LEGAL ISSUES
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By Alex R. Thiersch, JD
©
GETTY
IMAGES
20 JULY/AUGUST 2017
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Med Esthetics
Laser treatments have become a staple of the medical aes-
thetics industry. More than 2.5 million laser treatments—in-
cluding laser hair removal, leg vein treatments, and ablative
and nonablative skin resurfacing—were performed in 2016,
according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
2016 statistics.
Given the growing demand for laser services, it stands to
reason that most practices want to offer these treatments.
However, acquiring the proper equipment is expensive—
standalone lasers and multi-function platforms can cost
as much as $250,000. It is also complicated. There are
numerous platforms available, each with its own unique
benefi ts and characteristics, and choosing the right device
for your patient base is only the beginning. You must also
understand the laser contract offered by the manufacturer.
Laser contracts vary widely and include unique provi-
sions. Understanding these provisions—and how they may
affect the long-term cost and care of the equipment—can
help you in your purchasing decision.
Following are some of the key provisions a typical laser
contract covers.
Marketing support. Carefully note the amount of mar-
keting support the manufacturer offers. When you make an
investment of this size, it is critical to have as much support
as possible. If a manufacturer guarantees marketing assis-
tance in writing, this will often increase the price of the laser;
however, it is well worth the expense. If a company verbally
offers marketing support but has not included this in the con-
tract, you can ask that a written provision be added outlining
the assistance you will receive as the purchaser.
Anatomy of a
Laser Contract
Understanding the key provisions of a laser contract can help you in your
purchasing decisions.