Medical spa rules to get a makeover
Sherry Deppermann spent two months reading up on a new, state-of-the art form of liposuction. And after identifying a local medical spa that offered it, she checked with the state medical board to see whether the doctors in charge had ever been disciplined.
“I’m a nurse, so I probably did more research than most people,” she said. “I think there are a lot of people out there who shouldn’t be doing these procedures, and most clients don’t know who’s going to be working on them and what their training is.”
Deppermann’s diligence is unusual, but officials say it’s a good idea since a loophole in state law has led to alleged abuses at some medical spas.
A QUESTION OF OVERSIGHT
In California, as in many states, a licensed physician or surgeon must be the majority owner of a medical spa. The law even requires minority stake holders to work in a health-related field.
But under current rules, the doctor in charge need not be present when a medical spa is performing certain services. They merely must be “reachable” during the procedure, said Candis Cohen, a spokeswoman for the Medical Board of California.
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