What happens when an emergency order becomes the foundation of an entire business and then suddenly disappears?

New Jersey has reverted to pre-COVID regulations, ending temporary pandemic-era rules that allowed nurse practitioners to operate independently. As a result, many med spas opened over the last six years are now scrambling to secure collaborating physicians or shut down within 30 days.

Dr. Kate Dee breaks down what happened, why it matters, and what it means if you're getting treatments in states with similar regulations.

Chapters:
01:07 - Why New Jersey changed the rules back
02:17 - How COVID laws reshaped med spas
03:30 - The risk of building on temporary permission
04:25 - Florida as the warning example
06:00 - When emergency orders expire and reality hits
09:30 - Why physician oversight exists at all
12:18 - Training gaps and where things go wrong
15:25 - Why aesthetics should be held to a higher standard
17:10 - What consumers and owners must check now

This issue reaches far beyond New Jersey. Dr. Dee connects the dots between emergency orders, compounded GLP-1 medications, and the broader question of nurse practitioner independence. She explains the training gaps, regulatory turf wars, and real-world risks that emerge when businesses cut costs by replacing physicians with mid-level providers in high-risk settings.

Whether you're a patient trying to confirm your injector is operating legally or a provider navigating state-by-state regulatory chaos, this episode explains how to verify licenses, recognize red flags, and understand what “scope of practice” actually means in today’s shifting landscape.

Press play and learn how to protect yourself in a system that's constantly shifting.

Clip from: https://www.instagram.com/ivsbytheseas/

Find or Get Your Medspa Certified: https://medspaboard.com/

Want the anti-aging essentials I actually use: Download my FREE Holiday Gift Guide

MORE FROM DR. KATE DEE

Have a question, story, or insight to share?

Leave Dr. Dee a Note → https://drkatedee.com

Follow Her on Instagram: instagram.com/drkatedee

Learn about The MedSpa Board — the national registry that verifies legally compliant, doctor-led med spas.

Find a certified provider near you → MedspaBoard.com

Please leave us a review on Apple Podcast: HERE

Catch full podcast episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrKateDee

GLOW Medspa - Seattle, WA: https://glowspaseattle.com/

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before any aesthetic procedure.

Some episodes include anonymous or secondhand accounts; while accuracy is a priority, these stories represent individual experiences. Verify credenti...

What if looking like a swollen pumpkin for three days meant better skin for the next year?

Host Dr. Kate Dee takes you behind the scenes of her own RF microneedling and laser resurfacing treatment, showing you exactly what happens from the moment numbing cream goes on to the final recovery stages.

No filters, no editing out the swelling, just the real experience. You'll see how powerful topical anesthetics work, what the procedure actually feels like, and why some medspas can't legally offer the same level of numbing that makes this treatment tolerable.

Chapters:
01:15 – Why Real Numbing Protocols Can Matter More Than the Device
04:00 – What RF Microneedling and Laser Actually Feel Like
06:00 – Swelling Redness and the First 24 Hours After Treatment
08:10 – Real Costs What This Treatment Actually Runs
11:10 – Choosing the Right Device and Avoiding Fat Loss Risks
15:40 – Who This Is Safe For and the Questions You Must Ask Before Booking

Dr. Dee breaks down the difference between insulated and uninsulated needles, explains why not all RF microneedling devices are created equal, and shares the exact protocols that prevent complications like fat loss and scarring.

You’ll understand what questions to ask before booking RF microneedling anywhere. You'll learn how to spot red flags in pricing, why proper licensing matters for this procedure, and what realistic results look like over time. Dr. Dee also covers maintenance schedules, cost ranges in major cities, and why some patients end up with hyperpigmentation while others don't.

Stay until the end to hear the three essential questions you must ask any provider before letting them perform this treatment on your skin. Dr. Dee explains exactly what answers should make you walk away and what responses signal you've found a safe, qualified practice.

Press play and learn how to make smarter, safer decisions about RF microneedling.

Find or Get Your Medspa Certified: https://medspaboard.com/

Grab Your Copy of Medspa Mayhem the Book Today: HERE

Want the anti-aging essentials I actually use: Download my FREE Holiday Gift Guide

MORE FROM DR. KATE DEE

Have a question, story, or insight to share?

Leave Dr. Dee a Note → https://drkatedee.com

Follow Her on Instagram: instagram.com/drkatedee

Learn about The MedSpa Board — the national registry that verifies legally compliant, doctor-led med spas.

Find a certified provider near you → MedspaBoard.com

Please leave us a review on Apple Podcast: HERE

Catch full podcast episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrKateDee

GLOW Medspa - Seattle, WA: https://glowspaseattle.com/

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before any aesthetic procedure.

