Will you be seen by a physician before the treatment? “In general, it’s a good idea to have a physical exam by a doctor beforehand,’’ said Kenkel, to make sure there are no hidden health problems that could increase risks of the procedure. This applies to injection and laser treatments as well as noninvasive body contouring using ultrasound and other devices.
Do you have a variety of treatment options? Spas that specialize in one type of treatment for, say, wrinkle removal are more likely to encourage that particular treatment even if you might get better results from a different one.
Who will you see if there are problems? Is there a physician on site at all times or only once a week? Will you have access to that doctor if you develop medical problems?
Who will perform the procedure? “Physician extenders’’ such as nurses or physician assistants can be highly qualified to deliver a Botox injection or laser hair removal procedure, said Kenkel, provided they have the proper training. Ask whether they have certification or licensing, how many procedures they have performed, and about complication rates.
What results can you realistically expect? Will results last forever, or are they temporary? Will you see dramatic changes or subtle ones?
