When it comes to aesthetic treatments for your face, choosing where you go and who you trust is just as important as the treatment itself. Your face is deeply personal—it reflects how you feel, how you express yourself, and how you move through the world.

Today, patients often find themselves deciding between a medspa and a facial plastic surgery medical practice. While both can offer non-surgical cosmetic treatments, there are important differences in training, scope of care, safety, and long-term planning. Understanding those differences can help you make an informed, confident decision.

Scope of Care: Aesthetics and Function

Many medspas focus exclusively on cosmetic appearance. A facial plastic surgery medical practice, however, is uniquely equipped to care for both how you look and how you function.

At Midwest Facial Plastic Surgery, treatments are approached through a comprehensive medical lens. This means we consider:

• Facial anatomy and how it changes over time
• Scar treatment and revision, including access to surgical correction when appropriate
• Functional concerns such as nasal breathing, sinus issues, and allergy-related symptoms
• How aesthetic treatments may impact both appearance and function

Because surgical and non-surgical options are available under one roof, treatment plans can be tailored without being limited to a single category of care.

Training, Oversight, and Continuity

Medspas may have a licensed physician associated with the practice, but that physician is not always on site or directly involved in each visit. Additionally, many medspa medical directors are not trained in core aesthetic specialties and may not have advanced expertise in facial anatomy.

By contrast, a facial plastic surgery medical practice offers direct provider access at every visit, which is especially important if complications arise or if results evolve over time.

At Midwest Facial Plastic Surgery, care is led by Dr. Young Paik, Evansville’s only double board-certified and fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon accredited by the American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. Treatments are performed by Dr. Paik or Shay Glisson, FNP-BC, our experienced aesthetic nurse practitioner who works directly under physician supervision.

This collaborative, physician-led approach allows patients to benefit from consistent medical oversight, thoughtful long-term planning, and continuity of care rather than one-size-fits-all or one-time treatments.

Managing Complications and Complex Needs

While many non-surgical treatments are considered low risk, complications can and do happen—especially when facial anatomy is not fully understood or when follow-up access is limited.

A facial plastic surgery medical practice is better equipped to:

• Address unexpected outcomes or side effects
• Revise scars or prior treatments
• Transition seamlessly from non-surgical care to surgical solutions when needed
• Provide timely, in-person physician evaluation rather than referral elsewhere

This level of access and accountability can offer peace of mind for patients investing in their care.

Product Transparency and Patient Education

One concern patients often don’t realize they should ask about is what products are actually being used during injectable or skin treatments.

At Midwest Facial Plastic Surgery, patient education is a core part of every visit. Before any treatment, patients are informed about which products are being used and why they were selected, what outcomes to expect, and how to properly care for their skin afterward. We also review potential side effects and how they are managed to avoid any surprises. In addition, patients have access to manufacturer-backed rewards programs for injectables at every visit, regardless of in-house promotions or point redemption.

This level of transparency empowers patients to make informed decisions and helps build trust through open, honest communication.

Making the Right Choice for Your Face

Medspas can be appropriate for certain patients and treatments. However, for those who value physician-led care, a deep understanding of facial anatomy, and access to both non-surgical and surgical options when appropriate, a facial plastic surgery medical practice may be the better fit.

Practices that emphasize education, transparency, and long-term planning are uniquely positioned to support patients as their needs evolve over time. When care also prioritizes both aesthetics and function, patients can feel confident that their treatment plan is designed not just for how they look today, but for how their face functions and ages in the years ahead.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

If you’re considering aesthetic or functional facial treatments and want guidance tailored to your goals, we invite you to connect with Dr. Paik and Shay Glisson, FNP-BC.

Contact us here or call 812-469-3434 to schedule your consultation and learn how a personalized, physician-led approach can help you put your best face forward.