Some episodes include anonymous or secondhand accounts; while accuracy is a priority, these stories represent individual experiences. Verify credenti...

What happens when state investigators walk into over 200 med spas?

Host Dr. Kate Dee walks you through the shocking results of New York's investigation, where inspectors found cosmetologists injecting mystery substances and estheticians causing dangerous MRSA infections.

Now dermatology groups and lawmakers want to crack down hard, but their solution might accidentally target the good med spas along with the bad ones.

Chapters:
02:30 - When Nurses Cross the Legal Line
03:30 - How the Med Spa Industry Exploded to 20,000 Locations
03:47 - Unknown Injections and Fake Botox Exposed
07:30 - Dermatologists Push for New Laws After the Findings
10:30 - Why Not All Medical Spas Are the Same
12:30 - The Real Difference Between Legal and Illegal Med Spas
15:00 - How Even Doctors Can Operate Out of Compliance
18:30 - Why Over Half of Med Spas May Still Be Illegal
19:10 - What Changes Are Coming and Who Will Survive
20:30 - How Certification Protects Patients and Ethical Providers

Illegal practices aren't just happening in sketchy salons. Dr. Dee explains why even some board-certified doctors end up on the wrong side of the law, what makes a nurse-owned med spa legally risky, and how to spot the difference between a real medical practice and a business that's just pretending to be one.

If you're trying to find a safe place for your treatments or you own a med spa and want to stay ahead of what's coming, this episode gives you what you need to know. You'll walk away understanding how the best med spas can not only survive this but actually thrive.

Press play and Learn how to protect yourself by knowing the real difference between licensed medical care and unlicensed aesthetic services.

Want the anti-aging essentials I actually use: Download my FREE Holiday Gift Guide

MORE FROM DR. KATE DEE

Have a question, story, or insight to share?

Leave Dr. Dee a Note → https://drkatedee.com

Follow Her on Instagram: instagram.com/drkatedee

Learn about The MedSpa Board — the national registry that verifies legally compliant, doctor-led med spas.

Find a certified provider near you → MedspaBoard.com

Please leave us a review on Apple Podcast: HERE

Catch full podcast episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrKateDee

GLOW Medspa - Seattle, WA: https://glowspaseattle.com/

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before any aesthetic procedure.

Some episodes include anonymous or secondhand accounts; while accuracy is a priority, these stories represent individual experiences. Verify credenti...

What do celebrities actually look like right after their aesthetic treatments, and what can we learn from seeing the real recovery process?

SNL star Chloe Fineman recently shared something most celebrities never would: honest photos of herself immediately after various med spa procedures, complete with swelling, redness, and those tell-tale recovery signs.

Dr. Kate Dee breaks down exactly what treatments Chloe likely had done based on these revealing images and explains what each recovery process tells us about the procedure itself. From overfilled lips to laser-induced pigmentation patterns, you'll learn to recognize what's normal downtime versus what's a red flag.

Helping you understand what recovery should actually look like helps you know what to expect when you book your own treatments. Dr. Dee walks through the difference between aggressive procedures that require weeks of hiding at home versus gentler options with minimal downtime.

You'll also learn why certain treatments carry more risk depending on your skin tone and why filler complications remain the most dangerous issue in aesthetic medicine.

By the end, you'll understand how to choose treatments that fit your lifestyle, what questions to ask about recovery time, and how to spot when something's gone wrong.

Listen and learn why Chloe's honesty about the "ugly" phase of aesthetic treatments actually does more for patient safety than a thousand filtered Instagram posts ever could.

Find or Get Your Medspa Certified: https://medspaboard.com/

Want the anti-aging essentials I actually use: Download my FREE Holiday Gift Guide

MORE FROM DR. KATE DEE

Have a question, story, or insight to share?

Leave Dr. Dee a Note → https://drkatedee.com

Follow Her on Instagram: instagram.com/drkatedee

Learn about The MedSpa Board — the national registry that verifies legally compliant, doctor-led med spas.

Find a certified provider near you → MedspaBoard.com

Please leave us a review on Apple Podcast: HERE

Catch full podcast episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrKateDee

GLOW Medspa - Seattle, WA: https://glowspaseattle.com/

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before any aesthetic procedure.

Some episodes include anonymous or secondhand accounts; while accuracy is a priority, these stories represent individual experiences. Verify credenti...

What if finding a trustworthy med spa was as simple as asking ChatGPT or Gemini?

AI search is flipping the entire medical aesthetics industry upside down, and what it's exposing might make you rethink where you're getting your next treatment. The clinics showing up first aren't always the safest ones.

