When opening any business, be it a car wash, restaurant, retail store, or massage studio, there are specific steps you should take to have a successful launch. Laser tattoo removal is no different.
Here are five critical items to be thinking about before you move forward with opening a laser tattoo removal business:
- Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
- Choosing the Best Location
- FDA-Cleared Laser
- Standards, Regulations, Insurance
- Staffing
Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
When you decided you wanted to start a laser tattoo removal practice, or add it to your existing aesthetic services, what was your “Why?” Determining the unique selling proposition, or the “why” behind what you are doing, often makes other decisions much easier. For instance, if your focus is going to be on being the best laser tattoo removal provider to veterans, those looking to join the services, active duty military, and their families, you may want to have some type of patriotic branding in your logo, on your website, and in your marketing materials.
You also might want to make sure your location is near a military base or recruiting station. You could even consider sponsoring the annual 4th of July parade. Clarifying your ideal prospective client and why you are the best company to provide that service can help answer many of the other questions you may have before opening a laser tattoo removal studio.
Choosing the Best Location for your Laser Tattoo Removal Studio
When choosing a location for your laser tattoo removal studio or aesthetic practice, you want to factor a few things into the equation. The first thing you should consider is, are you in the area that your ideal customer is also?
Every laser tattoo removal studio needs to include a few things:
- Small reception area
- Small office area
- Small treatment room
- In total, you shouldn’t need more than about 800 sq. ft. of space
Retail offices often cannot be subdivided to the right amount of space, so many clinics choose professional office buildings that allow for medical facilities. Make sure there is easy parking for your clients and that you negotiate your lease.
One alternative that gets many entrepreneurs started, is to rent space within a larger aesthetic practice or MedSpa if they are not currently offering laser tattoo removal.
FDA-Cleared Laser
Once you’re committed to starting a laser tattoo removal business, it’s smart to build a relationship with an aesthetic laser company that can help you with selecting the best laser tattoo removal machine as quickly as possible.
Choosing the best tattoo removal machine for your new laser tattoo removal practice will depend on a number of factors. Decide what matters to you most. What ink colors do you want to be able to treat? How quickly do you want the laser system to take to warm up for use? What features matter for you and your budget the most?
Standards, Regulations, and Insurance
Most of the critical items on our list to be thinking about before opening a laser tattoo removal business can be done in a flexible order, but this one should take priority.
In the U.S., state regulations on who can own or operate a laser for tattoo removal and other cosmetic applications vary. In some states, only a medical director relationship may be required. A medical professional (such as a nurse practitioner, registered nurse, physician assistant, or physician) must perform the treatments in other areas.
Some states have clear laws established by the state medical board. However, many have ambiguous laws, or have laws that aren’t specific to tattoo removal. To do your due diligence before starting a tattoo removal business, it’s important to research your local regulations and consult with an attorney that can give you a knowledgeable opinion.
You will also need to make sure that you have the proper laser tattoo removal certifications to legally operate your laser tattoo removal machine. The aesthetic laser company you purchased the laser from should be able to provide you and your team with the training necessary to fire your laser legally.
Staffing Your Laser Tattoo Removal Business
To run a high volume clinic, only two positions are needed: Office manager and laser technician. When you’re just starting out and patient volume is growing, one person could handle both of these roles.
Also, if you need a medical director, you’ll need to establish that relationship in advance of opening your practice. You’ll want to make sure you coordinate your hiring with the purchase of your laser so that any new staff are present when the laser training is provided at your location.
Another important consideration when choosing your laser, is what training comes with the purchase. Are you able to receive additional training as you make new hires and add new team members to your aesthetic practice?
Laser Tattoo Removal Made Easy
One of the best resources that Astanza has developed for helping new business owners and first time entrepreneurs is our “Laser Tattoo Removal Starter Kit” that is chock-full of resources, tips and tricks, and industry best practices to help you get your laser tattoo removal business up and running.
