MediSpa FAQs

This is a very common question. A medical spa is a hybrid between a medical clinic and a day spa that operates under the supervision of medical doctor. Medical spas tend to have a more clinical atmosphere than day spas, but offer relaxing services such as body treatments and Bronze Biologic™ tanning solution.

At PSS MediSpa in Maryland, our menu of skin care services includes medical treatments such as BOTOX® Cosmetic, laser hair removal, Restylane®, rosacea treatment, JUVÉDERM® Injectable Gel and medical skin care – all of which are not traditionally offered at a Day Spa.

When choosing a MediSpa, the options can be overwhelming. But don’t worry – by following these 4 simple guidelines, you will be able to make a wise choice.

Location and Offices: MediSpas located within a physician’s office, or adjacent to a medical center, offer accessibility to the physicians. Your MediSpa should also offer gold standard equipment.

Who: For the best results, the on-site supervising doctor should be board-certified in cosmetic surgery, dermatology, or plastic surgery. In addition, the esthetician and RN performing your treatment should be experienced.

Price: Stay away from MediSpas that charge much less than average. Bargain basement prices often mean mediocre service.

Comfort: You’ll know you’ve found the right MediSpa if you feel comfortable and confident about your procedure.

Yes there is! PSS MediSpa has a state of the art medical procedure called VelaSmooth™ that is designed for the treatment and reduction of cellulite. This procedure combines vacuum suction, mechanical rollers, and elõs™ heating through infrared light and bipolar RF energy to reduce cellulite and improve the texture and appearance of skin. The best part is that there is no pain and no downtime! For optimal results, a series of treatments is recommended. A treatment series consists of 16 visits performed over a 2 month period, followed by 1 monthly maintenance treatment.

Spider veins are small clusters of red, blue or purple veins that appear on the legs. Men and women of any age may be good candidates for vein treatments to reduce unsightly spider veins.

Sclerotherapy is a procedure in which the veins are injected with a sclerosing solution, causing them to collapse and fade. It can take as few as 1 treatment or as many as 3 to 4 to obtain optimal results. Within the first week, the treatment sites will appear bruised; but, after a month, the bruises at the treated sites will diminish and the spider veins will be distinctly lighter. After 2 or more treatments, the veins appears noticeably clearer.

Intradermal pigmentation (or permanent makeup) is a state-of-the art technique that is medically proven and specifically designed to be completely safe for use in cosmetic enhancements such as eyebrows, eye liner and lip liner/color.

By using a variety of natural-looking pigments that compliment your skin tone and coloring, the procedure can mimic the appearance of hair strokes in the brow line to add color and correct shape. Alopecia sufferers are pleasantly surprised at the very natural results!

Permanent makeup is also beneficial for people who wear contact lenses, have diminishing eyesight, are athletic and busy people who desire freedom from applying makeup daily.

Topical anesthetics are used to make the procedure comfortable and can be completed in about an hour. Downtime is minimal.

There certainly is a solution at PSS Medispa, we offer ReFirme™ skin tightening treatments. The treatment is virtually painless, with little to no downtime. It works by combined bi polar radiofrequency and light energies that heat the dermal tissue. This stimulates collagen production and produces a firming effect in lax skin. It is used to firm the skin of the face, including sagging jowls, cheeks, eyes and brows.

ReFirme is a FDA approved, non-invasive skin tightening procedure, via wrinkle reduction, features revolutionary elõs technology to comfortably achieve a more youthful, tightened and toned appearance. You can expect to see gradual and cumulative results throughout the skin tightening treatments. This procedure is safe and effective for all skin types. ReFirme treatment in a non-surgical procedure and will not replace a surgical facelift.

Many patients are not ready for surgery but would still like to improve the way they look and feel. Non surgical options include dermal fillers and BOTOX injections which are simple, in-office procedures. The dermal fillers work well on the smile lines and marionette lines of the lower face, replacing lost volume and restoring the youthful facial contours. BOTOX will reduce the appearance of forehead lines, lines between the eyebrows (commonly called the “eleven” lines) and crow’s feet by relaxing the muscles. Both procedures take about 30 minutes and give you immediate, visible results with no downtime.

When you are pregnant, fluctuating hormones can cause your body to produce melanin which shows up as brown pigment on the skin. Up to 90% of women notice this happening during pregnancy, especially on the cheeks, forehead and upper lip. This is known as Melasma (or “mask of pregnancy”). The sun can exacerbate this condition. There are several ways to treat melasma. PSS MediSpa offers several different types of peels that can lift the pigment. These peels can be followed with a home care regimen from Obagi® that includes pigment lifters or bleaching creams. We also recommend an effective sunscreen that uses chemical and physical ingredients to protect you from the sun.

This is the most common question asked at PSS MediSpa! We have a few ways to treat these areas.

