I find myself answering that question a few times a week . When they hear the word “Spa,” most people have an image in their head of a calm, dimly lit atmosphere, essential oils defusing, and tranquil music playing softly in the background. No one knows for sure where the term “Spa” came from; however, there are a few theories one being the word Spa comes from a small Belgian village called Spa, where Roman soldiers used hot mineral springs to treat aching muscles and wounds from a battle. In 1326, Collin le Loup discovered the mineral springs in the town of Spa, Belgium. Around these springs, a health resort was built, and the term “spa” came to refer to any health resort located near natural springs, associating the springs with the diseases they were thought to help cure.
When you go to a day spa, you can expect relaxing facials, massages, and other services meant to help their clients unwind, while also treating the client’s skin and body. It is unlikely you will find the advanced technology to treat below the first layer of skin you can find in a medical spa. If you are looking to treat yourself to a relaxing experience, a day spa is the perfect option for you. Aestheticians in day spas will analyze your skin type and help you find what skincare routine you need to maintain the treatment received that day.
If you’re looking for quicker results and more permanent options, you may want to consider a medical spa. Medical spas have the technology to dive deep into the world of cosmetics and skincare to provide revolutionary treatments supervised by medical providers. With the guidance of a physician, a more comprehensive approach to your skincare is established with prescription-grade medications, along with services only a medical specialist can provide. These facilities also have Medical Aestheticians that can still perform traditional facials and skin analysis. MedSpas fuse medical technology with traditional spa services. Medical spas include non-invasive cosmetic procedures such as Botox and Dysport, noninvasive facelifts, fillers, and machine facials that use different radiofrequency types to reach lower layers of the skin. You can find treatments for acne, acne scarring, aging skin, permanent hair removal, fat-busting and more at a medical spa.
Which one is right for you? It depends on what experience you’re looking for and what your end goal is. There is no one size fits all regarding the health of your skin, so it is best to do your research, ask your friends, and do what you feel is best for you.