This cheat sheet gives you a clear map of what's available at a modern med spa — organized by treatment area and goal. Use it before every consultation so you can ask better questions, set realistic expectations, and stop nodding along hoping it all makes sense later.
Want the full guide?
11 complete sections — skin,
lasers, injectables, hormones,
blood work, peptides + more.
The Informed Beauty Guide · $49
👁️
Under Eye Treatments
Tear Trough Filler
Hyaluronic acid injected under the eye to restore lost volume and reduce the hollow shadow that makes you look tired. The most effective treatment for true tear trough hollowing.
PRP / PRF Eye Treatment
Platelet-rich plasma or fibrin drawn from your own blood and injected or applied around the eye area. Stimulates collagen and improves skin texture and fine lines naturally.
Morpheus8 (Eye Area)
RF microneedling that tightens the skin around the eye and reduces crepey texture. Safe when performed by an experienced provider with correct settings for this delicate area.
Botox (Crow's Feet / Brow Lift)
Relaxes the orbicularis oculi at the outer corners to soften crow's feet. Strategic placement can also create a subtle brow lift without surgery.
Chemical Peel (Eye Area)
Very light superficial peels can improve pigmentation and fine texture around the eye. Must be performed by an experienced provider — this area requires a conservative approach.
✨
Forehead Treatments
Botox — Forehead Lines
Relaxes the frontalis muscle to smooth horizontal forehead lines. Results in 3–7 days, lasts 3–4 months. The #1 injectable treatment performed in aesthetic medicine.
Botox — Glabella (11s)
Targets the corrugator and procerus muscles responsible for frown lines between the brows. One of the most impactful single-area Botox treatments available.
Microneedling — Forehead
Improves texture, pore size, and fine surface lines. Stimulates collagen and elastin production for progressively improving skin quality over multiple sessions.
Chemical Peel
Removes dead skin cells and stimulates cell turnover. Excellent for forehead sun damage, texture, and mild pigmentation. Depth matched to your skin type and Fitzpatrick.
Laser Resurfacing (Forehead)
CO₂ fractional or Erbium laser for deeper lines, significant sun damage, or texture. Requires recovery but delivers dramatic and lasting results for the right candidate.
💉
Overall Health & Wellness — IV Therapy · Vitamin Injections · Peptides · Weight Loss · Hormones
IV Therapy & Injections
B12 / B-Complex Injection
Energy, neurological function, red blood cell health. IM injection bypasses GI absorption — ideal for fatigue, brain fog, vegans, and GLP-1 patients.
NAD+ IV Infusion
Cellular energy, DNA repair, cognitive clarity, longevity support. Levels decline ~50% between your 20s and 60s. The most powerful anti-aging infusion available.
Glutathione IV / Injection
Master antioxidant. Liver support, immune function, skin brightening over multiple sessions. Pairs exceptionally well with NAD+.
Myers' Cocktail / Custom IV Drip
Customized blend of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids delivered directly to the bloodstream. Immediate absorption. Recovery, immunity, energy, hydration.
MIC / Lipo-C Injection
Methionine, Inositol, Choline — supports fat metabolism and liver function during weight loss. Commonly paired with GLP-1 therapy.
Weight Loss & Peptides
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy)
GLP-1 receptor agonist. Reduces appetite, slows gastric emptying, improves blood sugar. ~15% body weight loss in clinical trials. Once weekly injection.
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound)
Dual GIP + GLP-1 agonist. More powerful appetite reduction, ~20–22% body weight loss. Emerging as the gold standard for medically supervised weight loss.
BPC-157
Healing peptide. Accelerates tissue repair, reduces inflammation, supports gut health. Commonly used for injury recovery and alongside GLP-1 therapy.
Sermorelin / CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin
Growth hormone secretagogues. Improve body composition, sleep quality, recovery, and energy by stimulating your own GH production — not replacing it.
GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide)
Stimulates collagen, activates hair follicle stem cells, anti-inflammatory. One of the most studied skin regeneration peptides. Also delivered via microneedling.
Hormone Therapy
BHRT — Bioidentical HRT
Hormones molecularly identical to your own — estrogen, progesterone, testosterone. Addresses menopause, perimenopause, energy, libido, mood, and body composition changes.
Hormone Pellet Therapy
Rice-sized pellets inserted under skin every 3–6 months. Consistent levels without daily dosing. Popular for testosterone and estrogen in both men and women.
Thyroid Optimization
Full panel (TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, antibodies) — not just TSH. Low thyroid function causes fatigue, hair loss, weight gain, depression, brain fog.
Testosterone Therapy (Women)
Often overlooked in women — addresses low libido, muscle loss, fatigue, and poor body composition. Requires proper monitoring of levels to avoid side effects.
DHEA / Adrenal Support
Precursor to estrogen and testosterone. Levels decline ~10% per decade after 30. Fatigue, immune decline, and low hormones often trace back here.
