on the other hand, is overseen by a medical doctor who uses aesthetic medicine to offer non-surgical cosmetic treatments to improve appearance. An aesthetic physician would not be qualified to offer the same type of service.

How do you know which type of service you need?

The basic rule of thumb is that any procedure that affects living tissue is considered medical and requires a qualified medical practitioner. Aesthetic services that don’t impact anything more than the outer dead layers of skin (the stratum corneum) can be handled by an aesthetic physician.

What are some aesthetic services in Salt Lake City can be handled by an aesthetic physician?

• Facials and cosmetic dermatology treatments

• Microdermabrasion

• Chemical peels

• Laser hair removal

• Treatments that diminish the appearance of scars, liver spots, and spider veins

• Non-invasive treatments for sagging skin and wrinkles

• Cellulite treatments and body contouring

• Nutrition advice

Which aesthetic services require a medical doctor?

• Microneedling and advanced microneedling

• Subdermal fat-removing treatments

• Botox and Dysport injections

• Dermal fillers

• Vitamin shots

• IV therapy

• Surgery-free facelifts

• Laser Therapy

• Hair reduction/restoration

• Skin resurfacing

• Chemical peels and hydrafacials

• Headache relief

• Hyperhidrosis

• TMJ relief

A MedSpa is essentially a hybrid between a medical clinic and a relaxing day spa. It offers minimally invasive medical procedures that have a higher aesthetic impact than the aesthetic services that are offered by an aesthetic physician, but under the care of a certified and specialized medical doctor.

Often, these aesthetic services in Salt Lake City are offered by a MedSpa because individuals can benefit from enjoying basic spa services before and after their procedures so they can gain the full benefits of the experience. People want these services to be performed in a spa, not a hospital room, where they can relax and be pampered. That is a medical spa. A medical spa can do a lot for you. With aesthetic procedures from a MedSpa, there is little downtime, and no hospital stay.