The medical aesthetics devices market is one of the fastest growing in the world, expected to reach $17,992 million in 2023. Technological advancements in recent years have resulted in non-invasive aesthetic procedures that are driving up the growth of this market. With many clinics and med spas offering a similar suite of services, how do practitioners gain an edge in such a competitive landscape? They do it by finding clever ways to bring costs down and asking the right questions of manufacturers.
To that end, we put together a guide to help optimize your medical aesthetics devices, save you money, protect your investment, and make sure you’re using technology to its full potential for the benefit of patients.
What Are The Hidden Costs For Medical Aesthetics Devices?
It can be overwhelming when you factor in all the costs associated with cosmetic skin treatments and owning medical aesthetics devices. There is an urgent need for clarity to navigate through consumables, training, service fees, warranties, and maintenance.
THE CONSUMABLES
Buying a device is not always the most expensive part. Consumables are goods used that must be replaced regularly because they wear out or are used up. In the medical aesthetics device space, consumables are items such as lotions, handpiece covers, eye shields, and pads you must replace after every use. Many device manufacturers create technology that needs one-time-use consumables to keep bringing in revenue from their aesthetic professional clientele. That’s why it’s important to seek out devices designed with minimum upkeep and recycling in mind, and steer clear of those that try to hold your wallet hostage with disposables.
Our Tip: Purchase devices that have few to no consumables.
TRAINING COSTS
There are few things scarier than a laser or other esthetician equipment in untrained hands. Some manufacturers prey on that fear by charging thousands of dollars for training after purchase. There is no arguing that training is essential – some states, like Texas and Arizona, even require a certification for personnel who operate lasers, IPL, radiofrequency, or other thermal devices. However, you can purchase medical aesthetics machines that include extensive training with clinical specialists at no extra cost. It’s possible to find suppliers who don’t wave goodbye after one in-person class – they provide ongoing professional development to train and refresh regularly to make sure you’re following the latest research, clinical trials, and upgrades.
Our Tip: Choose manufacturers who offer free, continuous training with the purchase of a device (like Medicreations).
BLOATED DEVICE COSTS
Many manufacturers charge a high upfront cost of $120K to $300K for new medical aesthetics devices to get as much money as they possibly can from their customers. Factors such as research and development, substantial trials to gain FDA approval, COVID-19 production/supply shutdown, and insurance can contribute to high costs, but be wary of what seems astronomical. Conversely, quality shouldn’t suffer for a bargain. It’s risky to purchase cheap devices in the $500 to $5K range found on third-party websites such as Alibaba, Glownar, and Amazon. These are mostly made overseas in Asia, don’t function well, and break frequently.
Our Tip: Shop around and compare prices of comparable devices from different manufacturers. Make sure you purchase devices directly from the manufacturer.
SERVICE FEES
Medical aesthetics devices are a significant investment and that is why many manufacturers offer a maintenance and service contract to increase shelf life. It’s hard to wrap your head around needing this when the device is shiny and new, but sticking to a routine maintenance schedule could save you money in the long run and enhance warranties by providing coverage for a longer period. Maintenance contracts tend to be cheaper than callouts for one-off repairs – not including the cost of replacement parts and lost revenue if you can’t see patients. A contract typically means routine servicing, as well as access to thorough inspections, emergency repairs, and replacements.
Our Tip: Get a maintenance and service contract when you purchase a device.
COST OF SERVICE AFTER WARRANTY ENDS
A warranty policy on your device is very important because it impacts long-term profitability and return on investment. Just one breakdown without a warranty can cost $3K in parts and labor. The average warranty for devices is one year for new equipment and could cost thousands annually. A great way to determine whether a warranty price quote is competitive or not is to estimate the cost of repairing your equipment two times per year. If the yearly cost of the warranty is less than the estimated non-warranty repair costs, then it’s a smart buy.
Many companies will entice you with what sounds like a full year of unlimited servicing without restrictions. But pay attention to the fine print – are all components covered? Are there limits on the number of repairs available? Is it worth it to buy coverage after your initial warranty expires? Reputable manufacturers should be able to provide you with extended warranties without exclusions. A typical service contract should not cost you more than 8-10% annually after the expiration of the warranty period. If you choose not to renew a service contract, a medical aesthetics devices manufacturer may require a technician to assess the equipment before reissuing a warranty. The fees for this could tally upwards of $15K. Gulp.
Our Tip: Be sure to purchase a device that you can afford to service after the warranty ends.
