If you watched John Oliver’s recent Last Week Tonight segment on med spas, you may have been alarmed by what you saw—patients harmed by underqualified providers, counterfeit products, and unproven “treatments” being sold as science-backed medicine.
Unfortunately, these scenarios are very real in today’s rapidly growing aesthetics industry. But at the Center for Plastic Surgery Ann Arbor, we want to assure you: we are not that kind of med spa.
We watched the segment, too. And we agree—this industry needs more oversight and higher standards. That’s why we’ve held ourselves to them for decades.
On-Site Medical Leadership—Not Just on Paper
Unlike many med spas featured in the segment, we have two physicians on-site in our practice multiple days every week. Dr. Daniel Sherick is a board-certified plastic surgeon through the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), and Dr. Amy Strong is board-eligible. Both are deeply involved in patient care—not just names on paperwork. It’s common for our nurses, aesthetic team, or physician assistant to consult them directly by simply walking down the hall.
Despite receiving many offers over the years to serve as off-site “medical directors” for external spas (a very common and lucrative arrangement in this industry), our doctors have declined every single time. Why? Because they believe it’s both unethical and unsafe to serve as a medical director for a business they’re not present at on a regular basis.
And we couldn’t agree more.
Qualified Injectors, Backed by Experience
In Michigan, state law requires that only licensed medical providers administer injectables such as Botox or Juvederm—and that’s exactly what we follow. At our practice, only our board-certified PA, RN injector, and our plastic surgeons perform injectable treatments.
- Our PA, Bernice Li, is NCCPA board-certified and has 9 years of experience in plastic surgery and aesthetic medicine.
- Our RN injector, Patty Kutcher, has been with us since 1990, and brings an unmatched level of skill, judgment, and patient rapport.
- Our injectors regularly attend hands-on workshops and trainings through the Allergan Medical Institute, the makers of FDA-approved Botox and Juvederm, ensuring their knowledge and technique stay ahead of the curve.
Only Evidence-Based Treatments—Never Snake Oil
John Oliver was right to be skeptical of some of the so-called “treatments” out there—like ionic foot detox baths, ultraviolet blood irradiation, or ozone insufflation (yes, that’s a real thing being marketed). These services aren’t just strange; they’re scientifically unsupported and offer no proven benefit to your health or appearance. At our practice, we never offer a service just because it’s trendy or profitable.
Every treatment or device we offer is researched, tested, and proven to deliver safe, effective results. We say no to sales pitches all the time, because our priority is your health, not our bottom line. If we wouldn’t recommend a treatment to our own family, we won’t recommend it to you.
Authentic Products, Real Safety
The idea that someone might unknowingly receive counterfeit injectables is horrifying—and, sadly, not uncommon in underregulated clinics. At the Center for Plastic Surgery Ann Arbor, every product we use is purchased directly from its manufacturer, such as Allergan for Botox and Juvederm. We’re transparent about it, too—you’re always welcome to see the bottles or vials before treatment, and we’ll gladly show you what to look for to verify authenticity.
We also take proper storage and expiration tracking seriously. This is real medicine, and we treat it that way.
Education & Oversight at Every Level
All of our providers—nurses, PA, aestheticians—participate in regular staff meetings and training sessions to stay up to date on the latest safety protocols, techniques, and products. Being located within the hospital gives us added peace of mind and access to additional medical resources, should the need ever arise.
Choosing a Med Spa? Ask the Right Questions.
If you’re considering aesthetic treatments anywhere, we strongly encourage you to ask:
- Is the medical director on-site regularly?
- Who is actually performing the treatment, and what are their credentials?
- Where do they source their products?
- What protocols are in place if something goes wrong?
We welcome these kinds of questions—and we’re proud of the answers we can give.
You Deserve Safer Standards
Med spa treatments should make you feel more confident—not more anxious. At the Center for Plastic Surgery Ann Arbor, your safety and results are always our top priority. Whether you’re here for injectables, facials, skincare, or plastic surgery, you can trust that our team is experienced, ethical, and entirely focused on you.
Because you deserve care that’s just as exceptional as your results.
Call our office at 734.712.2323 to schedule your consultation or book online here.
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