Med Spa Apocalypse Happening Right Now Forcing Hundreds to Close in This State | EP 85
Wed Feb 04 2026
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...
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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...