If you’re considering introducing Laser Hair Removal, IPL or advanced aesthetic treatments into your business, you may have noticed something surprising: professional systems that appear to offer similar technologies can have very different prices.
One Laser system might cost around £20,000, while another may be advertised at £30,000, £40,000 or considerably more.
So why is there such a difference? And does a more expensive Laser machine automatically mean it is a better machine?
Not necessarily. The specification, technology, build quality, warranty, training and support are all important: but the way an equipment company sells and markets its systems can also contribute to the final price.
At Academy of Beauty Training, we take a different approach. We supply high-specification professional Laser, IPL and Aesthetic systems directly through our Academy, keeping unnecessary sales and marketing overheads lower so that we can offer professional technology at highly competitive prices.
What Are You Actually Paying for When You Buy a Laser Machine?
When investing in professional equipment, it’s easy to assume that the price relates entirely to the machine. But the selling price of any product can also reflect the costs associated with marketing and selling it. Depending on the supplier, these can include:
- Large exhibition stands
- National beauty and aesthetic exhibitions
- Exhibition staffing
- Transportation and installation of exhibition equipment
- Glossy printed brochures
- Large sales teams
- Extensive advertising campaigns
- Promotional events
- Sales commissions
- Other marketing and distribution costs
These are legitimate ways for companies to promote their equipment. However, ultimately those business costs have to be funded.
We Sell Our Systems Directly Through Our Academy
We don’t rely on expensive exhibition stands or large-scale glossy marketing campaigns to sell our professional systems. Instead, our systems are available directly through Academy of Beauty Training.
This allows us to keep our sales model simpler and reduce unnecessary marketing overheads. Rather than adding those costs to the selling price, we aim to keep our systems competitively priced while maintaining the professional specifications, technology and support that clinic owners need.
Lower Overheads, Not Lower Standards
This distinction is important. A more competitive price should not automatically be confused with a lower-quality machine.
When comparing professional systems, look at what is inside the machine and behind the company, rather than judging equipment purely by its price tag. Consider:
- Technology
- Wavelengths
- Energy output
- Treatment applications
- Cooling technology
- Handpiece design
- Treatment speed
- User interface
- Build quality
- Safety features
- Warranty
- Training
- Servicing
- Technical support
- Ongoing professional support
These factors give you a much better basis for comparing systems.
Our Learners Actually Train on the Systems We Supply
There is another important difference in the way we work. Our professional systems aren’t simply machines that learners see in a brochure. They use them during their practical training at Academy of Beauty Training.
This gives learners the opportunity to experience professional technology as part of their course. They can become familiar with areas such as:
- System operation
- Handpiece techniques
- Treatment protocols
- Parameter selection
- Client consultation
- Skin assessment
- Patch testing
- Treatment procedures
- Safety
- Client aftercare
By the time a learner is considering purchasing one of the systems they have trained on, they may already have practical experience using that technology as part of their Academy training.
Train First, Then Decide Whether to Invest
We believe this is a much better approach than expecting somebody to make a major equipment investment based purely on a sales presentation.
A professional Laser, IPL or Aesthetic system can be one of the largest investments you make in your clinic. You should have the opportunity to understand the technology and, where possible, experience professional equipment during your training before deciding what is right for your business. Our learners can train first and make an informed decision afterwards. There is no requirement to purchase a system from us simply because you have completed your training at the Academy.
Do Academy Learners Need Another Separate System Course?
When one of our learners purchases the same system or technology they have already been trained to use during their Academy course, they have an important advantage: they have already received practical training on that equipment as part of their course.
This can remove the need to start again with a completely separate introductory system-training course for equipment they have already been trained to operate. Where appropriate, we can instead concentrate on ensuring the learner is confident with their own system, understands the supplied protocols and has the information and support required for their particular equipment.
Any additional training needed for a particular device, treatment application, qualification, insurer or regulatory requirement should, of course, still be completed.
Professional Laser Systems Should Be Compared Like for Like
This is one of the most important pieces of advice we can give anybody researching professional equipment: don’t compare machines on price alone.
A £20,000 machine and a £40,000 machine may not have the same specification. But equally, a machine costing twice as much is not automatically twice as good. Ask suppliers for the actual specifications and compare:
- Technology and Wavelengths: What technology does the system use? For Diode Laser Hair Reduction, look at the wavelengths available and understand why they are being used.
