Two practices can both call themselves a med spa and differ completely in who treats you and who answers for the care. Texas rules give you specific things to ask for and check, and they are below.
Begin with the delegating physician
Texas does not license or register med spas. Injecting a substance for cosmetic purposes is a nonsurgical medical cosmetic procedure, and it must be delegated by a licensed physician. The Texas Medical Board's rule calls that person the delegating physician.
Texas rules say a practice providing these procedures must post the delegating physician's name and Texas medical license number in each public area and treatment room. Look for it. If you do not see it, ask.
Then look the physician up. The Texas Medical Board has a public license look-up. Note that the Board says some of the profile information is reported by the licensee and not verified by the Board.
Ask about specialty
Ask which specialty the physician is board certified in and which board certified them. Then confirm it with that board.
Know who may treat you
The person holding the needle matters. Texas rules say the person performing a delegated procedure must have appropriate training and a written protocol signed and dated by the delegating physician. Before the procedure, the physician, physician assistant or advanced practice nurse must tell you the name and title of the person who will treat you, and that person must wear a name tag or similar ID showing their credentials.
The usual titles:
- Physician (MD or DO): can delegate the procedure to trained staff
- Physician assistant: acts under a physician's delegation
- Advanced practice registered nurse, which includes nurse practitioners: the Board of Nursing says prescriptive authority is exercised when a physician properly delegates it
- Registered nurse: the Board of Nursing allows delegated medical acts only when its five listed criteria are met
Estheticians and cosmetology operators are not licensed to inject Botox or fillers or to use lasers for hair removal, according to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Read before and after photos with care
Photos help, but only when you know what you are looking at.
- Prefer photos of the practice's own patients over images supplied by a manufacturer
- Look for people with a skin tone, age and concern close to yours
- Check that lighting, angle and makeup match between the two photos
- Ask how long after treatment the second photo was taken
Judge the consultation
A good consultation teaches you something. The provider asks about your health before suggesting anything, explains what a treatment can and cannot do, and puts the plan and prices in writing. They also say so when you do not need something.
Walk away if
You are offered a package within minutes, before any health history, or a discount that ends today.
Other things you can check
A few more points to raise:
- Accreditation is something some facilities choose to hold. QUAD A, the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, lists a MedSpa Program. Ask any facility what it holds and from whom, then check with the accreditor.
- Ask whether the practice carries malpractice insurance.
Listings on Med Spas of Austin come from public sources and each business's own website. We do not verify licenses.
- The delegating physician's name and Texas license number are posted
- That physician's license checks out with the Texas Medical Board
- You were told the treating person's name and title, and they wear a name tag showing their credentials
- A physician, physician assistant or advanced practice nurse is onsite or immediately available
- Before and after photos are the practice's own
- The consultation covered your health history and was not rushed
- Prices are given in writing