2015 is shaping into an important year for dermatologists and skincare professionals, particularly those who offer laser skin care. Why? Because 2015 is becoming the year where clients are making the shift from using popular cosmetic skincare products – and instead are favoring high tech products and treatments.
Multiple studies and reports have shown this shift among potential and current clients alike. Consider the fact that an increasing preference for non-surgical cosmetic procedures has fueled a still-growing demand for aesthetic laser treatments. And then there are findings that consumers are swapping “high end cosmetic products” in favor of newer and better ones. And these are just a couple recent examples of how patients today are looking for different skin treatment options than they once did.
Why is this the case? For a number of reasons. Perhaps the most important reasons are:
1) Newer and “high tech” treatments work. Better results after a treatment tend to pay for themselves when it comes to skin care. And whether it’s a medical laser procedure or a directly applied skincare product, high quality treatments often provide better results by design. Experts also point out that clients today are able to do more research before choosing a treatment option; that means they can find for themselves what works, and what doesn’t – and they ultimately choose the option that works the best.
2) These skin care treatments do more than improve looks. Appearance affects our lives in many ways; the fact that we are taught from a young age about body image and self-esteem says a lot about how much emphasis is placed on this aspect of our lives. For many people, the skin care treatments they choose – whether they invest in laser skin care or use other high tech skincare products – are a way to not just improve their appearance, but their self-confidence. In fact, what may be routine to you may be a life-changing investment for a client. And an investment it certainly is in some cases – however…
3) Your clients can afford it right now. Unsurprisingly, finances are one of the biggest factors behind client treatment choices. During the recent economic downturn cosmetic procedures were often not an option for people. Unfortunately, people simply couldn’t afford them, and had to invest the money elsewhere. Now, though, that’s no longer the case – highlighted by the ongoing growth in the demand for cosmetic procedures, particularly non-invasive ones, including laser treatments. And with more people splurging, treating themselves and look into procedures they once couldn’t afford, it makes sense that they would want to use the best options available so that their money is used wisely.
These three factors help highlight the mindset of clients and patients in 2015 – and not just when it comes to people looking for laser treatments and laser skin care. Cosmetic and aesthetic medicine is an area that relies heavily on people having the ability and the desire to undergo these types of procedures. Your job now, as a practice owner, is to ensure that your practice matches the first expectation on this list, and features the right equipment for the job.
