Med Spa Confidential - Exposing the Risks, Rewards, and Business of Beauty

What if the person who hurt you was someone you trusted completely?

Dr. Kate Dee sits down with nurse practitioner Sarah Kabalka, a 13-year veteran of medical aesthetics who knew the questions to ask, knew the red flags to look for, and still walked out of a treatment room with injuries she'll carry for the rest of her life.

Trust overrode instinct. And what happened next is something far too many patients never see coming.

Chapters:
00:03:32 - She Was Listed as Medical Director Without Knowing
00:04:13 - The...

What if the clinic promising to save your life was the most dangerous place you could walk into?

A Colorado man flew to Seattle for a stem cell treatment he believed would save him. A King County jury just awarded his family $24 million. 

Host Dr. Kate Dee breaks down what happened inside that clinic and why this case is bigger than one family's tragedy.

Stem cells are real. The "cures" being sold to desperate patients? That's a very different story. Dr. Kate Dee separates the legitimate science from the dangerous fiction, a...

What if the person about to inject your face isn't licensed to touch you at all?

It's not a worst-case scenario anymore. It's a pattern. Providers are getting arrested across the country, and the patients sitting in those chairs had no idea. The websites looked polished. The staff seemed professional. Nothing felt off until it was.

Dr. Kate Dee sits down with Dr. Judith Borger, a physician with over a decade in aesthetic medicine, to break down exactly what's driving this wave of arrests. 

They also cut through the hype on t...

What happens when a billion-dollar company decides it's done playing nice with the telehealth giants undercutting its patents?

Novo Nordisk just dropped a lawsuit against Hims & Hers, and the ripple effects could reshape how millions of people access GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy. 

Dr. Kate Dee breaks down what's really behind this legal fight, why the timing matters, and what it means for anyone who's been relying on compounded versions of these drugs to manage their weight and health.

If you've ever used a compounded semaglutide prescription, or you're thinking a...

What if the person injecting you had no license, no training, and no idea what was actually in the syringe?

Dr. Kate Dee breaks down a disturbing Florida arrest that's making headlines. A woman was running a full cosmetic clinic out of her home, charging patients thousands of dollars for injections she claimed were professional-grade treatments. 

What doctors found inside the victim's body tells a very different story. And when the suspect walked out of her bail hearing without expressing any remorse. Dr. Kate Dee brought in the one guest who could speak t...

Med spas are now selling gut healing programs for hundreds of dollars a month. But who's actually qualified to tell you what's wrong with your gut?

Gut health is everywhere right now. Walk into almost any wellness clinic and you'll find supplement stacks, IV drips, and probiotic blends all promising to fix your digestion.  But most of them aren't backed by a gastroenterologist. 

Dr. Kate Dee sits down with Dr. Tina Storage, a board-certified gastroenterologist who treats real digestive disorders every day, to find out what gut health actually looks like when the sc...

What happens when an emergency order becomes the foundation of an entire business and then suddenly disappears?

New Jersey has reverted to pre-COVID regulations, ending temporary pandemic-era rules that allowed nurse practitioners to operate independently. As a result, many med spas opened over the last six years are now scrambling to secure collaborating physicians or shut down within 30 days.

Dr. Kate Dee breaks down what happened, why it matters, and what it means if you're getting treatments in states with similar regulations.

Chapters:
01:07 - Why New Jersey changed...

What if looking like a swollen pumpkin for three days meant better skin for the next year? 

Host Dr. Kate Dee takes you behind the scenes of her own RF microneedling and laser resurfacing treatment, showing you exactly what happens from the moment numbing cream goes on to the final recovery stages. 

No filters, no editing out the swelling, just the real experience. You'll see how powerful topical anesthetics work, what the procedure actually feels like, and why some medspas can't legally offer the same level of numbing that makes this treatment tolerable. 

What happens when state investigators walk into over 200 med spas? 

Host Dr. Kate Dee walks you through the shocking results of New York's investigation, where inspectors found cosmetologists injecting mystery substances and estheticians causing dangerous MRSA infections. 

Now dermatology groups and lawmakers want to crack down hard, but their solution might accidentally target the good med spas along with the bad ones.

