Four kinds of skin treatment, in plain terms
When a med spa lists skin treatments, it usually means some mix of the following. Names and menus differ from one provider to the next.
- Facials. A hands-on service built around cleansing, exfoliating and masks. Some add steam or extraction.
- Chemical peels. An acid-based solution applied and then removed. Peels come in several strengths.
- Microneedling. A pen-like device with fine needles passed over the skin, sometimes with a serum.
- Light-based treatments. Devices such as intense pulsed light or LED panels that deliver light to the skin.
A licensed provider looks at your skin and history before suggesting any of them.
What a provider looks at first
Before suggesting any skin treatment, a licensed provider usually asks about a handful of things:
- your skin type and how it tends to react to products
- your health history, including conditions such as eczema, rosacea or cold sores
- medicines you take, including acne medicine by mouth and vitamin A creams
- whether you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding
- recent sun exposure, tanning or self-tanner
- past treatments and how your skin handled them
These answers shape which treatments are an option and at what strength. If a provider skips these questions, it is fair to ask why.
Three notes to make
If you only have a few minutes, make three notes before a skin consultation.
One: what you want to ask about. Describe it simply, where it is and how long it has been there.
Two: your health and medicines. Conditions, allergies, prescriptions, creams, supplements, and whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Three: your history. Past facials, peels, microneedling or light treatments, and any reactions.
Bring the notes, add your questions at the bottom, and hand them over if that is easier than saying it all aloud.
Questions about skin treatments
Can I have a skin treatment if I am pregnant?
Some skin treatments and products are usually avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and others may still be an option. Tell the provider at the start of the consultation, and they will decide what is suitable. For questions about your pregnancy, your own doctor or midwife is the right person to ask.
Do my medicines matter?
Yes. Some medicines make skin more sensitive, including acne medicine taken by mouth, vitamin A creams and some antibiotics. Bring a full list, including supplements, to your consultation. Do not stop a prescribed medicine to prepare for a treatment unless the person who prescribed it agrees.
What if my skin reacts after a treatment?
Follow the aftercare instructions and contact the provider who treated you. They can tell you what is expected and what is not. For pain, signs of infection, blistering or anything that worries you, see a doctor or dermatologist. This site is not a clinic and cannot give medical advice.
Tell a provider in Nashville what you would like to ask. You decide what happens after you talk.
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