MedSpa Institute

MedSpa Institute opened in 2003, started by Dr. Tali Arviv, MD, and Rita Kruse, and remains independently owned rather than belonging to a chain. Kruse had earlier operated the Electrolysis Institute of Tampa, which also began in 2003 and was later renamed the Beauty and Health Institute. The Tampa campus dates from 2003, and a Miami campus was added in 2017. Dr. Arviv separately established Arviv Medical Aesthetics in 2014, with practices in Tampa, Miami and Ocala. Students may optionally log clinical observation hours at those practices.

The main Florida Facial Specialist program totals 220 clock hours. Of these, 149 are theory, taken online at the student's own pace on a platform that records hours for state compliance, and 71 are practical training completed on campus. The theory portion covers skin anatomy and conditions, facial methods and contraindications, hair removal, Florida law and regulations, sanitation and clinical practice. On-campus practical sessions cover basic facials, eyelash application, hair removal, makeup application and manual extractions. Hands-on groups have a maximum of 18 students per instructor. Completion ranges from four weeks at the fastest to eight at the slowest, and a full-time schedule takes seven weeks. Campus practical days are set with the campus and run at least three days a week.

Advanced tracks are short, modular certifications for Florida-licensed facial specialists. Estheticians in Florida cannot inject neuromodulators or fillers, a scope limit the school explains to students.

Enrollment is rolling, with no cohorts or fixed start dates, and theory can begin the same day enrollment and the deposit are complete. There is no application fee, applicants hear back within one business day, and every applicant speaks with an admissions advisor before enrolling. Applicants must be at least 16, with a parent or guardian co-signing for those under 18, and need a high school diploma, GED or college diploma plus a government photo ID. Each campus holds an open house on Saturdays from 11 AM to 3 PM with no appointment needed. Miami offers bilingual English and Spanish support, and Spanish tutoring is available.

Training starts with anatomy and skin layers before any product use, then moves into supervised treatments. The school says all instructors are licensed, working practitioners.

Both campuses are set up as working clinics, with treatment rooms and a clinic floor for hands-on practice.