What Is LegitScript and How Is It Impacting the Medspa Industry?

If you own or manage a medical spa and you’ve tried running ads on Google, Meta (Facebook/Instagram), or other platforms, you may have encountered a roadblock called LegitScript. In recent years, this third-party certification has become increasingly important for medspas offering injectables, prescription-based treatments, or anything considered a "medical procedure."

But what exactly is LegitScript, and why does it matter for your marketing strategy?

In this article, we’ll break down what LegitScript is, why it’s required, and how it’s impacting the medspa industry—especially when it comes to digital advertising and growth.

What Is LegitScript?

LegitScript is a third-party verification and monitoring service that works with platforms like Google, Meta (Facebook/Instagram), TikTok, and Microsoft Ads to regulate and certify businesses in high-risk healthcare verticals.

They’re essentially the digital gatekeepers for any business offering:

• Prescription medications

• Controlled substances

• Addiction treatment

• Telehealth services

• Certain medical aesthetic procedures (like Botox, dermal fillers, laser treatments, etc.)

For medspas, LegitScript helps ensure that your practice is:

• Licensed to provide the treatments you’re offering

• Operating legally and ethically

• Qualified to advertise those services online

Why Does LegitScript Matter for Medspas?

In 2020, both Google and Meta implemented stricter policies requiring LegitScript certification for many healthcare businesses—including medical spas offering:

• Botox and dermal fillers

• PDO threads

• Medical-grade weight loss treatments (like semaglutide)

• IV therapy

• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

If you're trying to run ads for these services without LegitScript certification, you’ll likely see:

• Ads being disapproved

• Accounts being flagged or restricted

• In some cases, your entire ad account being suspended

So, even if you’re operating legally with proper licenses, you won’t be able to promote your services through paid ads unless you’ve gone through LegitScript’s application and approval process.

What Does the LegitScript Certification Process Look Like?

Getting certified isn’t as simple as checking a box—it’s a detailed review of your practice and compliance.

What You'll Need to Provide:

• Business licenses and corporate filings

• Provider credentials (NP, MD, PA, RN, etc.)

• Proof of malpractice and liability insurance

• Clinic address and verification of on-site operations

• Documentation proving all treatments are within legal and ethical guidelines

• Website and privacy policy reviews

• Consent and patient documentation templates

The LegitScript application typically takes 2–4 weeks, though delays can occur based on how complete your documentation is and how busy their queue is.

Cost of Certification:

As of 2024, LegitScript charges medspas:

• A one-time application fee (typically $900–$1,000)

• An ongoing annual fee based on services provided

How LegitScript Is Impacting the Medspa Industry

Now that major platforms require LegitScript approval for advertising, many medspas are feeling the pressure to either get certified or get left behind.

1. Increased Advertising Restrictions

Without certification, many medspas can no longer:

• Run paid search ads for Botox or fillers on Google

• Promote weight loss injections, HRT, or IV therapy on Facebook or Instagram

• Use retargeting ads to bring users back to high-conversion service pages

This dramatically reduces the ability to generate leads from paid traffic—especially for clinics that rely on ads for growth.

2. Compliance Is No Longer Optional

LegitScript forces medspas to tighten up internal compliance, which can be a positive shift—but it requires:

• Proper documentation

• Legitimate provider relationships (i.e., not just "renting a medical director")

• Accurate and compliant marketing claims

This weeds out “gray market” providers but also places a heavier burden on legitimate small business owners who now need to prove themselves to another third-party watchdog.

3. Leveling the Playing Field

The upside? Certified medspas now stand out. When you get LegitScript certified:

• You gain access to ad placements your competitors might not qualify for

• You build trust and credibility with clients who care about legitimacy

• You reduce your risk of sudden ad account shutdowns

How to Prepare Your Medspa for LegitScript Certification

If you're serious about running compliant, high-converting ad campaigns, getting LegitScript-certified is no longer optional—it’s a necessity.

Here’s how to get ahead of it:

1. Audit Your Practice

Make sure your:

• Medical director agreement is up-to-date

• Staff credentials are clearly documented

• Malpractice and business insurance is active

• Website content accurately reflects services and includes disclaimers

2. Build a Clean Website

LegitScript will review your website, so make sure it:

• Has a privacy policy and terms of use

• Avoids exaggerated claims (“Botox that erases 10 years instantly!” = 🚫)

• Lists licensed providers

• Uses clear, accurate service descriptions

3. Apply in Advance

Don’t wait until your ads get rejected—start the application early so you're ready to run campaigns during key times (e.g., holiday promos, new service launches).

You can apply directly at LegitScript.com.

Do You Need LegitScript If You Only Do Organic Marketing?

Technically, no. If you're only relying on organic traffic through SEO, referrals, or social media content (not paid ads), you may not need LegitScript right away.

But here's the catch:

• Platforms like Instagram may still flag your content if it discusses prescription products

• SEO is powerful, but slower to build traction compared to paid ads

• If you ever decide to scale quickly or compete on Google Ads, you’ll hit the wall

Bottom line: Even if you’re not using ads now, getting certified is a smart long-term move.

Final Thoughts: LegitScript Is a Barrier—But Also a Badge of Trust

The rise of LegitScript has created new challenges for medspa owners—but it’s also pushing the industry toward higher standards and more transparent practices.

If you’re a legitimate, licensed provider offering medical-grade aesthetic services, LegitScript certification is your golden ticket to running compliant, effective ad campaigns—and staying competitive in an industry that’s growing by the day.

Need Help With Medspa Marketing or LegitScript Strategy?

At Medspa Millions, we help medical spas navigate LegitScript, build compliant websites, and run profitable ad campaigns that drive leads and bookings. Whether you’re starting from scratch or scaling up, we’ve got your back.

👉 Book a free strategy call and we’ll help you map out your next steps.