At LegitScript, we help medical spas navigate a complex regulatory landscape. Consumer trust is the foundation of any successful medical spa, and in an industry where safety concerns are rising, earning that trust requires transparency, compliance, and patient-centered care.
Unfortunately, it only takes a few bad actors to make consumers question the quality of these services. Multiple high-profile incidents have damaged the reputation of med spas, from botulism outbreaks caused by counterfeit Botox to unlicensed practitioners performing risky procedures. These cases highlight the urgent need for med spas to follow best practices and demonstrate credibility for both consumers and regulatory authorities.
March 25, 2025 | by LegitScript Folks
Why Consumer Trust Matters in the Medical Spa Industry
Given some of the horrific events consumers have seen occur at med spas over the past few years, they are doing more due diligence than ever before undergoing any cosmetic treatment. Failing to meet these expectations — or worse, engaging in deceptive or unsafe practices — will not only lead to a loss of customers and irreparable damage to a med spa’s reputation, but it can also result in legal or regulatory repercussions for the violating party.
To earn and maintain trust, med spas must go beyond offering high-quality services: they must prove their commitment to compliance, truthful marketing, and patient safety.
Key Steps to Build Consumer Trust
1. Ensure Proper Licensing and Medical Oversight
One of the fastest ways to lose consumer trust (and face regulatory action) is to operate without proper licensing. In many states, only licensed medical professionals can own or supervise a medical spa. Depending on the jurisdiction, certain procedures might be required to be performed by specially-licensed personnel.
What Med Spas Should Do:
- Verify that all practitioners — including aestheticians, injectors, and laser technicians — are properly licensed and trained for their scope of work.
- Follow state medical board regulations regarding physician oversight and ownership structures.
- Regularly update compliance policies to align with state and federal medical practice laws.
Worst Case Scenario: A woman in Texas died from cardiac arrest after receiving an IV vitamin treatment. The Texas Medical Board found the solution contained TPN — a concentrated mix of electrolytes that’s used as treatment for patients who can’t consume nutrition on their own and is normally administered in a hospital to prevent overdose. No physician was present at the med spas when this treatment was injected.
2. Source Only FDA-Approved and Medications/Products from Authorized Distributors
There have been multiple cases of med spas using counterfeit Botox and fillers, leading to severe health complications. Consumers trust that the products used on their skin are safe and legitimate, so cutting corners can not only harm patients but also result in criminal charges.
Additionally, just this month, the FBI issued a warning about counterfeit GLP-1 medications. “In one example, a medical spa and weight loss clinic sold its own compounded weight loss medication that was found to contain animal-grade semaglutide with vitamin B12, falling short of regulations set by the FDA.”
What Med Spas Should Do:
- Purchase Botox, fillers, medications, IV solutions, supplements and medical devices exclusively from authorized distributors.
- Avoid gray-market products that may be counterfeit or unapproved by the FDA, or even more importantly, don’t attempt to make your own.
- Maintain detailed product sourcing records in case of regulatory audits.
Worst Case Scenario: In 2024, a New York aesthetician was arrested for injecting counterfeit Botox from China, causing botulism-like symptoms in patients. Incidents like these highlight why sourcing from verified suppliers is non-negotiable.
3. Adhere to Ethical and Transparent Marketing Practices
The FTC has cracked down on deceptive advertising in the med spa industry, particularly regarding misleading claims about weight-loss injections, stem cell treatments, and PRP therapies. Consumers deserve accurate information about the realistic outcomes and risks of aesthetic treatments.
What Med Spas Should Do:
- Use clear, truthful language when describing treatment results.
- Avoid exaggerated claims (e.g., “instant results” or “permanent fat loss” without medical backing).
- Ensure before-and-after photos reflect genuine patient outcomes.
Worst Case Scenario: In 2023, the FTC issued warnings to multiple aesthetic practices for false advertising related to unproven regenerative therapies. Med spas must review all promotional content to ensure compliance with advertising laws.
4. Maintain HIPAA Compliance and Protect Patient Data
Aesthetic medicine involves sensitive patient information, making med spas a target for data breaches. In 2024 alone, a survey showed that 92% of healthcare organizations experienced at least one cyberattack in the past 12 months, up from 88% the previous year.
What Med Spas Should Do:
- Use HIPAA-compliant software for scheduling, electronic medical records (EMRs), and patient communication.
- Train staff on data privacy to prevent accidental HIPAA violations.
- Implement strong cybersecurity protocols to prevent hacking incidents.
5. Provide Comprehensive Patient Education, Safety, and Informed Consent
Consumers are more likely to trust a med spa that prioritizes patient safety. Informed consent is not just a legal requirement — it’s a key component of providing healthcare ethically.
What Med Spas Should Do:
- Conduct thorough consultations before any procedure, explaining risks, benefits, and alternative treatment options.
- Use legally compliant consent forms that detail potential side effects and post-procedure care.
- Train staff on sanitation protocols that incorporate pre and post treatment best practices in addition to in-procedure
- Train staff on managing complications so they can respond to adverse reactions appropriately.
Worst Case Scenario: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently published their findings in regards to a 2018 case in which three women contracted HIV from receiving vampire facials at an unlicensed spa in New Mexico — making for the first known cases of the virus being transmitted during a cosmetic injection procedure.
6. Foster Positive Patient Reviews and Community Engagement
Word-of-mouth and organic online reviews are critical for building credibility. Keep in mind that consumers are weary of bot reviews and companies writing fake reviews to boost their credibility. A consumer often engages with multiple review platforms before booking an appointment, so it's recommended to encourage organic reviews across review platforms where your services are listed to avoid the perception that you’re “review stuffing.”
What Med Spas Should Do:
- Encourage satisfied patients to leave authentic, non-incentivized reviews on multiple review sites.
- Address negative feedback professionally. Offering solutions instead of acting defensively.
- Engage with your audience on social media by providing valuable education, while adhering to the marketing best-practices highlighted above.
The Bottom Line: Compliance Equals Trust
At LegitScript, we believe that a compliant medical spa is a trustworthy medical spa. By following licensing laws, ethical marketing practices, and strict patient health and safety protocols, med spas can build lasting consumer confidence while avoiding costly legal pitfalls.
For more information on regulatory best practices, visit:
- American Med Spa Association (AmSpa) - Compliance Resources
- Federal Trade Commission - Truth in Advertising
- HIPAA Journal - Healthcare Data Security
- FDA - Medical Device and Drug Regulations
By prioritizing compliance and consumer trust, your medical spa can thrive in a competitive industry while maintaining integrity and credibility.
Qualified Med Spas Can Demonstrate Compliance with LegitScript Certification
Are you a medical spa offering telemedicine services? LegitScript’s Healthcare Certification provides a recognized stamp of approval for businesses that provide telemedicine services. Google, Facebook, Microsoft, TikTok, Netflix, Visa, and Mastercard all recognize LegitScript certification to show the world their providers operate legally. Certification is a powerful way to gain patient trust and ensure that your business is operating in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Apply now for certification.
