Plastic surgery isn’t just a simple service you can decide to undergo when you feel like it. Plastic surgeons and aesthetic doctors know that it’s a decision that carries a lot of weight. Why? Because it requires a lot of planning and trust from the patient, knowing the doctor and their expertise too. Every procedure, from breast augmentations to Botox, requires medical precision and necessary personalization for every patient’s needs.
Black Friday is the complete opposite of planning and taking everything into consideration. It’s about rushing to get the best deal for yourself. Arbrea has always been against Black Friday deals for the aesthetic surgery. Let’s see the reasons below together.
It Sends the Wrong Message
You are giving the patients the wrong impression. Imagine them looking through the medical procedures they want to do, like looking for the best Black Friday deals on different doctors’ websites. They are not going out shopping for a new TV or getting the best deals on some latest tech. Even the latest tech part is not entirely true.
For example, Apple doesn’t do it. You might think, why doesn’t Apple do Black Friday deals? A simple reason offering a discount for their products devalues the product itself. The same principle applies to plastic surgery. You would be putting the thoughts in your patients’ minds that cost is more important than quality. And this will lead patients to wonder, ‘Why is this service cheaper now? There must be something wrong with it.’
After all, aesthetic enhancements are investments in clients’ confidence and well-being. Not “shop Black Friday deals”.
It Undermines Your Expertise
You have spent valuable years learning how to be the best in your practice as a plastic surgeon. Therefore this is not a random business anyone can start. So when you start to offer Black Friday deals for plastic surgery, it can create the wrong perception in the patient. That your services can be negotiable or even less valuable.
And the following questions come from them. ‘Can you ask a plastic surgeon for a discount?’ These are a strong hit to your credibility and expertise.
Patients have to understand that your services are adapted to their needs. And, also that your skills and professionalism are never discounted. Not even for a limited time, such as Black Friday deals.
It Damages Trust and Professionalism
The idea that plastic surgeries might feel ‘salesy’ is just wrong. And should be avoided at all costs. No pun intended.
That’s why promotions like ‘Black Friday breast augmentation’ or ‘CoolSculpting deal’ can create the wrong impression in your patients. The impression that you care more for your pocket than for patient care. This can destroy the essential trust for a doctor-patient relationship.
The solution is to ignore the retailers going all out this year on Black Friday deals 2024. Suppress that urge, and think twice. Your professional image and reputation’s integrity are crucial compared to a random seasonal sales trend.
It Attracts Unrealistic Patients
Another issue that stems from Black Friday discounts is attracting the wrong audience. You will get people looking for a deal. And in the aesthetic field, this is a big no-no. They will just ask for a certain procedure and won’t have a realistic expectation. Driven by cost, these patients will most certainly be dissatisfied and can even sue you.
Also, they might ignore your advice on how to take care of themselves after the surgery. Let’s think for one second about offering discounts for Botox or CoolSculpting. These delicate procedures need patients who understand they need to be very careful for everything to be smooth sailing.
It Pressures Patients and Puts Their Health at Risk
When you think of Black Friday, your mind immediately goes to a sense of urgency. Do this now. There is no time. You can’t waste a single second. And Google is flooded with ‘when is Black Friday’ or ‘shop Black Friday deal before they’re gone!’
But this is something dangerous when it comes to the aesthetic field. Rushing a decision about surgery will have a poor outcome. They will face additional costs because they just wanted to be cheap. A study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery shows that more than half of patients who take the Black Friday deals need additional surgery. And the cost from that goes from $15,000 to $150,000.
You, as the doctor this year, must make sure your patients make informed choices and are not pushed by Black Friday deals 2024.
What Arbrea Suggests to Do Instead of Black Friday Discounts
Instead of losing yourself in this trend of Black Friday sales, focus on strategies that enhance trust, value, and professionalism.
1. Offer a Little More During the Consultations
A lot of doctors already do free consultations. And that’s great, as in this way the patients see their options with calm and ask necessary questions freely. They give back to the patients while also showing your expertise. And that’s a bond no discount can break.
However, some doctors offer a 20-minute facial massage for free. So the patients go for a visit, and they get the consultation for free. Then they get a visualization of how they will look at the end of the procedure. At this point, the patients are already feeling happy. But add the free massage in there too; they will be ecstatic. The Black Friday deals won’t even cross their minds if you treat them like royalty.
2. Use AI Tools to Enhance Consultations
Giving your patients the opportunity to visualize their outcomes during consultations is a game changer. That’s why our AI tools are used by doctors in over 50 countries of the world. They show you are willing to adapt to changing times and give them an improved consultation experience overall. Most importantly, they help you build trust and make you stand out. Unlike Black Friday deals, which make you look like another run-of-the-mill doctor.
3. Provide Flexible Payment Plans
Another idea would be to offer a flexible payment option for your patients. It helps every patient be able to undergo the procedure they want. This is a huge difference compared to discounts, because they make it more accessible to everyone, as opposed to devaluing the service offered.
Conclusion
Black Friday is a great time to find deals on a variety of products or services. But it doesn’t align with the values of plastic surgery and the aesthetic industry. These are Arbrea’s beliefs towards Black Friday, and our doctors feel the same.
That’s why staying far away from discounts and instead focusing on personalized care, innovative AI solutions, and a more accessible payment plan elevates your practice to another level. This way, you can protect your reputation, get the right audience, and deliver results that change people’s lives.
In the aesthetic industry, where trust, expertise, and professionalism are crucial, the value you can give is far better than any seasonal sale. No matter how appealing the sales seem.
If you are interested in checking out Arbrea’s solutions, click here.
Bibliography
- “The Hidden Dangers of Bargain Plastic Surgery and Medical Tourism,” UT Southwestern Medical Center. Available at: https://utswmed.org/medblog/plastic-surgery-discount-travel/
