Washingtonians Tuck Into Medical Spas

Battle keeps on staff a full-time plastic surgeon, two dermatologists, five nurses, three skin-care specialists known as estheticians and a physician's assistant. He believes that cosmetic procedures should be performed under the careful supervision of a medical doctor.

"There is a difference between the Hippocratic oath of a doctor which is 'do no harm' and that of a business, which is 'make money,' " Battle said.

Paul Amoruso, chief executive of the Reveal MedSpa, is not a doctor, and his company, based in Tysons Corner, operates seven spas throughout the Washington area under the Reveal banner. He keeps a supervisory doctor on his staff full-time and said he employs a second doctor as an adviser. While neither can be on site at all times, Amoruso said he has developed procedures to insure safety.

"I would challenge you to find a physician's office that has the same approach to quality as us," Amoruso said. "I think there is absolutely a way to do this very safely in a medspa environment."

The Dental Spa, next to an H&R Block in the Dillingham Square shopping center west of Woodbridge, is the creation of Marvette Thomas, a dentist and native of Montgomery, Ala.

Thomas offers family and cosmetic dentistry through her practice, as well as aromatherapy, a relaxation lounge, massaging chairs and warm hand towels scented with rosemary water.

Last year, the Dental Spa began offering Botox and Restylane injections as well as wrinkle erasers known as dermal fillers after patients began asking about the treatments. A nurse, Diane O'Neill, performs the procedures on Friday afternoons. The spa has two medical directors that serve in advisory roles.

Coming to the Dental Spa was a matter of convenience and comfort for Vergot, a nurse at Inova Fairfax Hospital, who works there with O'Neill.

Vergot had begun to notice wrinkles, and she was determined not to sit idly by.

"I don't want to look old," Vergot said.

A few minutes after 11 a.m. that Friday, O'Neill led Vergot into one of the Dental Spa's treatment rooms, where Vergot reclined on a bed.

After a discussion about allergies, O'Neill made six dots with an eyebrow pencil in the shape of a "V" on Vergot's forehead.

"What does it feel like when it starts to have its effects?" Vergot asked.

"You can't do the same amount of muscle actions that you were able to do before," O'Neill answered.

O'Neill put a gloved hand over Vergot's forehead, steadying the long needle, and then began administering the treatment.

"You are a brave girl, Kelly," O'Neill said as she injected her.

"Can I get a sticker when I am done?" Vergot said jokingly.