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Skin in the Game: Should You Buy a Dermatology or Skincare Clinic?
Memberships, lasers, and rising roll-ups—are skincare clinics the next cash machine?
Is our skin glowing?
Because today we are talking about skincare.
No, not your lack of a routine - but the opportunity to acquire businesses in this high-profit sector.
From high-margin services (like as high as software companies) to premium product lines - there is a reason Wall Street loves the skin care sector so much.

Sorry for the creeping GIF, but this niche reference was too perfect NOT to use
There is, however, ample opportunity to buy before the Patagonia vest bros takeover, which is the opportunity we're going to expose today.
Let's peel back the layers on why this overlooked sector is Mainstreet's next big opportunity-before the suits catch on and the valuations get as inflated as their egos 💪
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INDUSTRY BREAKDOWN
The Numbers:
There are over 13,000 dermatology clinics in the U.S., driving a projected $9.3 billion in 2025 revenue. The real winners? Clinics that blend medical insurance visits with high-margin cosmetic services. It’s a model that’s resilient, scalable, and increasingly attractive to investors.
Revenue Breakdown:
Clinics typically split revenue between medical dermatology (insurance-billed) and cosmetic services (cash-pay), though the latter dominates profitability:
Medical services (30–40% of revenue): Includes acne treatment, eczema management, and skin cancer screenings.
Cosmetic services (60–70% of revenue): Botox, fillers, laser treatments, and facials drive the majority of profits, with margins up to 40%
Recurring Income: Recurring income is critical, with 65–73% of patients returning multiple times annually
Margins That Gleam:
EBITDA margins: 20–40% for clinics blending medical and cosmetic services, versus 15–25% for medical-only practices
The Drawbacks?
Increasing competition and regulations is creating head-winds. Additionally, in Canada, you often need a medical doctor or dermatologist to prescribe certain treatments (and they’re not cheap).
Want to read the full report? Check it out HERE.
Sources: FTI Consulting, Practical Dermatology, FINMODELSLAB
Search Tips For Buying A Skincare Clinic
Where to Look
✅ Buy Signals: What to Look For in a Skincare Clinic Deal
Recurring Appointments or Memberships:
Monthly facials, Botox touch-ups, and skincare subscriptions offer stable, predictable revenue.Modern, Maintained Equipment:
Top-tier lasers (Cutera, Alma, etc.) with service contracts and trained staff already in place.Prime Location:
Professional medical buildings near affluent zip codes or high-density urban neighborhoods.Team in Place:
Credentialed nurse injectors, certified laser techs, and front-desk staff who know the flow.Room to Scale:
Unused treatment rooms or part-time injectors = easy upside without new CapEx.
🚨 Warning Signs: Red Flags When Reviewing Listings
Owner-Dependent Operations:
If one injector or the owner is driving all revenue, the handoff could get hairy.No Cosmetic Upsells or Retail:
No Botox, no fillers, no product sales? You’re likely looking at a lower-margin model.Outdated Tech or Limited Menu:
Missing modern laser equipment or trending services can hurt competitiveness.Marketing Black Hole:
No email list, weak brand, or zero online booking = missed revenue.Lease Insecurity:
Short lease terms or vague renewal options can cap long-term growth.
📜 Common Deal Structures
Asset Purchase:
The standard in this space. You’re buying equipment, brand, and goodwill—not liabilities.Share Purchase:
Rare, but sometimes used for clinics with medical billing components or licenses.Vendor Take-Back (Owner Financing):
More common in boutique deals or if the seller wants to stay involved post-sale.Earn-Outs:
Sometimes used when a clinic’s future growth is obvious but not yet reflected in the financials.
Final Thoughts: Is It Time to Buy a Skincare Clinic? 🧴
Dermatology and skincare clinics offer a rare blend: medical stability with luxury margins. For buyers who can bring marketing, ops, or scale—and plug in where the founder left off—these businesses can print cash and compound brand value over time.
The best bets?
Clinics with recurring revenue and injectables
Trained team + modern equipment already in place
Great real estate or a long-term lease in an affluent zip code
DEAL REVIEW

Skincare Clinic for Sale with $1M+ New Equipment
To learn more about this opportunity, email Morgan Tate ([email protected]) with the subject line ‘Skincare Clinic’
This is an opportunity to acquire a brand new skincare clinic in Victoria, BC with $1M+ of brand new equipment - asking $849,000 - so what’s the catch? Let’s break it down:
Green Flags 🟢
Built-out & Turnkey – Over $1.3M invested in lasers, equipment, and leasehold improvements.
Experienced Team in Place – A 20-year RN injector, certified laser tech, and concierge are already in the chair. Minimal retraining, minimal chaos.
Premium Equipment – top-end laser machines with active maintenance contracts.
Growth Without More CapEx - Unused treatment rooms and a part-time operators = easy scale without more spend.
Red Flags 🔴
Brand New Business – business is not super established with minimal revenues, will need a buyer with a strong marketing background.
Low Online Presence – The business lacks digital marketing limiting visibility.
Part-time Staff – To achieve growth targets, you’ll need to find more technicians and staff to recruit into the business.
To learn more about this opportunity, email Morgan Tate ([email protected]) with the subject line ‘Skincare Clinic’
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