Because there is a medical specialist on staff, these facilities can offer the traditional treatments such as massage and facials in addition to cosmetic treatments such as Botox, Restylane, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, and laser hair removal.

The experience offers a relaxing alternative to a doctor's office, where a woman can pamper herself and benefit from the amenities of a spa while still getting cosmetic procedures from a medical professional. For most women, getting a medical treatment in a spa setting is far more relaxing than getting one in a cold, sterile, clinical setting.

A variety of treatments are available at these innovative and relaxing facilities. Botox is perhaps the most popular, widely available at spas across the country. Botox is injected around "expression lines" (the nicer term for what women call wrinkles!) either to diminish their appearance or to prevent the lines from forming or deepening, which causes women to look older.

It works by blocking the nerve impulses, which cause muscles to contract. It is reported that the three most common areas for Botox injections are the forehead, between the eyebrows, and on the sides of eyes (commonly referred to as "crows feet").

Prices for Botox range greatly from one facility to the next, but typically spas charge from $12-15 per unit with the forehead taking anywhere from 10-20 units and areas around the eyes taking significantly less. Botox typically lasts for 3 to 6 months.

Microdermabrasion is a second treatment that is exceedingly common, offering youthful-looking skin without cosmetic surgery. A mechanical exfoliation that removes the top layer of dead skin from the face, chest, and/or hands, microdermabrasion reveals the more youthful, glowing skin underneath.

Benefits include diminished look of wrinkles, large pores, sun damage, and coarse skin leaving an overall more youthful look. In addition, this procedure is sometimes called a "lunchtime peel" because it is fairly quick and requires little recovery time. The price for microdermabrasion usually ranges from $100-150 for a single session, though generally multiple sessions are recommended for optimal results.

Restylane, chemical peels, and laser treatments are also low cost, effective treatments offering a look younger without going under the knife. With medical spas, a simple day of pampering can dramatically improve your overall appearance with little to no recovery time.

One important question in choosing a medical spa is to determine whether a trained physician is involved to oversee and supervise the various treatments. While a doctor does not necessarily have to conduct the procedures, it is important that the person doing them is qualified, experienced and physician-trained. Regulations vary from state to state.

Overall, medical spas are an excellent alternative to the surgeon's office to get treatments that will leave you looking more glowing and youthful than you ever thought possible, all while relaxing in a spa-like setting.