The owners of Iatria Spa and Health Center of Raleigh have pulled the final plug on the business and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation.

HFM Spa Management Corp., the parent company of Iatria’s five business entities, filed a voluntary petition with the Eastern District of North Carolina’s U.S. Bankruptcy Court on Sept. 8.

The petition lists more than 100 creditors, many of whom were individuals who had pre-paid for services. Iatria was a full-service, medically oriented spa that offered services like chiropractic care, acupuncture and naturopathic medicine, as well as Botox injections and mesotherapy. The bankruptcy petition listed more than $500,000 in liabilities and less than $100,000 in remaining assets.

Iatria co-owners Erika Mangrum and David Mangrum opened the first location in 1999. They closed the downtown Raleigh location in 2008 and closed the remaining three locations – including the flagship location on Creedmoor Road in north Raleigh, as well as smaller locations at Wakefield and in Cary – on Aug. 31, 2009.

Terri L. Gardner, a lawyer with Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP in Raleigh, is representing HFM Spa Management Corp. in the bankruptcy proceedings.

Joseph N. Callaway, a lawyer with Battle, Winslow, Scott & Wiley PA of Rocky Mount has been appointed by the court as the interim trustee for the case.

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Now more than ever, if you want to buy a Spa Gift Certificate, you should only purchase a Spavelous Spa Gift Card. It is accepted at any spa or salon that accepts VISA. You never have to worry about a spa business closing.

Iatria was a well-known, reputable spa that had been around for ten years. The Greenhouse was a destination spa icon since 1965. So you can’t necessarily count on reputation or longevity to make sure your gift certificate will be honored when the time comes.

The good news is that two Raleigh businesses say they will honor the gift certificates. R.O.I. Salon in Raleigh (which does hair, skin and nails) has announced it will honor the gift certificates dollar for dollar. And the owners of Synergy Spa, Anna Porrazzo and Dave Churchill, say “we will work with you to redeem these with us; we only ask you give us some time so that we can figure out a way to best accommodate everyone.”

MedSpa, Medical Spa, Spa Bankruptcy, Spa Closing, Spa Closings

The owner of a medical spa in Nevada has sued a former employee and her husband, claiming they performed discount cosmetic surgery on the premises.

In her complaint, Tracy Hurst, owner of the Spa at Summerlin, said that to add insult to injury the couple diverted her clientele to the business they ran late at night and on Sundays, The Las Vegas Sun reported Friday.

Hurst charges that Nancy Vinnik, a nurse, and her husband, Dr. Charles Vinnik, performed procedures like Botox injections and laser skin treatments. The Vinniks allegedly allowed other surgeons to use the spa to insert breast implants and other cosmetic surgery.

A nurse told The Sun that at times the operation was bringing in $30,000 a night.

Michael Stein, a lawyer representing the Vinniks, said the couple would never risk their medical licenses for “chicken feed.” He also said they would have been taking a stupid risk.

“So the owner decides to go back to her office to get something and you’re sitting there working on patients? It’s ridiculous!” he said.
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MedSpa, Medical Spa, Nevada Spas, Spa Legal Issues

 

For any woman who wants to look her best, med spas are the greatest invention since push-up bras and self-tanners. Med spa services provide an overhaul for just about any cosmetic conundrum with a wide range of treatments just shy of plastic surgery.

Considering the astounding results offered by med spas without the invasiveness, costs, or downtime associated with plastic surgery, why are more women and men not bolting through the doors of these cosmetic breakthrough establishments? The answer is plain and simple: The word med sounds scary!

To put a new spin on an old phrase, a med spa by any other name would probably smell sweeter. The term spa treatment emits a feeling of relaxation and beauty all rolled into one. But add the word med into the mix, and those feelings are instantly coupled with anxiety and apprehension. What Marilyn did for Norma Jean might just be the answer this industry needs. Try something like Rejuvenescence Spa or Advanced Beauty Spa, and not only will reservations be eased, but interest will peak.

Now that we’ve integrated a name change, let’s explore a facelift. In look and feel, most med spas resemble that of a doctor’s office on casual Friday. While they are clean, sterile environments as they should be, they are far from inviting and welcoming. Consider warm, rich colors and soft lighting in a spa-like waiting area as opposed to bright lights and stiff chairs. Clients desiring the services of a med spa also desire luxurious surroundings.

