New York State urges medical spa clients to do their homework

Not all businesses on Long Island offering services such as laser skin treatments for a better complexion, dermal fillers to plump wrinkles and ultrasound machines to tighten skin are doing so legally.

Spas performing these procedures must have medical directors who are licensed physicians or nurse practitioners, according to state regulations. When doctors or nurse practitioners own the facility, they oversee the staff of physician assistants and registered nurses.

"People really should vet these places the way they would vet their own doctors," said New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley, whose agency helps oversee inspections of spas, said in an interview.

The agency launched a new website last year, providing information on cosmetic procedures, licenses needed to perform them and how to get background information on the businesses offering them. There is no one state entity overseeing all of these providers. They fall under the oversight of the Department of State, Health Department or Education Department, depending on the services.

Often it's neighborhood nail salons and hair removal boutiques that offer procedures with lasers and ultrasound machines they aren't licensed to use.

"One of the big giveaways is if you go into a place and get treated without having a licensed practitioner consulting with you," said Alex Thiersch, of the American Med Spa Association. "They are usually run by very qualified providers who care deeply about their patients."

Dr. Helen Hsieh, an obstetrician-gynecologist who opened the Vibrance 360 medical spa in the North Shore hamlet of Greenvale last year, welcomes the enforcement against unlicensed providers.

"I did a lot of research to make sure that we're following the regulations and following the rules of who can do what," she said.

For example, injections are only performed by physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses or medical doctors, she said. Devices have been tested and Hsieh mandates training for her staff.

"I only delegate to people who are licensed," said Hsieh, who wants to help women be healthy and age with confidence — but in a safe manner.

The spacious facility has plush chairs and soft lighting to provide a soothing atmosphere. Hsieh sees the spa as a natural offshoot of her practice, helping women as their bodies change after childbirth and during menopause with hormone replacement therapy and vaginal rejuvenation.

"My patients were growing older with me," she said. "These are women whose babies I delivered."

Those patients started asking for help to address other concerns such as stretch marks, facial wrinkles and sagging skin.

"I made sure I got proper training," Hsieh said. "I went to get all the esthetician courses, all the wellness courses I could take."

She also has male and female clients interested in the wellness aspects of relaxing in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, red light therapy or a cryo dry plunge, which allows a person to take an ice bath without getting wet.

Hsieh said she was happy to see the state trying to "weed out the people who are not doing the right thing" and expressed concerns about the number of unlicensed spas in Flushing, Queens, where she has her private practice.

"Everybody is opening up something every month and they don't even know what they're doing," Hsieh said. "I'm sorry to say, they're harming patients."

By Lisa L. Colangelo

lisa.colangelo@newsday.com@lisalcolangelo

Lisa joined Newsday as a staff writer in 2019. She previously worked at amNewYork, the New York Daily News and the Asbury Park Press covering politics, government and general assignment.