Editorial

Pioneers in State-of-the-Art Cosmetic Laser Technology

Advanced laser Clinics

There’s no question that looking good is top-of-mind for many Americans today. From a wardrobe redo to an entire body surgical makeover, the media is screaming the message that we can look younger, healthier and more attractive with the help of technology. Advanced Laser Clinics ™ co-founders Chris M. Par and Rick Frisk are pioneers in Franchising a technology that capitalizes on this growing trend by offering state-of-the-art hair removal and skin improvement procedures.

Par, who came from a finance background, and Frisk, a business consultant/sales manager, met while consulting for a Canadian dermatology/plastic surgery group. Business was good, yet they soon realized that the economy had a significant impact on the procedures people could afford, and that lower priced procedures were actually more popular.

“At that time,” says Par, “we became acquainted with the laser hair removal technology and, after thorough research, decided to open our own clinic.”

“One of the most exciting things about our business model is that you can become involved in the medical arena without being a physician,” says Par. “Regulations vary from state to state but most clinic technicians are RNs or trained estheticians, keeping overhead low.”

First Location Opened in 2000
“We opened our first corporate center in April, 2000. By the end of our first year we had six locations. With three centers in Washington and one each in California, Salt Lake City and Scottsdale, it gave us a good feel for the business and the type of clientele we’d be able to attract in different markets,” Par reports.

He went on to say, “At the end of year two we were up to 14 corporate locations. We had moved into Florida and realized that the Franchise model would make more sense instead of trying to manage our own businesses all over the country. As of today, we have over 60 Franchises sold. Forty-three are currently open with the balance scheduled to be in full operation in the coming months.”

“This all happened because of word of mouth,” says Par. “We have done no advertising or marketing of the model. We’ve identified 150 markets in which we will sell licenses and when those locations are gone, we probably won’t expand further.”

Frisk stated that the goal is to give each franchisee a large protected territory. “We want to maximize the brand and build each clinic to be successful. We do not consider it good business to have our franchisees competing with each other – it’s just not ethical.”

Offering Proven Services – Guaranteed Effective
The Advanced Laser Clinic system removes hair – permanently – from the face and body in about five sessions. Sessions are spread out over a period of time, maximizing effectiveness by treating hair during growth cycles. Unlike electrolysis, which treats each hair singly with a painful electric pulse delivered by a needle inserted into the hair follicle, a laser treats hundreds of hair follicles at a time. The treatment is so effective that ALC even provides a written service guarantee, another innovation pioneered by ALC.

ALC’s exclusive LightPulse Skin Renewal treatments will actually correct skin damage and imperfections such rosacea and redness, age spots and freckles, and broken blood vessels and spider veins.

The microdermabrasion treatment is effective for smoothing fine lines, minor scars, acne damage and sun and age spots. It is also used to treat enlarged pores and blemishes.

Changing Market
Over the last several years, media attention (such as the ABC show “Extreme Makeover”) on surgery, hair removal and laser skin treatment has brought the idea of cosmetic self-improvement to the American household.. With the advent of laser technology, many procedures that formerly involved significant pain, expense and recovery time are now accomplished in safe, painless, non-invasive procedures.

“The technology for laser hair removal is certainly what drives this business,” says Frisk. “When we started, we bought the top of the line laser equipment and it is still the best system available.” Advanced Laser Clinics uses state-of-the-art, FDA-approved LightSheer™ Diode Lasers developed by Lumenis™, the nation’s leading manufacturer of aesthetic procedure equipment.

Who Uses the Service?
“People of all ages are interested in eliminating the tedium of hair removal,” reports Frisk. “If a woman in her 20s has her leg hair removed, just think of the time she will save herself over a lifetime.”

“Repeat clientele is a big part of the business,” adds Par. “Once someone experiences, let’s say leg hair removal, they come back to have their underarms done and then their lip and bikini line.”

The laser skin procedures are used primarily (70%) y women and with most often striking results. Frisk says the procedures can improve the look of the face and hands so dramatically that a person can virtually shed ten or more years from their appearance.

“It’s our reputation for value and service that keeps clients coming back and helps the income of the franchisees stay consistent,” says Par.

Business in a Box
The core positions at an ALC center are a manager/patient consultant, receptionist/scheduler and a laser technician. Comprehensive training is provided at the ALC corporate office in Lynnwood, Washington. This hands-on, proprietary training covers all issues including clinic forms, handling inquiries and effective patient consultations.

Marketing is targeted to specific markets. “In some markets,” says Frisk, “such as Florida, we emphasize skin improvement. With a younger population, we target people interested in hair removal. We’ve learned what works, why it works and where it works.”

“It’s our experience with our corporate stores that allows us to pinpoint the most successful marketing technique for an area without experimenting with the franchisee’s time and money,” says Frisk. “Experience speaks.”

“Another critical piece we provide is in employee selection and human resources,” says Par, “since client relations is so important to our business.”

Current ALC licensees praise the “business-in-a-box” model. “I think that’s what sets us apart from our competition,” says Frisk. “We’ve done the ground work and research. We made the mistakes and learned from them before ever selling our first franchise.”

Joining an Industry Leader
What makes ALC both unique and exciting as a franchise concept is that we’ve been able to blend the retail model with the medical model. It’s a combination that is both lucrative and innovative for entrepreneurs and aggressive business people to become involved in the medical field, without sacrificing the quality of the service provided,” Par summarized.