med spa

noun

variants or medical spa or less commonly medi spa

ˈme-dē- 

or medspa

ˈmed-ˌspä 

or medispa

ˈme-dē-ˌspä 

plural med spas or medical spas also medi spas or medspas or medispas

: a medical facility where nonsurgical cosmetic procedures (such as botulinum toxin injections, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, or laser hair removal) are performed by health care professionals under the supervision of a licensed physician

At most med spas, clients book short appointments that resemble spa rituals more than clinical procedures. Some visit between meetings. Others treat these sessions as routine maintenance, similar to haircuts or manicures.

—Rachel King

The difference between a medical spa and a traditional spa … is that the latter are usually run by aestheticians, massage therapists or other wellness experts and offer things like body wraps, massages, facials and jacuzzis. Medical spas, on the other hand, offer procedures using medical grade equipment that can only be used by or under the supervision of a doctor.

—Daniel Larlham Jr.

Word History

Etymology

med, medi, short for medical

First Known Use

1999, in the meaning defined above