Finally, a great personality doesn’t always equal a less-than-appealing physique. In this case, nice med spas don’t finish last. This is a concept Renu Medispa in Eagle, Idaho understands very well. The staff at Renu Medispa possess the ability to engage customers in a such a way that is reminiscent of a reunion with an old friend. With its relaxing environment, and inviting décor at Renu, you will forget you’re in a med spa.

Renu Medispa in Eagle, Idaho

Med spas, in your efforts to play Fairy Godmother to your many Cinderellas, look inward for an equally-needed glam fix. Just a few small tweaks with the wave of a magic wand is all you need to dazzle at the ball. These changes will allow for a spark of interest in the eyes of those who matter most- your clients.

Idaho Spas, MedSpa, Medical Spa, Spa Expansions Medspa Makeover

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Iatria Spa And Health Center Selected As Flagship Location For U.S. Launch Of New Skin Diagnostic Aid

Dave Mangrum, president and CEO of Iatria Spa and Health Center, has announced that the spa has been selected by IntuiSkin, a subsidiary of MEMSCAP (NYSE Euronext: MEMS), the leading provider of innovative solutions based on MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems) technology, as one of five nationwide flagship locations for the United States rollout of the company’s newest product line, IOMA™. A unique concept that puts technology at the service of the skin, Skin Evidence for IOMA™ is medical equipment that serves as a patented skin diagnostic aid.

Currently available throughout Europe and Australia, the tool analyzes the skin in the following areas: fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation (color and hyper-pigmentation), redness, hairiness, sebum, hydration, trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and cutaneous temperature. Based on the results, the skin care practitioner is able to clearly identify the needs of their client’s skin so that they can recommend the appropriate regimen and care.

Each client can elect to have their results anonymously stored in an international database of users which provides skin care professionals with a worldwide analysis of skin. This technology is free with any facial and is available at Iatria at Creedmoor Road, located at 8020 Creedmoor Road, and at Iatria at Wakefield Crossings, located at 13200 New Falls of Neuse Road.

Medical Spas in North Carolina
Raleigh Med Spas

Anti Aging, Esthetics, MedSpa, Medical Spa

FDA Investigates Consumer Knowledge of Dermal Fillers’ Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gathered a panel of experts recently to discuss possible safety concerns regarding the use of dermal fillers. Although the injections have been approved to fill in severe wrinkles around the nasolabial fold (the creases running from the nose to the corners of the mouth), the FDA is concerned that their extensive use in other situations may present new safety issues that should be addressed.

According to the FDA, the injections are increasingly being used to augment tissue volume such as the lips, rather than just fill in the nasolabial fold, and the FDA asked panellists if new safety data is needed before such applications can be approved.

Furthermore, as the majority of pre-market approval studies are conducted on fair-skinned subjects, the FDA is concerned increasing use of the cosmetic injections by African American and Latin American skin types may lead to hitherto undocumented side effects such as pigmentation effects.

Current documented side effects of these products are relatively rare. However, they can be permanent and do not always occur immediately after treatment.

During the last six years, 823 injuries associated with these injections have been brought to the FDA’s attention. Of these, 638 patients required treatment with 94 undergoing surgical intervention.

The panel concluded that the FDA should communicate the risk of long-lasting reactions to the consumers and doctors, according to the Associated Press. “This is almost a no-brainer,” said panel member Michael Bigby, MD, a Harvard Medical School dermatologist, quoted in the Associated Press. “The current label is not adequate.” The panel also agreed on the need for more safety studies.

An FDA-assembled panel will also be discussing the regulation of dermatology devices such as low-level light therapy and lasers. The regulatory body will be asking the panel for advice on how to evaluate the effectiveness of low level energy devices

MedSpa, Medical Spa

(PressRelease)  As part of their very successful Symposium series, the IAPAM has created a one day program to help new entrants into the medispa industry navigate “the often confusing process of creating a successful business plan” for their new venture. “This workshop is expertly designed for physicians, business managers, and key staff empowered to launch aesthetic medicine offerings within medical practices, comments Jeff Russell, Executive Director of the IAPAM. By translating the workshop facilitator’s extensive knowledge into a suite of tools and techniques for success, registrants will learn how to avoid the most common pitfalls experienced by many new entrants in aesthetic medicine.

After completing this workshop, participants will leave with a comprehensive business plan for their aesthetic medicine practice. This program will cover all aspects of creating a business plan for a profitable medical spa, including:

• Financing options for physicians;
• Target demographics for tailored aesthetic procedures;
• Developing a menu of treatments and pricing strategies;
• Establishing aesthetic practice protocols and HR for aesthetic practitioners;
• Creating an effective marketing plan;
• Finding the right location;
• Staffing;
• Federal and state legal and regulatory issues; and
• Startup costs and reading financials.

