Transform Yourself: Extreme Med Spa Treatments

The best San Diego medical spas are offering more than the average chemical peel or laser hair removal treatment.

These days, people of all ages are hitting their local med spa for lip plumping, body contouring and permanent skin rejuvenation…even on their lunch breaks.

Med spa treatments don’t always have to involve invasive procedures and lengthy recovery times. And like every true San Diegan, patients are up and at ‘em right after their injection or laser therapy session.

Discover new and extreme San Diego med spa treatments.

Pure Med Spa – La Jolla and Fashion Valley
Although we’ve all dreamed of having perfect Angelina Jolie lips, some med spa goers take it to the extreme with their lip injections and end up looking more like Donald Duck than a movie star. Restylane™ and Perlane (which is only available in Canada and Southern California) are safe and effective lip enhancement treatments where a gel is injected into the skin in tiny amounts with a very fine needle. Each session takes approximately 30 minutes and recovery time is minimal. Restylane™ starts at $550 and lasts about six months; Perlane starts at $650 and lasts between six to nine months. Pure Med Spa specializes in the treatment and is located in both UTC and Fashion Valley malls.

Ulan Med Spa – Mission Valley
Ulan Med Spa in Hazard Center offers a skin tightening treatment called ReFirme Skin Tightening, which works by combining radio frequency and light energies to heat the dermal tissue to stimulate collagen production to smooth and firm skin. Fine wrinkles are reduced and skin looks noticeably lifted and toned. Until December 31, 2009 the spa is offering a holiday special on ReFirm for $199 for each treatment. Normal pricing starts at $550 per treatment.

Ageless + Beautiful Spa and Surgery – Hillcrest
Those looking to eliminate skin discoloration and uneven skin tone opt for the Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) photofacial therapy. A broad spectrum of light targets the lower layers of the skin to produce new collagen and connective tissue, which helps to make for smoother skin. The treatment lasts for less than 30 minutes and most patients will undergo five to eight treatments for their optimum outcome. Ageless and Beautiful uses PhotorejuvenationONE by Lumenis™ One and for a limited time, is offering two sessions for $250 with a free microdermabrasion.

MedAesthetics Spa & Wellness – Chula Vista
Vela Smooth is the first FDA-cleared, non-invasive medical solution for the reduction of cellulite. Infrared light and bipolar radio frequency energies and negative pressure are applied to the area and heats the adipose tissue. Along with suction and tissue movement, the appearance of cellulite is reduced and new collagen is produced. Fat is broken down and shrunken, reducing the dimpling of skin for a smoother appearance. MedAesthetics offers the procedure in 25 and 50 minute increments. The 25 minute session goes for $150 or $1100 for a series of eight sessions; the 50 minute session goes for $225 or $1800 for a series of eight sessions. It’s recommended that the patient is treated every one or two weeks for optimal results.

La Jolla Cosmetic Laser Clinic – La Jolla
Another popular med spa treatment is leg vein removal, which was once a long and painful process involving needles and other invasive processes. La Jolla Cosmetic Laser Clinic uses the Lumenis™ YAG laser, which works with multiple synchronized pulsing to selectively heated blood vessels of different sizes and depths. Veins fade and slowly disappear and become fully absorbed by the body. The treatment is offered at prices for 15 minutes for $150, 30 minutes for $250 and 45 minutes for $300.

Life Med Spa – Downtown
Radiesse® is a clear injectable used by those who are looking to improve facial lines and wrinkles. The treatment stimulates new collagen production, adds fullness to the face with just one of two treatments and provides immediate results that can last up to one year. Life Med Spa treatments start at $299 per area.

Bella Pelle Medical Spa – Encinitas
Microdermabrasion is a resurfacing treatment that provides gentle exfoliation and removes the outermost layer of dead skin cells, leaving the area fresh and rejuvenated. A powerful device sprays microcrystals of aluminum dioxide across the skin’s surface, which is a fine, sand-like material that blasts away the dead skin cells on the epidermis. The procedure, which usually only lasts for 20 to 30 minutes, helps with cell regeneration, fine lines, sun damage, hyperpigmentation, acne scarring and uneven skin textures. A series of five treatments is recommended for the best results. Bella Pelle offers the treatment for $125 each for the face and décolleté, or upper chest area, and $50 for the neck.

Discover more of the best San Diego spas and salons and keep up to speed with health trends in our beauty blog.