Mon. Jun 25, 2007 | 6:09 PM

A Medi-Spa, also known as a Medical Spa or Medspa, is a medical practice focused on minimally invasive cosmetic procedures, such as Botox injections, laser treatments, and injectable fillers. The people performing procedures in a Medi-Spa typically operate under the supervision of a licensed practitioner, such as a medical doctor. In general, a Medi-Spa differs from a "spa" by its affiliation with a medical director who has the overall responsibility for the care and safety of the patients.

Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, Dr. Calvert, recommends you consider the following things when choosing a Medi-Spa:

MEDICAL DIRECTOR: Ask if the facility is operating under the license of a medical director. Once you know a medical director is involved, make sure he or she has the appropriate credentials, such as a 4-year medical degree. Remember, the medical director is ultimately the person responsible for the safety and wellbeing of the patients under care in the Medi-Spa facility.

STATE LICENSING: Physicians operating as medical directors will be licensed by the state they are practicing in. Check with the state board of medicine to see if the medical director is licensed in the state where you are planning your procedure.

TRAINING: Verify the credentials and ongoing training of the person performing your procedure. A licensed practitioner should be able to show continued commitment to learning the proper and most up-to-date techniques through training certificates or coursework.

ASK FOR REFERRALS: Talk to your primary care doctor, plastic surgeon, family and friends, or patients you know who have had good Medi-Spa experiences. The best referrals come from trusted sources.

CHECK BUSINESS QUALITY: Find out how long the Medi-Spa has been in business and how long the practitioners have been practicing the procedures in that facility. Facilities that have been in business for some time will likely be around for your continued care and treatment.

CHECK EQUIPMENT QUALITY: If there is medical equipment involved in your procedure, check to ensure it has been inspected and is maintained properly. Make sure you are comfortable with the state of the machine being used to treat you.

INTERNET RESOURCES: The Internet can be a good source to discover information about the procedures you are considering. Once you have the information you need about the procedure, ask your primary care doctor or plastic surgeon to see if they can refer you to a qualified Medi-Spa center in your area.

TREATMENT CHOICES: The trained practitioners at a quality Medi-Spa will be able to evaluate you and make proper recommendations through a consultation. Ask about consultations when booking your appointment to make sure your Medi Spa can evaluate your condition to make sure you are receiving the proper procedure.

MALPRACTICE COVERAGE: Verify malpractice insurance coverage. It is important to know if the Medi-Spa has made a commitment to patients by carrying some type of malpractice insurance.

MALPRACTICE HISTORY: Malpractice suits can be checked through a number of avenues, but may require that you make a trip to the county courthouse. You can check the malpractice status of any medical doctor serving as the medical director. In most states, this information is available through the Internet.

PRACTITIONER EXPERIENCE: Choose a practitioner who has experience performing the procedure you wish to have. Some practitioners may have more experience using lasers or injectables than others. Knowing the experience level will help you to get the result you desire.

CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION: It is useful to know if the people performing the procedures attend local and national meetings to keep up on the latest technology and techniques. A commitment to on-going education is a sign that the Medi-Spa has qualified, well-informed practitioners to perform the procedures.

ADVERTISING: Advertising has become quite common for Medi-Spas. The market is competitive and advertising is a way to spread the word. However, a large amount of advertising does not necessarily mean anything. The information given through advertising is often limited and can usually not be relied upon to make a solid choice about a Medi-Spa. You must still look at all of the items listed above and make your own judgment.

If you or someone you know has suffered from a disastrous beauty procedure, share your story below to prevent someone else from having the same experience. For more information, visit www.roxspa90210.com and Dr. Calvert's website www.jaycalvertmd.com



NEXT: Recovering from An Eating Disorder
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This is the most important prevention method and no one mentioned it! You should NOT shave your legs right before a pedicure with the spa tub, because shaving removes the hair follicles that protect your legs from the bacteria's entry. Not shaving right before can decrease your chances of infection greatly. Another tip is to bring your own manicure tools with you so you know they are sanitary.
Posted by Katie 06/26/07 4:22 PM
 
