I Want to Add Cosmetic Lasers to my Business

The cosmetic laser industry has grown exponentially over the past decade due to a number of factors, including social media and an aging baby boomer population.

The good news for those in the medical aesthetics industry is that the demand for cosmetic laser techs is projected to grow well into the future. With this in mind, more people are considering adding cosmetic lasers to their businesses.

But just how much can you make on the average treatment?

The Cost of Cosmetic Treatments

According to Medgadget, the cosmetic lasers market is categorized into:

• Pigmented lesions
• Skin rejuvenation
• Vascular lesions
• Acne and scars
• Hair removal
• Leg veins and varicose veins
• And specific applications such as gynecological conditions (feminine rejuvenation) and toenail fungus.

To that list, we would add tattoo removal, teeth whitening, skin tag removal, stretch mark reduction, cellulite reduction and nonsurgical body contouring.

Now, let’s take a closer look at typical market rates for some of these services:

Laser hair removal – The time it takes to perform laser hair removal depends on the size and density of the treatment area. But smaller areas such as the underarms, upper lip and bikini take less than 15 minutes! Full legs typically take longer — around 45 minutes. And the cost to the consumer? Smaller areas typically range from $110 to $165 per treatment while larger areas go for anywhere from $275 to $375. For optimal results, 6 to 8 treatments are typically needed. So, if a client requests treatment in an area that costs $165, and she requires eight treatments, that’s $1,320 dollars for just two hour’s worth of the cosmetic laser technician’s time.

Photofacial skin rejuvenation – Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is an ideal treatment for sun damage, freckles, fine lines, broken capillaries and redness. Photofacials can be administered to just about every part of the face and body. Depending on the size of the treatment area, it takes only 20 minutes to complete. For optimal results, 3-5 treatments are recommended with regular maintenance about every 6 months. At approximately $250 per treatment area, this is a frequently requested service.

Radio frequency – While radio frequency treatments go deeper than photofacials, they are still considered a minimally invasive treatment with little to no downtime. Radio frequencyis perfect for treating wrinkles, acne and acne scars. It’s also safe and effective for all skin types. An radio frequency treatment takes just 30 minutes or less and cost approximately $595 per treatment area. There is a cost of about $40-$80 for the consumable tips, depending on the number of “pulses” it contains.

Profractional laser for anti-aging – Profractional laser treatments are more aggressive than other types of anti-aging treatments. This cosmetic treatment increases collagen production, removes surface damage and provides advanced toning and tightening. Profractional facial treatments take about 30 minutes, plus time for a topical numbing cream application. While one client is “numbing”, you can treat another client. Treatments run anywhere between $1,300-$2,000 per treatment.

CoolSculpting – Today’s nonsurgical body contouring has quickly become a highly requested treatment due to high client satisfaction and little to no downtime needed. CoolSculpting freezes and eliminates stubborn fat that is resistant to diet and exercise. In just one hour, you can literally sculpt the body your client has always wanted. And at approximately $800 per area, it’s a very lucrative treatment for the business owner, too. There are some associate overhead costs such as the time cards for cycles (you insert a computerized chip that’s been preloaded with machine time), and those typically cost about $150 per treatment. Still, $650 per hour is not bad!

When it comes to laser and IPL equipment, there are several options including purchasing, leasing, financing or renting equipment—depending on your business’ needs, client demand and of course, your budget. For an in-depth look at equipment options, check out The Expert’s Guide to Buying Laser Equipment.

Whether you’re already in the healthy and beauty industry and wanting to add cosmetic lasers to your business, or just getting started—as you can see, cosmetic lasers can be highly profitable.

For more information on a cosmetic laser education or any of our medical aesthetics courses, click here or call us at 800-982-6817.