TEXAS, USA — Thanks to the rapid growth of social media, Statista reports that the beauty industry is projected to generate almost $650 billion in 2024.
Medical spa treatments like lip fillers, microneedling and fat reduction contribute to that large number, with the industry forecasted to hit $24 billion by 2025, according to the American Med Spa Association.
One major issue with med spa treatments, according to Amy Mersiovsky, nursing director at Texas A&M Central Texas, is that many of these procedures are not done correctly, causing hundreds of people to suffer from serious infections.
"People have been really harmed and the people who are providing the service weren't licensed at all," Mersiovsky explained.
The most recent statistics show the Texas Medical Board (TMB) received nearly nine thousand complaints against med spas in 2020, but only 30 temporary suspensions were issued.
In July 2023, a Fairfield woman died after receiving IV treatment from Luxe Med Spa in Wortham, TX.
Central Texas is home to at least 30 different med spas, with that number growing each year.
In an interview done in October 2023, Sherif Zaafran, head of the TMB, warned potential patients to look deeply into the spa they choose before getting anything done.
"No matter how much you see proliferated out there, just understand that these are potentially dangerous things and you want to make sure the appropriate people are overseeing it," Zaafran said.
An NBC article shared how experts urge people to ask questions when they seek out treatments at med spas. Those questions include:
- Who owns and operates the med spa?
- Who is administering the treatment, and what credentials does that person have?
- Is a licensed medical practitioner on site in case there are complications?
In addition, Mersiovsky strongly recommends people consult with their doctor before seeking treatment at a med spa, especially if they're living with an underlying condition.
"Anyone who has significant past medical history like heart problems, people who are immuno-compromised or have that kind of a high rate of infection risk anyway should be extremely, extremely careful," Mersiovsky added.
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