More and more people are turning to med spas for treatments that help them look good and feel even better, but while demand continues to soar, one obstacle remains stubbornly persistent: cost.

Medical aesthetics is about empowerment, self-care, and investing in one’s own confidence. However, for some patients, the desire for medical aesthetic treatments runs up against the realities of household budgets. Sticker shock can slow or even halt the decision-making process, leaving would-be patients on the sidelines and med spas missing out on valuable opportunities.

Enter patient financing. By offering flexible payment options, medical aesthetics practices can bridge the gap between aspiration and action, helping clients say “yes!” to transformative treatments. But patient financing isn’t just good for patients; it’s a powerful tool for business growth as well.

To dig deeper, AmSpa surveyed its members to see exactly how practices are leveraging patient financing options—uncovering important trends, benefits, and real-world results. Here’s what we found:

• Average transaction value was higher when practices used patient financing.
• Most common treatments patients financed included injectables and laser treatments, both popular and high-value service lines.
• Key benefits cited by practices included increased average sale size, improved patient satisfaction, and greater treatment plan acceptance.
• Patient financing’s contribution to success is clear: it is a strategic differentiator driving revenue and trust.

Patient financing isn’t just a payment option; it’s a growth strategy that builds trust, boosts revenue, and consistently elevates the patient experience.

 

The Psychology Behind Patient Financing

Med spa directors know that consultations often turn on a single moment: the mention of price. This is where “price anchoring” comes into play—a behavioral economics concept describing how people’s decisions are heavily influenced by the first price they see. When that number is large, it can provoke “sticker shock,” causing hesitation or avoidance even when a patient is otherwise enthusiastic.

Flexible payment options can flip this script. Instead of presenting a high upfront cost that feels daunting, providers can offer manageable monthly payments. This lowers psychological resistance and positions the practice as a patient ally rather than a pushy salesperson.

The 2025 State of Aesthetics report from New Beauty found that more than 20% of clients actively prefer using financing for treatments. This is especially true for those managing multiple priorities or those who see aesthetic care as part of their self-care routines. By offering financing, med spas empower patients—enabling considered, confident decisions rather than encounters marked by stress or regret.

It’s also important to understand the way many patients view medical aesthetic procedures today. According to the New Beauty report, patients increasingly see treatments as investments—in their self-esteem, their confidence, and their personal and professional lives. When asked to rank places where they would choose to reduce spending, respondents indicated they would rather cut:

• Dining (54%)
• Clothing (43%)
• Nail care (42%)
• Spa/Massage (40%)
• Travel (31%)
• Fitness/Gym (27%)

While only 24% of patients answered that they would choose to cut aesthetic treatments.

When the framing of “treat this as an investment in yourself, and the payments fit your lifestyle” is combined with transparent financing, med spas remove major roadblocks to care.

 

Business Benefits for Med Spas

1. What Are the Benefits of Offering Patient Financing?

The most immediate business benefit? Retaining patients who might otherwise walk away. By addressing financial barriers, med spas ensure that promising leads don’t slip through the cracks for reasons unrelated to clinical value.

AmSpa’s membership survey tells a compelling story:

• Higher average transaction value (27%): Practices that offered financing saw patients spending more per visit, opting for comprehensive plans or premium treatments.
• Faster patient decision making (23%): Flexible options speed up the journey from consultation to commitment, with patients feeling confident and supported.
• Increased treatment volume (22%): When cost is less intimidating, patients say yes to more treatments, more often.
• Improved patient satisfaction (21%): Happy patients are the best ambassadors. Financing removes the anxiety of big expenses, driving better ratings and reviews.

According to Allergan’s Hyaluronic Acid Injectable Fillers report, patients are getting more accepting of considering full-face treatment plans vs. just a few areas. More than half of those surveyed said they’d received treatments in multiple areas in 2024, and 82% said they were interested in treatments in more than one area.

Financing empowers practitioners to recommend what’s genuinely best—not just what fits an immediate budget. It allows for upselling complete packages, long-term skin health plans, or combination services. The conversation shifts from “What can I afford today?” to “What’s the best plan for me, and how do I make it work?”

