How to Open a New Aesthetic Medicine Practice

A logo featuring a shield with four sections containing a syringe, an open book, a flag with a star, and a medical symbol representing aesthetic medicine. The letters "AAAMS" appear at the top. Starting Your Own Business With Botox Training – FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open my own Botox business after training?
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This depends on your credentials and state regulations. Physicians typically can own aesthetic practices independently. Nurse practitioners may be able to own practices in states with full practice authority. Registered nurses, physician assistants, and other practitioners usually need physician ownership or medical director oversight. Always verify your state’s specific laws before starting a business.
How much does it cost to start a Botox business?
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Initial startup costs typically range from $50,000 to $150,000+ including training and certification ($2,000-$10,000), facility lease and buildout ($10,000-$50,000), medical supplies and equipment ($5,000-$20,000), initial product inventory ($5,000-$15,000), insurance and licensing ($3,000-$10,000), marketing and branding ($5,000-$20,000), and operating capital for first 6 months ($20,000-$50,000).
What business structure is best for an aesthetic practice?
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Common business structures include Limited Liability Company (LLC) for liability protection and tax flexibility, Professional Corporation (PC) for medical practices, S-Corporation for tax advantages, or Partnership with other practitioners or medical directors. Consult with an attorney and accountant to determine the best structure for your specific situation and state regulations.
How do I obtain Botox and filler products for my practice?
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Products must be purchased through authorized distributors like Allergan (Botox, Juvederm), Galderma (Dysport, Restylane), or Merz (Xeomin, Belotero). You’ll need a medical license or supervising physician to establish accounts, DEA registration if required, proper storage facilities, and verification of authenticity. Never purchase from unauthorized sources.
What insurance do I need for a Botox business?
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Essential insurance includes professional liability/malpractice insurance ($3,000-$10,000+ annually), general business liability insurance, property insurance for equipment and facility, workers’ compensation if you have employees, and cyber liability insurance for patient data protection. Work with insurers experienced in aesthetic medicine.
How do I market my new Botox business?
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Effective marketing strategies include professional website with before/after galleries, active social media presence (Instagram, Facebook), Google My Business optimization, patient referral incentives, introductory specials and packages, partnerships with local businesses, email marketing campaigns, and excellent patient service generating word-of-mouth. HIPAA-compliant marketing is essential.
What are the legal requirements for opening an aesthetic business?
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Legal requirements include business registration and licensing, medical facility license, DEA registration for controlled substances, OSHA compliance, HIPAA compliance for patient privacy, medical waste disposal contracts, informed consent procedures, proper signage and advertising compliance, medical director agreements if required, and employment law compliance if hiring staff.
Should I start with a mobile Botox business or brick-and-mortar location?
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Mobile businesses offer lower startup costs and flexible schedules but face limitations on services offered and professional image. Brick-and-mortar locations require higher investment but provide professional environment, ability to offer more services, better branding, and established presence. Many practitioners start mobile and transition to physical location as business grows.
How long does it take for a Botox business to become profitable?
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Most aesthetic practices reach profitability within 6-18 months, depending on initial investment, marketing effectiveness, location, competition, practitioner experience and reputation, patient volume and retention, and service pricing. Maintaining adequate operating capital and realistic financial projections is crucial during the startup phase.
What are the biggest challenges in starting a Botox business?
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Common challenges include building initial patient base and reputation, managing cash flow during startup phase, navigating complex regulations and licensing, standing out in competitive markets, balancing clinical and business responsibilities, managing patient expectations and complaints, maintaining consistent income with seasonal fluctuations, and staying current with industry trends. Success requires both clinical excellence and business acumen. Many practitioners benefit from business mentorship or consulting during the startup phase.

Aesthetics is a growing, profitable and rewarding part of the medical field. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the specialist career to grow 17% from 2021 to 2031. As the industry grows, many medical practices that adopt aesthetic procedures will thrive.

