What Happens When You Have A Problem?

People are becoming more aware that it is a smart move to have their cosmetic procedures done at a facility where there is a physician that has expertise in skin problems, a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon, on site. At the recent meeting, Controversies and Conversations in Laser and Cosmetic Surgery, this topic was discussed. Several important points were brought up.

First of all, medispas are not required, in most states at least, to carry insurance. This can leave the patient without recourse if an adverse event should occur. The value of the assets of a medispa may be very small. Adverse events will occur, even in the best of hands. If any practitioner tells you that they have never had an adverse event occur, either they are just beginning, or they are lying. As I tell my patients, even drinking water has its risks.
The second fact of note is that when a problem occurs in the context of a medispa without appropriate specialist supervision, the patient (or client as they are often called) is usually abandoned.
We have seen several such instances, but the most memorable was a young college student who went to a spa in a mall requesting Levulan plus blue light for her acne. She was given a different treatment, without this being made clear to her. Her acne flared and became disfiguring. The woman was never seen by a physician and the nurses gave her some topical samples of no value. After several visits with her acne progressively worsening, she was told "You better go see someone." She was left completely on her own, and she ended up depressed and missed a year of school.
When people learn how to operate a new device, they are taught how to try to avoid problems. However they are not taught how to deal with problems when they occur. This is a skill that is complex, that requires judgment and experience. It takes years to master. These are facts to consider when making your choice of treatment facilities.

Gerald N. Bock MD
California Skin & Laser Center
Stockton & Lodi, CA