 

2. How Do Patients Typically Use Financing Options?

Our data reveals specific trends in patient behavior with financing:

• About one-third of patients who used financing did so for purchases in the $501–$1,000 range.
• The largest cohort (38%), however, financed purchases between $1,001 and $2,500.
• The treatments most commonly financed? Injectables (44%)—think neuromodulators and fillers—and laser treatments (25%). These services often require routine maintenance or benefit from package pricing, making them ideal for flexible payment arrangements.

What does this mean for your business? Financing empowers patients to pursue optimal courses of treatment, maximizing both outcomes and revenue for your practice.

 

3. Are Patient Financing Options Beneficial to Med Spas?

When asked how important patient financing was to their business success, AmSpa members responded:

• Very important: 37%
• Moderately important: 24%
• Slightly important: 27%

That means nearly nine in ten identifying at least some level of importance. The competitive landscape underscores this, with 72% saying financing gives them a tangible advantage in attracting and converting new patients.

Financing isn’t a “nice-to-have” anymore—it’s a central pillar of med spa business strategy.

 

Biggest Challenges to Offering Patient Financing Programs

Of course, no system is perfect. The two biggest hurdles AmSpa members identified in offering financing were:

• High merchant fees (41%): These can eat into profitability, making it critical to review terms and choose options that can help your bottom line. For example, AmSpa members receive special merchant rates on many popular financing options on CareCredit transactions of $200 or more.*
• Educating patients about financing options (20%): Patients may not be aware these options exist, or may have concerns about hidden fees or credit impact.

The key? Do your homework. Look at the fine print of every financing provider—what are the rates, the fees, the approval criteria? How transparent is the process for both staff and patients?

A strong brand partner won’t just process payments—they’ll support your practice with robust educational resources, staff training, and ongoing operational support. AmSpa members report that the most helpful tools are:

• Best practice guides for integrating financing into your workflow.
• Staff training materials to promote lending naturally during consultations.
• Negotiating tips for providers so you’re always maximizing value.
• Webinars and workshops to keep your team sharp and informed.

When evaluating financing options, don’t be afraid to push for more. Ask financing providers what else they can offer, and partner with those that are invested in your success.

 

Implementation Tips for Med Spa Owners

You’ve seen the data and the business case—how do you turn those insights into action? Here are AmSpa’s top recommendations for integrating financing into your practice:

1. Train Your Team: The “sales pitch” approach will backfire. Instead, weave financing into the conversation as a standard care tool—something engineered to help patients access the best results.
2. Advertise Financing Upfront: Don’t hide the option; feature it on your website, social channels, printed materials, and signage. Normalizing financing transforms it from “last resort” to “smart strategy.”
3. Be Transparent: Make sure terms are clear and straightforward. Transparency on APRs, possible fees, and concrete payment examples builds the trust that drives decisions.
4. Make Financing a Marketing Magnet: “Get the look you want now—pay over time.” Use language that reinforces smart self-investment, not financial distress.
5. Track Metrics that Matter: Monitor things like approval rates, average ticket size, percentage of patients who finance, and repeat visit frequency. Identifying what works (and what doesn’t) will allow you to refine your approach for maximum impact.

 

Learn more about how to talk finances with patients

Watch this episode of Medical Spa Insider as founder Alex R. Thiersch, JD, sits down with Beto Casellas, executive vice president and CEO of health and wellness at Synchrony Financial, the parent company of CareCredit. They discuss the launch of a new consumer resource, the Fair Financing Principles, and talk about how financial education can empower patients to make informed decisions about their aesthetic and wellness care.

 

 

Financing as a Cornerstone of Modern Med Spa Success

Patient financing is more than a payment plan—it’s a catalyst for growth. It aligns with the emerging psychology of self-care spending, eliminates key barriers to action, and expands both access and profitability for med spas.

AmSpa’s proprietary research shows that practices leveraging patient financing see tangible benefits: higher revenue, more satisfied patients, rapid decision cycles, and a real competitive edge. Med spas that embrace financing—and educate, empower, and support their teams—will be best positioned to thrive in an industry defined by innovation and changing consumer expectations.

If you’re not yet offering robust patient financing, now is the time to reconsider. The tools, support, and best practices are at your fingertips—and so are the opportunities.

Unlock the full potential of your med spa with financing strategies that work—for you and your patients.

* See your CareCredit rate sheet for details.