Most popular treatments in medical spas

Permanent laser hair reduction is one of the top cosmetic treatments in medical spas. Not all medical spas offer the same quality of treatments and results. Laser hair reduction can be a painful experience, so investing in the latest technology is key to offering the best outcome with the least possible pain.

London’s EF Medispa recently incorporated Soprano ICE (Alma Lasers, Inc., Buffalo Grove, IL, US) laser technology, one of the fastest, most advanced, pain-free permanent laser hair reduction treatments on the market. It features the brand’s super hair removal (SHR) technology, in which the hair follicle is damaged with multiple low doses of energy, making it virtually pain-free and applicable to all skin types.

No downtime facelifts, or face tightening procedures with little or no downtime are a popular procedure for our on-the-run lifestyle. Within medical spas, they provide a non-invasive alternative to traditional ablative lasers, giving the perfect solution for skin resurfacing and rejuvenation without the need for a social ‘quarantine’. It can be performed right before an event to give an instant lift with zero downtime. The Ultherapy® (Ulthera, Inc., Mesa, AZ, US) non‑surgical facelift is very much in demand at Thailand’s S Medical Clinic. This is a non-invasive skin rejuvenation procedure that uses ultrasound for tightening and lifting lax skin, and can last for up to 2 years.

Cellulite reduction and body contouring treatments score highly in medical spas. Patients tend to go for non-invasive procedures because of the no-downtime advantage, although these typically require a series of treatments. Multi-energy platforms, also called over-the-counter lasers, are therefore very sought-after in medical spas. Two winners are VelaShape II™ from Syneron, Inc. (Irvine, CA, US), which combines infrared (IR), bipolar radiofrequency (RF) and mechanical tissue manipulation using pulsed vacuum and massage rollers; and SmoothShapes® from Cynosure, Inc., (Westford, MA, US), combining dynamic light, laser energy and mechanical stimulation.

Other innovative treatments such as Zeltiq®’s CoolSculpting® (Pleasanton, CA, US), targeting love handles in men and women, can also be found in London’s Beyond Medispa.

The injectables, such as Botox and dermal fillers, also make it to the top five list of ‘golden’ treatments. Patients seem to trust medical spas for these treatments, which can be carried out by an injecting nurse or a physician.

Medical-type facials are where medical spas really make a difference. They create some highly effective facials that offer way more than those available at a regular spa. They also ensure a regular flow of traffic to the premises, with patients often encouraged to come back for a treatment once every week.

Facials are designed to target skin conditions such as adult acne, hyperpigmentation, rosacea, and scarring, conditions which can worsen with age. One of the top treatments is the all-in-one, which begins with the latest hydra‑dermabrasion or Jet-Peel™ (TAVTECH, Ltd., Yehud, Isreal), a supersonic water jet that is deeply exfoliating and cleansing, while hydrating the skin to create an anti-inflammatory effect; coupled with a chemical peel, an LED photorejuvenation treatment and a mask to specifically address the client’s needs, from rosacea to adult acne. Cellular Intelligence Luxury Medspa in Chicago offers a DermaFlash™ facial, which includes a triple exfoliation and customised peel. The DermaFlash™ Plus adds an antioxidant-rich hyaluronic acid serum, which is infused via therapeutic grade hyperbaric oxygen to diminish fine lines and wrinkles, and stimulate collagen and elastin.

LED photorejuvenation facials are also growing fast. Many medical spas such as Juva Medispa in New York offer treatments based solely on LED rejuvenation, which stimulates skin cells to increase collagen production. The LED helps skin detoxify from free radicals, and helps with sun damage, fine lines, and large pores, while boosting complexion.

Sheep’s placenta is also generating a buzz at the moment, and is frequently referred to as ‘the new red carpet facial’ among celebrities keen to wipe away the years. The placenta is a rich source of pluripotent stem cells, which can repair cells in the body, and was introduced by Beverly Hill’s celebrity dermatologist Dr Harold Lancer. Beyond MediSpa in London and Edinburgh have introduced the treatment this autumn.

Topicals coupled with devices to ensure better intradermal penetration is also a growing trend. While a few years ago the buzzword was ‘peels’, this is fast becoming ‘ampoules’, or high concentrations of actives like hyaluronic acid or hydraquinone that can be custom‑prescribed and infused into patients’ skin with the help of new devices such as DermaPen® (Derma Pen LLC, Salt Lake City, UT, US), which makes delivery 100 times more effective than if it had just been applied onto the skin’s surface.