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



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This show was great, a great source of information that will hopefully help many people avoid these beauty disasters...I went for laser hair removal above my upper lip about a year ago and quit after one treatment b/c the area became really dark/almost black and stayed that way for a few months...I feel very lucky that my problem wasn't permanent but when it first turned black I freaked out b/c if it didn't resolve I would have a permanent moustache which was exactly what I was trying to get rid of... I went to a hospital so I thought I could trust them, so I didn't put on sunscreen after the treatment because my doctor said I didn't need it because it was cloudy (fyi, you can still get sunburned when it is cloudy). I don't know if it was the lack of sunscreen that made my skin turn dark or if it was the lasers used (supposedly they were safe for my tan skin)...FOr anyone out there considering laser removal be CAREFUL, especially if you have dark skin..you might not be as lucky as me and have the discoloration resolve.
Posted by Pilar 02/06/07 12:58 PM
 
Hi Tyra, I am a Latina (I am not Mexican, I am Colombian.) While I understand the segment of your show about the woman who got plastic surgery in Mexico and the message that it was trying to convey, it made it seem like all Mexican plastic surgeons are bootleg and unprofessional. It is of common knowledge that there are the unprofessional "wannabe" plastic surgeons that take advantage of people who have low self-esteem, but there are also professional doctors just like anywhere in the world. *Just a note* p.s. I still love, love, love you and your show.
Posted by Maria 02/06/07 12:37 PM
 
I WENT TO A PLASTIC SURGEON TO HAVE A BREAST REDUCTION. I HAD IT DONE. AND NOW, I HAVE ABOUT 3 INCHES OF EXCESS SKIN THAT STICKS OUT ON EACH SIDE OF MY BREASTS. I ASKED THE DR. WHEN I RETURNED FOR AFTER SURGERY FOLLOW UP ABOUT IT AND HE SAID IT WAS JUST SWELLING THAT IT WOULD GO DOWN. IT DIDN'T. I CAN NO LONGER WEAR TIGHT FITTING CLOTHES BECAUSE THE EXCESS SKIN STICKS OUT SO MUCH IT IS VERY NOTICEABLE. I WAS TOLD BEFORE THE SURGERY THAT IN SOME CASES LIPOSUCTION MAY BE DONE. I GUESS I WASN'T GIVEN THAT. SO, KNOW I HAVE TO LIVE WITH THE DISFIGUREMENT. IT IS ABSOLUTELY AWFUL TO LOOK AT.
Posted by GLORIA 02/06/07 12:20 PM
 
Hi was watching ur show today and about two years ago I was getting ready for trip to Mexico and wanted to get a bikini wax. well I went to place that a girlfriend of mine recommended. It was on little strip mall and the lady took me to the back laid me down. She started waxing me but oh my god it hurt so much. I was expecting it to be painful of course but she went over the same area several times. I was told after wards that this was not proper procedure. Given it was my first time I had no idea what was right and what was wrong. The whole time we were in Mexico my bikini area had little red bumps from the lady waxing the same places over and over again. She said because it was my first time it was harder. Needless to say I never went back to that place again. I'm sure it could have ended worse and I thank god that the bumps went away and all is good down there now but I felt something wasnt right and after watching your show today I just wanted to share my story with others out there. Thanks
Posted by Monique 02/06/07 12:12 PM
 
I saw ur show today and it was super interesting, that is why I do not risk myself going to just any surgeon or never going out of the country. I'll rather go to ur show or have it done with someone I really trust where everything might go great!!! Thanks for the info Tyra!!!! Ur always good!!!
Posted by Rosario 02/06/07 11:56 AM
 
