By Madilyn Moeller

What for some is simply clinical is, to Megan Davies, MSN, FNP-BC, an avenue to teach, advocate, guide and learn. With a passion for down-to-earth, patient-focused care, she shares her dedication to improving patient safety through compliance, mentorship and training at her medical spa in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Davies began her career in medical aesthetics in 2013, when she realized there was more to dermatology than what was offered at nurse practitioner school. She began with a focus on aesthetics, weight loss and hormone replacement, growing her skills and knowledge until she became medical director for a local medical spa.

Fortunately, she reads her emails. Davies received notice about an attempt to order counterfeit products in her name and was able to call the company and cancel the transaction. The owner, who was responsible, faced jail time.

"It just made me realize I needed to have my own practice if I wanted to do things the right way," Davies says. "I was like, 'I'm too young to lose my license.'"

Listen and Learn

In 2015, Davies opened her own business, Desert Holistic Health (DHH), which she is currently expanding.

"We'e needed to expand for a long time," says Davies. "I think you just get to the point where you're like, 'I'e got to grow.' And I'e wanted to. We'll have more space and then can hire more people."

DHH is patient-focused, with a down-to-earth atmosphere and a commitment to doing what's right for the patient.

They take a personalized approach with each client, starting with a questionnaire that asks about the patient's concerns that day. Then, the providers educate the patient and discuss plans for treatment. According to Davies, getting the patient to think about other treatments can help them decide what works for them. Patients often return for treatments they talked about six to 12 months prior.

"When we get into aesthetics, we start analyzing things in a way that's very different than what somebody else might see," says Davies. "Them telling me what's concerning them and then still having a discussion about what's causing that—whether it's what they thought it was or not—and holistically looking at the whole face and explaining that and still meeting them where they're at" exhibits the personalized service they offer.

Davies has learned many things from her patients over the years. By listening to them and learning from what they want, she has built upon her expertise.

"Listening to them and finding out what their concern is, that's one thing that's really important," says Davies. "I'e definitely learned that it's not about what I want or even my background and knowledge. Sometimes we can make a plan, but it's all about listening to them."

Aesthetic Mentor

In addition to her work at DHH, Davies serves as medical director for eight other medical spas all over Arizona. She wasn't looking to become a medical director again, but was approached by a nurse whose medical director didn't work in aesthetics. That arrangement encouraged her to lend her expertise.

She met with other people seeking medical directors, and, in time, she'd agreed to work with eight practices. DHH continues to receive requests for medical directorships almost every day.
Davies feels strongly about the importance of being a trustworthy medical provider. Any practice she works with must also have those ethics.

"That is just above and beyond important to me. I always want to do everything the right way," says Davies. "I don't take on most people that I meet with as a medical director, because we have to have an understanding that they're going to do things the right way. I'm going to need to have a trust in them."

Davies recommends that someone who is looking for a medical director meet with and make sure they're comfortable with the candidates. A medical director needs to provide a medical spa with policies and procedures and should be practicing in aesthetics.

"I would have people come up to me and say, 'I found a medical director and she works in psych, but she's $200 a month, and that's all I can afford right now,'" Davies says. "And I'd say, 'Once you have one occlusion, you're going to know it's not worth it, because it's panic time and they don't know what to do.' That's somebody's face. You're going to realize really quickly that you wish you had a medical director in aesthetics."

Authenticity

Davies hopes to see more education for the public about inauthentic products and medical imposters. Every day, she sees people on Instagram who are injecting lips without a degree.
Davies has been on the news to speak about medical imposters—providers who misrepresent themselves as medical professionals without evidence of a valid license to practice. Her efforts led to the passing of an "imposters law" in Arizona, which is intended to make the state boards more accountable when they receive reports of these people.

"Since then, I'e still reported people, and I'e gotten the same message from the board, saying 'We can't do anything,'" says Davies. "So, sadly after all that and getting a law passed, things haven't changed. I think the most important thing we can do is educate, but I still want to move forward with trying to hold these people accountable."

How does she maintain the compliance of the medical spas she oversees? Davies keeps a protocol binder up to date based on the guidelines of her state nursing board for any procedure the medical spa is performing. She has made some changes to her protocols based on the input of key opinion leaders, seminars she attends and advanced trainings, including those offered by the American Med Spa Association, of which she is a notable member.

Davies finds it important to meet her providers and keep the lines of communication open. She also performs site visits and follows the medical spas on social media to stay in the know.

"If I ever hear something that I wasn't familiar with or there's something new, I'm Googling it. I might be writing the state board about things just to keep in compliance," says Davies. "I want to still practice for a while, so I never want anything to come into question."

Practice Compassion

In addition to her work in aesthetics, Davies likes to focus on helping dog rescues. She has three dogs and has gotten involved in a few different rescue organizations. DHH has "doggies and Dysport" raffles, donates to local organizations and holds blanket drives for shelters.

She has many clients who are dog lovers, and she occasionally brings her dogs in to work. The pups have even had a small role in her practice, helping to calm patients with anxiety.
Davies is also motivated by the training she provides. DHH offers advanced trainings, and Davies also trains for National Laser Institute. She loves to see injectors feel confident when they leave at the end of the day and enjoys seeing them develop as injectors.

"I see them online and they're doing such a great job," says Davies. "And then I see them starting to do trainings or really becoming knowledgeable. Then, they're helping change people's lives, so that's an awesome thing to do."

What Davies loves about medical aesthetics is that she can provide a service that patients really want while educating them. You can really change lives with this, she says.

"We'e had clients in our chair crying when they see the mirror, they're so happy," says Davies. "We can really change lives and have such a positive impact on something that affected somebody's confidence for so long, and we give them that confidence. It's a great thing to do."

AmSpa Members receive QP every quarter. Click here to learn how to become a member and make your med spa the next aesthetic success story.