💪
Body Contouring
Quantum RF Lipo
Radiofrequency energy disrupts fat cells and simultaneously tightens the overlying skin. No surgery, no needles. Ideal for stubborn pockets resistant to diet and exercise.
Morpheus8 Body
RF microneedling at up to 8mm depth for subdermal fat remodeling and skin tightening on arms, abdomen, thighs, and flanks. Safe for all skin types.
CoolSculpting / Cryolipolysis
Freezes and destroys fat cells in targeted areas. Non-invasive. Multiple sessions may be required. Best for patients close to their goal weight with specific stubborn pockets.
Emsculpt / HIFEM Devices
High-intensity focused electromagnetic energy causes involuntary muscle contractions — equivalent to ~20,000 crunches per session. Builds muscle while reducing fat simultaneously.
Kybella / Deoxycholic Acid
Injectable treatment that destroys fat cells under the chin (submental fat). Permanent fat cell destruction. Requires 2–4 sessions with significant swelling post-treatment.
🌿
Skin Treatments & Resurfacing
Morpheus8 (Face)
RF microneedling at precision depths — the gold standard for collagen remodeling, skin tightening, and texture improvement. 8mm depth available at Hello Gorgeous. Safe all skin types.
Microneedling
Controlled micro-injuries trigger collagen production. Treats acne scarring, enlarged pores, texture, and fine lines. Depth matters — ask what depth is being used and why.
IPL / BBL (Intense Pulsed Light)
Broad-spectrum light targets pigment and blood vessels. Best for sun damage, brown spots, redness, and rosacea. Types I–III only — significant risk in darker skin tones.
Chemical Peels (Light to Medium)
Glycolic, lactic, salicylic, mandelic, TCA — each acid targets different concerns. Light peels: no downtime. Medium peels: 5–10 days. Depth must match your Fitzpatrick type.
HydraFacial
Vortex cleanse + exfoliate + extract + infuse in one treatment. Zero downtime. Immediate glow. Excellent maintenance — not a correction treatment for significant concerns.
⚡
Laser Treatments
CO₂ Fractional Laser (Solaria)
The gold standard for deep skin resurfacing — significant wrinkles, acne scars, texture, and skin tightening. Dramatic results. 7–14 days recovery. Types I–III only.
Nd:YAG 1064nm
The ONLY laser truly safe for ALL skin types including very dark skin. Hair removal, vascular treatment, skin tightening, nail fungus. The most versatile wavelength available.
Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL)
Most selective vascular laser. Rosacea, facial redness, visible capillaries, port wine stains. Temporary bruising (purpura) common — resolves in 7–14 days.
Erbium:YAG
Moderate resurfacing with less thermal damage than CO₂ — shorter recovery (5–10 days). Fine lines, texture, moderate sun damage. Gentler option than CO₂ with solid results.
Alexandrite 755nm / Diode 810nm
Primary laser hair removal wavelengths. Alexandrite: Types I–III only. Diode: Types I–IV. Your Fitzpatrick type must be assessed before ANY laser hair removal treatment.
🌿
Laser Hair Removal — What You Need to Know Before You Book
How It Works
Laser energy targets melanin in the hair follicle, heating and destroying it to permanently reduce hair growth. It does NOT work on vellus hair (peach fuzz) or on white, grey, blonde, or red hair — which have little to no melanin. Multiple sessions are required because hair grows in cycles — the laser only affects hair in the active growth phase (anagen).
Skin Type & Safety
Types I–III (fair to medium)
Alexandrite 755nm, Diode 810nm, or Nd:YAG — most options available. Best contrast between hair color and skin color = most effective results.
Types IV–V (olive to brown)
Diode 810nm with longer pulse durations, or Nd:YAG 1064nm. Cooling required. Higher risk of PIH — provider experience with darker skin is non-negotiable.
Type VI (deep dark skin)
Nd:YAG 1064nm ONLY. Most other wavelengths carry a burn and hyperpigmentation risk. Insist on a provider who routinely treats your skin type.
Questions to Ask Before You Book
What laser wavelength will you use for my Fitzpatrick type?
How many sessions do I realistically need for this area?
Do I need to shave before my appointment? (Always yes.) Wax or tweeze? (Always no — removes the follicle the laser needs to target.)
What are the risks for my skin type specifically?
What sun exposure restrictions apply before and after treatment?
Ready to go deeper on all of this?
The Informed Beauty Guide covers all 11 categories in complete detail — skin types, Fitzpatrick, every injectable, all lasers, hormones, blood work, peptides, IV therapy, toxic ingredients, and a full consultation guide. Written by Danielle Alcala from 10+ years inside a real med spa. For the patient who is done being confused and ready to take control.
$49
The Informed Beauty Guide
Instant download · Keep forever
nopriorauthorization.com