Provide Financing Options to Help Support Cosmetic, Aesthetic and Med Spa Practice Growth

Cosmetic care is often elective and largely self-paid. Patients and clients may have expenses like deposits, package pricing and add-ons such as pre-procedure labs or post-care products. This can create uncertainty at the start of care about the eventual total cost, which can lead to delays moving from consultation to booking.

Offering practical payment options can ease cost concerns, get your practice paid promptly and reduce checkout friction so patients and clients can move forward with recommended services. It can also help differentiate your practice from competitors.

In Cosmetic Care, Patients and Clients Often Pay Out-Of-Pocket

Out-of-pocket spending is rising across the health and wellness field, and patients and clients might expect to pay directly for elective treatments. CareCredit’s 2026 Out-of-Pocket Healthcare Expenses report found that among surveyed cardholders who received cosmetic care in the past 12 months, their out-of-pocket costs averaged $1,606.¹

Discussing cost management and payment models early in the consult can set expectations, reduce friction and support timely decisions for care such as surgical packages with add-ons, series-based device treatments or injectable plans.

4 Types of Financing Options for Cosmetic Patients and Clients

Practices have several options when supporting patients’ and clients’ ability to pay for consults, deposits, services and follow-ups. Below are four common financing options for cosmetic patients and clients that can also benefit your business.

1. Installment loans

Patients or clients borrow a specific amount of money and then repay the loan in fixed payments by a certain date. This option can be a good fit for larger or more defined care costs, such as multi-area or staged treatments such as body contouring phases or series of skin resurfacing treatments.

2. Recurring payment plans

Your practice bills fixed amounts at regular intervals until the plan ends. Cosmetic patients or clients seeking services such as a prepaid series paid over time (e.g., a six-session laser hair removal or microneedling) could benefit from this option.

3. General-purpose credit card

With revolving credit, patients or clients are approved for a reusable line of credit up to a specified limit. As payments are made, credit becomes available again with no new credit application.

4. Third-party financing options for cosmetic patients and clients

With third-party financing, your cosmetic practice receives consistent payment and the collection risk is transferred to an outside financial company or a bank. The financing is available to cosmetic patients or clients through a loan or credit card.

Third-party financing may be a good option for treatments like cosmetic surgery or dermatology. CareCredit offers patients two ways to pay for the care they want and need: the CareCredit health and wellness credit card for ongoing care and CareCredit Pay Later for one-time-use installment loans with fixed monthly payments. One application can unlock more ways to pay, helping more patients move forward with care.*

How Offering Third-Party Financing Benefits Cosmetics Patients, Clients and Practices

Offering cosmetic patient financing helps both your practice and your patients or clients. Partnering with CareCredit as a third-party option for cosmetic financing offers the following potential benefits:

5 Best Practices For Offering Financing Options To Your Cosmetic Patients or Clients

The financing options you offer can make a big difference from consult to booking services. These best practices may help support a consistent, patient- and client-friendly approach to financing solutions that supports care and smooth collections.

1. Discuss cosmetic flexible financing options in advance

Whether your patients or clients come to you for procedures like hair removal, scar treatments or facials, they may appreciate knowing their payment options early. Train front desk staff, patient or client coordinators and treatment consultants to introduce estimates and payment options during the initial consult. Then continue the discussions throughout the treatment process.

2. Be clear about cosmetic patient financing eligibility

Cosmetic patients and clients may be hesitant to ask about financing, and may be unaware that they are eligible. Whether they are seeking skincare products or surgery, inform them that flexible payment options may be available for qualified applicants.* Put this prominently on your website, on signage throughout your practice and in one-on-one digital communications with patients and clients.

3. Offer payment options to cosmetic patients

Patients’ financial situations vary and they may change over time. Providing a range of payment options can help them manage their expenses and stay on track with their treatment plans.

Educate them at every interaction and touchpoint. Train staff members to confidently and matter-of-factly discuss cosmetic patient financing options and consider creating flyers or brochures that patients and clients can read at their convenience.

4. Find the right third-party financing company for cosmetic practices

Look for a third-party financing partner with integrity, transparency, cosmetic experience, strong training support and patient/client education resources. Ask other cosmetic or aesthetic practices and med spas who their financing partner is and if they would recommend that company.

5. Communicate clearly and consistently

Document and communicate your payment policies and timelines for all available treatments, procedures and products. Create scripts for your practice team so they can discuss options and answer financing questions confidently for any kind of cosmetic care, from hair resurfacing to Botox.

The Value of Payment Flexibility for Cosmetic Practices, Patients and Clients

When patients and clients understand costs and have clear ways to pay over time, they can feel confident moving from consultation to booking and follow-up care. For practices, offering various financing options can strengthen patient and client relationships, reduce administrative tasks and grow your practice.

A Flexible Financing Solution for Your Cosmetic Practice

Want to make it easy for patients and clients to manage the cost of treatment at your cosmetic practice or business? Consider offering CareCredit as a financing solution. With CareCredit, individuals may have two ways to pay over time for surgical and non-surgical treatments and procedures — the CareCredit credit card or a CareCredit Pay Later loan —while helping enhance the payments process for your practice or business.*

When you accept CareCredit, patients or clients can see if they prequalify with no impact to their credit score, and those who apply, if approved, can take advantage of special financing on qualifying purchases.* Additionally, you will be paid directly within two business days.

Learn more about the CareCredit credit card as a financing solution for your cosmetic care practice and business or start the provider enrollment process by filling out this form.

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The CareCredit health and wellness credit card helps improve the payment experience for patients and clients, and your financial performance.

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