Tuesday, Oct 8, 2024—Summer’s behind us, and laser season is officially in full swing. As the cooler months roll in, aesthetic providers know it’s the ideal time to gear up for laser treatments. With reduced sun exposure and more patients looking to address post-summer skin concerns like sun damage, rough texture, and dull or fatigued skin, fall and winter are the perfect window to offer laser and light-based treatments.
Whether your practice is already equipped with the latest technology or you’re exploring new treatment options, read on for expert tips to help you capitalize on laser season and elevate your practice with some of today’s most sought-after treatments.
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How to prepare your practice for laser season
To fully capitalize on laser season, your practice must be ready with the right technology and a solid strategy. Here are a few pointers to help you get started:
Assess your current technology: Look closely at your existing laser devices. Are they versatile enough to meet the season’s rising demand and address a wide range of skin concerns in most skin types? If your devices are limited in functionality, now may be the perfect time to invest in award-winning technology that offers better results and broader treatment options. Laser and light-powered platforms like Sciton’s JOULE® and mJOULE™ are configurable with a wide array of treatment modalities that address everything from sun damage to wrinkles, acne scars, and more.
Staff training: The most advanced laser technology is only as effective as the team operating it. As laser season ramps up, it’s essential to have your staff fully trained to use the technology, follow the latest treatment protocols, and select the right treatments for different skin types. Download Sciton’s Which Fitz Fits brochure for a handy guide to Sciton treatments categorized by skin type.
A well-trained and confident staff will deliver better outcomes, reduce the risk of complications, and enhance the overall patient experience. (Did you know Sciton’s latest light-based innovation, BBL HEROic, simplifies training and flattens the learning curve for providers through advanced automated intelligence?)
Additionally, ongoing education—through workshops, online courses, or hands-on sessions—keeps your team up-to-date on the latest technology, clinical techniques, and business success strategies. From advanced clinical training and preceptorships to supper clubs and Sciton’s signature Skin CEO events—Sciton has a plethora of educational opportunities for every practice. Learn more about Sciton’s educational offerings and events on the blog.
Patient education and safety: Highlight the benefits of undergoing treatments in the cooler months and inform patients about the importance of avoiding sun exposure before and after treatments. Speak to them about proper post-treatment care, including regular sunscreen use and diligent sun protection to prevent complications. By providing clear, actionable guidance, you can significantly reduce the risk of adverse reactions and enhance your patients’ results.
Marketing strategy: Laser season presents an opportunity to connect with patients who are looking to correct post-summer skin damage or prepare for holiday events. Developing a strong marketing strategy tailored to these needs can help attract new patients and increase bookings. Use multiple marketing channels—email campaigns, social media, in-clinic promotions, and targeted ads—to raise awareness about the benefits of laser treatments. Offering limited-time packages or incentives for multi-session procedures or ScitonStaX™ combination treatments can encourage patients to book early and commit to longer treatment plans. A well-rounded marketing strategy during laser season can boost visibility and drive patient interest.
By focusing on these four key areas—assessing and upgrading technology, ensuring proper training, educating patients, and executing a strong marketing strategy—your practice can fully capitalize on the opportunities laser season presents.
Do your research: Invest in high-demand treatments
It’s essential for practices to invest in technologies that provide long-term value. In today’s competitive market, Sciton’s treatments continue to drive revenue growth, even as other technologies decline.
Recent data from GuidePoint Qsight, based on an analysis of billing records from 500 U.S.-based medspa and plastic surgery practices over two consecutive years up to July 31, 2024, reveals that light-based treatments like Sciton’s BBL® HEROic™ have driven a 7% increase in revenue growth. Non-ablative fractional lasers, such as Sciton’s MOXI™ laser, contributed to a 9% year-over-year revenue increase, while non-ablative, non-fractional lasers like Sciton’s ClearSilk® drove a 19% boost in revenue.1
In contrast, other technologies have not kept pace. For example, invasive fat reduction saw an 11% decline, electrical muscle stimulation decreased by 17%, and surface radio frequency declined by 27%.1 This comparison highlights the importance of choosing devices that offer sustained growth potential for your practice.
Light-based treatments
As the cooler months roll in, patients can take advantage of reduced sun exposure to maximize the benefits of light-based treatments, achieving clearer, more radiant skin with minimal recovery time. Light-based treatments are among the top services patients seek for their versatility in addressing a wide range of skin concerns. Treatments like BBL HEROic address pigmentation, sun damage, redness, vascular lesions, acne, and overall skin health.
