How to Start Medical Aesthetic Clinic Business

Do you want to start an aesthetic clinic business? If so, find here a detailed business plan guide to start this business covering issues with licenses and permits, startup costs, and inventory required.

The medical aesthetics business has steadily grown in the mid-2000s. Medical practices like laser hair removal, skin peeling, skin needling, botox injections, acne treatments, and body sculpting come under this category.

The medical aesthetic is probably going to be the largest revenue creator in the healthcare industry. The global market as per this report is worth USD 15.4 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 25.9 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 11.0%.

20 Steps to Start an Aesthetic Clinic Business

1. Check Eligibility

If you are already a certified aesthetic practitioner, you can skip this chapter. For beginners,  it is important to understand a thing or two about this profession. Aestheticians, or estheticians, are licensed cosmetology professionals who cleanse and treat the skin. They typically perform a variety of duties, including facials, waxes, massages, and chemical peels.

According to the International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine, aesthetic medicine is described as:

“A branch of medicine focused on satisfying the aesthetic desires and goals of patients. This specialty is primarily focused on the pathophysiology of ageing skin and adheres to scientific-based procedures. Physicians practicing Aesthetic Medicine are trained in both invasive and non-invasive treatment modalities, and typically utilize a combination to meet the needs of the patient.”

The first thing you need to do before you start your business is to get the necessary qualifications. You must attend an aesthetic course in cosmetology before you start practicing. It is advised to work as an intern with a reputed aesthetic clinic before starting your own. You need to master the skills and get confident about the medical processes that are required while treating a patient.

2. Select Your Niche

It is extremely important to decide on the products and services you are going to sell before starting the business.

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), the following is a representative list of ancillary (non-surgical) medical procedures

• Chemical skin peels: Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA), Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA), Phenol,
• Injectable treatments: BotoxTM, Collagen, Fat, Sclerotherapy (treatment of leg veins), Laser hair removal, Laser treatment of leg veins
• Skin resurfacing: Ablative Lasers (Carbon Dioxide, Erbium), Nonablative Lasers (N-Lite, Cool Touch, and others), Intense Pulsed Light, Dermabrasion, Microdermabrasion.

Choose the services you want to practice as per your skills and confidence.

3. Understanding Competition

Do some market research and gather information regarding the local competitors and the requirements of clients. Check the services offered and the pricing modules. It would be easier to select the products and services to sell if you have clear knowledge about the needs of the customers.

4. Location of the Clinic

Finding the right location is a crucial aspect of a successful medical aesthetic clinic business. Try to find a location where the average age of the nearby community is more than 25 years. It is seen in general, aging people are the major customers in this trade. You can also practice hiring a space in a local salon, spa, yoga studio, or gym.

5. Target Customers

Having a clear idea about your target customers is critical for success in the aesthetics clinic business. You can categorize it by age, lifestyle, etc. For example, people between the ages of 25-40 years having a car, maintaining good health, and being concerned about their appearance will be your most prospective target audience.

6. Naming the Business

Select a relevant, catchy, easy-to-remember, and relatable name for your aesthetics clinic business. Do not forget to check whether a similar domain name is available or not before finalizing the name. Check this guide to name your business.

Check: Esthetician Business Names & Ideas

7. Decide on Unique Selling Points

To start any successful business, fixing USPs is very important. If you are certified by a reputed organization do mention it along with your qualifications. Offering facilities like free follow-ups, payment installment options, free aftercare kits, etc might attract more customers to your clinic.

8. Create a Business Plan

A well-documented business plan is essential for the success of any startup business. It holds with the aesthetic clinic business too. Check this stepwise guide to learn more about writing a proper business plan.

9. Licenses & Permits

Talk to appropriate authorities regarding licenses and permits to start and run an aesthetic clinic business in your locality. You can also tie up with a registered agent and procure the necessary licenses.

10. Form a Legal Entity

If you want to run a stress-free business, forming a legal entity is recommended. Every state and country has different sets of rules for forming a company. Talk to a lawyer and fix the best-suited legal business structure. In the United States, forming an LLC provides extra benefits to a business owner with some additional cost.

11. Business Insurance

Business Insurance is another aspect to consider before starting an aesthetic clinic. Contact local insurance vendors and choose the best possible insurance for your business.

12. Hiring Manpower

Running an aesthetic clinic needs some skilled personnel to carry out day-to-day operations. You will be of need to recruit personnel for accounting, clinical notes record keeping, booking customers, aftercare calling, prescribing, etc. Create a detailed job description for each job. You can contact manpower manpower-providing agency, put up an advertisement in a local newspaper, or post jobs on free online job portals.

13. Pricing Strategy

You need to have a pricing strategy while charging customers for your service and products. It is advised to learn from other similar clinics how much they are charging for similar services. For example, charging for Botox for a single area will be more than multiple areas.

14. Setting up and inventory for the Clinic

The setting of the clinic interior should be comfortable for customers. Ensure there is ample space for reception and lounge space for waiting customers. Stuff like a mobile bed, briefcase with wheels, chairs, computers, uniforms, etc need to be purchased in the initial phase.

Other than this, items like botulinum toxin, dermal filter,  derma roller, skin peel, gauze, swabs, insulin needles, syringes, sharps bin, gloves, cooler bag, ice packs, etc need to be procured on an ongoing basis.

15. Calculate the Startup Cost

Arrange finance for startup costs for purchasing equipment, studio rent if not of your own, consumables, furniture, training, etc. If you are looking for the fund, pitch in with investors with your business plan

16. Decide on Working Hours

Mention the working hours on a signboard in front of your clinic. Decide whether the clinic will remain open on Saturdays or Sundays of the week.

17. Select Suppliers

Talk to suppliers and negotiate the best price. Remember, purchasing consumables is an ongoing purchase. Therefore, it is better to have more than one supplier so that you are never short of inventory at any time.

18. Bookkeeping

Setting up an easy-to-maintain bookkeeping process is an important part of the smooth functioning of a clinic business.  Choose proper accounting software to ensure that. Try to provide customers with various options for paying fees like cash, cheque, Paypal, phone apps, etc.

19. Build a Qualified Team

Employ licensed and skilled professionals, including dermatologists, aestheticians, and nurses, depending on your service offerings. Also, encourage continuous education and certifications for your team to stay at the forefront of aesthetic advancements.

20. Promoting Business

Create a marketing plan before starting to promote your business. Leaflets, brochures, and visiting cards are some basic promotional materials to print. Having a website is a must. Create social media profile pages on Facebook, Instagram, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a medical background to start an aesthetic clinic?

While a medical background is beneficial, you can collaborate with licensed professionals such as dermatologists and nurses to ensure the safe and effective delivery of aesthetic services.

How can I attract clients to my aesthetic clinic?

Invest in a strong online presence, utilize social media marketing, offer promotions, and provide excellent customer service to attract and retain clients.

What are some common legal requirements for aesthetic clinics?

Legal requirements may include obtaining the necessary licenses, adhering to health and safety regulations, and ensuring compliance with medical laws in your jurisdiction.

Is it necessary to offer a variety of aesthetic services?

While offering a variety of services can attract a broader clientele, you can start with a focused set of services and expand based on market demand.

How can I ensure client safety in my aesthetic clinic?

Implement strict infection control measures, adhere to safety protocols, and ensure that your staff is well-trained in handling equipment and providing aftercare.