Questions You Should Ask Manufacturers of Medical Aesthetics Devices Before You Buy
Effective questions influence revenue so it’s important you do your due diligence when choosing a medical aesthetics devices vendor. Using our industry knowledge, we compiled questions for manufacturers that you may not think to ask.
CAN WE SEE A DEMO OF THE DEVICE BEING USED?
No one would buy a car without a test drive and the same goes for medical aesthetics devices. Request to watch the device being used before you buy it. A demo gives you an opportunity to see if the device is user-friendly and analyze performance before making a final purchase.
ARE THERE ANY CONSUMABLES FOR THE DEVICE?
Even after you’ve paid off your medical aesthetics devices, you may still have extra costs going to consumables like gel cleansers, gauze, and dermal rollers which can cost $50 to $500 per use. It’s critical to have a realistic picture on consumable spend when deciding what devices belong in your arsenal.
WHAT TYPES OF PEOPLE CAN AND CAN’T BE TREATED BY THIS DEVICE?
When choosing medical aesthetics devices, it’s most important to consider your clientele. For example, laser hair removal can treat all skin types, while intense pulsed light (IPL) cannot be safely used on darker skin tones. The way IPL machines interact with melanin increases the risk of burning the skin for melanin-rich patients. It would be unfortunate to purchase a device only to realize it’s off limits for most patients. Ideally, the device you buy should be able to treat as many people as possible.
WHERE IS THE DEVICE AND ITS COMPONENTS MANUFACTURED?
It’s crucial to know the origin of your device and its components. Nearly every medical aesthetics device is built overseas – some by reputable manufacturers that produce machines to safe standards. However, as the demand for non-surgical, machine-based treatments continues to grow, so do cheap, unsafe machines that break easily and can be downright dangerous. There are several benefits to devices being designed, sourced, and assembled in the U.S. with American workers, such as more quality control, shortened lead times, faster response time, more jobs, and environmental friendliness. Medicreations is proud to be one of the few American aesthetic device manufacturers that builds its products in the U.S.
DO YOU CHARGE FOR TRAINING?
A lack of training is a huge liability and can mean practitioners are not using devices to their full capabilities. Training is critical whether you’re paying for it or not, but the good news is some manufacturers do offer hands-on teaching, free of charge.
DO YOU OFFER CONTINUOUS TRAINING?
One training lesson is not enough to keep practitioners and patients safe. Who better to teach you than technicians most familiar with the device itself? Inquire whether the manufacturer can help you invest in ongoing professional development and refreshes to keep on the cutting edge of aesthetic technology and latest clinical trials.
WHAT PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE NEEDS TO BE DONE ON THE DEVICE?
Medical aesthetics devices need to be taken care of regularly and kept in near perfect condition so they last. Routine maintenance includes activities such as cleaning filters, servicing handpieces, checking cooling system levels, and safe storage. Manufacturers can act as your sensei to help you take care of your machine or recalibrate the equipment themselves.
WHAT IS YOUR WARRANTY FOR THE DEVICE?
Device warranty can have significant ramifications on your business. It pays to understand the major provisions of a warranty so you can make the right choice for your practice, med spa, or salon. At Medicreations, we fix or replace any device we sell for a period of two years at our expense if there’s any technical issue. That’s twice the length of most other manufacturers.
WHAT IS THE COST OF SERVICE AFTER THE WARRANTY ENDS?
After the warranty is up on medical aesthetics devices, you’re responsible for repairing and servicing your device. Annual servicing contracts can cost thousands of dollars and that may not include labor and parts. It’s critical to learn as much as you can about these costs so you can plan accordingly, perhaps, securing a reliable repair company or keeping up with preventative maintenance.
WHAT KIND OF CUSTOMER SERVICE CAN BE EXPECTED IF A DEVICE IS PURCHASED?
Most manufacturers will assign buyers a sales representative who is your contact for customer care to ensure the successful launch of your device. It’s important to know who will be on speed dial and exactly how that support is managed.
The Medicreations Difference
Our commitment and expertise goes far beyond state-of-the-art technology. Every device in our lineup is built in the U.S. by a team of experienced technicians and sold for significantly less than half the price of comparable devices. We include a comprehensive two-year warranty, complimentary training, and design devices with few to no consumables. Our complete control over the supply chain ensures we can deliver the highest quality medical aesthetics devices, affordably. Check out our lineup of aesthetic devices today!
Invest In Top-of-Class Medical Aesthetic Devices That Are Also Affordable
So many brilliant practitioners are limited by their resources, but that is about to change. Ready to invest in your med spa, salon, clinic, or practice and see how far you go? Contact Medicreations today to learn how our devices can position you for relevance and meaningful growth while helping patients feel amazing.
