Starting Med Spa Budget: Med Spa Equipment Budget & Budget Med Spa Pre-Owned Equipment 2025

Opening a med spa with new equipment requires $300,000–$500,000 in equipment alone—before rent, build-out, staffing, or marketing. For many aspiring practice owners, this barrier kills the dream before it starts. But the same clinical capabilities are available on the pre-owned market at 55–65% savings, reducing the equipment investment to under $100,000.

This guide tells the story of a real startup that launched with pre-owned equipment and built a profitable practice in under 12 months.

The Budget-Smart Equipment Plan

New vs. Pre-Owned: Total Equipment Cost

| Equipment | New Purchase | Pre-Owned Purchase | Savings | |-----------|-------------|-------------------|---------| | Hair removal laser (GentleMax Pro) | $120,000 | $55,000 (Grade A-) | $65,000 | | HydraFacial MD | $28,000 | $14,000 (Grade A) | $14,000 | | RF Microneedling (Morpheus8/Potenza) | $85,000 | $26,000 (Grade A-) | $59,000 | | Body contouring (truSculpt iD) | $75,000 | — (added Year 2) | — | | Total Year 1 Equipment | $233,000 | $95,000 | $138,000 |

The $138,000 saved went directly into rent security deposit, build-out, marketing, and 6 months of operating reserves—expenses that determine whether a startup survives the critical first year.

Equipment Selection Strategy: Start with 2–3 Platforms

The mistake most startups make is buying too much equipment before they have patients. A smarter approach:

Phase 1: Launch (Month 0–6) — 3 Core Platforms

| Platform | Revenue Potential | Why First | |----------|------------------|-----------| | GentleMax Pro | $12,000–$20,000/mo | Hair removal is the #1 repeated aesthetic service; builds recurring patient base | | HydraFacial MD | $8,000–$15,000/mo | Lowest barrier to entry; immediate patient demand; fast ROI | | RF Microneedling | $6,000–$12,000/mo | High per-treatment revenue; complements laser services |

Phase 2: Expand (Month 6–12) — Add Based on Demand

Only after proving patient volume in Phase 1:

• Body contouring — if patients are asking for it
• IPL/BBL — if skin rejuvenation demand exceeds what RF microneedling covers
• Tattoo removal — if local market supports it (check competitor landscape)

Phase 3: Optimize (Year 2+) — Upgrade or Add Premium

Reinvest profits into:

• Upgrading from GentleMax Pro to GentleMax Pro Plus (or add PicoSure for tattoo/pigmentation)
• Adding body contouring platform
• Upgrading HydraFacial MD to Elite for higher volume

Financial Performance: Month-by-Month

Revenue Ramp

| Period | Monthly Revenue | Monthly Equipment Costs | Net Contribution | Cumulative | |--------|---------------|----------------------|-----------------|------------| | Month 1–2 | $12,000 | $3,500 | $8,500 | $17,000 | | Month 3–4 | $22,000 | $3,500 | $18,500 | $54,000 | | Month 5–6 | $32,000 | $3,500 | $28,500 | $111,000 | | Month 7–9 | $38,000 | $3,500 | $34,500 | $214,500 | | Month 10–12 | $45,000 | $3,500 | $41,500 | $339,000 | | Year 1 Total | $420,000 | $42,000 | $378,000 | — |

Equipment costs include service contracts ($18,000/year) and consumables ($24,000/year). Full equipment payback achieved by Month 5.

Year 2 Expansion

With Year 1 profits, the practice added a pre-owned truSculpt iD ($38,000) and upgraded to HydraFacial Elite ($18,000 net after MD trade-in). Year 2 projected revenue: $680,000.

Startup Launch Checklist

• Secure treatment space with proper electrical and HVAC for laser equipment
• Purchase 2–3 core pre-owned platforms (total budget: $80,000–$120,000)
• Arrange professional installation and calibration ($3,000–$9,000)
• Complete staff training (manufacturer + third-party clinical)
• Set up practice management software and scheduling system
• Build a pre-launch marketing plan (website, Google My Business, social media)
• Obtain professional liability insurance covering all planned treatment modalities
• File state and local business registrations and medical board notifications
• Establish relationships with consumable suppliers (negotiate volume pricing)
• Create treatment protocols and informed consent documents for every service

For equipment acquisition, start with our Complete Buying Guide. For financing your initial purchase, see our Financing Options Guide. For detailed ROI projections, review our ROI Analysis with Real Practice Data.