Questions to ask before you book a med spa

MedSpaGrades editorial teamUpdated 22 Oct 20266 sources checkedHow we write

You can learn a lot before you book, and you do not need a medical degree to do it. The questions below come from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). ASPS is a society of plastic surgeons, so its list leans toward doctor-led clinics. Treat it as a good set of questions, not as a rule every clinic must meet.

Who is in charge

ASPS suggests asking whether the supervising physician is on site or able to be on site within 24 hours. It also suggests asking who owns the med spa, and whether the physician owner and any supervising physician are board-certified and licensed in the state where the med spa is. ASPS says it is important to check the credentials of the medical director, the supervising physician and anyone who may treat you, before you book.

Who must supervise whom, and how closely, is set by state law and varies. The clinic's answers are what you are asking for. You can then check the license with the state board that issued it. Ask the clinic for the license type and number to make that easy.

Who will treat you

ASPS says to look at everyone who may be involved in your care: doctors, nurses, physician assistants, estheticians and other staff. It says to check the clinic's website for staff bios and to confirm each provider's license. It also says to make sure the person who will treat you is named in advance, so that you are not switched to someone else on the day.

The AAD, a society of dermatologists, suggests asking the doctor three things: are you a board-certified doctor, what is your experience with this exact procedure (how many times have you done it), and how often do you treat people with my skin tone and type and in my age range. Its reasoning is that everyone responds differently, so a provider who has treated people like you may be better placed to say what to expect. That is the AAD's view.

ASPS's checklist asks: Who will perform my procedure? What is their training specific to this procedure? How many years of experience do they have?

What will be used

If you are having a filler, the FDA gives specific advice. It says to work with a licensed health care provider with experience in dermatology or plastic surgery, trained to inject fillers. It says the provider should use properly labeled, sealed vials or pre-filled syringes of FDA-approved filler. It says to ask for and read the patient labeling, to know the type of product and where each one will be injected, and to talk with your provider about the risks at each site.

The AAD, citing the FDA, says some beauty bars and spas offer "needle-free" fillers, sometimes promoted as a needle-free way to get fuller lips, and that it can be hard to tell what you are getting when needle-free is not mentioned. Its advice is to ask. The FDA also says not to buy fillers sold directly to the public, not to inject yourself, and not to use needle-free injection "pens". It says no filler or liquid silicone should be injected for body contouring. For devices more generally, the FDA says an aesthetic device may be regulated depending on its intended use, and that a device can be approved, cleared or authorized.

If something goes wrong

ASPS says to ask before your treatment what complications to watch for and who to contact if anything goes wrong, especially after hours. It also suggests asking whether the med spa is equipped to handle medical complications, whether the provider who treated you would be involved in your care, and whether they can follow you if you need hospital care. ASPS says these situations are uncommon but worth asking about ahead of time.

For fillers, the FDA says to seek immediate medical attention if you have unusual pain, vision changes, a white, gray or blue appearance of the skin near the injection, or signs of a stroke during or shortly after the procedure. The Botox page and the lip filler page list what each source says to watch for.

Price and paperwork

ASPS says a reputable med spa clearly outlines pricing and avoids hidden fees. It says to be careful with prices that seem too good to be true, since very low prices may point to lower-quality products or less experienced providers. That last point is ASPS's opinion, and we have not tested it. ASPS also says you should be asked to sign an informed consent form before any procedure.

The AAD asks you to find out what the procedure will cost and to check whether insurance covers any part. It says cosmetic procedures are typically not covered, but it is worth confirming. You can ask for a written quote that lists what is included, and ask to read the consent form before the day of treatment.