The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery has released a white paper to its members and public concerning medical spas, a growing trend in cosmetic surgery. A medical spa is a facility offering a range of aesthetic procedures including both those typically offered in a spa, such as facials as well as non-invasive cosmetic surgery procedures such as fillers and laser treatments.

A review of laws in several states showed that none of those states had laws specific to medispas, but that they still fell under state laws regulating healthcare facilities. But, these laws varied from state to state. The paper urges physicians considering affiliation with such a facility to consult and attorney and their insurance carrier before they become involved with a medispa or open their own. Most importantly, the paper urges patient safety in medispas and says that physicians should be directly involved with all patient care in a medispa. It tells patients to treat a procedure at a medispa like they would any medical procedure and to ask the same questions of the physician they would elsewhere.

"This white paper is a chance for the Academy to once again emphasize the importance of patient safety, and to educate the public on these facilities," said President Jim E. Gilmore.

The paper, along with information for patients on choosing a cosmetic surgeon and questions to ask before having cosmetic surgery, can be found on the AACS website, at http://www.cosmeticsurgery.org.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery is a professional medical society whose members are dedicated to patient safety and physician education in cosmetic surgery. Most members of the AACS are dermatologic surgeons, facial plastic surgeons, head and neck surgeons, general surgeons, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, plastic surgeons, or ocular plastic surgeons - all of whom specialize in cosmetic surgery. AACS is an organization that represents all cosmetic surgeons in the American Medical Association through its seat in the AMA House of Delegates.

SOURCE American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery Web Site: http://www.cosmeticsurgery.org