By Alex R. Thiersch, JD, CEO of the American Med Spa Association (AmSpa)

It's been a long, unprofitable 30+ days since COVID-19 reared its ugly head and the American Med Spa Association (AmSpa) understands that everyone is anxious to reopen their businesses and begin making money again. However, when considering this, AmSpa advises everyone in the industry to exercise an abundance of caution before attempting to re-open your medical aesthetic practices.

After 30+ days, many believe that it only seems reasonable that the worst of the pandemic has passed. And yes, thank goodness, the COVID-19 curve is flattening, but the reason for that is the diligence with which we as a country have approached this crisis during the past month. It appears as though quarantining is working, and although the rate at which cases are being reported is beginning to decline, thousands of new cases are still being treated every day—25,000 to 35,000 per day in the past week alone, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). This is in no way a disease that is under control, and if we attempt to go back to normal now, it will likely lead to a spike in cases and another period of quarantine, which will set a timetable for a return to business back even further. In fact, if we push this, we might end up back at square one, a possibility that this industry might not be able to recover from.

Some areas have been hit worse than others. New York City, by far, has the most cases, while many small towns and rural areas report very little in the way of infection. However, community spread has been found in most states. This disease is incredibly infectious, and if we let down our guards before it has been contained—which will likely require widespread testing protocols that have yet to implemented—we invite the risk of a resurgence.

AmSpa knows it is difficult to simply sit by and lose money day after day. Very few Americans have been unaffected by this situation. However, it is in everybody's best interest to follow the guidance of state and local officials and, particularly, medical experts. When they advise that you are able to re-open your business, that is when you should do so, and not before. Along with that, the re-opening will require much more stringent guidelines and processes for staying safe, keeping your business sanitary and trying to keep the virus at bay. AmSpa is currently working on putting together guidelines for the industry that will help you safely re-open when the time is right.

Remember that while COVID-19 has affected the economy in a major way, it is, first and foremost, a public health issue. As a medical aesthetics practice, the health of your patients should be your foremost concern, and if you risk their health—and those of your employees—by re-opening too soon, you are betraying their trust in you.

Stay tuned to AmSpa for more updates on COVID-19 issues affecting medical aesthetic practices.