The trends to come

In the years to come, medical spas will develop more autologous treatments, with the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) craze reaching medical spas. EF Medical spa will be introducing PRP stem cell therapy in 2014.

More treatments targeting men, fuelling mens’ growing demand for spa treatments, is one of the big trends spotted in the SpaFinder Wellness Trends Report 2013. Huge numbers of men from Beverly Hills to Berlin and Beijing are having serious work done through cosmetic surgery, as injectables, laser treatments, and new surgery technologies offer little downtime and tell‑tale scars. The worldwide figures on men undergoing procedures are high; in the US alone, men now represent roughly one in every ten cosmetic procedures. More surprisingly, according to 2012 data from the Emirates Medical Association, almost half (47%) of all people having cosmetic surgery in the United Arab Emirates are men, with body contouring/liposuction and face/neck lifts most popular. South Korea is also seeing a plastic surgery craze, with men in the thick of it. This is leading to more men-only clinics and more existing clinics launching dedicated centres for men. According to experts, treatments for hair loss will be the next big area of focus to be developed.

The biggest challenge for medical spas

One of the biggest challenges the medical spa industry is facing, in Europe especially, is the rise in regulation, with the UK leading the way after the PIP implant scandal. While maintaining industry standards is extremely important to medical spa owners, there are also worries that government intervention might not take everything into consideration, making their job more tedious, and without really ensuring safer procedures for patients.

The competition from the high street, but also physicians’ practices, will become fierce for medical spas. Pure medical spas are going to be challenged by high competition from all fronts, as spas especially continue to grow their cosmetic treatment offerings. Many are hiring skilled professionals, such as doctors or nurses, for a couple of days per week, to offer their clientele all they need in one place.

Doctors’ offices will also compete with medical spas by developing them within their practice. The physician will ensure the consulting/supervision role; a staff of aestheticians and laser specialists can run the more ‘medical spa’ side of the practice. It seems that this solution could mean patients get the best of both worlds.

But if medical spas keep developing their wellness services, offer a luxury experience like those in top spas, where patients can also relax and unwind, while offering the latest cosmetic treatments with a physician on staff, then their future is bright.