Financing Options for Physicians: The workshop addresses the opportunities associated with leasing vs. owning equipment, as well as discussing Small Business Administration (SBA) loans vs. regular loan options.

Target Demographics for Aesthetic Procedures: Based on each attendee’s current or proposed patient base, instructors will create a targeted demographic profile for said business, including specific patient profiles: age, sex, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity.

Developing a Menu of Treatments and Pricing Strategies for Aesthetic Procedures: After creating personalized demographic patient profiles, experts will lead participants toward a menu of services consistent with identified patient needs, and assist physicians in determining the most successful pricing options for each discrete procedure.

Establishing Aesthetic Practice Protocols and Human Resource Management Procedures: As many insurance companies are now requiring written procedural protocols, registrants are provided with a CD including customizable aesthetic procedural protocols for use in each practice. Additionally, participants are provided with sample key job descriptions including: aesthetic practice nurse, medical aesthetician and others.

Creating an Effective Marketing Plan for an Aesthetic Medicine Practice:
The workshop focuses on the most effective internal and external marketing techniques. Moreover, attendees are given electronic examples of effective (and ineffective) print advertising, press releases and other marketing collateral as part of the course material. Finally, the instructors rely on “industry best practices” in answering questions regarding marketing a new medspa offering, such as:
• how to utilize the media for publicity,
• how to create an effective direct mail postcard;
• how to use the internet for a low-cost, but highly effective marketing campaign;
• how to leverage open houses and educational seminars; and
• how to utilize Google local ads and AdWords to get patients into your practice.

Finding the Right Location for an Aesthetic Practice: The workshop leader will expertly guide participants through the best practices for choosing a location for a stand-alone medical spa, and will answer questions, on a site by site basis, regarding whether to integrate a medspa within an existing practice or to open a separate aesthetic medicine business.

Staffing a Medical Spa: The facilitator will review the key positions in each participant’s medspa, and will assist in the development of customized job descriptions.

Federal and State Legal and Regulatory Issues: All members at the workshop will be expertly schooled on Federal and State regulations pursuant to the medical spa industry, with a particular emphasis on understanding the Stark Law and its implications for aesthetic medical businesses.

Startup Costs and Reading Financials: The instructor is well versed in the typical startup costs for adding aesthetics to a practice, and is equally dedicated to instructing registrants in understanding financial reporting specific to a medical spa business. Furthermore, in order to maintain profitability, participants are educated in the key indicators that medspa business owners need to watch on a regular basis.

Ultimately, this comprehensive workshop provides attendees with focused intelligence regarding all aspects of their proposed medspa business: the services, prospective customers, the competition, and everything else that is needed to launch a successful medical spa. “This workshop provides registrants with a ‘Road Map’ for launching their aesthetic practice, and the knowledge gleaned by attending is invaluable in ensuring the future profitability of any new aesthetic medicine offering,” assures Jeff Russell.

For additional information or to register for the next Aesthetic Practice Startup Workshop please contact Jeff Russell at 1-800-219-5108 x705, or visit: http://www.iapam.com/bootcamp.html

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, which 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 all licensed medical doctors (MDs) and doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs).

MedSpa, Medical Spa, Spa Business

Iatria Spa And Health Center Partners With Fearrington Plastic Surgery

RALEIGH, N.C. – Dave Mangrum, president and CEO of Iatria Spa and Health Center, has announced that Dr. Sandra Fearrington of Fearrington Plastic Surgery will be joining Iatria as the spa’s supervising physician. In this position, Dr. Fearrington will oversee all services provided by Iatria MedSpa, assisting nurse practitioners wherever necessary for maximum patient safety and comfort. Dr. Fearrington will relocate her practice to Iatria on Creedmoor, located at 8020 Creedmoor Rd., in early 2009.

Dr. Fearrington has lived in the Triangle area for most of her life and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a bachelor’s degree in nursing before completing her medical education at Dartmouth Medical School in Hanover, N.H. In 1991, she completed her residency in plastic surgery at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, N.M. After working in group practices for three years, Dr. Fearrington opened Fearrington Plastic Surgery in Durham in 2000. She is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery.

