August 15 Is National Relaxation Day. Here’s Spa Medical Waste 101
Medical spa waste is generated from medical spas that help patients with cosmetic enhancements, including Botox injections, skin rejuvenation and more.
National Relaxation Day is here, and what better excuse than to visit the spa to celebrate? While many flock to spas for massages and facials, there is a growing demand in the spa industry that goes above and beyond basic body and skin care. Nowadays, many clinics are opening medical spas – hybrids of medical clinics and day spas – that help patients with cosmetic enhancements. This includes Botox injections, skin rejuvenation, laser hair removal, laser vein therapy, collagen induction therapy, and medical grade peels. These types of treatment generate hazardous waste – or medical waste – and therefore, are susceptible to the same rules and regulations as medical facilities.
Injectable Treatments
Common therapies offered are injectable services, such as Botox or Dysport, which are designed to treat lines and wrinkles. Med spas are held to the same regulations as a medical practice: environments must be clean and sanitized, and the medication, such as Botox or Dysport, must be secured and stored according to guidelines. After a procedure is finished, med spas are required to dispose of used needles as any other sharp.
Laser Hair Removal
In many states, laser hair removal is considered a medical procedure. Through a laser machine, a concentrated beam of light is aimed at hair. The light is absorbed by the pigment, which damages the follicle enough to slow future growth. Lasers can remove hair for anywhere from several months to years, as the results differ widely from person to person. State requirements for medical spa treatments, such as laser hair removal will vary, but many operate under similar medical treatment and waste laws. In many states, devices will need to be registered, most especially if the lasers are used for any other purposes aside from laser hair removal. Some states also require that a physician order or a prescribe laser hair removal machines for purchase.
Medical Waste Disposal
Most medical spas have at least one doctor, esthetician, and nurse on hand, all of which must be knowledgeable in medical waste removal procedures.
Medical spas deal with a lot of sharps waste, which is a term applied to objects such as needles and scalpel blades. A sharps hazard lies in the fact that it is designed to pierce the skin. Wastes containing both infectious material and sharp objects create particular hazards for anyone handling them or coming into contact with them.
Red Bags offers medical waste removal programs for medical spas, whether it’s needles, red bag waste, pharmaceutical waste, or any other medical waste. We also offer an online OSHA Compliance Training program for all staff that work at medical spas for safety training and safety planning.
Contact Red Bags today to learn about all of our products and services, including the safe disposal of medical spa waste.
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- Botox, Dysport, and Medical Spa Injectables: Compliance Under Medical Waste Laws
- Medical Spas: What OSHA, HIPAA, and Medical Waste Requirements Say
- Medical Waste Requirements for Medical Spas and Technicians: Laser Hair Removal
Service Areas: Long Island Medical Waste; New York City Medical Waste; Westchester Medical Waste and more!