If you’re a provider looking to add a light-based treatment to your practice, Dr. Patrick Bitter, Jr., a renowned board-certified dermatologist and pioneer in BBL treatments, recommends investing in top-tier technology, like HEROic, that consistently delivers patient-pleasing results. Spend time receiving the best possible training from experienced professionals, and continuously refine your skills—observe your patients, ask questions, and always strive to improve your craft, he says. Catch him in this Instagram interview.
Non-ablative fractional laser treatments
Non-ablative fractional laser treatments are highly sought-after during laser season for their ability to deliver significant skin revitalization and address skin concerns like fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin texture without the recovery time associated with ablative procedures. As the cooler months bring less sun exposure, it’s the perfect time for patients to undergo treatments like MOXI, which improves skin tone and texture, removes precancerous cells (actinic keratosis), reduces unwanted pigment, and treats melasma-related pigment.
In a NewBeauty article, Dr. Quenby Erickson, DO, FAAD, FACMS, a board-certified Chicago-based dermatologist, says MOXI is the perfect treatment for maintaining youthful and healthy skin. “While most lasers are for correcting various skin conditions, MOXI is perfect for keeping your skin looking young and healthy. It is also great for stubborn pigment and even safe and effective for melasma lesions.”
For patients seeking more corrective results, hybrid fractional lasers like Sciton’s HALO laser penetrate deeper to address issues ranging from superficial sun damage and textural concerns to more complex problems like acne scars, dermal pigmentation, and wrinkles. Providers often recommend avoiding sun exposure for several weeks before and after HALO treatments, making it an ideal treatment during laser season.
“If patients are going to have sun exposure sooner than four weeks, I recommend the MOXI laser to play it safe, then plan the HALO treatment for when they can avoid the sun for at least four weeks,” says Dr. Ann Watwood, Medical Director of Clearskin Institute of Laser Aesthetics in Phoenix, AZ. Read Dr. Watwood’s guidelines for Sciton treatment pre- and post-care in this article.
Non-ablative, non-fractional lasers
Non-ablative, non-fractional lasers are a top choice for patients seeking gentle yet effective skin revitalization with no downtime. These treatments deliver laser energy deep into the skin to address fine lines, mild pigmentation, and uneven skin texture while leaving the skin’s surface intact. Unlike fractional treatments, non-fractional lasers treat the entire area evenly, making them ideal for patients looking for gradual improvements with minimal discomfort.
Dubbed the ‘lunchtime facial’ for its quick and comfortable application, ClearSilk (1064 nm Nd:YAG) is Sciton’s non-ablative, non-fractional laser treatment that softens fine lines and wrinkles while improving skin texture over time. ClearSilk targets pigmented lesions, rosacea, redness, blushing, flushing, and acne scars for a smoother, more vibrant complexion. ClearSilk is often used as a treatment alternative for acne in younger patients. Additionally, it can be performed right before special events for an all-over glow.
“This is the first treatment I have felt comfortable doing the day before a wedding, even the day of a wedding, because I know there are going be no complications, no swelling or signs I did anything, but people will just glow,” says aesthetic physician Dr. Rebecca Gelber, MD. “Mostly, their skin is smoother. They feel like they just put on a perfect coat of primer and a photo finish, air brush kind of makeup. There’s this glow that comes after [ClearSilk] that is very consistent and makes patients so happy.” 2
Key questions to ask before investing in new technology
Now that we’ve explored some of today’s top treatment categories, it’s time to delve into a few key considerations when selecting a laser company to partner with. Ask these important questions to ensure your investment aligns with your practice’s long-term goals.
What treatment brands are consumers searching for?
Patients today are active participants in their aesthetic journeys, often seeking specific treatments by name. In the past year alone, data from Google Analytics shows 50,000 online searches for Sciton providers and two million searches for Sciton’s consumer brands.
When choosing a company to partner with, consider whether they offer the treatments patients are actively searching for.
Natalie Sharp, FNP-BC, a cosmetic dermatology provider in Garden City, NY, attests to Sciton’s brand power. “My experience with Sciton has been nothing short of exemplary. When I first opened my practice four years ago, I knew that I wanted to only partner with the best in class. Sciton did not disappoint … The level of education and support that I have received from Sciton is unparalleled. There are always learning opportunities from the best doctors, and there is no excuse not to be at the top of your game with results. Speaking of results, I now own MOXI, BBL HERO, and HALO. Patients find me by those actual names that they google because they are known to be the best lasers out there. I have had amazing results, happy patients, and treatments I feel good about promoting. So happy I started out with the best.” Read her testimonial on Instagram.