Depending upon a patient’s goals, an aggressive treatment modality would be a multiple-step, at-home preparation care regimen, followed by a series of (IPL) Intense Pulse Light treatments. IPL is energy that is attracted to color – i.e. sun sports, freckles, broken vessels, red or blue – and corrects the imperfection. IPL is considered a no-downtime procedure. With most patients, 3 treatments are very effective. In conjunction with our treatments, in order to prevent new brown spots or signs of aging from reoccurring, we suggest at-home skin care and sunscreen for your specific skin type.

Another modality would be to have no-prep VI Peel – a brand new multi-chemical layering procedure that provides a remarkable improvement in just 7 days and is followed with a maintenance regimen. PSS MediSpa is the only practice in the area selected to offer this remarkable peel!

The key to maintaining results after any aggressive treatment is continuing regular skin care treatments followed by at-home skin care.

Around the age of 30, your skin cells begin to suffer due to the environment, genetics and lifestyle. Cell turnover starts to slow down at this time, leading to buildup of dead skin. The change does not happen at the same pace across your face, leaving you with patches of dead skin in some areas. Working out regularly and drinking lots of water will help even the appearance of your skin; however, this is not always enough.

At PSS MediSpa, we recommend a medical skin treatment to exfoliate and remove the top layer of dead cells, revealing the fresh skin underneath. A microdermabrasion treatment combined with a light chemical application will stimulate the natural production of new, healthier cells. Immediately following the treatment, the surface of the skin has a fresh appearance. About 3 months after the initial treatment, a full cycle of new cells will have reached the surface of the skin. At this point, maintenance treatments and home medical skin care products will retain your result.

I’m stressed out and it’s starting to affect my skin. What can I do for sudden acne flare-ups?

Come in for a Medical Skin Care Treatment at PSS MediSpa. The esthetician will begin with a full evaluation of your skin’s heath and medical history. Our acne treatment includes exfoliation, extraction, and a light acid which will help clear the debris for the pores and lessen the bacteria from the skin and reduce the duration of your existing pimples by stimulating new cells to come to the surface.

Follow this treatment with medical grade products that will work more effectively than over the counter products to prevent future breakouts. Our PSS MediSpa Private Line of acne treatment products are formulated with the most aggressive and effective acne ingredients on the market. This combination of in-office and at-home treatments will give you the best results in the shortest amount of time.

Let one of our estheticians create an acne skin care regimen that will bring back your clear skin and a confident attitude!

The most important element to clearing your teenager’s acne is expediting treatment so scarring can be eliminated. Our estheticians can effectively treat aggressive acne breakouts and keep them at bay with our medical grade treatments and pharmaceutical products. Patient education is crucial with teens. Our staff is patient, experienced and motivated to teach acne-suffering teenagers how to handle this frustrating condition. We will explain to your teenager the importance of a strict home care regime that, combined with regular skin treatments, will soon leave them with clear skin and renewed confidence that is an integral asset, not just for our teenagers, but for acne suffers of any age.

You could be suffering from a skin condition called rosacea. An estimated 79% of the 14 million Americans who suffer from rosacea don’t even know they have it.

Rosacea often affects people with fair skin, with symptoms appearing around or after age 30. It is characterized by a reddening of the cheeks, nose, chin and forehead and may sometimes include inflammatory papules and pustules (acne-like pimples).

Rosacea can be treated with IPL treatments and mild chemical peels, along with an at-home system. The Obagi Medical Rosaclear™ System is the first and only complete prescription-based system developed specifically for treating rosacea. The all-in-one system is designed to effectively reduce redness and flushing, along with treating papules and pustules, to help rosacea patients achieve a clearer, calmer and more balanced-looking complexion.

Every year, hundreds of men and women visit Medical Spas to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, persistent red complexion, sun spots, acne scars, large pores and other skin blemishes. Unfortunately, not everyone is properly educated on how to maintain their new results.

How you care for your skin, staying out of the sun, wearing sunblock and staying on a good skin care regimen with physician quality products are a necessity to maintain the effects of the treatments. At PSS MediSpa every one of our patients leaves with a clear understanding of how to maintain a healthy complexion between skin care treatments.

There is an amazing new product that’s recently come out called Bronze BioLogic Spray Tan. It’s very different from other spray tan products currently on the market. It’s an organic, plant based solution that contains no harsh chemicals, dyes alcohol, additives, perfumes, or artificial colors. It also doesn’t have the strong odor that’s typical of self tanning lotions.

The product is sprayed on by hand by a technician to ensure a perfect application every time – no streaking. You get an immediate natural-looking bronze color that continues to develop throughout the day. Never yellow or orange, the tan is a warm bronze glow. With regular moisturizing, your spray tan will last at least 7 to 10 days. The best part is that you are saving your skin from damage, wrinkles and brown spots that come with tanning outside or with tanning beds. Our clients have been thrilled with the results!

Bronze Biologic premier cosmeceutical tanning solutions are proprietary formulas that use only the finest botanical ingredients available to produce a safe, all-natural looking tan. For more information, visit www.bronzebiologic.com.

ReFirme is a great procedure for bringing back firmness and elasticity to sagging skin. The procedure takes about an hour and there is no pain and no downtime. While we recommend a series of 2-3 treatments for optimal results, you will see the difference in just the first treatment!

