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Can I say it?

Can I say “permanent results” in a med spa ad?

It depends. 3 rules fired across 3 sample sentences, and the checker's own text explains why.

The short answer

It depends. The checker warns on this wording but does not block it. The first rule it hits is CG-TRE-003. Its reason: Promises of a permanent fix, lifetime results, a time-boxed total cure, or results on every person make an outcome claim no practice can substantiate, and they imply the product replaces proven treatment.

Source the rule cites: FTC Act section 5 and FTC Health Products Compliance Guidance (competent and reliable scientific evidence); FTC Endorsement Guides 16 CFR Part 255; FDCA section 502(a) (false or misleading labeling)

Checked as an ad promoting a clinical service.

A clear result is not an all-clear. The checker flags wording for review and does not know your evidence, your state or your platform's review. Read the limitations.

Sample wording, run through the checker

These are sentences written to contain the phrase, not real claims. Each ran through the real engine and the shipped rule-set when this site was built.

Sample 1 · actual checker output3 rules fired

Permanent results with no downtime.

  • WarningCG-TRE-003Efficacy and proof. Matched: “Permanent results”
  • WarningCG-ABS-005Absolute promises. Matched: “Permanent results”
  • WarningCG-TRK-009Absolute promises. Matched: “with no downtime”
Sample 2 · actual checker outputNo rule fired

Permanent hair removal in one session.

Sample 3 · actual checker output2 rules fired

Permanent results from a single injection.

  • WarningCG-TRE-003Efficacy and proof. Matched: “Permanent results”
  • WarningCG-ABS-005Absolute promises. Matched: “Permanent results”

What to say instead

This version came back with no rule fired:

Many people keep their results for a long time, but they vary. Book a consult to hear what to expect.

Actual checker output: no rule fired. It still has to be true for your business.

What the rules themselves suggest:

  • CG-TRE-003 Drop timelines, permanence and universal-result language. State a typical, substantiated result with the evidence behind it and say individual results vary.
  • CG-ABS-005 Say how long results lasted in the study you rely on, and for whom.
  • CG-TRK-009 Remove absolutes. State known risks and side effects in plain terms and avoid claiming safety over approved options.

The rules behind this answer

Reason, source and citation for each rule that fired, in the checker's own words. Blocking rules come first.

  1. CG-TRE-003 · Warns · Citation checked against stored text

    Promises of a permanent fix, lifetime results, a time-boxed total cure, or results on every person make an outcome claim no practice can substantiate, and they imply the product replaces proven treatment.

    Source: FTC Act section 5 and FTC Health Products Compliance Guidance (competent and reliable scientific evidence); FTC Endorsement Guides 16 CFR Part 255; FDCA section 502(a) (false or misleading labeling)

    Safer wording: Drop timelines, permanence and universal-result language. State a typical, substantiated result with the evidence behind it and say individual results vary.

    16 CFR Part 255 · Needs counsel review

  2. CG-ABS-005 · Warns

    Permanent or lifelong results are claims about durability that need long-term evidence.

    Source: FTC Act section 5; FTC Health Products Compliance Guidance

    Safer wording: Say how long results lasted in the study you rely on, and for whom.

    See source text · Needs counsel review

  3. CG-TRK-009 · Warns

    Absolute safety claims such as no hospital visits, no risk or zero recovery cannot be substantiated for medical procedures or hormone products and hide real adverse-event risk.

    Source: FTC Act section 5 and FTC Health Products Compliance Guidance (2022) on substantiation; FDA position on compounded bioidentical hormones; 21 USC 352(a)

    Safer wording: Remove absolutes. State known risks and side effects in plain terms and avoid claiming safety over approved options.

    See source text · Needs counsel review

Background: Typical results disclosure in the glossary.

Questions

Which rule covers permanence claims?

Rule CG-TRE-003. It cites 16 CFR Part 255. The rule's reason: Promises of a permanent fix, lifetime results, a time-boxed total cure, or results on every person make an outcome claim no practice can substantiate, and they imply the product replaces proven treatment.

What should I write instead?

The rule's own suggestion for rule CG-TRE-003: Drop timelines, permanence and universal-result language. State a typical, substantiated result with the evidence behind it and say individual results vary.

If the checker shows nothing, can I publish?

No. A clean result means none of the checker's rules matched. It does not weigh your evidence, your state or your platform's review, and it is not legal advice. Read the limitations page for what it misses.

Next step

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