In the hustle of running a medspa, keeping track of every detail can be overwhelming—but ensuring that your products are not expired is a must do. Expired products, whether for client treatments or your backbar inventory, can lead to significant problems, ranging from ineffective treatments to adverse skin reactions. It’s not something anyone really intentionally overlooks, but with everything that goes into running a practice, expired products can slip through the cracks.
The Silent Risk in Your Inventory
As aesthetic professionals, the focus is on providing the best treatments, but what happens when an expired product is accidentally used? It could cause irritation, compromise your client’s trust, or even harm your professional reputation. Keeping an eye on expiration dates isn’t just about compliance; it’s about safeguarding your medspa’s integrity and your clients’ safety.
One aspect that can get overlooked is the backbar products. Providers may assume the backbar is adequately stocked without verifying dates and rarely used product could sit for way too long – and expired items here can directly impact the quality of results clients receive. Treatments that lose their potency mean subpar results, dissatisfied clients, and potentially lower retention rates.
The Psychological Push: Protecting Your Practice and Clients
When it comes to expired products, it’s essential to understand that this isn’t just about compliance or quality—it’s about risk management.
Have you seen the TiKTok with Stephanie Margarucci, who used expired skin care products in March of this year?
Imagine the impact on your medspa’s reputation if a client experiences an adverse reaction due to expired products. The aesthetics industry is built on trust, and your clients depend on you to deliver not just effective but safe results every time.
To prevent issues, it’s crucial to implement systems that regularly audit inventory, including backbar and retail products. Set reminders to check dates monthly and make sure your team understands the importance of this task. Consider integrating it into your regular training sessions, making it part of your standard operational checklist.
How to Stay Ahead
- Downloadable Checklist and Spreadsheet: To help streamline your inventory management, download our customizable checklist and spreadsheet to track product names, expiration dates, and audit history. This tool will allow your team to stay organized and proactive. We started you off by adding the 10 most popular Skin Care Lines Medspa’s offer as well as the products within each Brand. Adjust for your medspa.
Product Inventory Tracking Template for Medspas
- Inventory Check System: Implement a monthly or biweekly audit of all skincare products, including backbar. Assign a team member specifically responsible for this task.
- Use-by Dates and FIFO: Apply the First In, First Out (FIFO) method to your inventory, ensuring older products are used before newer stock.
- Team Accountability: Make expiration date checks part of your team’s training and regular duties. Empower every team member to take ownership of ensuring product safety.
Remember, expired products can be an invisible threat until it’s too late. Staying proactive and vigilant about checking dates can protect both your clients and your practice’s reputation.