Are the devices in line with today’s trends?
Data from The Aesthetic Society reveals a notable surge in the demand for non-invasive energy-based procedures.3 The trend is substantiated by findings from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Procedural Statistics Release report, which shows that non-invasive procedures, such as laser treatments, continue to gain traction. According to the ASPS report, skin resurfacing, pulsed light, and combination laser treatments were among the top five cosmetic procedures.4
A key driver of this growing demand can be attributed to the broader cultural transition towards prejuvenation treatments, which offer “preventative” care.2 Embraced by younger patients, prejuvenation treatments, such as the MOXI laser, aim to delay or circumvent the need for more invasive procedures in the future.
“Tweakments,’ such as Botox®, fillers, and laser treatments, are also on the rise. Appealing to consumers seeking quick, subtle enhancements with the flexibility to customize for more dramatic transformations, tweakments can be easily integrated into patients’ busy schedules. According to the ASPS report, the demand for tweakments among men has grown 253% since 2019, highlighting their broadening appeal. 4 (Explore today’s top aesthetic trends here.)
However, some providers have observed a decline in the demand for certain tweakments, like fillers, as patients increasingly opt for non-invasive treatments that offer a more natural approach to building volume. An aesthetic practitioner and speaker at Skin CEO NY, who specializes in filler treatments, noted a shift in his practice—more patients are now favoring natural volume enhancement methods, driving increased interest in options like Sciton’s HEROic light-based treatment and ClearSilk laser, both of which gradually restore a youthful appearance to the skin.
Practices that include tweakments in their service menu have the potential to earn more revenue. According to Matt Taranto, president of Mint Aesthetics, a leading med spa training and consulting company, tweakments like neurotoxins, dermal fillers, and laser and light therapies, including Sciton’s BroadBand Light® technology, MOXI laser, and HALO laser treatment, account for nearly 60% of revenue in his top clinics.5 (Read Taranto’s top tips for running a successful medical aesthetics practice in this post).
Are they built to outlast the latest fads?
Just as it’s important to offer treatments that align with the latest aesthetic trends and consumer preferences, you also want to invest in technology that withstands the test of time. When investing in new medical aesthetic technology, opt for a comprehensive, expandable skincare platform that offers the following:
- Upgradeable and expandable platforms
- Longevity and staying power
- An extensive product range
- Award-winning, in-demand consumer brands
Sciton’s three fully customizable platforms were designed to meet the evolving needs of a wide variety of practitioners and patients.
The JOULE, Sciton’s flagship platform, features more than ten award-winning laser and light-based treatments for improving the appearance of aging skin, including in-demand power brands, BBL HEROic and HALO.
Sciton’s mJOULE platform includes face and full-body skin revitalization treatments for all patients, including the fast-growing prejuvenation demographic. Highly sought-after treatments on this platform include MOXI and BBL HEROic. Providers looking for a complete vascular system can opt for the mJOULEV™ platform, configurable with Sciton’s 1064 Nd:YAG treatments—ClearSilk and ClearV—and BBL HEROic’s 532+™ narrowband filter.
BARE HR™, Sciton’s high-speed laser hair removal platform for all skin types year-round, is ideal for those looking to attract more prospective patients and stay profitable with laser hair removal. The platform is configurable with two handpieces that deliver the traditional 810 nm wavelength and a unique blend handpiece that simultaneously delivers 810, 940, and 1060 nm wavelengths, ideal for darker and tan-skinned patients.
Where are the devices manufactured?
Sciton’s JOULE and mJOULE platforms are 100% designed, manufactured, and assembled in the company’s headquarters in Palo Alto, California, USA. A dedicated service team maintains the integrity of your devices so you can continue delivering outstanding results for your patients for years to come.
In fact, almost all Sciton systems sold in the past decade are still in service today.
Are you partnering with a company that puts science-first?
When selecting a medical aesthetic device, it’s essential to partner with a company that prioritizes a science-first approach. This ensures your treatments are supported by rigorous research, clinical validation, and ongoing innovation, delivering the best results for your patients.
When selecting a company partner to with, look for the following indicators of a science-first approach:
Investment in R&D: Does the company invest significantly in research and development to innovate and refine its technologies?
