Glossary
Med spa terms, explained
A quick reference to the language you'll encounter when researching medical spa treatments.
- Medical spa (med spa)
- A facility that combines a day-spa setting with treatments requiring medical oversight, supervised by a licensed physician or qualified provider.
- Injectables
- Treatments injected into the skin, including neuromodulators (which relax muscles) and dermal fillers (which add volume).
- Neuromodulator
- An injectable that temporarily relaxes targeted facial muscles to soften lines. Common brand names include Botox and Dysport.
- Dermal filler
- An injectable gel, often hyaluronic-acid based, used to restore volume, smooth folds, or enhance features like lips and cheeks.
- Laser resurfacing
- A treatment that uses focused light to improve skin texture, tone, scarring, and signs of aging.
- IPL (intense pulsed light)
- A light-based treatment used to address redness, sun damage, and uneven pigmentation.
- Microneedling
- A treatment using fine needles to create tiny channels in the skin, stimulating collagen and improving texture.
- Chemical peel
- A solution applied to exfoliate the skin, revealing smoother, more even skin underneath.
- Body contouring
- Non-surgical treatments that reduce fat or tighten skin in targeted areas.
- Medical director
- The licensed physician responsible for overseeing the medical treatments offered at a spa.
- Nurse injector
- A licensed registered nurse or nurse practitioner trained to perform injectable treatments under medical supervision.
- Consultation
- A pre-treatment appointment where a provider assesses your goals, reviews health history, and recommends options.