There are so many services available to the average consumer. From specialized services that make their lives more convenient to services that pamper and heal their bodies. How is one to understand all the opportunities out there for help? One of the most common questions many people have is “what is the difference between medical spas and day spas”? Is one better than the other? What services are offered where, and how can you locate the right kind of spa for your needs? This list of questions and so many others plague the novice to the term “spas” and it is because of this confusion, that we have brought a simple overview of the main differences between medical and day spas to your attention, to help you get the services you need at the right type of location.

Personnel: The glaring difference between the two major types of spas is the personnel that facilitate the operation. While day spas offer licensed beauty technicians and associated service related personnel, med spas typically hire medical staff that are trained in a certain area of health or bodily repair-such as laser hair removal, etc. In both medical spas and day time spas, as the customer you should always be able to locate the credentials of the physicians and specialists before accepting their services.

Services: Aside from personnel differences, the services themselves, offered at med vs. day spas are very very different in nature and specifics. The types of services offered in medical spas have to do with medical procedures-or at least medically-oriented procedures-whereas the services and treatments offer in day spas are not. Popular services offered at medical spas include: laser hair removal, acne treatments, botox injections, wrinkle treatments, and chemical facial peels and treatments. Common services offered at day time spas include: massages, facials, makeup makeovers, hair coloring, and other aesthetic treatments.

Amenities: The amenities are another huge difference when it comes to med and day spas. Day spas have more of a luxurious objective to them while medical spas are more purposeful in a medical related kind of manner. This said, you may find beautiful décor, comfortable couches, and decadent amenities in a day spa to cater to customer looking to be pampered. On the other hand, while many medical spas are comfortable, they more resemble doctor’s offices than decadent spas. The difference is medical purpose vs. pampering, and this shows very obviously in the types of amenities offered in medical spas vs. day spas.

Equipment: The equipment in a medical spa will also vary quite greatly from that found in a day spa. As more intensive treatments-such as laser and chemical treatments-are administered at medical spas, consequently, the equipment they require is much more professional and complex than that of a day spa. Though there can be pricey pieces of equipment at day spas, most all of the treatments are centered around human service without the need of equipment-such as massage, manicures, makeup, hair styling, and all the other aesthetic treatments.