Thinking about opening a medical spa? You’re not alone. The medspa industry is booming—with annual revenue topping $15 billion in the U.S. alone—and it's one of the fastest-growing sectors in healthcare and aesthetics. If you’re passionate about helping people look and feel their best, starting a medical spa could be the perfect business move.

But where do you begin?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through how to start a medical spa, from legal requirements and certifications to branding, hiring, and marketing strategies. Whether you're a medical professional or a savvy entrepreneur, this article will give you a roadmap for launching your medspa the right way.

What Is a Medical Spa?

Before we dive in, let’s define what a medical spa actually is.

A medical spa—also known as a medspa or aesthetic medical clinic—combines traditional spa services with medical-grade treatments performed under the supervision of a licensed healthcare provider.

Common services include:

• Botox and dermal fillers

• Laser hair removal

• Microneedling and skin resurfacing

• Body contouring and CoolSculpting

• Chemical peels and facials

• IV therapy and hormone treatments

Medspas differ from day spas by offering results-driven procedures that require medical oversight, advanced technology, and in many cases, prescription-based treatments.

Step 1 – Understand Legal & Licensing Requirements

Determine Ownership Eligibility

Each state has specific rules about who can own or operate a medical spa. In many states, only licensed physicians (or physician-owned entities) can legally own a medspa. In others, non-physicians can co-own or run the business with a Medical Director who oversees treatments.

Research your state laws carefully and consider speaking with a healthcare attorney before you invest in equipment or sign a lease.

Secure the Right Licenses and Permits

You’ll need a combination of:

• A medical facility or healthcare business license

• Professional liability insurance and malpractice insurance

• Local zoning or occupancy permits

• A registered business name and EIN (Employer Identification Number)

• Possibly DEA certification (if handling injectables or prescriptions)

Step 2 – Create a Solid Business Plan

A strong business plan lays the foundation for your medspa’s success. It should include:

• Mission & vision

• Target market analysis (age, income level, location)

• List of services offered

• Startup and recurring costs

• Revenue projections

• Marketing plan

• Team structure and staffing needs

This document will also help you secure financing if you're applying for loans or seeking investors.

Step 3 – Find the Right Location

Your location can make or break your medspa. Look for a space that is:

• Easily accessible with ample parking

• Located in or near affluent neighborhoods

• In proximity to gyms, salons, or other wellness businesses

• Zoned properly for medical and spa services

Whether you choose to build from scratch or lease a suite in a medical complex, the space should be warm, clean, and professionally designed to build client trust and comfort.

Step 4 – Hire Licensed & Qualified Staff

A medical spa is only as good as the team behind it. At a minimum, you’ll need:

• A Medical Director (physician or NP depending on your state)

• Aesthetic injectors (RNs, PAs, or NPs)

• Laser technicians or estheticians (depending on your service menu)

• Front desk/receptionist

• Optional: Practice manager or clinic coordinator

All providers must be licensed and trained in their respective areas—and it’s your responsibility to ensure that every treatment is performed legally and safely.

Step 5 – Choose Your Services & Equipment

Start by selecting a core group of high-demand, high-margin services like:

• Botox and fillers

• Laser hair removal

• Hydrafacials or microneedling

• Body sculpting (e.g., Emsculpt, CoolSculpting)

From there, decide what equipment you’ll need. Most medspa technology comes with hefty upfront costs, so make sure you choose systems that are FDA-approved, clinically effective, and well-known in the industry.

Some vendors offer financing or leasing options, which can help reduce startup costs.

Step 6 – Build Your Brand Identity

Your brand is more than just your logo—it’s the personality of your business. To stand out in a competitive market, you’ll need a cohesive identity that speaks to your target clientele.

Key branding elements:

• Business name (memorable, clean, available as a .com domain)

• Logo and color palette

• Website design and messaging

• Social media presence

• Client experience and voice/tone

Make sure your brand evokes trust, professionalism, and beauty—all the things your clients are looking for.

Step 7 – Launch a Marketing Plan That Actually Works

Here’s the big one. You can have the nicest clinic in town, but if no one knows about it—you won’t stay open long. That’s why marketing is one of the most important investments you’ll make when starting a medspa.

Digital Advertising (Meta Ads & Google Ads)

• Meta Ads (Facebook and Instagram) are perfect for promoting specials, showcasing before-and-afters, and reaching people based on age, location, and interests.

• Google Ads help you rank when people search for “Botox near me” or “laser hair removal in [city].”

These are the fastest ways to drive traffic and start booking consultations.

Email & SMS Marketing

Collect emails and phone numbers from every lead, and follow up with:

• Booking reminders

• Promotions and seasonal offers

• Educational content about treatments

• Client retention and reactivation campaigns

SEO & Website Optimization

Your website should be:

• Mobile-friendly and fast

• Optimized with keywords like “medspa in [city]”

• Built to convert visitors into appointments

Having service-specific pages (e.g., Botox, microneedling, body contouring) helps you rank in local search results.

 Partner with a Lead Gen Specialist

Working with a company like Medspa Millions can save you time, money, and guesswork. We build done-for-you lead funnels and ad campaigns that help new medspas grow fast—and sustainably.

Step 8 – Focus on Client Experience and Retention

Once you start getting clients in the door, your focus should shift to creating an unforgettable experience. That’s how you earn loyalty, referrals, and repeat business.

Ways to improve client retention:

• Offer a loyalty program or membership

• Send thank-you emails and post-treatment check-ins

• Ask for Google and Yelp reviews

• Host client appreciation events

• Offer refer-a-friend bonuses

Client satisfaction is the most effective form of marketing—and it’s free.

Final Thoughts: Is Starting a Medspa Worth It?

Starting a medical spa isn’t a side hustle—it’s a serious business venture with real responsibility, liability, and opportunity. If done right, it can be incredibly rewarding both financially and personally.

By understanding your legal responsibilities, building a great team, choosing services wisely, and implementing a solid marketing strategy, you’ll give yourself the best possible shot at success.

And if you need help getting leads, growing your client base, or running digital ads, the team at Medspa Millions is ready to help you hit the ground running.

Ready to Start Your Own Medical Spa?

Whether you're just exploring or ready to launch, Medspa Millions can guide you with:

• Ad strategy & campaign setup

• Lead generation funnels

• Landing page creation

• Email & SMS follow-up automation

• Ongoing consulting and marketing support

👉 Book a free consultation today to see how we can help you turn your medspa dream into a thriving business.