These days, more and more medical spas are popping up in cities all over the country. Of course, different facilities are likely to offer varying products and treatments, but when it comes to choosing a spa of choice, most people tend to go with the place that gives them the best service and feeling overall. In fact, some people find themselves so satisfied with their medical spas of choice that they decide to sign up to become medical spa members.
Unfamiliar with the concept? A medical spa membership works sort of like a gym membership. Customers are usually charged a modest monthly fee, and in return, they get their choice of one or more treatments per month at a discounted rate. Of course, the specific benefits of a medical spa membership can vary from location to location, but some facilities have programs in place that make medical spa memberships a no-brainer for avid customers.
Santo Criscuolo is owner of Ambrosia Medspa, a Kirkland, Washington, facility offering an array of skin-enhancing treatments and services. According to Criscuolo, a number of benefits come with being an Ambrosia Medspa member. For starters, there’s the discounted monthly treatment selection. A basic membership at Ambrosia Medspa will cost at least $10 less per month than the cost of an included service. So if a particular customer tends to visit the spa at least once a month for treatment, then she is essentially guaranteed to save $10 – usually more – just by becoming a member. Ambrosia Medspa members are also entitled to other ongoing discounts and perks in order to encourage them to become part of the Ambrosia family. For example, sometimes a vendor will visit the facility and offer an exclusive deal or new products that are only available in limited quantities. In such situations, spa members will get first dibs at any new services or product offers. As owner of a medical spa, Criscuolo often finds himself the recipient of manufacturer rebate offers or coupons. If faced with only a certain number to give out, then Criscuolo will give his spa members priority over the more occasional customers. It is simply his way of saying thank you to his customers for their ongoing support.
Since the medical spa membership is really only geared towards those people who tend to be repeat customers, Criscuolo often gets asked whether or not the membership program serves to truly benefit him. After all, if a customer in question is going to come in for one treatment per month anyway, then how does taking in a smaller dollar amount for the membership fee help turn a profit? The answer is simple: It doesn’t. But that’s not the point of the membership program. Criscuolo’s goal in offering medical spa memberships is to forge relationships with his clients and show his appreciation for their patronage. While honoring a membership might be akin to taking in 10% to 20% less money for a particular service, Criscuolo is happy to do so as long as it keeps his customers happy.
Of course, being a medical spa member comes with one major benefit that has nothing at all to do with discounted service rates. By being a member of a particular facility, a customer is essentially committing to taking care of her skin. Just as gym members tend to overcome laziness and push themselves to work out in order to justify the monthly fee, so too do medical spa members use their status as a means of added motivation. It’s a situation that, according to Criscuolo, is truly advantageous to all the parties involved.
Of course, medical spa memberships aren’t for everybody. Those with limited budgets or minimal skin-related complaints might be better served by holding off on a membership until they notice a pattern of increased medical spa visits. However, if you’re the type of person who finds herself tapping at the medical spa door every 30 days or so, then it might pay to inquire about the possibility of becoming a member. And if your current medical spa of choice doesn’t offer a membership option, then you might want to consider switching over to a facility that does. After all, repeat business should come with some perks, and you deserve to be rewarded for taking care of your skin and supporting a local business in the process.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
