Written by Lisa Vuich, MD – Owner, Renew Medispa
Have you ever wondered how a nurse or physician begins an aesthetic practice, or how they get trained on how to become an aesthetic injector? We get this question often at Renew MediSpa, from both healthcare providers and the public. Years ago aesthetic injections were provided primarily by what are referred to as “Core” physicians- referring to Plastic Surgeons and Cosmetic Dermatologists. As demand for non surgical aesthetic procedures grew, more different types of medical providers started performing these services, from Family Physicians, Obstetricians and Nurses to other subspecialists such as Ophthalmologists and Dentists. Currently, the majority of Medical Spa owners and directors and those seeking to enter the field are “non Core”.
In the past decade changes in the insurance industry have tended to frustrate both patients and the healthcare providers who care for them. Many physicians, burned out from the stress of functioning within these often cumbersome systems, have sought out aesthetics as a route to more independence, less stress, better hours and happier interactions with patients. Nurses who contact me for training almost universally use the terms “burned out” and “looking for a change”. The growth of regenerative medicine procedures, often not covered by traditional insurance, gives these providers a way to stay connected to treating medical conditions as well. So, for example, a MediSpa may offer treatments that range from dermal filler, botulinum toxin and body contouring to the treatment of erectile dysfuntion, vaginal dryness, stress incontinence, joint pain and thinning hair.
Traditionally, those wishing to enter the non surgical aesthetic field will take group classes from one of the many training companies that have cropped up to offer educational programs. In these larger group classes, the didactic or “classroom” portion tends to be strong, but the “hands on” experience may be less than robust. To develop more confidence and experience they would then need to seek out smaller group or private hands on training, and/or practice in a setting where more experienced injectors are there to support and teach them. In the end, these providers are responsible for their own educational development. There is no licensing board or standardized certification process specific to this field. Providers of course are still under their respective regulatory boards, such as the Board of Medicine or the Board of Nursing , but there is not a standardized training track or protocol at this time.
State laws vary regarding who is licensed to perform various aesthetic procedures, from lasers to injectables and more. Although RN’s can become expert injectors, they are required to have a medical director (in New Hampshire, an MD or DO or NP) who has first formulated what is called the “Plan of Care” before the procedure is performed. This Medical Director should be experienced within the field, and readily available should questions or complications arise. These are not a new regulations, but years ago they were not as often enforced as has been the case more recently.
In 2015, after a decade in the field myself, I formed the Renew MediSpa Training Institute to contribute to the education of providers in this rapidly expanding field. Since then we have provided small group and private training and preceptorships in a variety of aesthetic and regenerative procedures. This October will be opening a new MediSpa and MediSpa Training facility at 23 Crystal Avenue in Derry, New Hampshire. Any healthcare providers interested in finding out more about available training programs are encouraged to contact us by calling the Medical Spa at 603-894-0070.
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