From anti-wrinkle injections, facials, and liposuction to hair transplantation and hair removal treatments, medical spas offer a wide array of cosmetic procedures. Representing the latest niche in cosmetic surgery and medicine, med spas are practically modern and undeniably the fastest-growing industry worldwide.
The availability of entry-level treatments with reduced recovery times and more affordable pricing than they used to lead people to opt for these treatments, even despite current economic downturns.
Here’s an interesting fact: In the US, the medspa industry is currently valued at approximately $5.4 billion, and is projected to reach $25.9 billion globally by 2026.
So if now’s not the right time to open a medical spa business, then when? However, it’s not quite that simple.
To open a successful medical spa, you first must understand some key requirements, and we’re here to help with that…
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Understanding the medical spa industry
Opening a medical spa requires careful planning and a deep understanding of the industry.
A med spa is different from a traditional spa due to the medical treatments it provides. Medical spas provide personalized experiences and treatments to clients who seek both relaxation and cosmetic enhancements.
They aim to enhance the physical and mental well-being of clients with services like laser treatments, anti-wrinkle treatments, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, and more, all administered by licensed medical professionals or aestheticians.
In most states, only licensed physicians can own med spas. Non-physicians, on the other hand, need to partner with an MSO (Management Service Organization) so do so.
Check this detailed guide to understand how MSOs help med spas.
Medical requirements and licensing requirements
In most states, medical spas are regulated similarly to medical practices. This means that, in addition to standard business requirements, owners of medical spas must also adhere to the regulations overseeing medical practices.
HIPAA
In your med spa, each client is a patient. You’ll need to keep an up-to-date medical record system, handle sensitive patient information, store medical intake forms, informed consent, and medical history of your clients. All these documents have to be handled with sensitivity and comply with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) rules.
So, to not miss anything important, you should have robust processes in place regarding HIPAA to protect your client’s information. This will include:
- Establishing policies for collecting and storing PHI (protected health information), including physical copies and digital records.
- Conducting regular audits to ensure ongoing compliance.
- Training employees on these policies.
It’s crucial not to overlook this aspect of your business as HIPAA fines typically range from $100 to $50,000 per violation, and may even involve criminal charges.
Of course, it’s not just the financial implications. You will also lose patient trust and your med spa’s reputation.
OSHA
If you plan to start a medical aesthetics business, you must be particularly attentive to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. This is because your staff may come in touch with bloodborne pathogens and other biohazards while performing some services.
That’s why it’s essential to create thorough protocols for cleaning procedures and disposing of medical waste, such as syringes and gloves.
Similar to HIPAA, OSHA violations can result in significant penalties, but following an OSHA checklist can help you stay adherent to these regulations.
Insurance requirements
Effective risk management is essential for the sustained success of your medical spa.
Without insurance, your business could face substantial financial strain if sued for negligence, property damage, or injuries, with median liability lawsuit costs starting at $54,000.
Even minor incidents, such as a simple hand injury, can result in significant medical bills. Without insurance coverage, these expenses paid out-of-pocket could cripple your business’s financial health, making recovery difficult.
There are several types of insurance you’ll need:
- General liability: This covers expenses that arise from accidents, such as medical costs and property damage.
- Medical malpractice: This covers expenses associated with disputes and malpractice lawsuits.
- Workers’ compensation insurance: This covers lost wages and medical costs for staff injured in a workplace incident.
Med spa’s liability insurance policies can also be tailored to your practice’s specific needs. Standard policies typically cover liabilities associated with various aesthetic and medical procedures, including antiwrinkle injections, chemical peels, dermal filler injections, laser therapy, and more.
Here’s a thorough compliance checklist that will help you smoothly operate your med spa.
Other key requirements for running a successful medical spa
Opening a medical spa is like cracking a safe; you need the right combination to unlock success.
So, here’s a list of the “safe numbers” you’ll need for a successful grand opening of your medical spa business.
Hiring qualified and trained staff members
Since medical spas offer medical services alongside cosmetic treatments, you’ll need licensed physicians or qualified healthcare providers, like nurse practitioners, cosmetologists, and physicians on your team.
