Aging is inevitable and wanting to age gracefully is no longer considered a vain act. As you drive around Lake Nona, or even the rest of Orlando, you will notice plenty of medical spas offering anti-aging and facial rejuvenation services. Have you been thinking about getting on board with cosmetic medical procedures to slow down or even revert those aging changes?
Whether you are interested in Botox, injectable fillers such as Juvederm, or facial plastic surgery, there are plenty of options in town. The challenge, however, is choosing the right place for you! This article will educate you on the ins and outs of medical spas. So, when you’re serious about looking for a reputable, quality practice to have your facial aesthetic and med spa services performed, what should you look for and what you should know?
Is there a doctor in the house?
Dr. Chirag J. Patel , M.D.
The very first thing that you should check is whether or not the medical spa has a medical doctor on-site. Regulations by the State of Florida and Department of Health do not currently require the Medical Director to be on-site. To us, that is a huge safety concern! Although Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants can be excellent providers for cosmetic medical procedures, most do not have extensive training in facial aesthetics or treatment of rare, but severe, complications.
At Lake Nona Ophthalmology, every patient will see Chirag J. Patel, M.D. He will discuss your specific concerns, review all of your medical history, and offer various treatment plans that will help you ascertain your cosmetic goals. Dr. Patel’s team includes Krishma Patel, PA-C and Angie Beyer, Esthetician/CME. The team-based approach Med Spa at Lake Nona Ophthalmology uses provides a safe and comfortable, yet cutting-edge and boutique experience.
Expertise
Ok – you have found some medical spas that have a physician on-site! Should that be enough? No! Remember, once a physician receives an M.D. degree, further years are spent specializing in a particular field, such as Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Ophthalmology, or Plastic Surgery. As you can imagine, certain fields of medicine naturally have a cosmetic component during training – allowing the physician to become an expert in the field. Once you find a medical spa that has an M.D. on-site, dig a little deeper and inquire about his or her credentials. For facial cosmetic procedures, five specialties are naturally trained in Facial Aesthetics: Ophthalmology, Dermatology, ENT, Facial Plastic Surgery, and Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery. These doctors know the anatomy of the facial muscles, nerves, and blood vessels much better than other specialties.
Chirag J. Patel, M.D. is a fellowship-trained Ophthalmologist, the field of medicine involving the medical and surgical treatment of the eyes, eyelids, and surrounding structures. As you know, the eyes are the centerpieces of one’s appearance and aging often begins around the eyes – who better to treat those unwanted aging changes than an Ophthalmologist.
Price
The old adage reigns true in cosmetic medicine – you get what you pay for.
Cheaper is not always better! You may have seen advertisements on Groupon and other social media sites offering Botox specials that seem too good to be true. Well, they are too good to be true. Several practices locally and around the country have been shut down for using an illegal, non-FDA approved, knockoff of the popular injectables, Botox and Juvederm. Patients were noted to have severe reactions, dramatically reduced duration of action, and unimpressive results.
At Med Spa, the practice uses the latest products from manufacturers like Allergan, Valiant, and Photomedex. All products are purchased directly from the manufacturer without third-party involvement. Only brand name, premium, products are used in the office, some of which include, Botox Cosmetic and Juvederm. Although the practice runs specials on its products occasionally, potential patients can be rest assured that even though a product may be discounted, the quality of service never is.
The word “Botox” is often used like the word “Tylenol”
We’ve all heard, or even said, the expression, “I had such a terrible headache, I had to take Tylenol.” Now, did the person actually take brand name Tylenol, or was it a generic? The fact remains, the word Tylenol extends a generic concept to the medication, Acetaminophen, more than the generic name itself! Botulinum Toxin is very similar.
The first, and most premiere, manufacturer of the medication was Allergan, branding the product as Botox Cosmetic. In this case, the brand can matter! Botox Cosmetic has been used more widely, has less side effects, is a less painful injection, and lasts longer than other competitors on the market, such as Dysport and Xeomin. So next time you see an advertisement for Botox, you should wonder whether they are actually using Botox Cosmetic or just another form of Botulinum Toxin! As with all cosmetic medical procedures, educate yourself!
Don’t Be Afraid To Ask Questions
You, the patient, should have the absolute right to ask questions, relay your concerns, and ask the provider to see the vial or syringe that will be injected. If you feel uncomfortable asking those questions because of the environment you are in, that should be a red flag! Lake Nona Ophthalmology’s aesthetic team will always have time for your questions, concerns, and will always provide honest, genuine answers and care.
Convenience
Many times, spa and cosmetic services are offered in addition to other services at boutique specialty practices. For instance, you may find such services offered at a weight loss center or dermatologist’s office in addition to their core business. This is done for a variety of reasons, one being to offer more convenience for you, their clientele.
At Lake Nona Ophthalmology, the idea is much the same. The practice combines facial aesthetic and med spa services with comprehensive medical and surgical eye care. Why? Dr. Patel, the founder of the practice, envisioned a modern, innovative and patient-first model for the delivery of top-notch care in the Lake Nona area.