This is the most important prevention method and no one mentioned it! You should NOT shave your legs right before a pedicure with the spa tub, because shaving removes the hair follicles that protect your legs from the bacteria's entry. Not shaving right before can decrease your chances of infection greatly. Another tip is to bring your own manicure tools with you so you know they are sanitary.
Posted by Katie 06/26/07 4:21 PM
 
Here is a site to help people looking to have surgery in Mexico. www.safemexicosurgery.com
Posted by karen 06/26/07 3:12 PM
 
hi tyra, this show was a little shocking, im from mexico, and i just want to tell all the viewers, that no all docters from mexico are like that. usually in the us.. picture mexico like a ranch.. but its not like that, we are as develop as in the usa. i watch your show every day, and really its the only show that project real problems that happens every day. im 20 years old, and all that i can tell all the women that see your show is, love your body as it is.
Posted by melissa 06/26/07 3:12 PM
 
Tyra, I am a huge fan of you and both of your shows. You are gorgeous, and a plainly clever businesswoman. I have just one request, though...PLEASE stop wearing those awful wigs and weaves! You are a role model that young women--particularly african-american women--look up to. That awful dull-colored blond wig not only betrays the negative feelings and insecurities that that you have about yourself, but also sets an unreasonable standard for young african american women . How many of them, who know nothing of "lace front wigs" will suffer hair loss and trauma after they relax and bleach their hair in an effort to imitate you. Again, Tyra, you are an intelligent woman, and I'm sure, like all other black women, you have been through some serious hair trauma in your life. Please stop letting a shallow society with its shallow standards of what beauty should be dictate what sorts of contraptions you attach to your scalp every day. You're one of the few women hot enough to rock a natural fro--heck, you could even pull off a bald head, lol-- and get away with it. Please go natural--or at least stop wearing those blond wigs! It really makes you seem like a black girl trying to be a barbie doll...and as much as I love you and what you do for women, the thought of you still trying, at your age, to be a barbie doll (like so many black women do from the age of 4 onwards, until their moms teach them better), and putting that twisted standard out there for young black women makes me immensely sad. Please try to make change not just through your talk show, but through your actions. Thanks, and best of luck/continued success!
Posted by Tyrafan 06/26/07 3:11 PM
 
Tyra I would love just to warn anyone thinking about doing anything to their bodies. I use to think I wanted a tummy tuck and lipo till my sister had breast implants along with lip in her thighs. For a very long time at least over a year she had pains from the lipo. That sort of changed my mind about wanting those done even though I am really unhappy with the way I look. Along with plastic surgery Tyra I think you need to adress the surgerys they have out to shrink your stomach. I dont remember nor know how to spell the entire thing but it is gastro something..Several years ago a guy from my hometown that was loved by everyone that knew him went under to have it done and died on the table from having the surgery. Then in March of this year my aunt's brother in law went in to have the surgery. Tyra it is now June 26th and he still isnt home. Granted he will be finally going home on the 29th of this month but not himself. He was a Sheriff deputy down here along with his wife. He ended up getting an infection that has changed their lives forever. Granted he is doing a bit better but he is not able to feed himself, walk, talk or the normal things we take for granted every day. They have been doing this on their own. The sheriffs department down here has been really great to them in helping out in ways that they can having fund raisers and such. Since it was an elective surgery their insurance has not and will not cover any of the cost of the hospital stay or the cost of his rehab or after care. Tyra please
Posted by Nicole 06/26/07 2:45 PM
 
I watched this show today and I personally was considering laser hair removal but now.....NO WAY.Thank you so much tyra! I am currently doing my research on electrolysis instead.
Posted by Ava 06/26/07 2:40 PM
 
Hi Tyra, I had a tattoo done when I was young. After several years I married the love of my life. Before our marriage I wanted to have the tattoo removed with laser. That way I could wear a starpless dress. To my surprise after doing all my research and I went to a plastic surgeon. I healed and had a huge scar. It's been over 5 years and I have a huge scar which I have been trying to improve the look of it with yet another plastic surgeon. But everytime I got back it just makes my arm look worse and worse. I have not been able to wear a strapess or spagetti starp in over 5 years. And it's so frustrating to have to pull on my t-shirt sleeve every 2 min so the scar does not show :(
Posted by Giovanna 06/26/07 12:09 PM
 
