Florida's Med Spa Industry Faces Calls for Stronger Oversight

Law firm highlights patient safety concerns as rapid growth outpaces regulation

Mar. 1, 2026 at 5:23am

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Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa, a leading Florida law firm, is calling for stronger oversight of the state's rapidly expanding medical spa industry following a recent op-ed by Shareholder Gregory M. Yaffa. The op-ed, published in the Sun Sentinel, analyzes allegations that a patient suffered serious burns during a laser procedure at a Florida med spa where no physician directly supervised the treatment despite statutory requirements for medical oversight.

Why it matters

The med spa industry in Florida has seen rapid growth, but the law does not clearly define what a 'med spa' is, and procedures that carry real medical risk are often performed without meaningful physician supervision. This raises serious patient safety concerns, as lasers and other medical treatments can cause burns, scarring, and permanent injury if improperly used.

The details

Yaffa's op-ed explains that under Florida law, procedures such as laser treatments require physician supervision, but the Sun Sentinel's investigation found examples of medical directors located far from the facilities they oversee, supervising multiple locations simultaneously, or receiving monthly fees despite limited on-site involvement. While these arrangements may technically comply with fragmented regulatory language, they may still fall short of the standard of care patients reasonably expect.

  • On February 20, 2026, Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa highlighted the growing patient safety concerns within Florida's rapidly expanding medical spa industry.

The players

Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa

A leading Florida law firm dedicated to advocating for victims of mass torts, medical malpractice and corporate negligence.

Gregory M. Yaffa

A shareholder at Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa who authored an op-ed titled 'Florida's Med Spa Boom Is Testing the Limits of the Law'.

Sun Sentinel

A news publication that reported on allegations of a patient suffering serious burns during a laser procedure at a Florida med spa.

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What they’re saying

“Florida's statutes do not clearly define what a 'med spa' is, yet these businesses routinely perform procedures that carry real medical risk. When meaningful physician supervision is absent, patient safety becomes an afterthought.”

— Gregory M. Yaffa, Shareholder

“Direct supervision is not decorative language. Lasers can cause burns, scarring, and permanent injury when improperly used. If a physician never evaluates the patient or meaningfully reviews the treatment plan, serious legal questions arise.”

— Gregory M. Yaffa, Shareholder

“Medical judgment must remain in the hands of licensed physicians. When supervision becomes nominal rather than substantive, risk increases.”

— Gregory M. Yaffa, Shareholder

What’s next

The article suggests that consumers should approach med spa treatments as medical procedures, not cosmetic retail services, and confirm the identity and qualifications of the medical director, whether a physician has personally evaluated them, whether a doctor will be physically present or immediately available, and the protocol in place for handling complications.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for stronger regulation and oversight of Florida's rapidly growing med spa industry, as the lack of clear definitions and meaningful physician supervision poses significant risks to patient safety. Lawmakers and regulators must act to ensure that medical procedures are performed under the appropriate level of medical oversight to protect consumers.