Nobody denies that aesthetic medical devices are a significant investment. Device manufacturers and researchers spend millions of dollars and thousands of man-hours performing clinical trials to develop safe, effective devices and treatments for the aesthetic practitioner.
Buying used may seem cost-effective for several reasons, but in the end, it may not be. Either way, the decision to purchase a device, new or used (and if used, then from whom?), must be carefully considered. Factors such as your expected return on investment (ROI), the need for disposables, your understanding of the therapy, and trust in the science behind it, and your belief in the manufacturer’s reliability is much more important than the cost to buy or lease the laser itself. In fact, the very same decision-making process applies whether you’re looking to buy new or used, although there are a few different factors to consider with each.
You are responsible for the successful treatment of your patients. You are responsible for the smooth operation of your practice. You are responsible for the profitability of your business. And the consequences for ignoring these truths can be very high for you and others as well—namely, the people you treat.
Everybody wants a safe, effective, and reliable medical device.
We all want to feel smart and save money, but in the end, are we willing to assume the risks that come with buying used that hasn’t been certified from the manufacturer? They may outweigh the rewards. After all, would you give your child a used car without first being totally sure it was safe? Is what you lose buying used worth the cost of simply buying new?
Coined by the automobile industry, the phrase “certified pre-owned” (CPO), fits perfectly when you are talking about another complex piece of machinery where you need to be sure you can trust it with the lives of people that are important to you. The laser device was owned by someone else before you bought it, and its maker cared enough to make sure it works like new for you as well.
As to your bottom line, the cost of trusting a used laser can quickly and easily exceed the savings you may get upfront by buying a cheap device. Dealing directly with the manufacturer gives you the peace of mind that you are getting a quality device. What do you think your patients would want you to do?
Whether considering a new or used laser, the aesthetic practitioner must weigh the same basic factors. These can be broken into a few categories; ethical and practical considerations abound within each.
By enlisting a reputable manufacturer in your effort to purchase a previously used laser device, you may enjoy the benefits (and comforts!) that come with buying a new device.
A reputable manufacturer lives or dies based on your satisfaction, and the entire aesthetic medical device industry suffers every time a product is misused. Dealing with the laser manufacturer means that you can answer positively to all the pertinent questions.
The Seller – do you know who you’re buying from? Yes.
Performance – How confident are you that you are getting a quality laser device? Very confident.
Hidden costs – do you know what you’re really going to be paying long term? Yes.
Warranties – are your out-of-pocket expenses truly less when buying from a 3rd party seller? What is peace of mind worth to you and your patients?
Maintenance – will you get the service you deserve before you’ve lost too much money? A respectable manufacturer will do everything in their power to make sure you have minimal downtime.
While it may seem obvious that buying new should be your first, best option, it is equally obvious that economic factors, at times, make this difficult. Going with CPO from a trustworthy manufacturer provides you with the same level of confidence in your new-to-you device that you would hope for from a new device, with savings to boot. Candela manufactures FDA cleared devices within strict FDA specs for optimal results; purchasing from 3rd party sellers who may have tampered with the inner workings of a device may, in fact, cause harm to your patients and increase your liability exposure.
A new device is the all-around best bet, but if you want to buy used, go CPO.
Contact us to request more information about Candela’s Certified Pre-Owned program.
Types of women’s shavers and hair-removal products range from the simplest razor blade to treatments such as waxing, laser, and electrolysis. Use the method that best fits your needs—and perhaps matches your pain tolerance.
Razor Blades
Most people—men and women alike—find the traditional razor blade to be easiest to use. Razors shave at skin level, and they can be used anywhere on the body. But you’ll have to shave frequently to keep your skin smooth.
Electric Shavers
Electric shavers, like razors, can be used on any part of the body. Even the best electrics won’t shave quite as close as a razor, but they shave close enough. They let you shave without soap and water—a plus when you’re away from home. And they avoid nicks, because the cutters don’t touch your skin. But electrics can cause ingrown hairs and irritate the underarms. Men’s electric shavers are generally heavier and more expensive than women’s, but they’ve consistently performed better in our tests. We haven’t noticed anything particularly womanly about the women’s shavers, and there’s no reason why women shouldn’t use a men’s model. Look for at least a 30-day money-back guarantee, especially when you buy an electric shaver for the first time, so you can return the device if it doesn’t work for you.
Depilatories
Unlike razors and shavers, which cut hair at about skin level, depilatories dissolve hair slightly below the skin surface, which means that they should keep skin smooth somewhat longer than a razor or shaver would. Their caustic chemicals dissolve the hair so that it can be wiped away. But some testers found the procedure to be painful, and none removed all the hair on every panelist in a single try. Depilatories often have an ammonia odor and might be messy and drippy. The Federal Drug Administration has received reports of burns, blisters, rashes, and peeling skin caused by these products, so test a small amount on your forearm first.
Epilators
These electric devices use hundreds of tiny tweezers to pluck the hairs. Epilators scored higher, overall, than electric shavers in our tests, but you should use them only on the legs and forearms. Some women said that using an epilator is more work than shaving. But because an epilator removes the hairs at the root, you might not have to repeat the procedure for several weeks. Look for at least a 30-day money-back guarantee, especially when buying an epilator for the first time, so you can return the device if it doesn’t work for you.
Waxing
This involves applying a layer of heated wax or soft wax strips to the skin. The hairs become embedded in the wax, and pulling off the wax layer plucks the hairs. Because the hairs come out at the roots, new growth might not be visible again for several weeks. But waxing is tricky. None of the home wax kits we tested removed all of the hair on every panelist on the first try. And some testers found the procedure to be painful. The Food and Drug Administration warns that waxes should not be used on the face, nipples, genital areas, irritated or sunburned skin, varicose veins, moles, or warts.
Laser
Laser treatments permanently remove hair by destroying the follicles with heat. But laser treatments are expensive and time-consuming and should be performed only by a licensed practitioner. Even then, scars or skin discoloration might result.
Electrolysis
An electrolysis hair-removal device places a thin probe in each hair follicle and destroys it with a shortwave radio frequency. It’s a time-consuming and expensive procedure and should be performed only by a licensed practitioner. It involves the risk of infection from a needle that’s not sterile and scarring from poor technique.