While there are many decisions to be made when starting a laser tattoo removal clinic – the laser being the one of greatest importance – the clinic space itself must be taken into consideration. What should this space look like? How big should it be? What kind of setting should it be in?

This article will provide five tips for choosing clinic office space by discussing all things involved with clinic location, building type, layout, design, and setup process.

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1. Clinic Location

The location of your laser tattoo removal clinic can be broken down into two pieces: the town/city and where in that chosen community. Where you choose to do the tattoo removal business may be solely dependent on where you live and work. That is okay! You must be happy with the distance your new business is from your regular daily routine. However, if you have the ability to start a business in a neighboring town or city with less competition, cheaper office space, simpler regulations (I’m talking to you New Jersey readers), or a larger population, we strongly encourage that you check it out – at least consider it. It very well may be worth the little bit of an extra commute.

Within whichever city you choose, it would be wise to choose an address that is generally safe and accessible. You do not have to be on a popular street or in the most luxurious shopping district to make $50,000 per month with laser tattoo removal. In fact, some of our most successful clients – not coincidentally the most successful tattoo removal clinics in the world – are in very discreet locations. The chosen locations of our most profitable clients are not on the main drag, but several streets away, miles even. This is possible for a couple of reasons.

• Tattoo removal is not like grocery shopping – it’s not something people do every day; convenience is not a primary factor. It’s not even in the top three considerations!
• Your overhead is typically significantly less when you’re a few minutes from the activity center rather than right in the middle of it all. And remember, because of the first point, this is fine.

Once you have chosen just where you want to be located you can consider your building-type options.

 

 

2. Building Type

After you’ve figured out your clinic location, you can decide what kind of building or office space to occupy. Options include standalone, single unit buildings, strip malls, office parks, hospital owned properties, or storefront retail space. There are pros and cons to each of these office space types.

Standalone Building

• Pros: Unique location for brand, fully customizable, less/no worry about landlord, private parking
• Cons: Cost, tenant improvement budget less common

 Strip Mall

• Pros: Convenient location, brand recognition by street/foot traffic (though walk-ins in this industry are minimal), tenant improvement budget likely negotiable
• Cons: Cost, non-discreet location (some patients don’t want to be seen walking into a tattoo removal clinic), limited parking

Office Park/Building

• Pros: Cost, tenant improvement budget negotiable, discreet location
• Cons: Possibly difficult to access, lease terms may not be in favor of small tenants (versus large)

Hospital-owned Property

• Pros: Likely low build-out need, parking, ease of access
• Cons: “Feel” – too clinical, misconception of laser tattoo removal (it’s not non-ablative, not a serious medical procedure), landlord authority

Storefront Retail Space

• Pros: Brand recognition by street/foot traffic, tenant improvement budget negotiable
• Cons: Cost, non-discreet location, limited parking

Astanza’s clients have found success in each of these building types, but office buildings with a variety of industry’s represented (think: accounting, law, non-profit) tend to house the most profitable and savvy laser tattoo removal clinics.

In addition to these spaces in which your clinic would be on its own, you could also consider joining an existing medical practice, medical spa/salon, or tattoo shop. Regardless, the treatment room layout will be similar in any type of building.

 

 

3. Clinic Layout

 

The layout of a laser treatment room is very simple. The layout of the entire clinic is also not complicated. The main difference in office space setup is mostly based on the building type you occupy.

The tattoo removal treatment room works well in a 10’ x 10’ space. The layout within this space can vary, but the important elements include:

• Patient bed
• Practitioner chair/stool
• Q-switched laser
• Cabinet/table for bandaging materials
• Cryo 6 cold air chiller (optional)
• Two chairs for consultation purposes

Ask your Astanza representative for an example diagram of the room setup.

Beyond the treatment room itself, clinics work well with a reception area where waiting patients can sit while filling out paperwork and comfortably await their session. This lobby area is typically the front entry point and includes chairs and/or coffee tables with reading material, a libation area, and a front desk. The front desk is typically manned with a receptionist or office manager – the first point of contact.

This area does not have to be large. If you are operating a standalone clinic, all of this can fit into 600-800 square feet of total space. If you are in a facility or spa that uses a common lobby area, you don’t have to worry about this reception and waiting space. However, if you do have your own space to create a layout for, you will also have to design and decorate it.

 

 

4. Decor and Design

The feel of your clinic is very important, and can be customized to exactly what you want. The vast majority of tattoo removal clinics have a very clean, modern design. This goes along well with the fact that the procedure is considered medical and the process is relatively new. Tattoos were considered completely permanent before the innovation that is Q-switched lasers for tattoo removal.

Tattoo removal clinics with this motif tend to have very clean lines and cool, neutral color schemes. However, some people go for a look that is more like tattoo shops themselves – darker colors and overall a more rugged look. This design can fall in line with the name of your business, too.

Keep in mind that the laser technology you use is more important than the color of the paint on the walls, but the clinic’s brand will reflect the look and feel of the clinic space. Finally, as a clinic owner, how do you go about setting all of this up?

 

 

5. Clinic Setup

 

Setting up your clinic will take a bit of time, but the process can move very quickly. Finding the office space and having any build out done are likely the most time consuming steps. However, it’s during this time that you should also consider – or already know – which laser technology you will choose.

Securing a laser will take at least a few days when taking into consideration the financing or lease process and transfer of payment. Shipment time of the laser should also be considered, but typically this process is very quick.

Build out on your office space should be completed before the laser is delivered. Excess dust can hinder the laser’s life and performance. In addition, the final treatment room layout may not be able to be completed until the laser has been installed, but at this point, you are almost in business.

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Your website, performance, and clinic space make up your brand. So, when choosing and creating your office space, it is wise to do the setup well. If you have questions about your location or space options, consult with an Astanza representative today. We are aware of most U.S. markets and know the pros and cons of certain setups.

Further, our team is very knowledgeable about point-of-sale systems, insurance options, clinic marketing, and more.