It’s a fast-paced world and people want to get in, get pretty, and get out, said Kelly Keys, R.N. She is part owner of Allure Medical Spa, which opened a year ago.

If you’ve noticed more medical spas in the Ozarks, you’re not alone. The industry has experienced explosive growth nationwide. In 2013, it was a $1.9 billionindustry, according to a study by Marketdata Enterprises, Inc.

It was projected to grow 18 percent each year, and sales are expected to hit $3.6 billion in 2016.

Southwest Missouri is no exception. Consumers have an increasing number of medical spas to choose from where they can get a chemical peel, tattoo removal, micropigmentation (permanent make-up), or varicose vein treatment, among other treatments.

“This is more than a trend, it is a movement,” said Patti Biro, education director for the International Medical Spa Association.  “It shows no signs of slowing, and there are multiple reasons for the growth across all sectors of the medical spa services.”

Most services at a medical spa are performed by medical professionals such as physician’s assistants, nurses and aestheticians. Medical spas are overseen by a physician, although the doctor may not always be on site or handle many of the procedures. Missouri does not have many regulations governing medical spas, so it’s best to ask to see credentials when seeking treatment, several experts said.

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