Where skin treatments fit among med spa services
A med spa usually offers four groups of services: skin treatments, injectables, laser hair removal and body treatments. Skin treatments are the group aimed at the skin itself, mostly on the face, neck and hands.
Inside that group you will usually find:
- facials of different kinds
- chemical peels in a range of strengths
- microneedling, sometimes paired with a topical product
- light-based treatments such as intense pulsed light or LED
Some people ask about one treatment by name. Others only know what is bothering them about their skin. Either is a fine place to start a consultation request, and a licensed provider takes it from there.
A short checklist for the provider's side
When you sit down for a skin consultation, expect the licensed provider to work through a quiet checklist. Skin type and tone. Current concerns. Health conditions, especially anything affecting the skin or healing. Medicines and supplements. Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Recent sun or tanning. Past treatments and any reactions.
From that, they decide which treatments are reasonable to discuss, which to rule out, and which to leave for later. You can ask to hear their reasoning. If something on the list does not apply to you, say so. If something worries you, ask before agreeing to anything.
The week before a skin consultation
A consultation on its own usually involves no treatment, though some providers can treat at the same visit if you both agree. If that is possible, a few things are worth asking about ahead of time:
- whether to pause strong exfoliants or vitamin A creams beforehand
- whether to avoid tanning, sunburn and self-tanner
- whether to skip waxing or threading on the area
- whether to arrive without makeup
Ask the provider or their office rather than guessing. Never stop a prescribed medicine without checking with whoever prescribed it.
Questions about skin treatments
What are light-based skin treatments?
They are treatments that use a device to deliver light to the skin, such as intense pulsed light or LED panels. Settings and devices differ, and some are less suitable for deeper skin tones or recently tanned skin. A licensed provider looks at your skin and history before suggesting one.
Can I have a skin treatment if I am pregnant?
Some skin treatments and products are usually avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and others may still be an option. Tell the provider at the start of the consultation, and they will decide what is suitable. For questions about your pregnancy, your own doctor or midwife is the right person to ask.
Should I avoid the sun before a skin treatment?
Many providers ask you to avoid tanning, sunburn and self-tanner before peels and light-based treatments, since recent sun can change what they are willing to do. Ask the office for its own instructions before your visit, and mention any recent sun at the consultation.
Ask your questions first. A local provider can contact you by phone, text or email.
Ask a providerMore consultation topics
Injectables consultation
Start with a conversation. Injectables are given by licensed providers where state law allows.
Laser hair removal
Send a request to talk about laser hair removal with a provider near you before anything is planned.
Non-surgical body treatments
General information on non-surgical body treatments and the questions worth asking before one.