- Treatment Capabilities: Is the system designed only for Laser Hair Reduction, or does it provide additional treatment capabilities?
- Cooling: Effective cooling can be important for client comfort and system performance. Ask how the handpiece and system are cooled.
- Treatment Handpieces: Consider the treatment area, spot size, ergonomics and how the handpiece is designed to be used.
- System Specifications: Look beyond the appearance of the machine and ask about technical specifications relevant to performance and intended treatments.
- Warranty: How long is the warranty and what does it cover?
- Technical Support: Who do you contact if you need help after purchasing?
- Training: Is professional equipment training included, and who provides it?
- Ongoing Support: Will the supplier still be available after the machine has been delivered?
These are the details that should help determine value, not the size of an exhibition stand.
Why Can Two Similar-Specification Machines Have Such Different Prices?
There can be many reasons. One supplier may have a very different business model from another.
Supplier A: Large exhibition presence + extensive printed marketing + large sales operation + higher promotional overheads.
Supplier B: Direct sales + lower marketing overheads + training integrated through an established Academy.
Both companies need to cover their operating costs through the products and services they sell. Our approach at Academy of Beauty Training is closer to the second model. We would rather invest in professional equipment, learner training and ongoing support than build unnecessary marketing costs into the price of the system.
Our Academy Gives Us a Different Way to Demonstrate Our Equipment
Traditional equipment suppliers may need exhibitions and large sales events because they need somewhere to demonstrate their machines. We already have that environment.
Academy of Beauty Training is where our learners are trained. Our systems are used within the professional training environment, which means learners can see and use the technology practically rather than simply looking at pictures in a glossy brochure. For us, the training room is a far more meaningful demonstration than an exhibition stand. Learners can see how the equipment fits into a real treatment procedure and understand the knowledge and skills required to use it professionally.
From Training Room to Your Own Treatment Room
For learners who later decide to purchase a system, there is another benefit: the transition can be much more familiar. Instead of receiving an unfamiliar machine after completing their qualification, they may be investing in the type of professional technology they have already used during training.
That provides valuable continuity:
Train on the technology
↓
Develop practical experience
↓
Complete your course
↓
Choose the right system for your business
↓
Continue with familiar technology in your own clinic
Because we supply systems directly through the Academy, our relationship doesn’t have to end when your training course finishes.
Do You Have to Be an Academy Learner to Purchase a System?
Our systems are supplied through Academy of Beauty Training, allowing us to maintain the direct-sales approach that helps keep our prices competitive. For anyone considering purchasing professional equipment, we can explain the system specification, training requirements, warranty and support available so that you can make an informed decision.
The Cheapest Machine Isn’t Always the Best, and Neither Is the Most Expensive
We would never recommend choosing professional Laser or Aesthetic equipment simply because it is the cheapest. But we also don’t believe that the highest price automatically guarantees the best system for your business. Look for the right combination of:
Quality + Specification + Training + Warranty + Support + Price
That is a much more meaningful measure of value.
Professional Technology Without Unnecessary Marketing Costs
At Academy of Beauty Training, our approach is simple. We supply high-quality, high-specification professional Laser, IPL and Aesthetic systems directly through our Academy. We don’t build our business around expensive exhibition stands and glossy marketing campaigns and then unnecessarily add those overheads to our system prices.
Instead, learners can experience professional equipment during their training, understand the technology and then decide whether investing in a system is right for their business.
Why Pay More Simply for the Way a Machine Is Marketed?
When comparing professional Laser, IPL or Aesthetic systems, look beyond branding and the price tag. Compare the specifications. Compare technology. Compare the training. Compare the warranty. Compare the support. Then compare the price.
You may discover that professional, high-specification technology doesn’t necessarily need the highest price tag.
Interested in One of Our Professional Systems?
If you’re training with Academy of Beauty Training, ask us about the professional systems used during your course and the exclusive equipment opportunities available to our learners and customers. If you already run a salon or clinic, speak to us about the treatments you want to introduce, and we can discuss the professional equipment options available.
Professional technology. Practical training. Competitive pricing. 24-Month Warranty. First year’s free insurance with all our systems. A personalised package of 30 regulatory policies and procedures tailored to your business. Ongoing professional support, all through Academy of Beauty Training.