SNL Actress Chloe Fineman Shows the Dangers of Unqualified Med Spa Providers

Maintaining your looks and performance with aesthetic procedures and supplements isn’t necessarily an act of vanity; for many professions and industries, it’s a requirement. Performers, athletes, service industry professionals, and many others need to present a certain face to the world to advance their careers, as well as to maintain their own psychological health and well-being.

This demand is where the med spa industry has gained a foothold. As Saturday Night Live actress Chloe Fineman revealed recently, it comes with its own set of risks, especially at the hands of unqualified providers.

In an Instagram photo gallery, she recently showed a darker side of the results of med spas; instead of her usually glamorous appearance, the photos showed her with bruises and a swollen face. 

Fineman recounted receiving Botox treatment for the first time at a discount during the pandemic.

“The guy did way too much. I did it on a Groupon, which was stupid. I snuck out of the house and didn’t tell my boyfriend,” she said in a 2022 interview with Refinery29. Another botched procedure led to needing to cancel an appearance and being housebound for a full week.

While some of the photos and anecdotes show common, if not standard, immediate after-effects, some show complications that would have been avoided if administered by qualified medical professionals. Here are some questions to ask before undergoing any treatment at a med spa:

• How many medical professionals are employed by the med spa? There are risks involved in even the most common med spa procedures that should be diagnosed and treated immediately. If a clinic is staffed entirely by underqualified beauticians, the consequences of a negative effect can rapidly become more serious.
  

• Who is performing the actual treatment? A highly-trained, board-certified surgeon isn’t of much help if their employees are amateurs with little to no experience. Ask for the qualifications of the person performing your med spa procedures before you agree to undergo them.
  

• Has the treatment I’m receiving been vetted for its source and quality? Even if chemicals deployed in med spa treatments are in widespread use, not all of them are created equal: Cheaply sourced and bootlegged chemicals such as hyaluronic acid create different results than highly-tested ones sourced from well-established and certified laboratories.
  

• Is the provider aware of my medical history? Known allergies, past illnesses, surgeries, and current prescriptions can all create negative side effects. A qualified medical provider should have all of the facts before agreeing to perform a med spa treatment–and to turn a patient away if the risks to their health are too great.
  
• How much does this treatment normally cost? If a med spa is offering Groupons or deep discounts, be aware of what the standard price point is. There’s a point where the treatment is so much cheaper than competitors that it should be a matter of skepticism rather than budgeting. 

At the UroFill® Clinic, we believe that there’s nothing wrong with procedures to enhance your appearance, life, sex drive, and self-confidence, but with one major caveat: Only if it’s being done by the right providers at the right clinic. 

Until the current Wild West era of medical spas has passed, it’s a patient’s responsibility to do their homework, ask questions, and know the facts before undergoing any procedure. You only have one body, and the consequences of unnecessary risk can be profound.