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In a no-holds-barred interview on Culture Apothecary, Whitney Ray Di Bona didn’t pull any punches when it came to the medspa industry. Toxic product injury lawyer turned advocate for safer beauty, Di Bona went straight for the jugular, calling CoolSculpting “the biggest sham” medspas offer today.

The interview, hosted by Alex Clark, whose YouTube channel has over 437K subscribers, dives deep into the medspa industry with Di Bona – and hit on Botox, Vendors, Microneedling and more. 

Medspa Bombshells: What Whitney Ray Di Bona Said

CoolSculpting Is Riskier Than Advertised

Di Bona dropped the hammer on CoolSculpting, claiming that the procedure’s manufacturers downplayed the risk of paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH), a condition where fat cells grow larger instead of shrinking.

She pointed out that while rare, PAH is a serious side effect, and medspa owners aren’t always upfront with clients about the risks.

“They fudge the numbers,” Di Bona alleged, calling for more transparency in how these risks are communicated to clients.

Watch the medspa section starting at 24:15 for the full discussion. The CoolSculpting controversy begins around 36:01.

Regular Microneedling Is Great, but RF Microneedling? Not So Much

While Di Bona is a fan of traditional microneedling for improving skin texture and boosting collagen, she warned against radiofrequency (RF) microneedling.

According to her, RF microneedling can lead to fat loss in the face, which can actually accelerate aging rather than prevent it.

This has been a discussion in the industry so medspa owners should make sure their providers are properly trained.

 

Vampire Facials Aren’t as Glamorous as They Seem

While vampire facials sound cutting-edge and trendy, Di Bona explained how improper procedures can lead to infections, including cases of HIV transmission due to unsterile equipment. She cautioned listeners to be wary of medspas that don’t follow rigorous safety protocols.

The Real Role of Pharmaceutical Reps in Medspas

In a no-holds-barred critique, Di Bona warned medspa owners about falling prey to slick pharmaceutical reps. She described how some reps oversell treatments or devices with exaggerated claims, leaving medspas on the hook for costly equipment that doesn’t deliver.

Botox and Dysport Dependency

Even beloved treatments like Botox and Dysport came under scrutiny. Di Bona expressed concerns about how overuse can lead to a cycle of dependency, with clients feeling like they must keep coming back to maintain results indefinitely.

“I feel a little bit, almost lied to, or very misled on the whole Botox thing… any injector is going to tell you every 3-4 months you better get back in there…they should be tell you other things you should be doing to take care of your skin the meantime.”

Industry Impact: What This Means for Your Practice

Beyond the eye-opening critiques, Di Bona’s insights offer an opportunity to assess and improve business practices.

Risk Management Priorities

  • Review and update your informed consent processes.
  • Document all risk discussions thoroughly.
  • Train staff on transparent risk communication.
  • Implement robust safety protocols, especially for new or trending treatments.

Equipment Investment Strategy

  • Evaluate purchase decisions based on performance data, not sales pressure.
  • Conduct a thorough ROI analysis before making significant equipment investments.
  • Develop clear protocols for introducing new technologies to clients.
  • Consider equipment financing alternatives to avoid overextending your practice.

Treatment Protocols

  • Review your treatment frequency recommendations to ensure they prioritize long-term client health.
  • Assess package pricing structures to maintain profitability without encouraging unnecessary treatments.
  • Balance profitability with ethical treatment planning by ensuring clients receive only what they need.
  • Document treatment progressions and outcomes to track effectiveness and mitigate potential legal risks.

Beyond Medspas: What Else Whitney Covered in the Interview

This interview wasn’t just about medspas. Here are some other major topics Di Bona touched on:

 

  • Toxic ingredients in makeup
    Di Bona calls out brands like Maybelline, Revlon, and L’Oréal for using talc that can be contaminated with asbestos.
  • Clean beauty confusion
    She highlights how the term “clean beauty” is largely unregulated, meaning many so-called “clean” brands still use questionable ingredients.
  • Corporate cover-ups
    From Johnson & Johnson’s notorious baby powder scandal to other beauty giants’ tactics for avoiding lawsuits, Di Bona lays bare how companies dodge responsibility.
  • Her favorite non-toxic products
    Di Bona gave a shoutout to brands like Humble Brands for deodorant and Natural Sloth Candles for non-toxic home fragrances.

Final Takeaway: Strengthening Your Practice

For the aesthetic industry, these revelations aren’t just cautionary tales—they’re opportunities to strengthen practices, enhance client trust, and build more sustainable businesses.

The question isn’t whether to adapt to these insights, but how quickly you’ll implement changes to stay ahead of industry challenges.

Whether it’s reassessing your equipment strategy, refining risk communication, or improving treatment protocols, these steps can help you stand out in a crowded market and safeguard your business from potential pitfalls.

Want More?

If you’re curious about the rest of the interview, including Whitney’s product recommendations and surprising insights into Botox risks, watch the full episode on YouTube here.

You can also visit Beauty Justice and listen to Whitney’s podcast

Navigating Beauty Safely: Real Stories and Legal Advice with Whitney Ray Di Bona

Follow Whitney Ray Di Bona and Alex Clark on Instagram for more updates:

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