This includes both specialized aestheticians and physicians who expand their clientele reach by adopting a few procedures, such as botox and dermal filler. If you’re considering starting a new medical spa business from scratch, the American Association of Aesthetic Medicine & Surgery (AAAMS) can help you out with the information below.

How to Open a Brand New Practice as a Medical Aesthetician

Starting a medical aesthetics practice can be a new and unfamiliar process. The AAAMS is here to help you navigate it! Outlined in this post are some tips for opening your own aesthetic medicine practice.

Get Certified in Botox And Dermal Fillers

In order to become a medical aesthetician, you’ll need the proper certifications — being a licensed RN, PA, MD, or other advanced medical practitioner is just the first step.

The easiest place to quickly start your aesthetic journey is a training and certification course. The AAAMS offers a very simple path to Botox and dermal filler certification:

    1. Enroll in Facial Aesthetics 101 (FA 101)

This course is completely online and is an introductory preparatory course for our certification courses. Once you complete this prerequisite, you can move on to the certification phase

  1. Enroll in the Hands-On Certification Course, Aesthetics 101: Hybrid or Virtual

Choose between the Hybrid in-person course with our physician educators in Beverly Hills and the Virtual course from the comfort of your home or any other location.

Get Familiar With The Medical Aesthetics Industry & Your Business Goals

You’re certified to perform the right procedures. Now you’ll need to find your inner entrepreneur. Given your new practice is a business, it’ll require plenty of business-related knowledge to become successful. Our Introduction to Business of Aesthetics Course (BUS 101) is a one-hour online course introducing nurses, physicians, physician assistants and other medical practitioners to the medical spa industry.

The program aims to help you pinpoint your personal business goals, allowing you to transition to and succeed in the aesthetic medicine field. The course dives into the following topics and more:

  • Profitability and return on investment (ROI)
  • Market research
  • Social media
  • Effective communication
  • Building your aesthetics portfolio
  • The non-medical consultation process

Note: Introduction to the Business of Aesthetics is included in the above-mentioned Facial Aesthetics 101 Series

Research Your Rates & Insurance

Be sure to research the going rates for the services you’ll be offering. While customers enjoy a discount, setting your prices too low may devalue your expertise or hurt you in the long run. Additionally, look into your market and similar practices in the area, which will be your competition.

Further, compare a few insurance policies to ensure you’re covered. You’ll work closely with your chosen provider to ensure you fully represent the services you’ll be offering, and you’ll need to have those training certificates on hand. Remember that in addition to malpractice insurance, you’ll need to insure the clinic itself.

Create A Support Network 

When building a business, it takes a village. For all the talk of “self-made” men and women, no one launches and runs a successful business in a vacuum. At the AAAMS, we never want you to feel alone or unsupported on your journey into aesthetic medicine and entrepreneurship. That’s why when you train with the AAAMS, you’ll get access to our professional Aesthetics Network, a centralized hub for supporting you every step of the way. Here are a few benefits that the network provides:

  • Ongoing peer support and potential partnerships from other aspiring aesthetic practitioners
  • Mentorship and partnership opportunities from successful aesthetics professionals
  • One-on-one Q&A sessions with our physician instructors
  • Discounts on courses
  • Breaking industry news and developments
  • An extensive library of learning resources
  • Invitations to special training events
A person with a hairnet lies on their back, looking upward. They have well-defined eyebrows and are wearing a blue top, possibly preparing for a treatment in a botox-based business.

From the AAAMS, you’ll get fully accredited, top-tier aesthetics education from some of the industry’s most influential and respected names. Our flexible options let you learn at your own pace and on your own schedule. And you’ll have access to a lifetime of support through the AAAMS Network. Since 2006, our thoughtfully designed aesthetic courses have prepared more than 5,000 healthcare practitioners to enter the exciting world of aesthetic medicine successfully. If you’re yearning to unleash your entrepreneurial spirit and begin your journey into aesthetic medicine, get started today!

Posted on behalf of The American Association of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery (AAAMS)

640 South San Vicente, Suite 410
Los Angeles, CA 90048

Phone: (310) 274-9955

Monday - Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM