Medical Spas Face Costly State Mandate

Msnbc:

Though the number of medical spas in the Jacksonville area has doubled in the past couple of years, that trend would likely slow down if Gov. Jeb Bush signs a bill limiting the types of doctors who can oversee the operations.

A bill approved during the legislative session ending May 5 would allow only dermatologists and plastic surgeons to supervise facilities other than their primary practice — a common arrangement for medical spas, which offer treatments such as Botox injections to smooth wrinkles, lip-plumping treatments or light-based hair removal. Three years ago there were 450 medical spas nationwide; now there are 1,500, said Hannelore Leavy, executive director of the International Medical Spa Association. An informal survey of Jacksonville medical spas shows about half a dozen existed in 2005, and at least 13 are in operation today.

Days after opening Radiance Medspa in Jacksonville Beach this month, Yvonne Gonzalez said should Gov. Bush sign the bill, she’ll likely spend the extra money to hire a dermatologist or plastic surgeon to oversee the business. “The obstacle is it makes this business less profitable.”

Gonzalez, a physician’s assistant, works with an anesthesiologist. A typical Botox treatment for crow’s-feet around the eyes costs $250 to $350, she said.

“Many women are not interested in going under the knife,” Gonzalez said. “They just want to look fresher.