Put on a comfy robe, look at the soft towels, and listen to the waves. But wait, a doctor comes in with a clipboard. Welcome to the medical spa, a new method to treat yourself. No, this isn’t the same as putting cucumber slices on your eyes like your grandma used to do. Today’s medical spas offer both medical care and a little pampering. Restore, refresh, renew — start at That site for more details.

Face peels don’t hurt anymore; they utilize formulae based on science instead. One minute you’re laying under a warm blanket, and the next minute lasers are making everything smooth like a digital eraser. And there’s always a nurse checking on you to make sure you’re comfortable, since no one wants to feel like they’re in a lab.

Hydrafacials are those weird, whirring machines that make skin look as plump as grandma’s cinnamon rolls. It seems like everyone wants the “glow.” Is it real magic? It’s more like a microdermabrasion and a skincare soufflé. At dinner one night, my friend Anna’s cheeks were so bright that many assumed she was a light.

Don’t let the name “Botox” scare you away. These photos are less shocking than some of the people you meet on Tinder. A few pinpricks, a nice word from a neighbor, and all of a sudden you’re thinking about getting a monthly box for skin care. Results don’t always shout; sometimes they whisper. Be careful of the “plastic doll” look that is too smooth. You don’t want to turn into a cake; you want to eat it.

Being honest is frequently the first thing that happens in a consultation. Your doctor or nurse really does want to know how much water you drink. It’s not just to annoy you; they want to know what works for your body. If it feels like a mix of therapy and a research lab, that’s normal. The squad has seen it all. Last week, someone asked if a face mask could help their love life. The esthetician said, “It can’t hurt.” Everyone laughed, but they all had hope.

Lasers to get rid of hair? That’s a crowd favorite. What does it feel like? Imagine a rubber band cracking with a tiny zing each time. You have to be patient because results don’t happen immediately away. Some people choose to work in almost every area. Some folks just want their eyebrows to stop appearing as they did in the 1980s.

Facials, injectables, and treatments mix comfort and technology. Safety is always the most important thing, so no one leaves looking stunned by a bad result. Prices can be more than your phone bill, so always ask for a quote ahead of time. And don’t laugh at the before-and-after photographs; they are meant to help you see things from a different angle.

Here are several key rules: Check out your provider. Don’t do something just because it got popular on Instagram. Look for a site where the personnel is trained, the tools are clean, and the instructions for what to do following treatment are clear.

In the end, med spas are more than simply for looks. They assist a lot of people get rid of sun spots, acne scars, and even migraines. Sometimes, looking good is half the battle. How are you? That’s it.