The holiday stress is starting and my skin is showing it! With so many social events I need a fast fix for blemishes that pop up. What would you recommend?

Come in for a Blemish Clearing Treatment! This treatment includes exfoliation, extraction and a light acid treatment to clear up any sudden flare ups and prevent future breakouts. Follow this treatment with Benziderm, part of our PSS MediSpa private line of products that has anti-microbial properties to keep blemishes at bay. The best part? This amazing professional quality product starts at just $12!

Retin A has tremendous benefits for the skin. Retin A comes in 3 different strengths. Retin A helps to rebuild the collagen and elastin in the skin and it also works as an exfoliant. It also helps address adult acne.

The normal skin cycle is 6 weeks for a young child. As we age, the cellular turnover rate is closer to 12 to 16 weeks. An initial correction is usually about three months with a combination of Retin-A, Hydroquinone, Glycolic acid, and SPF of 30 or greater. Additional correction can go beyond this initial period. The practice also offers Vi Peel™ to improve skin tone, texture and clarity while reducing brown age spots. FotoFacial IPL is another treatment to help with this condition. It is necessary to maintain the correction with home care, in-office treatments, and sun avoidance.

Acidic foods and drinks as well as stress heat up the body’s temperature, dilating the capillaries. Repeated dilation over time causes them to permanently distended. Proper skin care, Foto Facial / IPL treatments and diet modifications can help the condition greatly.

For more information about MediSpa services, request your consultation today or call us at (866) 646-4017 to schedule your appointment. If you have a question that has not been answered here, please do not hesitate to contact us.

The use of Vitamin C serum has become a popular topic among many skin care professionals, because of its effectiveness in providing a more youthful appearance by combating free radicals. Free radicals are tiny molecules that cause visible signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles. To combat this damage Vitamin C is essential because of its synthesis of collagen and its antioxidant properties.

When considering Vitamin C serums, make sure you are making an educated purchase. Many products on the market do not contain a sufficient concentration of Vitamin C to be a benefit to the skin. Select your Vitamin C product from a trustworthy source and be careful of the expiration date and storage of your product.

There are many treatment options when it comes to skin care, not to mention the number of product options. Make sure you are properly informed

It depends on what areas you would like to address. Most of the people we see know they need an eye cream but are not sure which one they need for their specific problem. We have many different types of eye cream that address different concerns such as dark circles, puffiness, fine lines and loss of elasticity.

All of our products provide hydration and moisture along with the components to reduce fine lines. We also can provide medical grade products you can’t find in any department store because they have higher levels of active ingredients.

A skin consultation with one of our estheticians is the best way to assess the condition of your skin, talk about your goals and then develop a plan that includes the products that will work best for your skin type. Our eye creams range in price from $28-$96 depending on the type of treatment needed.

With typical manual cleansing, dirt and oil are not as effectively removed and may become trapped in your pores and fine lines. Whether it is sun damage, drying detergents, harsh pollutants, or oil and bacteria, they are all doing their part to wreak havoc on your skin. So even though you are cleansing your skin on a regular basis, you are still leaving behind dirt and oil.

You may have heard of the new sonic technology, Clarisonic®, a proven gentle yet effective way to loosen dirt and oil to clear your pores. By using the Clarisonic with your favorite cleanser you are able to remove 6 times more makeup than manual cleansing. Not to mention that 61% more Vitamin C is absorbed by the skin after cleansing with Clarisonic.

At PSS MediSpa we offer the Clarisonic Pro and a complete line of medical-grade skin care products to help your skin look its best. Clarisonic Pro is not meant to replace medical skin care treatments. It is strongly recommended that you continue your skin care treatments, such as Microdermabrasion. Stop in today to find out more about the Clarisonic!

The term “cosmeceutical” originated in the late 1970s to describe skin care products that offered benefits beyond the traditional moisturizer, but were less therapeutic than Pharmaceutical products. Presently, the term is used more in a marketing context to highlight formulations or ingredients. Many consumers presume that cosmeceuticals are required to undergo the same testing as pharmaceutical products for efficacy and quality control. This is not the case.

Only 5% of the skin care industry is under the regulation established by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Have you ever wondered why your makeup packaging says to throw away any unused product every 90 to 180 days? It is because cosmetic grade products contain up to 30% bacteria, making them a breeding ground for bacteria. The FDA regulates pharmaceutical grade products to be 99.9% pure.

Yes, LATISSE® is a prescription treatment for hypotrichosis (thinning or sparse eyelashes) and is used to grow eyelashes, making them longer, thicker and darker. This is one of our most requested products from our patients!

LATISSE affects the growth (anagen) phase of the eyelash hair cycle in 2 ways: first, it increases the length of this phase; second, it increases the number of hairs in this growth phase.

Use LATISSE once nightly by applying one drop of the product to the base your lash line. You will notice significant improvement by 2 months. This product works great for patients with thinning lashes or those that have lost their eyelashes due to medical treatments or conditions. To learn more about LATISSE, call to set up your complimentary consultation with one of our estheticians.