Host Dr. Kate Dee sits down with Michael Antosy, a marketing expert with 15 years in aesthetics, to spill the secrets the industry doesn't want you to know.

They dive straight into the messy stuff: champagne-fueled Botox parties that violate consent laws, fake board certifications plastered on websites, and HIPAA violations happening in plain sight on Google reviews.

Chapters:
00:04:47 - Did Google Just Rewrite the Rules for Med Spa Search?
00:09:36 - Why Doctor-Written Content Wins in AI Search
00:11:37 - What Patients Are Really Asking AI Before Booking
00:15:55 - How AI Decides Who Is Trustworthy
00:17:21 - Why Provider Bios Matter More Than Ever
00:20:14 - Reviews as Trust Signals
00:24:44 - HIPAA Review Mistakes That Can Get You in Trouble
00:29:14 - The Legal Risks of Botox Parties
00:34:54 - ADA Compliance
00:39:28 - How AI Could Make Med Spas Safer for Patients

You'll discover why some clinics dominate AI searches while legitimate doctors get buried. Michael breaks down Google's "helpful content update" and the EEAT framework in words you'll actually understand, so you can spot the difference between a licensed professional and someone running an illegal operation.

If you've ever felt uneasy about a med spa that looked perfect online but something felt wrong, they help you connect the dots. By the end, you'll know exactly what to ask AI to find a safe, qualified provider near you.

Listen and Learn how to use AI search as your safety net and avoid the med spas putting profit over patients.

Connect with guest: @michael.myadvice

Find or Get Your Medspa Certified: https://medspaboard.com/

Grab Your Copy of Medspa Mayhem the Book Today: HERE

Want the anti-aging essentials I actually use: Download my FREE Holiday Gift Guide

MORE FROM DR. KATE DEE

Have a question, story, or insight to share?

Leave Dr. Dee a Note → https://drkatedee.com

Follow Her on Instagram: instagram.com/drkatedee

Learn about The MedSpa Board — the national registry that verifies legally compliant, doctor-led med spas.

Find a certified provider near you → MedspaBoard.com

Please leave us a review on Apple Podcast: HERE

Catch full podcast episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrKateDee

GLOW Medspa - Seattle, WA: https://glowspaseattle.com/

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before any aesthetic procedure.

Some episodes include anonymous or secondhand accounts; while accuracy is a priority, these stories represent individual experiences. Verify credenti...

What if the med spa you trust doesn't have a license displayed, carries no insurance, or relies on unlicensed staff?

A new NYC report investigated 15 med spas and found violations in every single one. Dr. Kate Dee breaks down the findings that should concern anyone considering aesthetic treatments.

Dr. Dee walks through the "Moving the Needle" report that uncovered illegal practices across New York City's med spa landscape. From expired licenses to fake devices and nurses injecting without oversight, she explains what each violation means for your safety.

You'll learn which red flags showed up most often and why some of these problems could leave you with no legal recourse if something goes wrong. This helps you understand the difference between a legitimate medical facility and a place that's just taking your money.

Whether you're booking Botox, considering a laser treatment, or exploring any aesthetic procedure, Dr. Dee gives you the information you need before you walk through the door.

Plus, she shares why this report matters beyond New York and what it reveals about the industry nationwide.

Listen and learn how to protect yourself before your next appointment.

Read the “Moving the Needle,” to learn how some of these businesses are illegally blurring the line between spa and medical facility

Find or Get Your Medspa Certified: https://medspaboard.com/

Want the anti-aging essentials I actually use: Download my FREE Holiday Gift Guide

MORE FROM DR. KATE DEE

Have a question, story, or insight to share?

Leave Dr. Dee a Note → https://drkatedee.com

Follow Her on Instagram: instagram.com/drkatedee

Learn about The MedSpa Board — the national registry that verifies legally compliant, doctor-led med spas.

Find a certified provider near you → MedspaBoard.com

Please leave us a review on Apple Podcast: HERE

Catch full podcast episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrKateDee

GLOW Medspa - Seattle, WA: https://glowspaseattle.com/

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before any aesthetic procedure.

Some episodes include anonymous or secondhand accounts; while accuracy is a priority, these stories represent individual experiences. Verify credenti...

What has a med spa sales rep with 20 years of experience seen that keeps them up at night?

Host Dr. Kate Dee sits down with Rachel Phillips who’s been selling to med spas for over 20 years, and she's seen things that will shock you!

From doctors panic-calling her to train unqualified staff because their licensed person just quit to practices going out of business before patients can finish the treatment packages paid in full upfront.

