What Is a Med Spa, and How Do You Choose One?
Know who treats you.
A med spa offers cosmetic medical treatments, like laser hair removal and injectables, along with facials. Here is how it differs from a day spa and a dermatologist, and how to tell if one is legit.
- A consult before every treatment
- Walk-ins welcome
- Rated 4.8 on Google
What is a med spa?
A med spa is a clinic that offers cosmetic medical treatments, like laser hair removal, wrinkle relaxers, fillers and microneedling, along with facials. It goes further than a day spa, and it does not replace a dermatologist for skin disease. Magic FemTouch MedSpa in Oak Lawn starts every treatment with a consult.
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What is the difference between a spa and a med spa?
A day spa is about relaxing. A med spa does skin and laser treatments that go further, and each one starts with a consult.
| Question | Med spa | Day spa | Dermatology office |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical treatments | Laser hair removal, wrinkle relaxers, fillers, microneedling, peels, facials | Facials, body treatments, nails | Skin disease, skin checks, surgery, some cosmetic care |
| Who treats you | Licensed providers and estheticians | Estheticians and spa staff | Dermatologists and their team |
| Health questions first | Yes, at the consult | Usually brief | Yes |
| Good for | Cosmetic goals: hair, lines, spots, texture | Relaxing and upkeep | Medical skin problems and anything that looks unusual |
Should you see a dermatologist or a med spa?
For a skin condition, like a mole that changed, a rash that will not clear or severe acne, see a dermatologist. For laser hair removal, facials and cosmetic injectables, a med spa is the usual choice.
A careful med spa tells you when something needs a doctor. If a provider looks at your skin and says to see a dermatologist first, that is a good sign.
How to know if a med spa is legit
Ask these at any med spa, including ours. A legit clinic answers each one plainly.
- Who does the treatment? Ask for the provider's name and license, and their training for your treatment.
- Who oversees medical treatments? Rules depend on the state and the treatment. Ask who is responsible and how.
- Is there a consult first? A careful clinic asks about your health and medicines before any laser or injection.
- Which product or device? The clinic should name the filler, wrinkle relaxer or laser it uses.
- What does it cost? Ask what sets the price: the area, the amount and the number of sessions.
- What do recent reviews say? Read recent Google reviews, not only the ones on the clinic's own site.
- Who do I call after? Ask what to do if something does not look right, and who answers.
Consult first. Walk-ins welcome.
Want a provider to look at your skin first? Book a consult on 95th Street.
“The staff was professional, kind, and made me feel comfortable throughout the entire visit. The clinic is beautiful, clean, and very welcoming.”
Red flags to watch for at a med spa
- No consult and no health questions before a laser or injection.
- Staff who cannot name the product, the device or who does the treatment.
- Pressure to buy a package today.
- A price far below other clinics for the same product.
- Promises of certain results, or photos that look edited.
Medical treatments carry real risks, even at a careful clinic. Choose one that explains them before you start.
What do you get done at a med spa?
Most people come for one of these. Each page explains what it treats, how long it takes and what to expect.
See the full list of treatments, or start from what you want to treat.
How we answer those questions
Magic FemTouch MedSpa is on W 95th Street in Oak Lawn. Every treatment starts with a consult. Your provider looks at your skin, asks about your health and medicines, and goes over the plan. Walk-ins are welcome, Tuesday to Saturday.
Ask us who does your treatment and what device or product we use. Read our Google reviews by treatment, or meet the clinic on the about page.
Consult first. Walk-ins welcome.
Bring your questions to a consult. Then you decide.
“The staff is incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and professional… they truly go above and beyond to personalize your care.”
Visit
Our Oak Lawn med spa, on 95th Street
6830 W 95th St, between Ridgeland and Harlem. Free parking. Walk-ins welcome, Tuesday to Saturday.
| Tuesday | 12 – 7 pm |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 10 am – 5 pm |
| Thursday | 12 – 7 pm |
| Friday | 10 am – 5 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am – 4 pm |
| Sunday, Monday | Closed |
Getting here
Rough drive times with light traffic.
- Chicago Ridge, Burbank, BridgeviewSouth on Ridgeland or Harlem to 95th. About 5 minutes.
- Worth, Palos Hills, Palos HeightsNorth on Harlem Avenue. About 5 to 10 minutes.
- Hickory HillsEast on 95th Street. About 5 minutes.
- Evergreen Park, Beverly, Mount GreenwoodWest on 95th Street. About 10 to 15 minutes.
Questions
Questions about med spas
Is a med spa the same as a spa?
No. A day spa offers relaxing services like facials and body treatments. A med spa also offers cosmetic medical treatments, like laser hair removal and injectables, which start with a consult.
Who can do injections at a med spa?
Licensed medical professionals, within the rules of their state. Ask for your injector's name, license and training for your treatment, and who oversees their work.
Are med spas worth the money?
They can be, when the plan fits your goal and a trained provider treats you. Compare the price for the same treatment and the same provider type, not the cheapest single visit. Ask what happens if the treatment is not right for you.
What should I ask at a med spa consultation?
Ask who will treat you and their training, and which product or device they use. Ask about the cost, the downtime, side effects and who to call afterward.
Do med spas need a medical director?
Medical treatments at a med spa need oversight, and the exact rules depend on the state and the treatment. Ask the clinic who oversees medical treatments and how they are involved.
Are med spa treatments safe?
Medical treatments carry risks wherever they are done. A careful clinic checks your health first, explains side effects, and tells you who to call. Ask about all of that before you start.
Book a visit
Request an appointment
The front desk calls or texts you back during opening hours, Tuesday to Saturday.
- Consult first, then the plan
- Walk-ins welcome
- Free parking
“The entire office is always very warm, welcoming, and professional. Everyone is extremely attentive and always answers all of my questions.”