A spa day conjures up images of white robes, cucumber slices on the eyes, and a blissful massage. But today’s spas are more sophisticated. When it comes to taking care of your skin—your body’s largest organ—it is beneficial to understand the differences between a medical spa and a holistic spa. Where you book your next treatment will largely depend on your skincare concerns and goals.
Medical Spas and Holistic Spas: What’s the Difference?
Unlike an allopathic approach, which treats a specific area, the holistic spa practitioner considers a person’s entire constitution—mind, body, and soul. Holistic spas understand that one’s lifestyle, diet, environment, stress level, and even emotional well-being can affect the skin.
Medical spas focus on a more clinical approach because they are staffed by medical practitioners. A medical director, who is a licensed physician, might own the establishment and oversee procedures, while nurse practitioners or registered nurses usually perform the procedures. Like holistic spas, medical spa treatments are personalized, but they often address more complicated issues such as deep wrinkles, hair loss, tattoo removal, or spider veins. Treatments might also be more invasive and require more downtime.
Holistic spas feature licensed estheticians and massage therapists who consider the guest’s entire constitution to design a customized treatment plan. The focus is on wellness, pampering, education, and achieving individual goals, and product recommendations might be made to ensure continued results at home. Specific concerns are addressed, such as acne, dry skin, or rosacea. Nutrition, fitness, or alternative treatments might be part of a holistic spa visit. Guests often leave with a deeper understanding of how to care for their skin.
What are the benefits of a medical spa?
Medical spas are ideal for addressing prominent cosmetic concerns. Practitioners are medical professionals trained to perform specialized procedures using medical-grade products. Results often last longer than treatments received at a holistic spa. Some of the standard procedures medical spas offer include:
What are the benefits of a holistic spa?
Holistic spas feel natural, wholesome, and welcoming. Treatments are unique in that they not only address aesthetic areas of concern but also consider the whole individual to maintain wellness beyond the spa visit. Guests leave educated about their skin type and skincare needs. Holistic spa practitioners know that no two people are the same, so no two treatment plans are the same. Some of the common procedures holistic spas offer include:
- Massage
- Facials
- Alternative treatments
- Reiki
- Oxygen therapy
- Reflexology
What is a medical facial?
A medical facial reaches beyond the doting nature of a typical spa facial. Fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, blemishes, sunspots, and acne are some of the issues a medical facial addresses. Medical-grade products and instruments are used to achieve significant results. Some of the benefits include collagen stimulation, improved circulation, toxin removal, deep cleansing, and skin rejuvenation.
What is a holistic facial?
Like a medical facial, your skin will likely undergo a short skin analysis, and the esthetician will choose the best products to use on you. The aim is less clinical and more focused on organic cleaning, exfoliating, and soothing. A holistic facial is a relaxing experience meant to leave you glowing.
What are the benefits of both spas together?
Combining the indulgence of a holistic spa with the scientific understanding of a medical spa will yield the best results. For an aesthetic boost, the holistic spa is perfect. The medical spa can complement those temporary needs with a deeper approach to more pressing concerns. Your skin will benefit from a marriage of the two.
A wealth of options are available from both medical spas and holistic spas. At Revivology, we are committed to providing you with white-glove treatment, regardless of your needs. Schedule a consultation today, and let us help you decide which treatments are best for you!