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.
Things to mention even if nobody asks
Some details are easy to forget at a consultation but matter for skin treatments. Mention them to the provider:
- a history of cold sores, since some treatments can trigger them
- raised or thick scars from past injuries
- any recent waxing, threading or hair removal cream on the area
- a peel, laser or microneedling session elsewhere in recent months
- new skin care products, especially strong acids or vitamin A creams
- a planned vacation in the sun soon after
A licensed provider uses these to decide what is suitable and when.
On the day
A few small steps make the day of a skin consultation easier. Ask beforehand whether to arrive with a clean face, and allow time to remove makeup if needed. Bring your list of medicines and products, your notes on past treatments, and your questions. Wear something comfortable with an open neckline if the neck or chest is part of what you want to ask about.
During the visit, take notes or ask if you can. If the provider suggests a treatment, ask what it involves, what aftercare looks like and what side effects to watch for. You do not have to decide on the spot.
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.
How many visits do skin treatments take?
It depends on the treatment, your skin and what you want to ask about. Some people have a single facial. Peels, microneedling and light-based treatments are often planned as a series. A licensed provider can tell you what is typical for a given treatment, without promising a set number.
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.
Want to know if a treatment may suit you? Request a consultation with a provider near you.
Request a consultationMore consultation topics
Injectables consults
A licensed provider can talk through wrinkle relaxers and dermal fillers with you and decide what is suitable.
Laser hair removal
Send a request to talk about laser hair removal with a provider near you before anything is planned.
Body treatment consults
A provider can explain how a non-surgical body treatment works. A licensed provider decides what is suitable for you.