Med spa resources
A working reference for aesthetic practice review.
Med spas sit at the intersection of clinical delegation, aesthetic marketing and consumer expectations. This hub collects the review questions we see most often around who is legally permitted to perform a treatment, how it is supervised, and how it is advertised.
- Format
- Reference material
- Updated
- Reviewed quarterly
This page describes operational patterns commonly reviewed under the ScriptClear standards. Delegation and supervision requirements vary by state and are not restated here.
- Purpose
- Practical operator guidance
- Written by
- The ScriptClear standards team
- Not legal advice
- Informational only
- Updated
- Reviewed quarterly
On this page
What this page covers
Delegation and supervision
Documenting who is permitted to do what, and under whose oversight.
- A written delegation agreement identifying the supervising provider and the specific procedures delegated
- Evidence the supervising provider's license and scope actually cover the procedures being delegated
- A defined process for how the supervising provider is available during treatment — on-site, by protocol, or by real-time consultation, matched to what the practice actually claims
- Records showing the delegation agreement is current, not expired or referencing a provider no longer affiliated with the practice
- A documented process for what happens when a complication occurs during a delegated procedure
Advertising and before/after content
What reviewers look for in aesthetic marketing.
Before-and-after content is one of the most frequently reviewed categories in aesthetic marketing because it makes an implicit outcome claim.
- Before-and-after images are actual patients of the practice, not stock or licensed images presented as the practice's own results
- Individual results vary is disclosed near the imagery, not only in a separate terms page
- Claims like 'permanent' or 'no downtime' are supported by the practice's own disclosures about the specific procedure and device used
- Pricing referenced in advertising matches the price a patient is actually quoted at consultation
Consent
Consent documentation for elective aesthetic procedures.
- 1
Procedure-specific consent
Consent language describes the specific procedure, device and expected recovery — not a generic aesthetic-services waiver.
- 2
Risk disclosure
Material risks specific to the procedure are disclosed before the patient signs, not verbally only.
- 3
Provider attribution
The consent identifies who is performing the procedure and who is supervising, matched to the delegation record.
- 4
Retention
Signed consent is retained and retrievable by patient and date for the period the practice states it keeps records.
FAQ
Questions we hear often
- Does this page state supervision requirements by state?
- No. Supervision and delegation rules vary by state and are outside this page's scope. This page describes the documentation typically reviewed, not the underlying legal requirement.
- Is before/after content prohibited?
- No. It is one of the most frequently reviewed categories, not a prohibited one. The items above describe what supports a defensible use of it.
Not sure where your organization stands? Start with a preliminary eligibility check.
Compliance should be clear, not complicated
See how med spa scope is defined.
Visit the med spa industry page for how certification scope is set for delegated aesthetic procedures.
Know where you stand. Fix what matters. Stay ready.