Chapters:
02:30 - When Nurses Cross the Legal Line
03:30 - How the Med Spa Industry Exploded to 20,000 Locations
03:47 - Unknown Injections and Fake Botox Exposed

What do celebrities actually look like right after their aesthetic treatments, and what can we learn from seeing the real recovery process?

SNL star Chloe Fineman recently shared something most celebrities never would: honest photos of herself immediately after various med spa procedures, complete with swelling, redness, and those tell-tale recovery signs. 

Dr. Kate Dee breaks down exactly what treatments Chloe likely had done based on these revealing images and explains what each recovery process tells us about the procedure itself. From overfilled lips to laser-induced pigmentation patterns, you'll learn to recognize what's n...

What if finding a trustworthy med spa was as simple as asking ChatGPT or Gemini? 

AI search is flipping the entire medical aesthetics industry upside down, and what it's exposing might make you rethink where you're getting your next treatment. The clinics showing up first aren't always the safest ones.

Host Dr. Kate Dee sits down with Michael Antosy, a marketing expert with 15 years in aesthetics, to spill the secrets the industry doesn't want you to know. 

They dive straight into the messy stuff: champagne-fueled Botox parties that violate consent laws, fa...

What if the med spa you trust doesn't have a license displayed, carries no insurance, or relies on unlicensed staff? 

A new NYC report investigated 15 med spas and found violations in every single one. Dr. Kate Dee breaks down the findings that should concern anyone considering aesthetic treatments.

Dr. Dee walks through the "Moving the Needle" report that uncovered illegal practices across New York City's med spa landscape. From expired licenses to fake devices and nurses injecting without oversight, she explains what each violation means for your safety.

You'll learn which r...

What has a med spa sales rep with 20 years of experience seen that keeps them up at night?

Host Dr. Kate Dee sits down with Rachel Phillips who’s been selling to med spas for over 20 years, and she's seen things that will shock you! 

From doctors panic-calling her to train unqualified staff because their licensed person just quit to practices going out of business before patients can finish the treatment packages paid in full upfront. 

Rachel spills everything about what really goes on behind closed doors in an industry that has...

What if that viral beauty hack you saw on TikTok is actually damaging your face?

Dr. Kate Dee sits down with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Angela Casey to expose the truth about at-home aesthetic treatments that are flooding the market. They're seeing something alarming in their clinics, and it's getting worse. 

Innocent-looking products you can buy online right now are causing damage that takes months or even years to fix. Some of these disasters start in the kitchen. Others arrive in packages from overseas with instructions you can't even read.

Think you c...

If Your Med Spa's Medical Director Is Never There, Who Steps In When Something Goes Wrong?

Dr. Kate Dee heard a shocking rumor: one physician was supposedly overseeing 55 med spas in California. It sounded impossible, so she decided to investigate. What she discovered will change how you think about that professional headshot on your med spa's website. 

She uncovered two real physicians who are listed as medical directors for 12 to 14 locations each, scattered across California and beyond. But here's the catch: they're full-time doctors in completely different fields, living hundreds of miles away f...

Is that strange little bump on your forehead harmless, or is it quietly spreading beneath the surface while you wait?

Dr. Kate Dee sits down with Dr. Angela Casey, a board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon, to talk about the one cancer that outnumbers all others combined. 

They break down who's really at risk, what warning signs you might be ignoring, and why catching things early isn't just about avoiding a scar, it's about protecting your actual face. 

Dr. Casey treats skin cancers every single day and shares what she wishes mo...

What happens when a board-certified dermatologist opens a med spa in a state where he has no license to practice?

A respected Seattle dermatologist who literally teaches other doctors how to inject Botox just got caught in a federal sting operation. An RN was led away in handcuffs and charged with three felonies. 

The doctor? 

He's now facing potential wire fraud charges and up to 20 years in prison. Dr. Kate Dee unpacks this jaw-dropping case that's unfolding right now.

The doctor interviewed an RN who turned down the job be...

Why are RF microneedling lawsuits piling up against one specific device?