MedSpa, Medical Spa, NC Spas

Medi-Spa in Orlando is Now Offering Amazing Treatment to Reduce Acne Scars

Dr. Horacio Gonzalez M.D. and Aneta Filardo CME, Owner is pleased to announce Winter Park Laser & Anti-Aging Center is offering advanced face, chest, neck, and body non-ablative skin resurfacing treatments for patients suffering from lax acne scars, post-surgical scars and more with the Palomar 1540 Fractional Handpiece. Scars are often a painful way to remind one of their past, and acne scars often plague adults-now there is a safe way to get up to an 80% reduction in scars. These safe and effective treatments utilize micro-beams of light to create columns of coagulated tissue within the Dermis (the second layer of the skin) to form new healthy tissue, stimulate collagen, and stimulate elastin to naturally resurface the skin.

“We can reduce the pitted “ice-pick” scars, and surgical scars, because we’re allowing the creation of new tissue, collagen and elastyn to form” said Aneta Filardo a (CME, Owner) with an office in (winterpark/orlando, FL.) “Our light based treatments go deeper into the skin’s second layer than ever before, and the technology allows for safe treatment.” Palomar Fractional is patented to penetrate deeper than Fraxel for a more significant result.

Unlike other methods of non-ablative skin resurfacing, Winter Park Laser’s method is much more comfortable because it leaves a significant portion of the skin unaffected by the pulses of light. This allows for quicker healing and little to no downtime.

“Patients can receive a treatment and go back to work or other activities without any recovery time,” added (Dr. Horacio Gonzlez, M.D.). Many patients are thrilled to look in the mirror and focus on themselves-rather than their acne scars.

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FL Med Spa, MedSpa, Medical Spa

Medical Spa Marketing Tips

Marketing is one of those often neglected items. Many times spa owners view this as an expense rather than a revenue generating tool. You need to regularly review your current marketing efforts, and evaluate new options. However, to stay a step ahead of your competition you need to have the right marketing strategy.

The first thing you need to do is evaluate your current marketing program. Evaluate what is working and what is not. Figure out the actual cost versus the benefit of each type of marketing you are doing. Did the postcards work better than the radio ads? Did the free media attention from the grand opening get you lots of new customers? It’s easy to get sold on a particular advertising option, and one often forgets to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. If you signed a long contract for an advertising option that did not work, cancel it, if you can.

Don’t Underestimate Email Power

When you take your customers information, you should be taking not only their mailing address, but their email address as well. You may want to start a monthly email newsletter about your spa. Highlight a new procedure. Remind everyone that summer is coming, and that they need to get in for those hair removal treatments quickly. An occasional “Daily Specials” e-mail will allow you to respond to a lull in bookings by sending out a treatment special for the time slots you have available that same day.

Cross Marketing

Visit the health food store, jeweler, or the organic store and create a marketing program with them, offer discounts at each others stores. Remember, no one has too many customers, they will be happy you stopped by.

In the past many spas had a lot of success by cross marketing with hair salons. Just as long as your spa dose not offer any hair styling services, and the hair salon dose not offer any spa services, this can me a real great relationship that the two parties can really benefit from. Also make sure to give all the hair stylists in the hair salon that you are cross marketing with really good discounts on your services. This will get the hair stylists at the salon really excited and enthusiastic and your spa. Most hair stylists have a long list of clients that have been loyally coming to the hair stylist for years. These clients usually have developed a good level of trust with the hair stylist, so if the stylist makes a positive comment about your spa services to the client, you can be almost positive that this client will check out your spa the next time they are in the market for spa services.

Technology Power

When you opened your spa you most likely purchased a bookings management system. Are you using it to its full potential? These systems often allow you to run custom reports where you can see which treatment rooms are being under-utilized, and which clients haven’t been in the spa in a while. It may be time to check out the software vendors website to remind yourself of other productivity features which can help with your marketing efforts.

Network Locally

You need to be known in the community where you do business. It is important to contribute to local charities and events. If your customers are Generation X, then sponsor a little league team. If your customers are primarily baby boomers, you may want to be involved with local charities. Remember, most people do business with people they like. So networking gives you an opportunity to connect with many different people in a short period of time.

By using these tips, you should be able to grow your spa to that next level. You can’t just hang out a sign and expect people to run in, you are going to need to actively market your spa and be constantly aware of which options are working and which are not. Your marketing plan should be well documented and should always be analyzed and constantly evolving to keep you a step ahead of the competition.

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MedSpa, Medical Spa