We’ve all been there. You’re scrolling through Instagram, and suddenly, an influencer pops up talking about the “life-changing results” from their latest med spa treatment. Before-and-after photos flood your feed, and suddenly, you’re staring at your own face in the mirror, wondering if you, too, need to book that laser or skin-tightening treatment.

But here’s a little secret from someone who’s been deep in this industry for years—it’s a money machine that preys on insecurities while offering little in return. Not all treatments are created equal, and many of them aren’t worth the cost, the pain, or the risks. Stay with me, and I’ll help you see through the hype, avoid the traps, and figure out what’s actually worth it for your skin. Spoiler alert—it’s not most lasers.

The Vicious Cycle of Med Spa Treatments

Med spas know exactly what they’re doing. They prey on your insecurities and plant the idea that you need the latest laser or chemical craze to feel and look better. Before you know it, you’re paying for an endless cycle of treatments that promise transformation… but never fully deliver. Each session costs more than your monthly rent, and in some cases, you’re left with permanent damage, not the flawless skin they advertised. (like me)

I was left with grid dots from Morpheus8 treatments I did in 2023. Thankfully I never did this treatment on my face.

The reality? Many of these so-called advanced treatments just don’t work—or come with a laundry list of risks. And yet, people shell out hundreds to thousands of dollars chasing results that never come.

But, some treatments truly do deliver on their promises.

Treatments That Are Worth It

If you’re determined to step into the med spa world, these are the treatments I can confidently say are effective—when done properly.

1. Laser Hair Removal

This one’s the real deal. Laser hair removal works, and when done right, it can permanently reduce unwanted hair. You’ll thank yourself every time you skip shaving or waxing.

2. Microneedling

Microneedling has solid benefits for skin texture and stimulating collagen. BUT, it needs to be done properly. That means:

NO numbing cream (TOXIC).
NO going too deep—it’s about controlled skin stimulation, not wrecking your barrier. No deeper than .25mm.
THE EXCEPTION: deep texture scarring. This will require a deeper treatment in order to penetrate the barrier.
Proper aftercare with high-quality products.

3. IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)

This old-school treatment is great for targeting dark spots and broken capillaries. Unlike newer, overhyped lasers, IPL won’t fry your skin barrier or leave long-term damage.

4. Nano Needling

A gentler cousin of microneedling, nano needling doesn’t puncture the skin but still helps with product absorption and overall skin texture. It’s a great option if you want something less invasive.

(this isn’t every single thing out there, but just the main ones that I have personally experienced that work.)

Treatments to Avoid ❌ Like the Plague

Here’s where med spas take their creativity to a whole new level—selling you on expensive treatments that sound fancy but deliver little to nothing. Save your money and your skin.

1. Chemical Peels ❌

These might promise brighter skin, but the reality is they cause barrier damage and make your skin thinner and more sensitive. It’s not worth the long-term sensitivity issues.

2. Most Lasers ❌

Steer clear of BBL, Moxi, Halo, Fraxel, and their countless siblings. They cost a fortune, require downtime, and barely deliver noticeable results. Honestly, you’ll get better value investing in great skincare and healthy food.

3. Skin Tightening Treatments ❌

Ultherapy, Softwave, and Morpheus8? Hard pass. They claim to tighten tissue, but they often leave behind damage, inflammation, and scar tissue—or worse, they don’t do anything at all. Save your money and skip the trauma.

Ask Yourself: Is It Really Worth It?

Would I feel like a whole new person after this, or is the change so subtle that I’ll have to convince myself it worked?

Is it worth thousands of dollars for a “maybe” result?
Am I doing this because I actually want it, or because I’m being sold a dream I don’t need?

If the results don’t make you feel like a completely new person, save your money for something more impactful, like good skincare, at-home devices (derma rolling + red light therapy), or even surgery if you’re ready for that step.

Find all these messages and more on what treatments are/aren’t worth it on my Instagram under “MED SPA MYTHS” highlight.

The Obsession with “Fixing” Ourselves

Aging is part of life. But somewhere along the way, we’ve become obsessed with erasing every wrinkle, pore, or dark spot. And for what? Aging gracefully doesn’t mean giving up on looking your best, but it also doesn’t mean chasing every new treatment that promises perfection. Wrinkles are normal. They’re human.

We need to work on shifting our mindset. Love yourself as you are. Take care of your skin, eat well, and focus on overall health. But don’t fall into the trap of constantly chasing that next “fix.” It’s exhausting, emotionally and financially.

The Med Spa Illusion

Here’s the thing—if these treatments were that amazing, wouldn’t we all be doing them? Wouldn’t every influencer, celeb, and skincare junkie swear by one miracle solution? The truth is, these med spas sell a dream that most treatments can’t achieve. It’s marketing. It’s FOMO. It’s designed to make you spend.

And those before-and-after pictures? Don’t be fooled. They’re often taken under different lighting, edited, or cherry-picked for the best “results.” Real life doesn’t look like that.

My Go-To Plan for Healthy, Happy Skin

Here’s what I choose instead of pricey med spa treatments:

Skincare: Invest in quality products that actually work and are gentle on your skin.
Non-Invasive Devices: Tools like derma rolling (mine is coming soon) and red light therapy are perfect for consistent, at-home use.
Diet and Overall Health: Good skin starts from within—fuel your body with real food and healthy lifestyle habits.
Surgery (if needed): If I want a significant change down the road, I’ll save up for something like a facelift instead of wasting money on endless treatments.

One Last Thing…

Med spas are part of a multi-billion-dollar industry, aka BIG BEAUTY, and their primary goal is profit—not your well-being. They thrive on insecurities and convince you to chase perfection when what you truly need is consistency and care.

At the end of the day, I don’t want to scare you—I just want to save you some heartbreak and a whole lot of money. Do your research, think critically, and ask yourself if a treatment is truly worth it before committing. Trust me, your skin and your wallet will thank you.

And remember, no laser is going to stop us all from getting old. We’ll all be wrinkled grandmas one day, laughing at how much time and money we wasted trying to delay the inevitable.

Take care of yourself. Love yourself. And please, don’t get stuck in the med spa rabbit hole. It’s not worth it.

xo,

Jamie

The Dark Truth About Med Spa Treatments They Don’t Want You to Know