The FDA dropped several safety alerts recently. If you're getting Botox, fillers, or skin tightening treatments, you need to hear this. Dr. Dee was doing research for a potential podcast guest when something didn't add up. 

Dr. Dee has performed thousands of RF microneedling treatments over 10 years without seeing the burns, scarring, and fat loss the FDA is warning about. But when she looked into the lawsuits, she found something that explains everything. 

Chapters:
00:01:00 – RF microneedling injuries
...

What if that shelf full of expensive skincare products is secretly working against you?

You're juggling serums, toners, acids, and retinols because influencers promised results.  Dr. Kate Dee is joined by Dr. Angela Casey, board-certified dermatologist and owns a line of skincare for young women. 

Dr. Casey has spent decades looking at skin under microscopes and knows what actually works versus what just sounds good in marketing. Together with Dr. Kate, she walks through how to build a simple, effective routine that protects your investment in procedures like lasers and injectables while preventing th...

When that tip screen pops up after your Botox appointment, should you feel obligated to pay? 

This practice walks a fine line between unethical and outright illegal.

Dr. Kate Dee breaks down the troubling spread of tip culture into medical settings, where it doesn't just create awkward checkout moments, it can actually compromise your safety. 

When businesses underpay nurses and rely on tips and commissions to fill the gap, it creates a flawed system. That system gives your provider a financial incentive to push treatments you don’t actually need.

What if the person injecting your Botox learned how to do it over a single weekend and there's no one checking if they're even qualified?

In Texas, a woman died after receiving IV treatments from someone who had no medical license at all. No training. No oversight. No one stopped it until it was too late. Stories like this aren't rare, they're just rarely talked about.

Dr. Kate Dee sits down with Dr. Dr. Kristen Jacobs, a board-certified physician who's been practicing medical aesthetics since 2008, to walk through the new MedSpa Board certification...

What happens when trust in a "celebrity facialist" costs you your face?

Dr. Kate Dee breaks down how an esthetician with a celebrity client list got away with performing medical procedures without a medical license or oversight for years. Victoria Nelson’s account on TikTok went viral recently. She had walked into a Hollywood spa with acne and walked out with permanent scars. 

The woman she trusted, Sonya Dakar, self-proclaimed "Skin Ninja" to the stars, promised flawless skin but delivered chemical burns, unauthorized medical procedures, and charged $30,000 for treatments to fix the injury she...

Ever walk into a med spa and just assumed everything was legit?

For today's guest that trust nearly cost her her life. Dr. Kate Dee revisits a riveting conversation she had with Bea Amma to help you understand exactly what went wrong and how to protect yourself.

Bea shares her harrowing experience with an unlicensed provider who injected her with contaminated products. What started as a simple B12 shot appointment turned into a months-long nightmare involving a life-threatening infection, over 100 open wounds, and a desperate fight for survival. 

Chapters:

Ever walk into a med spa and just assumed everything was legit?

For today's guest that trust nearly cost her her life. Dr. Kate Dee revisits a riveting conversation she had with Bea Amma to help you understand exactly what went wrong and how to protect yourself.

Bea shares her harrowing experience with an unlicensed provider who injected her with contaminated products. What started as a simple B12 shot appointment turned into a months-long nightmare involving a life-threatening infection, over 100 open wounds, and a desperate fight for survival. 

Chapters:

00:07:30 - Fever, S...

Ever wonder who's really overseeing your Botox, your laser treatment, or that facial you booked online? What if the answer is... nobody?

Dr. Kate Dee shares a firsthand account from a master esthetician who left a successful, well-known med spa after just a few months.

What "Sarah" witnessed behind the scenes reveals troubling practices that put patients at risk every day: procedures performed without proper medical oversight, broken equipment passed off as fully functional, and clients charged premium prices for treatments they never actually received.

Discover how some med spas operate when there's...

In this episode of MedSpa Mayhem, host Dr. Kate Dee welcomes back Dr. Flora Waples from Restor Medspa to discuss the importance of hormones and other groundbreaking approaches for improving wellness, longevity, and energy levels. They dive into the complex world of HRT, including estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, and its critical role in optimizing health as we age. Dr. Waples shares her personal journey with HRT and metabolism management, discusses the science behind treatments like GLP-1 agonists, NAD, and rapamycin, and explores how these therapies can help stave off the 'four horsemen' of aging: cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurodegeneration, and...

