What is Med spa (medical spa)?
A med spa (medical spa) is a hybrid business delivering medical aesthetic treatments, such as injectables, laser and device treatments, and medical-grade skincare, in a spa-like consumer experience, under physician oversight where state law requires it. It sits between a day spa, which offers no medical services, and a dermatology practice.
How it works in an aesthetic clinic
A typical med spa menu spans neurotoxins, fillers, laser hair removal, skin treatments, and increasingly wellness services like IV drips and weight-loss programs. The medical side demands good faith exams, consents, charting, and oversight; the consumer side demands online booking, memberships, and hospitality. Running both natures inside one operation is the defining challenge of the category.
Med spa (medical spa) vs a day spa
| Med spa (medical spa) | Medical treatments under clinical oversight, with charts, consents, and protocols |
|---|---|
| A day spa | Cosmetic and relaxation services with no medical layer and no clinical records |
Why it matters for clinic operators
Category clarity drives everything downstream: licensing and oversight requirements, insurance, marketing claims, and which software the business actually needs. A med spa that operates like a day spa is a compliance finding in progress.
On the platform: Gracero for med spas · Go deeper: Med spa vs day spa
See Gracero run your clinic.
A 15-minute demo: booking, payments, memberships, and the aesthetic layer, all in one platform.
Book a demo