How I Decide Whether a Device Belongs in My Practice or Medical Spa
When I’m deciding whether to bring a new device into my practice or medical spa, I’m extremely methodical.
Whether it’s for dry eye or aesthetics, the process is always the same. New technology is exciting, but excitement alone doesn’t pay bills, retain patients, or build a sustainable practice. Strategy does.
Here’s how I evaluate every device before it ever earns a place on my floor.
1. I Always Demo the Device on Myself
Every single time.
If a treatment is uncomfortable or painful for me, it’s very likely going to be uncomfortable for patients too. Over the years, I’ve seen far too many practices invest in devices with impressive clinical data that patients quietly dread. They don’t rebook. They don’t finish packages. They don’t refer friends.
That’s not a sustainable business model.
Patient experience matters just as much as clinical outcomes. If patients don’t enjoy the treatment, the technology will eventually sit unused, no matter how advanced it is.
2. I Evaluate Reliability and Support
Technology is only as good as its uptime.
I look closely at:
How often the device breaks down
What the warranty actually covers (not just what the brochure says)
How responsive the company is when something goes wrong
A device that’s constantly down costs more than money. It costs trust, momentum, and staff morale.
3. Warranties Are Non-Negotiable
Especially when it comes to lasers and higher-ticket equipment.
Warranties should always be discussed and negotiated. This is also where peer insight becomes invaluable. I talk to colleagues who already own the device and ask direct questions:
What’s worked?
What hasn’t?
How often are they calling support?
How are they successfully promoting the treatment?
Real-world experience will always tell you more than a sales deck.
4. Brand Awareness Actually Matters
This is something many providers underestimate.
I look at what patients are already searching for. Is the brand recognizable? Is the company investing in marketing so patients are primed to look for that treatment and, ideally, find you?
When patients come in already aware of a treatment, education becomes easier and conversion becomes more natural.
5. ROI Is the Final Gate
This is the most important question of all.
If a device costs $2,000 a month to finance, you need to confidently sell more than $2,000 a month in packages just to justify it. And that calculation cannot stop at the device payment.
You must factor in:
Marketing spend
Staff time
Training
Operational overhead
If the numbers don’t work on paper, they won’t magically work in real life.
Hope is not a business strategy.
The Bottom Line
The right devices don’t just look impressive. They:
Feel good to patients
Work reliably
Are supported by responsive companies
Align with patient demand
And make financial sense long before they ever arrive in your practice
If you want help choosing your next device strategically, I offer free strategy calls where we map out dry eye and aesthetics plans that actually make sense for your practice.
Smart growth beats shiny objects. Every time.
