The Murky World of Med Spas: Real Treatments, Fake Products, and Questionable Ethics
A booming industry with blurred lines between medicine and marketing
Walk into a modern med spa and you’ll likely be greeted with plush chairs, soothing music, and promises of youth in a bottle. From Botox injections and laser treatments to IV drips and stem cell facials, medical spas — or “med spas” — have become a booming $16+ billion industry in the U.S. But behind the polished marketing lies a largely unregulated frontier where legitimate medicine often mingles with questionable ethics, fake products, and misleading promises.
A hybrid of healthcare and beauty — with loopholes
Med spas operate in a gray zone between healthcare clinics and beauty salons. Many are owned by non-physicians and rely on medical directors who may be minimally involved or even hired in name only. This setup allows procedures that legally require medical supervision to be performed with little oversight.
The rules vary wildly by state. In Florida, for instance, only licensed medical professionals can perform certain injections and laser treatments — yet enforcement is notoriously lax. In some cases, undertrained staff or aestheticians perform these procedures after little more than a weekend seminar.
“Consumers often think they’re walking into a doctor’s office,” says Dr. Amelia Park, a board-certified dermatologist in Miami. “But in reality, many med spas function more like sales-driven businesses than legitimate medical clinics.”
Fake products sold as the real deal
One of the most alarming trends is the use of counterfeit or unapproved products.
In 2023, the FDA warned about a surge in fake Botox and dermal fillers being distributed through gray-market suppliers. A South Florida investigation found several med spas sourcing injectables from overseas vendors, bypassing the FDA approval process entirely.
“It’s easy for a spa to order knockoff products online at a fraction of the cost,” says Park. “The problem is, these substances can cause severe complications — infections, nerve damage, and disfigurement.”
The agency has also cracked down on IV “wellness” drips containing untested compounds or vitamins in unsafe concentrations, often promoted with unproven claims like “boost immunity” or “reverse aging.”
Pressure tactics and misleading claims
Beyond the physical risks, many med spas employ aggressive sales tactics and deceptive marketing.
“You walk in thinking you’ll get a facial, and suddenly you’re being upsold on thousands of dollars worth of stem cell serums or unproven fat-melting treatments,” says Lisa Martinez, a former med spa manager turned whistleblower. “Staff are often under intense pressure to hit sales quotas.”
It’s not uncommon to see wild claims on social media — treatments that “eliminate cellulite permanently” or “regrow hair 100% naturally.” The FDA and FTC have issued dozens of warnings about such false advertising, yet enforcement rarely keeps pace with the flood of new spas entering the market.
Minimal recourse for harmed patients
Perhaps most troubling, patients who suffer complications often have little legal recourse. Many med spas require clients to sign waivers that shield the business from liability. If the spa is owned by a non-physician, pursuing malpractice claims becomes even harder.
“Patients are left in limbo,” says Miami personal injury attorney Rebecca Klein. “They thought they were getting medical care, but find out too late that the provider isn’t held to the same standards.”
A call for stricter oversight
With the industry showing no signs of slowing down, many experts are calling for stronger state-level regulation and clearer national guidelines.
“Until we close the loopholes and crack down on counterfeit products and deceptive marketing, patients will continue to be put at risk,” says Park.
In the meantime, consumer vigilance is key. Experts advise verifying the credentials of both the med spa and its practitioners, being wary of deals that seem too good to be true, and avoiding treatments that make sensational claims without solid clinical backing.
“If you wouldn’t get the treatment at a legitimate medical clinic, you probably shouldn’t get it at a spa,” Park warns.
