Building a successful practice depends upon two things: achieving great clinical outcomes and providing outstanding customer service. Smart physicians know that they alone can’t do both. They need a team that is informed, motivated, engaged and highly skilled in the art of aesthetic practice. This is where THE Aesthetic Practice Association™ (TAPA) and the Certified Aesthetic Consultant™ (CAC) Program come into play. We provide the education and instill the confidence in everyone from your receptionist to your nurse practitioner. We’ll make certain your whole team has the skills to deliver on the promises you make to patients. What’s more, you’ll know that your people are prepared when they proudly display their CAC certificate.

Latest News

Anti-Aging Skincare Products Drive Practice Profitability

According to Medical Insight, Inc., (Aliso Viejo, Calif.) global sales of physician-dispensed cosmeceuticals reached $774.9 million in 2008 – an increase of 13.4% in just one year. Through 2012, growth of this segment is projected at up to 17.1% per year as physicians continue adding skin-care lines to augment their aesthetic treatment services.
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Solta Medical Launches International illumiNATION Tour to Introduce New Systems

Solta Medical, Inc. (Hayward, Calif.) will take to the road in Autumn 2009 to launch the new Thermage CPT® and Fraxel re:store® Dual systems with the illumiNATION tour. Beginning September 14, 2009 and continuing through November 2009, this tour will present the latest breakthrough in Thermage and Fraxel systems to physicians in over 20 cities across the U.S. and 11 cities in Europe.
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Marketing Strategy Ensures Continued Growth Despite Rough Economy

It’s no secret that most aesthetic practices have suffered due to the current recession. Plastic and cosmetic surgeons, dermatologists, medical spas and groups of all shapes and sizes continue to report significant declines in new patients and revenues. At best it’s a struggle; at worst, some doors have closed. Moreover, while we hear good news from time to time, smart-money experts argue that the structural flaws that sent our economy reeling remain unabated and that our economy is still fundamentally sick.

Of course, there’s always light at the end of the tunnel, and the economy will rebound. With this in mind, there is a big upside for savvy marketers to come out of this ahead of the competition.

Until things improve, medical/aesthetic practices need to implement a worksmarter marketing strategy to weather the current storm. It hurts to hear this, but falling silent does more harm than good. Don’t duck and cover in tough times. Pulling down your marketing flag and heading for the sidelines sacrifices your previous marketing investment; the branding message you’ve worked hard to build is quickly lost.

Patients will think you have disappeared and your hard-won market share will erode. It’s harder than ever to keep your head up during this time, but your marketing plan is your primary defense system for survival and success.

Make sure to communicate high value, not fluff. In challenging economic times, prospective patients are particularly concerned about receiving strong value with their purchase decisions. Buyers want to feel that the money they spend will be well worth the investment.
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Practice Branding Increases Recognition and Revenue

Branding goes back to the days when ranchers first started marking their cattle to designate ownership. Eventually, as markets and industries became more competitive and customers gained more sophistication, simple designations of ownership and quality were insufficient. Marketing agents augmented the product-centered brand concept with layers of added value, such as emotional attachment, services, distribution, relationship and trust. To many aesthetic physicians, marketing is too expensive and takes time away from treatments or surgery. In reality a strategic, well thought out brand will allow more time to treat patients and yield an excellent return.

Medical branding strategies are different from other fields, such as retail or industry. Aesthetic practitioners need to keep their marketing respectful and genuine. Hence, some non-traditional marketing tools can be the most effective, but it’s important to start with the right building blocks so your brand starts strong.

A brand positions your practice in people’s minds. Most patients make choices based on both emotion and intellect, but mostly by what they remember about their experience with you and your practice. By defining your brand, you help establish a network of associations in the minds of your target audience.

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Benefits of Joining TAPA:

• Professional training and certification
• TAPA consumer outreach and practice referral
• Exclusive market data
• Technology and product evaluations
• Exclusive market research data
• Peer-to-peer networking
• Practice development support
• Access to expert training
• Buying discounts
• THE Aesthetic Guide® publications

Mission Statement

THE Aesthetic Practice Association (TAPA) is a community of physicians, aesthetic extenders and office staff devoted to enterprise growth and professional development.  As the leading association that provides education and training of medical aesthetic practitioners worldwide, TAPA is unique in offering the industry’s only Certified Aesthetic Consultant (CAC) program.