Andover spa owner cited for practicing medicine without a license

The owner and operator of an Andover spa last week entered into a diversion agreement with the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts Board, following an investigation into whether she practiced medicine without a license.

Stacy Truesdell owns TA LLC, which does business as True Aesthetics Premier Laser and Medical Spa.

The board investigated allegations of instances occurring in October and November 2008. The board alleges Truesdell performed medical procedures without the supervision of a licensed practitioner of the healing arts and gave the impression she was appropriately trained and able to practice healing arts. Both are violations of Kansas law.

Procedures in the investigation included: Botox injections, laser hair removal treatments and laser surgery.

However, the board says it received no reports of any clients being injured as a result of the procedures performed.

The healing arts board says Truesdell cooperated fully with the inquiries, including providing documents in response to two administrative subpoenas and discussing the matter with board’s representatives.

Because of Truesdell’s corporation, the board agreed to forego any litigation as long as the terms of the agreement are met. The diversion agreement specifies:

• Truesdell will no longer perform Botox injections.

• TA LLC can’t employ anyone to perform Botox injections.

• Truesdell will no longer perform laser treatments.

• TA LLC will no longer employ anyone to perform laser treatments.

• Truesdell will cooperate with the board and its investigators concerning any subsequent investigations.

• TA, LLC will not use the term “medical” in any manner, including, signage and letterhead.

These stipulations, the board says, are subject to change should Truesdell become licensed.

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Statistics from New IAPAM Study Show Clients Choosing Medical Spas over Plastic Surgeons

The latest aesthetic industry statistics reveal that people are turning to physician-run practices or medical spas for their non-surgical procedures. According to an International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine (IAPAM) study, most women most feel that non-physician owned medical spas are unsafe. In addition, the IAPAM report also indicates that 78% of women rated medical credentials as very important when choosing an aesthetic treatment provider.

Botox injection, which is the number one non-surgical procedure performed by plastic surgeons, was down 12.8% in 2007 according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) industry statistics report. That report, however, only includes members of the ASAPS, and Allergan, the maker of Botox Cosmetic, showed a 29% increase in sales over the same period. In fact, four of the five top non-surgical procedures were all down between 4.2-16.5% from the previous year.

It’s quite obvious that non-surgical procedures are no longer the domain of the plastic surgeons. “It’s quite obvious that non-surgical procedures are no longer the domain of the plastic surgeons,” says Jeff Russell, executive-director of the International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine. “The statistics indicate the public is moving away from requiring plastic surgeons to do their Botox injections,” continues Russell. “You are as likely to find a Botox brochure in your family physician’s office as a plastic surgeons.”

Another association, the International Medical Spa Association, says there are now over 2,500 medical spas, up significantly from 250 in 2004. This confirms that the ASAPS statistics show not a decline in procedures, but a shift from the procedures being done solely in plastic surgeons offices to now also being done in a medical spa or an aesthetic practice.

Russell feels that this decline means the public is more accepting of non-plastic surgeons performing many of these procedures. Physicians with proper aesthetic medicine training are perfect candidates for filling the public’s desire for aesthetic medicine procedures like Botox and dermal filler injections, as well as laser and light based procedures.

“Aesthetic medicine continues to be a billon dollar industry fueled by over 11,000 people turning fifty every day,” says Russell. “As long as physicians treat expanding their practices with aesthetic procedures as a business unit, they will do very well in this environment.”

“We’re finding that many of our aesthetic medicine symposium attendees are family physicians and OB/Gyn’s looking at targeting their existing patients for aesthetic procedures,” says Russell. “The IAPAM feels that complete physician aesthetic medicine training is the most important part of a successful medical spa or aesthetic practice. Those physicians who thought all they needed was to attend a Botox training course, are finding themselves in very difficult times.”

About the International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine (IAPAM):

The International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine is a voluntary association of physicians and supporters that sets standards for the aesthetic medical profession. The goal of the association is to offer education, ethical standards, credentialing, and member benefits. IAPAM membership is open to licensed medical doctors (MDs) and doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs). More information about the Symposium can be accessed through Aesthetic Medicine Symposium

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