Brooklyn med spas are inspected by both the New York State Department of State (Appearance Enhancement) and, depending on the medical procedures performed, by other state and city authorities. Inspectors do not give you a heads-up. The only protection is a space and a paper trail that are always inspection-ready.
This is the walkthrough checklist we run with our med spa clients on the night before any scheduled audit, and the same one we recommend for monthly self-inspections.
1. Treatment rooms
- Every horizontal surface (table, tray, counter, lamp arm) disinfected with an EPA-registered hospital-grade product, with the full label dwell time observed.
- Treatment table linens and drapes are clean and stored in a closed container; soiled linens are bagged separately and removed daily.
- Sharps container under the maximum fill line, properly labeled, and stored upright.
- All open product containers labeled with date opened and expiration date.
- Hand sanitizer and gloves stocked and visible.
- No clutter on counters; only what is needed for the next procedure.
2. Sterilization and instrument area
- Autoclave logbook current; spore tests up to date and filed.
- Sterile pouches dated, sealed, and stored in a closed cabinet.
- Clean and dirty workflow visibly separated; no overlap in storage.
- Single-use items (needles, cannulas, applicators) stored unopened until point of use.
3. Product storage
- Refrigerated medications at correct temperature; fridge log filled in daily.
- No expired products on shelves or in drawers, including testers and back-bar items.
- Cleaning chemicals stored separately from medical and cosmetic supplies.
- Safety Data Sheets accessible for every chemical on premises.
4. Restrooms and waiting area
- Restrooms cleaned, descaled, restocked, and logged.
- Waiting area surfaces and floors clean; magazines current; no visible dust on fixtures or vents.
- Hand sanitizer stocked at reception.
5. Staff and break areas
- Break room clean, with no client-facing supplies stored alongside food.
- Locker and uniform area tidy; soiled uniforms stored away from clean stock.
- Mop, broom, and cleaning carts stored properly when not in use.
6. Documentation binder ready at reception
- Current Appearance Enhancement license posted and photocopied in the binder.
- Medical director agreement and physician supervision documentation.
- Insurance certificates (general liability, malpractice, workers' comp).
- OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens program and training records.
- Cleaning logs, autoclave logs, fridge logs, and incident reports for the past year.
7. The walkthrough itself
Walk the space the way an inspector will: from the front door to the most private back room, then back out through the staff entrance. Look up at the vents and ceiling, look down at the baseboards, and open every cabinet. Anything you would not want an inspector to see is exactly what you fix tonight.
The TidyMole take
Inspection-readiness is not a one-night project. It is an operating standard. Med spas that keep their cleaning, documentation, and storage at this level all the time never have to scramble before an inspection, because they pass every walkthrough by default.