Why The Government Is Cracking Down On California Medical Spas

There’s a new law in the Golden State putting the smack down on medical spas that offer cosmetic procedures like injections, fillers and laser hair removal without a doctor on-hand. The growing, country-wide debate questions whether these mostly nurse-run institutions are safe for patients looking to alter the look of their face and body. The new law signed by the Governor of California, which will go into effect January 1^st, 2013, will heavily fine any medical spa (up to $50,000) that is found operating with little to no doctor supervision.

Supporters of the new law say patient safety should be the number one concern and that medi spas without proper medical oversight fall short of what is necessary to ensure all procedures are performed safely and correctly. The supervision of a certified doctor is extremely important even when procedures are non-invasive. Botched jobs are always possible, but much less likely when a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon performs the procedure.

While this new law may increase medical spa prices, the additional cost will be worth it, especially as the repair will likely be more expensive than a single procedure done right.