In this episode of MedSpa Mayhem, Dr. Kate Dee hosts Mandy Ward, a nurse practitioner with extensive experience in the chaotic world of medical aesthetics. Mandy shares her journey from working in trauma ICU to becoming an expert in cosmetic treatments like Botox and fillers. The discussion covers vital industry issues, such as the importance of good faith exams, the risks of subpar practices, and the legal and ethical concerns in states like Texas. Listeners gain insights on how to choose safe and legitimate med spa providers, the significance of having proper medical oversight, and the necessity for regulations...

In this episode of MedSpa Mayhem, Dr. Kate Dee is joined by Nicole Gregory, an MBA and business owner of Med Spas in Michigan, to discuss the challenges of discerning legitimate med spas from illegal operations. They delve into the inception and goals of the Medspa Board, a credentialing organization aimed at elevating safety and standards in the aesthetics industry. The conversation covers the complexities of the sector, including the prevalence of absentee medical directors and the importance of having certified med spas for consumer reassurance and safety. They also highlight the upcoming launch of a certification process and...

Dive into the fascinating world of DIY skincare with Dr. Kate Dee and her guest, Anne-Marie Faiola, the visionary CEO of Bramble Berry Handcraft Provisions.  Anne-Marie shares her journey from criminology to becoming a soap-making entrepreneur, the science behind safe skincare practices, and the importance of preservatives and safe ingredients in skin care. They discuss the regulations for selling homemade skincare products, the challenges of ensuring ingredient quality, and the benefits of creating your own skincare. Anne-Marie also highlights inspiring success stories from Bramble Berry customers who turned their DIY passion into thriving businesses.

Reach ou...

In this episode of MedSpa Mayhem, Dr. Kate Dee delves into the exciting developments in anti-aging and longevity medicine with Dr. Richard Baxter, a board-certified plastic surgeon. Dr. Baxter shares his journey from traditional plastic surgery to aesthetics and ultimately to longevity medicine. The discussion covers groundbreaking treatments such as the use of growth hormone releasing peptides, metformin, and therapeutic plasma exchange. They also explore regenerative medicine techniques like PRP, exosomes, PDGF and delve into how measuring biological age through epigenetic markers is transforming the approach to aging. Listeners will gain insights into effective anti-aging strategies and learn about...

In this episode of MedSpa Mayhem, host Dr. Kate Dee chats with Dr. Jennifer Linder, a board-certified dermatologist, about the complex issue of melasma. They discuss what melasma is, its triggers, and why traditional treatments like lasers can sometimes make it worse. Instead, Dr. Linder recommends a series of chemical peels featuring specific ingredients like salicylic acid, mandelic acid, and trans-examic acid. They also cover important skincare routines, the role of diet and lifestyle changes, and more advanced treatments like oral tranexamic acid for resistant cases. This comprehensive conversation aims to equip sufferers and clinicians with effective strategies to...

In this episode of MedSpa Mayhem, host Dr. Kate Dee dives into the controversial yet intriguing world of salmon sperm in aesthetics with guest Dr. Flora Waples. They discuss the science behind using DNA fragments from salmon sperm for skin regeneration, dissecting its safety and efficacy. The conversation also covers distinguishing legitimate treatments from dubious practices in the med spa industry and emphasizes the importance of regulatory standards and scientific inquiry in aesthetic medicine.

Why Salmon Jizz? Watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Medspa Episode

Reach out to Dr. Dee

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Laser Craziness with Dr. Kate Dee and Rachel Lowe Jap

In this episode of MedSpa Mayhem, host Dr. Kate Dee sits down with Rachel Lowe Jap, a laser expert with extensive experience in the medical aesthetics industry. The conversation covers Rachel's journey from aesthetician to laser tech and nurse, delving into her early inspirations and career milestones. They discuss the nuances of laser treatments, the importance of proper training, and the varying legal landscapes surrounding medical aesthetics across different states. Rachel shares some harrowing experiences from her career, emphasizing the need for stringent regulations and p...

