If you’re thinking of buying a laser for your Salon, you’ll probably be asking how much do Diode Lasers cost?
Here I’m going to help you understand the difference in prices, and what to look for as simply as I can. I’ve been operating lasers (not just diodes) for more than 18 years now in my chain of Salons. I know how difficult it is for Salon owners to make the right choice for their business, and not feel like they’ve picked the wrong machine when it’s too late and they’ve already parted with a significant sum of money.I know we all work really hard, and so I want to help you be better informed so that you can make a good decision.
The good news is that Diode Lasers are generally less expensive than traditional lasers and they need less replacement parts. So usually they are very cost effective.
So how much do Diode Lasers cost?
Well if you’re already done a bit of research you’ll realise it’s a minefield. Diode lasers can cost anything from a few thousand pounds to more than £75K!
Wow that’s a big price difference.
I’ve bought and used Diode Laser machines which cost everything from £16K to £75K so here’s what you need to know;
The £75K Diode Laser. If a Diode laser costs this much, you’re paying for a great machine but you’re also paying for the name and the marketing that goes behind it.
- Great machine
- Great results
- You’re paying for the brand.
- You’re paying for the marketing of that brand.
- You should be getting a good amount of support from the brand – so check what that entails and how it will actually benefit your business.
- You’ll need to make sure you are pricing your treatments high, and getting a high volume of clients to pay for it.
- It’s a high risk purchase so you need to be sure you can make it pay financially. Make sure you work out the monthly cost of buying the laser and how many treatments you’d have to carry out for you to make it profitable.
The £35-£40K Diode Laser. Lasers which cost this much are also very good machines, and you’re also paying for the brand that goes with it.
- Great machine
- Great results
- You’re paying to be part of a brand and also the marketing and support that goes with it.
- Again you need to make sure you’re pricing your treatments to enable you to pay back your machine and that you have a high volume of clients.
- Still a fairly high risk purchase – and you’ll want to make sure you can make it work financially.
The £16K-£25K Diode Laser. Lasers which cost this much can actually be every bit as good as the £75K Laser. I know because I’ve got one of these and I’ve also got the £75K one!
- Some are great machines, and some are not so good.
- The good ones deliver the same great results as the most expensive lasers.
- If you know which one to buy, then you can get a fantastic machine which is every bit as good as a £75K laser.
- The brand will be less recognised, but that means you’re not paying for the marketing of the brand.
- This also means that you’re not necessarily part of a recognisable name.
- However as the cost of buying the machine is less, it means you don’t need as many clients to afford the machine and make a profit. In other words the risk is less.
The £10K or less Diode Laser. Lasers which are too cheap are usually cheap for a reason. I would start to question whether the wavelength of light being emitted is true.
Knowing how much it costs to manufacture a laser – you’ve got to start to question a cheap machine. In some cases the wavelength of light being emitted isn’t true and so what you’re firing into someone’s skin isn’t completely accurate, which poses health risks. Also good machines cost more to manufacture than some of the cheap lasers are being sold for!
Other things you need to know
Good Diode Lasers can operate in 2 modes. Believe me when I say, if you’re buying a Diode laser make sure it can operate in both modes.
- MODE ONE is a pain free mode (where you pass over the same area multiple times and build up heat gradually)
- MODE TWO is a ‘fast’ mode (this is where you operate the laser like a traditional laser – with just one shot per area) This is much much faster and saves you a lot of time on large areas.
You’d expect the lasers which only operate in only ONE MODE to be less expensive because technically they aren’t as advanced.
However you’d be mistaken! Many suppliers (not all!) don’t acknowledge the fact that their laser only has ONE MODE and NOT TWO. And if you speak to a sales person many don’t understand the difference, because it’s likely the’ve never operated a laser. And their objective is to sell you a laser, not teach you how it works for you and your Salon.
That’s why you need to know exactly what you’re talking about so you understand what’s best for your salon, and you’re not wondering how you ended up with the wrong machine!
I hope this article has helped you understand more about how much Diode Lasers cost. I’m always amazed at how many Salon owners purchase a machine and then say they think they’ve made a bad decision! So do your research first.
If you need any help, then feel free to send me an email at: rachael@comeandcopyme.co.uk