I went to my dermatologist in CT for a chemical peel and my entire face was severely burned. During the time of the chemical peel the dermatologist stated that she noticed that my face was turning red, and I was having a more severe reaction than I did before. I told her my face was burning, so she neutralized my face and stated that she was going to leave it on for a couple of more minutes. She then left the room, and when she came back my face felt like it was on fire. When she took the chemical off of my face my left eye and my face had swelled and puss was coming out of my face. She prescribed me some prednisone and said my face would be better in about two days. I was unable to go to work for three weeks. I was unable to eat or smile because the burnt skin on my face. I then asked her if I could come see her because my face was not healing, and she refused. She then stated it was my fault because I should not have been using the cream that she had prescribed. She told me to stop using the retin A, but never the hydroquinone that I later found contained Retin A. Almost two years later I still have the burn marks in my face. I later contacted an attorney and I was told that it would be a difficult case to pursue because I would have to get another dermatologist to say that she was negligent. I feel like there is a commorodity among dermatologist. One dermatologist told me she thought it would heal, but it has been almost two years and I still have the remnants of the burn marks in
Posted by Quanica Willis 02/06/07 11:48 AM
 
Hi Tyra, I watched your show today with the beauty disasters. This is the ammo I needed to share with my clients. I am a Canadian esthetician, working in a spa environment. I just wanted to let you know that I was very impressed. I have been going to spas for 20 years now and got into the business because I wanted to make a difference. I was a beauty disaster more then once. This was my motivation to become a esthetician, to make a difference in peoples lives and to educate them on the do's and don'ts of the spa life. I only wish there was more I could do to educate Canada as a country, especially my community. I want to thank you again for picking this topic. You are awesome! Love America's Next Top Model, you are the right woman for this job. You go girl! Rose :)
Posted by Rose 02/06/07 11:15 AM
 
I don't know if this is an appropriate post because I'm going to name a product. Normally, I wouldn't, but I was so saddened by the stories of the women with scars from surgeries and treatments, I felt I should say something. My sister suffered a terrible grease burn on her hand as a teenager working at a fastfood restaurant. The skin fell off in large pieces from the back of her right hand and wrist. She was 17 and cried everyday about being scared forever. My dad used pure cocoa butter after the burn started to heal and he wasn't putting on medicine anymore. He smeared it on 1/4" thick twice a day and wrapped her hand in fresh gauze bandages. The cocoa butter came in a thin bar back then, like a candy bar and had to be refrigerated. We are fair skinned, but you cannot tell that my sister was ever burned. Now, I use a product call "Tree Hut, Shea Body Butter, Brazilian Nut". They have different types, but the only type I get results with for scars is the "Brazilian Nut", which is $5 at discount stores, $6-$7 online for 7 oz. I'm not suggesting that this will work for everyone. But I've seen a healed chemical burn on a male cousin disappear. I smear it on thick and wrap in gauze, and clean and change twice daily. In 2-3 weeks, I usually see results, especially for prevention. Hope this helps someone. Like my sister, I do have fair skin.
Posted by Christine 02/06/07 10:45 AM
 
Tyra I was watching your show on beauty treatment disasters, and I just wanted to let you know that when you go to get a wax job ask where they use the wax and if they double dip. I went to a local salon, my daughter wanted a bazilian wax. When we got there we went into one of the rooms with the esthetician and before she start the treatment I asked her about the wax that was heating.I asked what it was used for and she said all waxing. So I said to her when you apply the wax do you use a new applicator stick every time you apply wax or do you just redip the same stick. She said we use the same stick. So I demanded and new jar of wax be opened. This seemed to desturb me, and they did comply, but not before talking to the spa manager did I realize just because someone has taken a course does not mean they know what they are doing. When I discussed this with her briefly her comment was all the girls here have taken the estheticians course and are fully qualified, and it,s common practice to use the same wax for all wax jobs. I told her that I had taken a nail technicians course and I know what they expect and cleanliness is at the top of the list. So to me double dipping in the wax is not practicing that rule. So next time you have your eyebrows waxed just think of the bacteria that is being spread around, somebody might have just had a brazilian just before you showed up. be aware and ask questions. I probably wouldn't have thought of this if I hadn't taken my course. Please Let people know.
Posted by Terri 02/06/07 10:39 AM
 