In this conversation, Dr. Kate Dee speaks with Dr. Jennifer Linder, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of PCA Skin and Linder Health, about the importance of skincare, the science behind effective products, and the journey of creating innovative skincare solutions. They discuss the significance of medical-grade skincare, the role of active ingredients, and the necessity of a proper skincare routine. The conversation highlights the ongoing innovations in the skincare industry and the importance of professional treatments for optimal skin health. In this conversation, Dr. Kate Dee and Jennifer Linder explore innovative approaches to chemical peels, emphasizing the importance of...

In this episode of MedSpa Mayhem, hosted by Dr. Kate Dee, the focus is on the use of exosomes and stem cells in medical aesthetics. Dr. Dee talks to Judy Rubin, an internal medicine doctor with extensive experience in aesthetics, about how exosomes can aid in cell-to-cell communication, particularly in joint and systemic treatments. The discussion covers what exosomes are, their applications, and the importance of using high-quality sources. Rubin shares her personal experience with stem cell treatment for her meniscal tear, highlighting the benefits she noticed within five weeks. The conversation also explores the challenges of ensuring product...

In this episode of MedSpa Mayhem, Dr. Kate Dee discusses the advantages of direct primary care with guest Dr. Steffie Deeds, an internal medicine physician and founder of her own direct care practice. The conversation covers the broken traditional insurance-based healthcare system, the benefits of direct primary care for both physicians and patients, and the practical implementation of this model. Dr. Deeds explains the difference between having insurance and receiving actual care. The episode also delves into women's health issues, particularly around hormones and menopause, debunking myths and emphasizing the importance of proper treatment. The show highlights how physicians...

In this episode of MedSpa Mayhem, host Dr. Kate Dee interviews Amanda Lemmage, owner of Skingevity Med Spa. They discuss their preferences for different FDA-approved neurotoxins like Dysport and Botox, detailing the pros and cons of each. They then delve into their favorite laser and RF microneedling treatments, highlighting the superior technologies from Korea and the importance of avoiding high-risk treatments like CO2 lasers. Lastly, they touch upon the confusing and inconsistent legal landscape governing med spas, emphasizing the necessity of medical directors and ethical practices. Dr. Dee also introduces a new initiative, the Medspa Board, aimed at certifying...

In this episode, Dr. Kate Dee interviews Brett Chikowski (COO) and Connor O'Rourke (CEO), co-founders of the med spa marketing firm Middle Way Marketing. They discuss their backgrounds, how they met, and the inception of their company. The conversation delves into effective marketing tactics for med spas, including foundational digital strategies, the importance of high-quality content, and the significance of a well-trained staff. They also compare the effectiveness of Google ads versus social media ads, highlight common pitfalls in the industry, such as leased websites, and share their approach to reputation management and reviews. Both industry veterans offer valuable...

In this episode of MedSpa Mayhem, Dr. Kate Dee discusses the intricacies of weight loss using GLP-1 agonists with naturopathic doctor Ashley Millhiser. They delve into the importance of complete body optimization, the benefits and pitfalls of GLP-1 drugs, and strategies for sustainable weight loss. Key topics include the significance of monitoring fat loss over weight loss, individualized patient care, and supplemental treatments such as strength training and advanced muscle-building devices like Emsculpt Neo. Both experts emphasize the necessity of working with knowledgeable providers to avoid the common mistakes in using these medications and ensure long-term success.

In this episode of MedSpa Mayhem, Dr. Kate Dee interviews Dr. Giselle Prado Wright, founder of Exert Body Sculpt in Florida, to discuss the intricacies of liposuction and weight loss. Dr. Wright shares her unique journey from aspiring dermatologist to liposuction specialist, emphasizing the importance of resilience and mentorship in the medical field. The conversation covers various aspects of liposuction, including patient candidacy, procedural details, post-operative care, and the impact of weight loss medications like GLP-1 agonists. Dr. Wright also highlights the common complications associated with liposuction, particularly seromas, and the critical need for proper follow-up care. Additionally, Dr...