12 Questions to Ask Before Visiting a Medical Spa

The medical spa industry is largely self-regulated in many states, which means the quality of care can vary dramatically. Asking the right questions before your first visit — and before handing over any money — protects both your health and your wallet.

About Credentials and Oversight

• 1. Who is the medical director, and what is their specialty? A medspa should be supervised by a licensed physician (MD or DO). Ask for the doctor's name and verify their license on your state medical board's website.
• 2. Who will actually perform my treatment? It's common for treatments to be performed by nurse practitioners, physician assistants, or estheticians. Ask specifically who will treat you and what their training and credentials are for that procedure.
• 3. How long have you been performing this treatment? Experience matters enormously for injectables and laser treatments. Look for a provider who has performed your specific treatment hundreds of times.

About Products and Equipment

• 4. What brand of product do you use, and is it FDA-approved? For Botox, ask which neurotoxin brand they use (Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, etc.) and verify it's FDA-approved. Counterfeit cosmetic injectables are a real risk.
• 5. How is your equipment maintained and calibrated? Laser and energy-based devices require regular maintenance and calibration to work safely and effectively. Ask about their maintenance schedule.
• 6. Do you carry epinephrine and emergency supplies? In the rare event of an allergic reaction, a medspa should have emergency medications and a protocol for medical emergencies.

About Your Treatment

• 7. Am I a good candidate for this treatment? A qualified provider will assess your health history, skin type, and goals before recommending treatment. Be wary of providers who treat everyone without individualized assessment.
• 8. What results can I realistically expect? Ask to see before-and-after photos of patients with similar concerns. Make sure photos are of real patients, not stock images.
• 9. What are the potential risks and side effects? Every aesthetic treatment carries some risk. A responsible provider will explain all potential side effects and contraindications specific to your health profile.
• 10. What does the treatment process look like from start to finish? Understand the procedure, recovery time, expected downtime, and what post-care looks like before you commit.

About Pricing and Policies

• 11. What is the full cost, and what does it include? Understand exactly what's included in the price — products used, follow-up visits, touch-up treatments. Get pricing in writing.
• 12. What is your refund and revision policy? Reputable medspas stand behind their work. Ask about their policy if you're unhappy with results and whether complimentary touch-ups are offered.

Red Flags to Watch For

• No licensed physician as medical director
• Prices that seem dramatically lower than competitors
• Pressure to book immediately or buy a package on the first visit
• Provider cannot explain the products they're using
• No before-and-after photos of real patients
• No consent forms or health intake questionnaire
• Facility appears unclean or poorly maintained