When I was 18 I had a breast reduction. My mother and I checked out lots of Doctors in our area. The one we ended up going with was one that was preferred by our insurance. About a week after the procedure I notice that my left nipple and areola had started to turn black. When I went back to my Dr for this he removed the part that was dead. After I healed I was missing the bottom have of my areola and uneven nipples and plenty of other problems. It has now been 13yrs since but I still can not stand to look at my breast, I have been married for 11yrs in May and I still do not like my husband to touch or look at my breast. I hope that women and men will read these post and think about what they want and to really check out the Doctors before going under the knife.
Posted by Jennifer 02/06/07 10:33 AM
 
Hey Tyra i'm a big fan of the show but this topic really makes me mad and i'm outrage because of those people that say that they had plastic surgeory disasters in Tijuana, they betray tj has the worst city for that but infact Tj has alot of great clinics and doctors that are great surgeons but people from USA like to come here just because of the lower prices of some other doctors in tj and they always go to the worst and they don't do enough research, and then when something goes wrong the're outrage don't get me wrong if i hade the same results i would be really shock but they don't do enough research about the doctors, pacients, etc etc, and i'm not saying there not doctors in tj that do things very wrong but also there alot of doctors all over the world that do the same thing, even in USA, sooo i think that in part the persons that go to tj and don't have great results well in part it's there foult not having information about the doctors and pacients and also they don't research the laws on that, so i'm sorry but i'm just sick and tired of hearing the same thing over and over again, but there great doctors here american people just go to the cheapest ones....
Posted by Denisse J. 02/06/07 10:27 AM
 
Wow, please help fix that poor woman's belly! Heart breaking,don't let that be the last we hear of her.I would love to see a follow-up on the show. You have the pull Tyra- we all count on you to enlighten us to the dangers out there so we also count on you to prove that there's doctors that care enough to reconstruct the damage.I want to see a whole woman,not only the brocken woman we all saw today. P.s.Your a star and champion.The papers can't touch you ,We stand tall and proud behind you.
Posted by Georgena Haywahe 02/06/07 10:21 AM
 
I just wanted to comment on the Laser Hair Removal portion of the show today. I am from Ontario, Canada, and I had laser hair removal done on my sideburns. I was also burned on the left side of my face along the jawline and I now have a permanent scar (hypopigmentation and a crater). Although it is small, and easy to hide, it was NOT something I was warned about as a side effect of laser hair removal. Besides all of this trouble, 4 months later all of the hair grew back anyway. Come to find out, laser hair removal is not permanent, it only claims to be permanent hair REDUCTION, not removal. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, if you want to get this done beware of the consequences, and do your research!!!
Posted by Jenn 02/06/07 10:11 AM
 
Will you please do a followup show on the woman whos good friend brought her to the Tyra Show for a cosmetic surgery intervention. She came, spoke with Dr. Calvert, meet with another woman who had discount tummy tuck in mexico who is permanantly scared,; friend afraid for her life. When you last mentioned her on the show she went to Tijuana, Mexico and was currently on the the operating table. I sure we would all are concerned for her and would like to know if she is ok; if surgery went well; pray she doesn't have life altering complications. PLEASE, TYRA, FOLLOWUP WITH HER AND/OR HER FRIEND!
Posted by Dayna 02/06/07 9:57 AM
 
My mother in the past year started to develop what looked like cigarette burns on her arms and legs. She went to the doctor for 6 months and they never could give her an answer to what is was. She believed that it was from getting a manicure and pedicure from a local beauty shop, because they started showing up about a week after she had visited it. Finally they started going away but they did leave scares. After watching your show I noticed that the girls on the show had the same exact sores and scares as my mom. I called her immediately and told her and she called a doctor in Houston to try and setup another appointment because she said that they still keep popping up. I just wanted to say thanks because the doctors in our town didn’t believe my mother which made her think that it was all in her head. Now she can get the help she really needs.
Posted by Kati 02/06/07 9:08 AM



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