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In less than 5 years, the number of medical spas in the United States has grown from about 450 to about 2,500, according to the International Medical Spa Association, making it a nearly $1 billion business.
And physicians are not being left out. More and more dermatologists, surgeons, and other doctors are entering the marketplace and setting up spas that offer not only skin care and facials but also fillers, laser hair removal, and even cosmetic surgery.
Dr. Eliot Battle Jr., a dermatologist and cofounder of the Cultura Cosmetic Medical Spa in Washington, defines his business as a "full-time cosmetic practice in a spa environment."
In ...