Editorial

Where experience makes the difference!

If you are interested in a unique opportunity in a rapidly expanding category, consider Dermacare, a Franchise specializing in laser and aesthetic skin care treatments. Dermacare, in business since 2001 and Franchising since 2004, has 22 open clinics with an additional 150 in development.

Tim McCarthy, Director of franchise Sales, says, “We are the only national physician-based laser skin care center and we offer a history of success, not just a theory.”

Dermacare is an ideal business, says McCarthy, for physicians who are seeking new ways to generate revenue. “With the cost of malpractice insurance rising and the continued difficulty of working with insurance companies for reimbursements, many physicians are looking for new profit centers. Some physicians are in a crisis mode,” continues McCarthy, “so Dermacare can be the physician-based alternative they have been seeking. While they expand this business, many physicians choose to transition out of doing procedures in their specialty altogether and will work fulltime in their Dermacare business.”

McCarthy credits a a strategic partnership s like the one between Dermacare and Cutera, provider of the laser and other light-based systems to the professional aesthetic market, for Dermacare’s lead in the industry. “We have a unique situation where we have specialized pricing and the best service contract available from Cutera to all of our franchisees,” says McCarthy. “ Cutera’s easy to use products enable our franchisees to offer safe, effective and non-evasive aesthetic treatments to their customers.”

The most popular procedures provided by Dermacare include permanent hair reduction, “Photo Genesis” for removing red and brown spots on the skin’s surface, and vein removal on the face or legs. Skin rejuvenation is one of the fastest-growing procedures and Cutera has a “3D Approach tm for Skin Rejuvenation” which can improve a variety of conditions associated with again such as wrinkles, texture, discoloration due to sun exposure, age spots and redness. “Because these are minimally-invasive procedures,” says McCarthy, “skin enhancements are popular with Baby Boomers, who have both the desire to look younger and the money to afford these services.”

Additionally, a new technology manufactured by DUSA Pharmaceutical called BLU-U allows for the removal of tattoos and is also an effective treatment for acne. “Both Dermacare and partners like Dusa and Cutera are constantly researching emerging technologies and once they are proved safe and effective, we are able to upgrade our franchisees’ equipment and provide the training they need to incorporate them into their protocols. ”

“The industry continues to grow at a phenomenal rate. At this time 90% o our clientele is female but we predict that men will make up a larger share of the customer base in the future. As far as we can see, the sky’s the limit,” says McCarthy.

Dermacare provides franchisees with two weeks of training at their headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona. They receive additional support for a week during their grand opening. In addition, the aestheticians and medical personnel who perform the procedures are trained by Amit Patel, M.D., an OB/GYN practicing in Phoenix who was so impressed with Dermacare that he not only bought a franchise himself but also serves as their medical director of corporate training.

“I think our biggest strength,” says McCarthy, “is the marketing assistance we provide to our franchisees. We have assessed over 50 different marketing vehicles to determine which will be most effective and have developed a four-pronged attack. Through the use of public relations, display advertising, direct mail and media analysis we are able to help our franchisees maximize the success of their clinics. We also have a very successful business model. One example is that, unlike similar franchised businesses, we do not place our clinics in malls and office buildings. We locate our clinics in medical office complexes, which are generally lower-cost. Most of the time the landlord will provide a significant part of the cost of the build-out. The lower rent and reduced renovation costs are benefits to our franchisees and they can use these savings to drive their business with greater marketing penetration.”

Franchisees are given exclusive territories so there are a limited number of opportunities available. McCarthy expects these locations to be sold out in two to three years. If you are interested in owning a business in a high-demand field, take a look at Dermacare. With a combination of technology, integrity, experience and value, Dermacare offers a Business Opportunity like no other.