Tyra, Oh my gosh! I watched beauty disasters today, and I was so relieved to find out someone else has have the same leg sores I started to get 2 years ago. No one could figure out what it was, and told me not to worry, anti-biotics would help. Well, the didnt. I got a tattoo, and within a week, around myu tattoo, and on my legs i developed a flesh eating virus, and now I too and coved with scars. I was really hoping to find more info on how to treat this. Also please everyone check your artist, dont sign any waiver giving your right to sue away if the ruin your body. Tyra if you get this, I would really like to meet this girl, thats just like me. I really thought i was alone with this.
Posted by Christina 06/26/07 11:41 AM
 
Oh My God!! It took years to be happy with myself but I still have some insecurities I battle with. I was already worried to begin with because due to my genes I naturally develop kelloids, stretch marks, and fat that exercise just won’t get rid of but the show... all I can say is WOW. I didn’t know anything about death by a pedicure. I have bad feet coming out the army so anytime I feel pain, whatever I'm doing needs to stop right then and there. I used to get pedicures all the time until I developed feet problems and now I can’t stand for people to massage my feet because my tendons hurt like hell. Now that I have feet problems I’m a little more grateful for it because that could have been easily been me on your show with a disease I can’t get rid of from a pedicure. I have been thinking about laser treatments for old stretch marks and my odd chin hairs that I pluck all the time. I have been extremely worried that if I do a cosmetic treatment on my dark skin, I was going to have some of those exact complications I saw with the women of color on the show. Being multiracial doesn’t help all that much either because my skin is just extra sensitive. I mean, who gets scarlet fever and I managed to get that when I was young. Lol. I’m allergic to sunscreen and I get welts and rashes from the sun easily. I know how my body reacts as I get older and my bad luck that keeps increasing. The segment just made me more proud of what I have and blessed; flaws and everything. That was a really good show to make people not
Posted by Chandra 06/26/07 11:35 AM
 
Tyra- I am a current graduate, this year, of a 2 year cosmetology school. I watched the show on the 26th about beauty disasters and was quite familiar with a few of the topics. I took a class on pedicures and also manicures, and one of the topics we discussed were the illnesses and deaths due to pedicures. To avoid those types of situations, I have some personal tips every woman going for a pedicure should know: 1. Like you had said, everyone loves those big king chairs with water jets... and even though they keep the water warmer and circulating, try to avoid them. The jet pipes that circulate the water are very difficult to clean, let alone get sanitary. With that said, they sit over night and those pipes contain a great place for disease causing bacteria to breed. When they get turned on the next morning, the bacteria is constantly spread in the water with each use. 2. The number one most important thing i have learned is sanitation, sanitation, SANITATION! Alway ALWAYS make sure that before someone in the beauty industry touches you with a tool or impliment that it is cleaned and at least sanitised! You do not know the health background of the person that had those tools used on them before you. If it does not look clean, get out immediately. Any beauty institution can not possibly stress to their students just how important that is to be sanitary. And finally, 3. DO NOT SHAVE YOUR LEGS WITH IN 3 DAYS BEFORE A PEDICURE. Yes, every woman feels that when someone is about to see their legs they need to be smoothe. Well I'm 100 percent positive that they would rather live with a little bit of stubble embarassment for an hour than
Posted by Rach 06/26/07 9:29 AM
 
Tyra, I would like to offer belated congratulations for your show. I owe you an apology for thinking (when it first aired) that it was going to simply be a gossip and fluff show. As a host you have displayed strength and undoubted compassion and interest in real and tough issues. I realized how wrong I was when I tuned in and watched you interview a woman who not only calmly informed you, as a friend of gay individuals, that you and anyone who is gay or also claims gay friends, are gong straight to Hell. In addition, she had taught her daughters to believe her narrow, cruel, pseudo-religious outlook. How you refrained from tossing her out of the studio is beyond me. But I saw something in you, real cajones to tackle controversy and see it through. I don't get the chance to watch very often, but today, 6/20 I was impressed as you stuck to your convictions about what you look for and encourage in "Next Top Model" as it applies to eating disorders. It was so clear that it was not just a story for today and forgotten tomorrow, but a serious issue that you will continue to champion for the long term. You have the chops, my dear. If the opinion of a 51 year-old woman helps you at all, I believe that you are a fine role model. Keep it up and thank you.
Posted by Niccola 06/20/07 8:39 PM
 
