AAFPRS NEW STATISTICS TALLIED – LATEST TRENDS IN MED SPAS REVEALED
A medical facility often brings thoughts of a staff dressed in crisp, white coats performing medical procedures in a sterile, clinical, and not so comfortable atmosphere. On the contrary, the mention of wellness and therapeutic treatments stirs up thoughts of receiving holistic pampering while padding about in fluffy terry-cloth robes and slippers; breathing in wonderful aromas and sipping herbal tea.  Marry the two and you get – a medical spa.

Medical spas are a fastest growing component of the spa industry. Medical spas count themselves among the hundreds of new, innovative facilities with services available to women and men who wish to be pampered -- often on their road to recovery.

Today women and men are undergoing all sorts of procedures at medical spas, from laser resurfacing to Botox® injections and skin bleaching. The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) estimates that two percent of procedures are preformed in medical spas. While AAFPRS med spa statistics have remained the same since 2004, med spas are considered to be a rising trend. In 2006, 51 percent of the AAFPRS members said that medical spas would become more popular by 2007. As part of the consumer trend to lose the "ladies-who-lunch" image, the industry is capitalizing upon baby boomers' obsession with looking the best they can, for as long as they can, and to do it with as many choices as possible.

Vito Quatela, MD, AAFPRS president, offered some advice for patients to consider when undergoing any type of facial cosmetic procedure.  "Make sure you select a board certified facial plastic surgeon who specializes in plastic surgery of the face, head and neck," comments Dr. Quatela. "One of the most important questions a patient or parent should ask a potential surgeon is the frequency which he or she performs a given procedure. When seeking facial plastic surgery, patients should understand that a board certified facial plastic surgeon's experience and expertise focuses on plastic surgery of the face, head and neck."

"Consumers seeking facial plastic surgery should make sure the surgeon to whom they entrust their face has documented education, training and experience performing the procedures," said Dr. Quatela.  "If their facial plastic surgeon belongs to the AAFPRS, for example, they can be assured that he or she is an experienced specialist who is knowledgeable and trained on the newest trends and procedures."

Dr. Quatela and the AAFPRS remind all patients to make informed decisions when it comes to undergoing any facial plastic surgery or cosmetic procedures. A surgeon should be board certified by boards affiliated with the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or equivalent boards like the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Many AAFPRS members are certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery—a board recognized by the ABMS, which certifies surgeons in facial plastic surgery.

About the AAFPRS