Title : Medical spa directorship and cosmetic procedures in Jacksonville, Florida
Abstract:
There is an increasing demand for noninvasive procedures—such as injectable neurotoxins and fillers, both increasing 9% and 8% from 2022 to 2023 respectively. Injectables may be more appealing to patients as they can be performed during in-office visits, harbor modest costs, and are less invasive than surgical alternatives.In response to this growing demand for cosmetic procedures, medical spas (MedSpas), frequently operated by non-dermatologists, have been emerging across the United States. Since 2010, the number of medical spas in the United States has surged nearly six times, and the industry now provides employment for over 70,000 people?.Of the medical directors overseeing these MedSpas, a recent study indicated that Dermatologists, who receive extensive training in aesthetics, and facial anatomy only comprise 4% of MedSpa directors, with family practice physicians comprising the largest majority at 26%. While injectables are generally administered without clinically significant complications, the growing frequency of their use, coupled with variability in clinician training and experience, has led to an increase in the overall number of reported complications. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of non-specialists directing MedSpas in Jacksonville, Florida, and the potential risks this may pose to patients seeking cosmetic treatments. A comprehensive study using Google revealed that 70% of MedSpas in the Jacksonville area, that offered neurotoxin and filler services, were directed by physicians from non-dermatology and non-plastic surgery specialties. A recent survey revealed that 81.1% of MedSpa facilities did not have supervising physicians present on-site, leaving non-physicians to perform most procedures.5 The reliance on non-specialists and the overall lack of physician involvement poses a potential danger for patients, especially in procedures like neurotoxins and fillers that require in-depth anatomical knowledge and a cosmetic focus.
HCA disclaimer: This research was supported (in whole or in part) by HCA Healthcare and/or an HCA Healthcare affiliated entity. The views expressed in this publication represent those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of HCA Healthcare or any of its affiliated entities.