Dear Tyra, Hi my name is Sara. I’m a single mother of a beautiful little girl. In June I’ll be turning 22 and she’ll be turning 4. Before I tell you any more I want to say I love you and love your show. You’re a great inspiration. I don’t get to see your show a lot though because I work full time. A couple months ago I had surgery on my face and this is what really inspired me to writing you. At this point in my life it’s been really hard. I have been going through a lot. A year ago my home was broken into, vandalized, and almost all my things and my daughters’ things were stolen. Clothes, shoes, jewelry, furniture. You name it, it was stolen, like I said it’s been a year, I moved and I’m still struggling. I live off pay check to pay check with nothing I can put away an save. I still have no clothes, and I am struggling with bills. I have to thank GOD for my parents because they have been a BIG HELP. But they can only do so much. Well I was going through all this my face had broken out really bad from stress. Now my face is pretty clear but it left extremely ugly scars, at least I think so. My face use to be so smooth. I had the perfect skin and completion. Now I’m so UGLY. When ever I look in the mirror I cry. Than I feel bad because I feel like I’m being selfish or something. It hurts so bad. My parents didn’t want to see me like this so they agreed to help get me surgery to remove the scars. It cost $1200. $1200 that they don’t really have but
Posted by sara 06/20/07 4:17 PM
 
TYRA FANS LISTEN UP !!! SHOCKING NEW ABOUT TYRA! OK SO I FOUND THIS ON THE INTENET AND I IMMENDIALTY STARTED CRYING... Tyra Banks Sex Tape? According to our friends at Concrete Loop, someone is set to release an intimate video of Tyra Banks. Yep, Tyra Banks and some Italian guy reportedly get down and dirty for the video camera. Sources say, the video is grainy and you can hear the two of them talking to each other - among other things. In 2005 conreteloop.com posted the photos of Tyra and her rumored boyfriend Italian basketball player. OMG OMG TYRA IS THIS TRUE??? I FOUND IT ON T-BANKS.ORG .. PLEASE LET IT NOT BE. I DONT' WANT TO LOOSE MY ROLE MODEL AND INSPERATION.:( I HAVE LOOKED UP TO YOU FOR SOO LONG... THIS IS WHAT OTHER PPL TO SAY ABOUT IT : "I am in shock to this is goning to affect her reputation and so many women who are going to like her anymore". "I wonder if she will deny it or even show it on the Tyra Show". PLEASE TYRA WRITE A BLOG ON THIS. I AM REALLY SARED RIGHT NOW. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO THINK NOW.I WAS LITERALLY LIKE TO TEARS WHEN I HEAD THIS.
Posted by ? 06/20/07 3:58 PM
 
HELLO TRYA I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FO RLETTING ME SHARE MY STORY ON YOUR SHOW! I HAVE READ COMMENTS ON HERE I JUST WANNA THANK THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD A HEART TOWARDS MY SITUATION BUT AS FOR THE OTHERS WHO ARE CALLIN ME STUPID THE OBVIOUSLY DIDNT HEAR MY STORY FIRST OF ALL THE REASON I WENT TO HIM WAS BECAUSE MY MOTHER WENT TO HIM AND CAME OUT OK AND SHE DID PLEANTY OF RESEARCH ON HIM! SO YES I TRUSTED MY MOTHERS JUDGEMENT! AND AS FOR THE THE LADY WHO CALLED ME STUPID AND SAID THAT SHE DIDNT FELL ANY SYMPHTAY FOR ME WELL I WASNT LOOKIN FOR IT I ACTUALLY WENT ON TO HELP OTHER WOMEN NOT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE! YOU KNOW WHEN YOU HAVE NO HEART BAD DOES COME TO YOU! SO I HOPE THAT YOU LIFE IS FULL OF LUCK BECAUSE I SHURE WOULD HATE TO SEE YOU HAVIN TO SIT BY A LOVED ONES BED SIDE AND HAVE NO MORAL SUPPORT.AS FOR THE LADY WHO WANTED TO CONTACT ME I HAVE A PERSONAL EMAIL ACCOUNT GETTHEBUSINESS@YAHOO.COM.
Posted by YVONNE 06/11/07 2:40 AM



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