Can You Tell the Difference Between Legit and Illegal? 

I just finished recording a conversation with Nicole Gregory for Medspa Mayhem, and I can’t stop thinking about how important this topic is. Nicole owns med spas in Michigan, has her MBA, and founded MI Spa, so she’s not just talking theory, she’s in the trenches every day. What struck me most during our conversation was just how confusing it is for consumers to tell the difference between a safe, legal med spa and one that’s operating illegally. 

From the outside, all med spas look the same. They’ve got polished websites, beautiful Instagram feeds, and a menu of Botox, fillers, lasers, and IV drips. But behind the scenes, there’s a world of difference. Some are doing everything by the book - licensed medical directors, proper exams, emergency protocols, malpractice insurance, the works. And then there are the others: spas with absentee or “fake” medical directors who sign off on dozens of clinics across multiple states, spas with no safety net if something goes wrong, spas owned illegally by people who aren’t even allowed to own a medical practice. 

This is exactly why we created the Medspa Board. The idea is simple: a certification process that helps consumers know when a med spa is legitimate and gives ethical providers a way to stand out. It’s not enough to just say “trust us.” Patients deserve proof that the people treating them are trained, supported, and operating within the law. Certification gives them that peace of mind, and it also gives businesses a way to show, clearly and publicly, that they’re committed to doing things right. 

Nicole and I also talked about how legislators are often surprised to learn there’s no existing certification requirement for med spas. Even lawmakers walk into their own appointments assuming the doctor’s name on the website means everything is fine. But that’s not how this works. Most patients don’t know to ask if the doctor is actually on site, if they’ve been involved in their care, or if the spa has malpractice coverage. And honestly, why would they? As a consumer, you shouldn’t have to be a detective just to get safe Botox. 

What we’re trying to build with the Medspa Board is both transparency and accountability. If you’re running a med spa and doing things correctly, you’ll be able to point to certification as proof. And if you’re a patient, you’ll be able to go to a directory and say, “Okay, this place has been vetted. I know I’m safe here.” That kind of clarity doesn’t exist right now, and it’s badly needed. 

The heart of this work, for me, comes back to something I said in the episode: ethics is doing the right thing when no one’s looking. Regulation is what happens when too many people don’t. The med spa industry has exploded in recent years, and it’s full of good people, but it’s also full of people cutting corners. If we don’t take responsibility for raising the standard ourselves, regulation will eventually come, and it probably won’t be done in a way that helps either consumers or ethical providers. 

My hope is that certification becomes a no-brainer for everyone. If you’re a provider, why wouldn’t you want to show your patients that you’re legitimate? And if you’re a consumer, why wouldn’t you want the reassurance that the people treating you have been properly vetted? It’s not about scaring people away from aesthetics. It’s about giving them the tools to make smart, safe choices and making sure the businesses doing things right are recognized for it. 

Want the full story? Listen to my conversation with Nicole Gregory on Medspa Mayhem to hear firsthand why certification matters and how it will change the industry.