Rachel spills everything about what really goes on behind closed doors in an industry that has exploded in growth over the past decade, now numbering in the tens of thousands nationwide.

Chapters:
02:25 - When Sales Pressure Conflicts With Patient Safety
05:10 - Why Trust Matters More Than Closing The Deal
07:45 - Untrained Hands And The Real Risk Of Devices
10:30 - The Hidden Cost Of Buying Used Lasers
13:20 - Financing Mistakes That Destroy Med Spas
16:05 - How Illegal Shortcuts Put Patients At Risk
19:10 - Why Most Consumers Cannot Spot Unsafe Clinics
22:15 - When Marketing Promises Outpace Medical Reality
26:00 - What Actually Works Versus Industry Hype
30:45 - How To Choose The Right Provider With Confidence
34:30 - Raising Standards And Protecting The Future Of Aesthetics

As a sales rep, Rachel has had to choose between making the sale and doing what's right, and not every rep makes the same choice. She breaks down why some practices spend money on treatments that will never work for their patients, and how aggressive marketing creates the complications that end up in lawsuits.

For medspa owners, Rachel shares truths about buying equipment you can't afford and marketing to deal shoppers when you're trying to build a luxury practice. Learn the real reason why so many med spas fail, why patients get hurt, and what needs to change.

Listen and learn what could save you thousands of dollars or prevent a serious medical complication.

Connect with guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelmichaels/

Find or Get Your Medspa Certified: https://medspaboard.com/

Grab Your Copy of Medspa Mayhem the Book Today: HERE

Want the anti-aging essentials I actually use: Download my FREE Holiday Gift Guide

MORE FROM DR. KATE DEE

Have a question, story, or insight to share?

Leave Dr. Dee a Note → https://drkatedee.com

Follow Her on Instagram: instagram.com/drkatedee

Learn about The MedSpa Board — the national registry that verifies legally compliant, doctor-led med spas.

Find a certified provider near you → MedspaBoard.com

Please leave us a review on Apple Podcast: HERE

Catch full podcast episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrKateDee

GLOW Medspa - Seattle, WA: https://glowspaseattle.com/

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before any aesthetic procedure.

Some episodes include anonymous or secondhand accounts; while accuracy is a priority, these stories represent individual experiences. Verify credenti...

What if that viral beauty hack you saw on TikTok is actually damaging your face?

Dr. Kate Dee sits down with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Angela Casey to expose the truth about at-home aesthetic treatments that are flooding the market. They're seeing something alarming in their clinics, and it's getting worse.

Innocent-looking products you can buy online right now are causing damage that takes months or even years to fix. Some of these disasters start in the kitchen. Others arrive in packages from overseas with instructions you can't even read.

Think you can spot the difference between a harmless beauty trend and a trip to the ER? Dr. Casey shares what happens when patients try to recreate professional procedures at home, and the results are not pretty.

For the best anti-aging essentials: Download my FREE Gift Guide

Chapters:
00:02:10 - The Lemon Juice Mistake
00:04:30 - The Exfoliation Myth
00:07:00 - Why Natural Can Backfire
00:10:22 - The At Home Tool You Shouldn’t Touch
00:13:30 - Do LED Masks Actually Work
00:19:00 - Laser Hair Removal Or Not Really
00:25:00 - The Trend That Seems Harmless
00:31:30 - The DIY Mistake That Can Blind You
00:35:00 - The Device Causing Permanent Damage
00:40:00 - What Smart Patients Do Instead

They walk through a hierarchy of risk, from the stuff that's just a waste of your money to the treatments that could actually cost you your vision or leave permanent damage on your skin.

Stay until the end as they reveal the two at-home devices that absolutely terrify them as medical professionals.

Listen and learn what's hiding in plain sight before you become the next cautionary tale.

Connect with guest: Dr. Angela Casey

Find or Get Your Medspa Certified: https://medspaboard.com/

Grab Your Copy of Medspa Mayhem the Book Today: HERE

Want the anti-aging essentials I actually use: Download my FREE Holiday Gift Guide

MORE FROM DR. KATE DEE

Have a question, story, or insight to share?

Leave Dr. Dee a Note → https://drkatedee.com

Follow Her on Instagram: instagram.com/drkatedee

Learn about The MedSpa Board — the national registry that verifies legally compliant, doctor-led med spas.

Find a certified provider near you → MedspaBoard.com

Please leave us a review on Apple Podcast: HERE

Catch full podcast episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrKateDee

GLOW Medspa - Seattle, WA: https://glowspaseattle.com/

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before any aesthetic procedure.

Some episodes include anonymous or secondhand accounts; while accuracy is a priority, these stories represent individual experiences. Verify credenti...