Thoughtful and ethical hiring practices and a thorough interview process are crucial to find the very best candidates.
Maintaining high service standards by verifying that all staff members hold valid medical licenses and relevant experience in their fields is also a must.
Typically, med spas need to hire healthcare professionals like RNS (registered nurses), licensed aestheticians, estheticians, and physician assistants, but also a receptionist, accountant, office administrator, and technical support to get the business up and running faster.
Having a designated Medical Director (MD) on your team is also essential for overseeing patient care and safety protocols.
State-of-the-art equipment and technology
Every med spa offers practically the same services — skincare treatments, injectables, fillers, laser hair removal… you know the score. But, the new equipment and technology you choose are what will make your med spa stand out.
That’s why it’s important to always keep an eye on the latest technology in the industry, and invest in quality equipment like Hydrafacial machines, LED light therapy devices, dermaplaning tools, radiofrequency skin tightening devices, robust practice management software, and more.
Not sure what there’s a buzz about right now? Check some of the predicted trends for 2024 in the medical spa industry.
Effective marketing and branding strategies
Effective marketing strategy starts with building a strong online presence through active social media profiles and a professionally designed website.
These platforms should effectively show the medical and spa services you offer and client testimonials and also engage with potential and existing clients.
However, there’s no one size fits all. In crafting your marketing strategy, it’s crucial to factor in elements such as your target clientele, their location, and previous experiences.
Also, if your primary client acquisition channel is online, integrating specialized booking platforms directly into your website is vital. This seamless integration enables potential clients to easily access information on available treatments and schedule appointments online.
Marketing and advertising a medical spa, though, comes with specific considerations due to the unique rules in healthcare marketing. Medical professionals should avoid making deceptive, misleading, or false claims in their ads such as being “the best” or promising specific cosmetic results.
Exceptional customer service
In the world of med spas, the “master key” is providing exceptional customer service.
You want your clients to feel not just satisfied, but truly cared for and valued during their time in your med spa. And it’s not just about the treatment itself.
That means creating a welcoming and friendly environment, offering personalized consultations that cater to each client’s unique needs, and checking in with them after their appointment to make sure everything exceeds their expectations.
And when it comes to feedback and any complaints they might have, you should be all ears. Handling client feedback will help you improve both their experience and your services, so take it seriously and always strive to do better.
Financial management and pricing strategies
The start-up costs to open a medical spa usually range between $700,000 and $1,000,000, and before launching your med spa business, it’s crucial to secure this capital.
However, this is not a figure you can come across at any time — the costs for property, equipment, branding, renovations, staff, supplies, and marketing can quickly add up.
Raising capital through investments, securing personal or business loans from banks, forming partnerships with companies or fellow professionals, and renting instead of buying equipment are only a few strategies that can help you secure enough finances to cover all your expected expenses.
Setting the right prices is also crucial for a successful medical spa launch. You should start with market research — analyzing competitors’ pricing to develop a competitive yet profitable plan, but don’t forget to also factor in service quality, staff expertise, and your target market’s purchasing power.
Health and safety protocols
Adhering to health and hygiene standards should be your utmost priority.
You should follow industry guidelines and implement safety measures as it will help your medical spa ensure the safety and well-being of your clients and staff.
This includes essential practices such as maintaining clean and sterilized equipment, as well as regularly testing the water quality in hydrotherapy pools and hot tubs to prevent infections.
Ensure compliance for your medspa with Pabau
Pabau is an all-in-one practice management software — a must-have technology that will help you with critical operations processes if you own a med spa.
From scheduling, to keeping detailed client records, to compliance, to marketing, Pabau can do it all.
Set up an online bookings so that clients can schedule appointments online, 24/7, at their convenience. With a comprehensive EMR, you can also store all client details, appointment history, before and after photos, and so on in the system, keeping it safe – but retrievable – when you need it.
Additionally, its robust features will support you in staying adherent to HIPAA and OSHA regulations.
And that’s not all. With Pabau, you can easily execute marketing campaigns, manage your inventory, manage your finances with point-of-sale software, and run reports.
Pabau can help you run your business, end to end. Discover all the features it offers for your med spa today.
