Medical Clearance for Med Spa Procedures
A quick step that protects your health — and keeps your treatment compliant with Texas requirements.
Before certain medical aesthetic treatments, Texas requires an appropriate medical evaluation. At Hands On Healing, we partner with SpaKinect to make this process simple and convenient.
Already healthy? Already have a primary-care doctor? You still need this step.
This isn’t a general physical or a statement that you’re “healthy.” It’s a treatment-specific medical evaluation to determine whether the medical aesthetic procedures you’re requesting are appropriate for you.
WHY IS THIS REQUIRED?
Medical aesthetics are still medical care.
Texas considers nonsurgical medical cosmetic procedures—including cosmetic injections and procedures involving prescription medical devices—to be the practice of medicine. Before a delegated medical procedure is performed, Texas rules require a physician or appropriately delegated PA/APRN to establish the practitioner-patient relationship and maintain an adequate medical record.
This isn’t paperwork we invented, and it isn’t simply another consent form.
Your medical clearance helps determine whether a treatment is appropriate for you, based on your health history, medications, allergies and other relevant risk factors.
Why can't I just bring a note from my doctor?
Your primary-care provider knows your overall health, but a routine physical or general doctor’s note isn’t necessarily the same thing as the treatment-specific medical evaluation and authorization required within our medical practice.
Hands On Healing uses SpaKinect for our clearance process so the appropriate licensed medical provider can review your information for the specific aesthetic treatments being considered, document that evaluation, and provide the patient-specific authorization our treatment team needs before proceeding.
SpaKinect specifically emphasizes that its Good Faith Exams are patient-specific orders rather than generic “clearance” forms.
WHICH HANDS ON HEALING SERVICES REQUIRE CLEARANCE?
- Injectables | Botox® / Jeuveau®/ Dysport®️, dermal fillers and Sculptra®
- Microneedling
- Laser & Light Treatments | IPL and other medical laser/light-based treatments
Regular facials, massage and other non-medical spa services do not require medical clearance.
WHAT DOES THE CLEARANCE LOOK FOR?
Most clients are cleared without a problem. The purpose of the evaluation is to identify situations where a treatment may need to be modified, postponed or avoided.
The medical provider may review things such as your:
- current medications and supplements
- allergies
- medical conditions and surgical history
- pregnancy or breastfeeding status
- history of reactions to aesthetic procedures
- active infections or skin conditions
- medications or conditions that affect bleeding, healing or immune function
- previous aesthetic treatments
- other factors specific to the treatment you’re requesting
WHAT IF I'M NOT CLEARED?
Not being immediately cleared doesn’t necessarily mean you can never have the treatment.
The medical provider may request additional information, recommend waiting until a condition has resolved, require a medication-related issue to be addressed with your prescribing provider, recommend a different treatment, or determine that the procedure isn’t appropriate for you.
Hands On Healing cannot override a medical clearance decision. If additional medical information is needed, we’ll explain your next steps. Often we can do a conditional clearance with our Medical Provider Dr. Sneed.
Do I Need Medical Clearance Every Time?
No. Your medical clearance is generally good for one year, as long as there have been no significant changes to your health or medical history.
When you complete your medical clearance, our goal is to make the process as easy as possible. We will work to have you evaluated for all of the medical aesthetic procedures we offer that may be appropriate for you—not just the treatment you’re receiving that day.
That means if you’re cleared for multiple treatments, you may be able to return throughout the year for those services without completing another medical clearance each time.
When would I need another clearance?
You may need to be reevaluated if:
Your annual clearance expires.
You have a significant change in your health or medical history.
You begin taking a new medication that could affect treatment.
You develop a new allergy or medical condition.
You become pregnant or have another change that could affect treatment safety.
You want a treatment that wasn’t included in your original medical evaluation.
Please keep us informed of changes to your health or medications, even if your medical clearance is still current.
Our goal isn’t to create extra hoops for you to jump through. It’s to keep an appropriate medical clearance on file so that once you’re cleared, you can enjoy the treatments available to you as safely and conveniently as possible.
What Is a Good Faith Exam?
A Good Faith Exam (GFE) is a brief medical evaluation completed by a licensed medical provider before certain medical aesthetic procedures.
Think of it as the medical side of your treatment plan. The provider reviews your health history, medications, allergies and the procedures you’re considering to determine which treatments are medically appropriate for you.
We Make It Easy
You don’t need to find another provider or schedule a separate doctor’s appointment.
Hands On Healing coordinates the process for you. We will set up your medical clearance and have you complete a brief telemedicine video visit with a licensed medical provider in our office before your service.
Medical Clearance: $30
Elite Members receive one complimentary medical clearance each year.
Whenever possible, we’ll have you evaluated for all of the medical aesthetic procedures we offer that may be appropriate for you. Your clearance is generally good for one year, provided there are no significant changes in your health or medical history.
Pregnant or Breastfeeding?
Please let us know before your appointment.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding can affect which treatments are appropriate. We can request pre-approval for procedures that may be considered appropriate for you rather than waiting until you arrive for your appointment.
Taking Antibiotics?
Please tell us about any current medications, including antibiotics, during your medical evaluation.
Being on an antibiotic does not automatically mean that your medical clearance cannot be completed. However, we generally do not advise moving forward with neuromodulators such as Botox®/Jeuveau® or laser treatments while taking antibiotics.
Your provider and treatment professional will determine whether your planned procedure should proceed or be postponed based on your individual circumstances.
Using Retinol or Retinoids?
Please let us know about prescription and over-the-counter retinoid products you use.
For treatments where retinoids may increase irritation or sensitivity, we generally ask that you discontinue retinol products 7 days before and 7 days after treatment, including certain:
Laser treatments • Facials • Chemical peels
Some prescription retinoids or specific treatments may require different instructions. We’ll give you the appropriate pre- and post-treatment guidance for your service.
Why Do We Do This?
Medical aesthetic treatments are still medical treatments. Texas considers nonsurgical medical cosmetic procedures—including cosmetic injections and the use of certain prescription medical devices—to be the practice of medicine and requires appropriate medical evaluation, documentation and physician delegation.
Your Good Faith Exam isn’t simply another consent form. It establishes the appropriate medical relationship and gives our treatment team a patient-specific medical authorization based on you, your health history and the treatments being considered.
It’s one more way we make your safety part of the treatment—not an afterthought.