Clinical evidence: Are there peer-reviewed studies or clinical trials demonstrating their products’ safety and effectiveness?
Commitment to education: Does the company provide thorough training programs and ongoing support to ensure customers use the technology effectively?
Transparency in results: Are they open and transparent about the results their technology delivers, supported by clear data and patient case studies?
Discover how Sciton embodies a science-first approach, from groundbreaking innovation to rigorous treatment validation—explore the full story here.
What are customers saying?
According to Harvard Business Review, companies with strong positive reputations attract better people and are perceived as providing more value. Their customers are more loyal and buy a broader range of products and services. At Sciton, more than half of our customers are repeat buyers.
Before you partner with a company, listen to what customers are saying:
“@Sciton_inc makes the best lasers, hands down. I always tell people going into practice that it’s the only company they need to use and the only laser platforms they need to buy. Every laser they roll out is top-notch, groundbreaking technology that blows competitors out of the water … ” Rachel Westbay MD FAAD, board-certified cosmetic dermatologist
“Sciton technology not only changed my practice by offering stellar results for my patients, Sciton gave me the resources and education to be the best in the industry. Take your practice to the next level. Buy a Sciton!!! #scitonfamily.” Erin Blackwell, LE, CLT
“Why Sciton? That’s the easiest question I’ve ever gotten asked. Not only is the company based on simply being the best, but the people behind the company are the best I’ve ever worked with. I love my Sciton Family. My devices have changed my entire outlook on providing complete treatment plans to my patients, and our results have never been better.” Dr. Mai Kaga, MD, double-board certified aesthetic and internal medicine physician
“As a plastic surgeon, Sciton technology has completely transformed my practice. In one way or another, Sciton technology plays into every surgery I perform. Whether it’s rejuvenating areas that surgery can’t or minimizing scarring, the technology is indispensable. In addition, my Sciton lasers have opened up patient populations I would otherwise never have treated. I routinely treat vascular problems, acne, scarring, and prejuvenation with my Sciton lasers. It is quite simply the best.” Dr. James Brady, MD, board-certified pediatric and general plastic surgeon
Check out the Instagram post for more content, and browse the testimonials in the comments!
Photo caption: In a 2023 RealSelf.com survey, a Sciton laser was voted the #1 investment among providers.
Does the company provide education and training?
In an article in The Dermatologist, Dr. Doris Day, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Sciton provider in New York City, stresses the importance of doing due diligence when choosing a vendor to partner with. Invest in devices from companies that provide exemplary client support, comprehensive training, and marketing assistance. The shared goal of both parties should be to provide patients with the best results, says Dr. Day.
That’s what you can expect from Sciton.
After you purchase a Sciton platform, a registered nurse educator (RN) is assigned to your practice to provide hands-on clinical training for you and your staff.
But the support doesn’t end there.
Sciton offers ongoing clinical training, preceptorships, Skin CEO events, and marketing support programs to ensure your success with Sciton’s technology. Contact us to learn more.
Do their systems yield a solid return on investment (ROI)?
Purchasing a laser system is a long-term investment with both risks and rewards.
What if you could access real ROI data from practices already using the same technology?
With Sciton iQ™, you can.
Sciton’s sales experts empower customers to maximize revenue from their devices by leveraging a real-time data analytics system that evaluates and measures practice performance with Sciton’s technology.
Did you know that JOULE and mJOULE platforms, on average, generate nearly five times their monthly lease payments?6
Contact your sales representative to see iQ data for the treatments you currently offer or are considering adding.
Prepare for success this laser season
With laser season fast approaching, now is the time to assess your technology, optimize your marketing strategy, and ensure your team is equipped to deliver outstanding results.
Whether you’re upgrading existing devices or investing in new technology, laser season presents the perfect opportunity to unlock your practice’s full potential. By staying ahead of patient demand and offering the most advanced treatments, you’ll position your practice to increase bookings, enhance patient outcomes, and grow your business.
References
1GuidePoint Qsight – billing records for 500 medspa and plastic surgery practices over two consecutive years through July 31, 2024.
2ClearSilk: The Most Versatile Tool in Your Toolbox – Part 1 and ClearSilk: The Most Versatile Tool in Your Toolbox – Part 2
32022 Aesthetic Plastic Surgery National Databank Statistics
42022 American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Procedural Statistics Release report
5Smart Business Tips for Purchasing & Positioning Energy-based Technology.
6Sciton iQ™ data, June 7, 2023