Are you ready to invest in equipment for your spa business, but don’t know where to start?
No problem! We know just what you need: An esthetician chair.
An esthetician chair is essential to your spa setup, whether you’re renting a space or own your spa. Your clients will spend a lot of time in this chair (and leave reviews about it). So, it’s essential to choose the right one.
Lucky for you, we’ve put together this guide to help you find the perfect esthetician chair for your spa business.
What Is An Esthetician Chair?
An esthetician chair is a chair your client can rest on as you work your magic. You might know them as esthetic chairs, esthetician chair beds, or facial beds. Whatever you call it, an esthetician chair should be a comfortable space to treat your clients.
Esthetician chairs come in all shapes and sizes. So, you’re sure to find one that can accommodate your services and match your aesthetic.
You can search by fabric or features, of course. But, esthetician chairs are usually grouped based on how their height is adjusted. There are four main types:
- Hydraulic: Hydraulic chairs are the most common type of esthetician chair. They’re mechanical, so you manually raise and lower them with a foot pedal. You can probably tell that this means you’re in for a killer workout. But, they should be easy to find and at a reasonable price.
- Electric: Electric esthetician chairs are easy to adjust. You can lift and lower them with the click of a button. Your clients can get on and off without any legwork on your part. They take the strain off your body and save time during appointments. Electric esthetician chairs are an upgrade from the typical hydraulic chair, but they will cost you.
- Pneumatic: Pneumatic esthetician chairs are similar to hydraulic chairs. But, they use an airlift system to adjust the height, i.e., you apply pressure to a lever, and the chair moves up and down. They should be easier to change than hydraulic chairs. But, similar to an office chair, your clients will have to hop off if you need to raise it during an appointment.
- Portable: A portable esthetician chair is an excellent choice if you offer home calls or are on a budget. They’re lightweight and fold up neatly. So, you can quickly store them in your car (or even carry them by hand) and be on your way to your next appointment. Even better, they tend to be less expensive than other types of esthetician chairs.
Do I Need An Esthetician Chair?
Before pulling out your credit card, consider if a new chair is right for your business. Here are some questions to ask before investing in an esthetician chair:
- Can my business afford it? What’s a reasonable price range?
- Do any of my clients have special needs that the chair should accommodate?
- What treatments do I perform often? Which ones do I plan to cut? Do they need special features, materials, or storage?
- Do any of my team members need a new chair?
What Makes A Good Esthetician Chair?
The perfect esthetician chair won’t be the same for you, your competitors or even your team members. It varies depending on how long you’ve been practicing, how many clients you treat, and if you work at home or from a studio.
Here are five key factors to consider when shopping for an esthetician chair.
Cost
A brand-new esthetician chair can cost anywhere from $300 to $5000 (according to Amazon). But you’ll find lots of great options at the lower end.
So, ignore the urge to splurge on luxury equipment, especially if you’re just starting out. It may not be reasonable or within your budget. Besides, you need to spend this time attracting new clients and mastering your craft.
If you’re a seasoned pro living the six-figure esthetician dream, you can opt for a high-end chair with many modern features. Your clients will thank you even if your bank account won’t.
Comfort
A comfortable esthetician chair is a must at any stage of your spa business. You might offer lengthy treatments, like laser hair removal or deep tissue massages, where clients must remain still for a long time. So, it’s best to find chairs with soft materials and lots of padding to make their stay more comfortable. You want your clients to feel excited to come back for their next appointment.
And keep in mind, poor ergonomics is no joke.
Estheticians spend a lot of time on their feet, hunched over or in an unnatural position. Without comfortable equipment, you could have long-term posture problems or injuries. Your well-being at work is just as important as your clients. So, remember to pick up a comfy practitioner’s stool for yourself.
Style
Last, but not least, you should consider the style of the esthetician chair. As an esthetician, you know that looks matter when it comes to your treatment room. It’s essential to create an aesthetically pleasing and relaxing environment for your clients, even if you’re working from home. You want to choose a professional esthetician chair that complements your space.
Features
Before buying an esthetician chair, you need to make sure it has the features you need to function like a pro. You don’t have time to waste on outdated, inconvenient equipment.
You need a chair with a lot of flexibility if you offer various services. Some of your treatments might require a chair that pivots to reach your machines or have wheels so you can take it with you on the go. We recommend choosing an esthetician chair that can rise for facials or brow threading and lay flat for massages or other full-body treatments.
Some esthetician chairs come with unique features and accessories like a crescent-shaped face rest for massages, foot extenders to accommodate taller clients, and shelves for storage. Make sure the chair you choose has the features you need to keep your business running smoothly.
Size
Now it’s time to pull out your measuring tape. Before you buy an esthetician chair, you need to determine the correct size. If you have a dedicated studio space, you’re sure to find a chair that fits. But, if you’re working with less space, you might have to search a bit harder.
Size is critical if you’re a new esthetician or running a business from your home. Make sure to pick a chair that doesn’t overwhelm your space. If you’re not taking clients every week, having a clunky chair gathering dust in your closet or the middle of your living room can get annoying.
And keep in mind that you may want to buy another chair or large spa machinery as your business expands. Don’t settle on an esthetician chair until you’re sure it can grow with your business.
Do I Need Any Other Spa Equipment?
Now you know how to find the perfect esthetician chair. But, there is some other equipment you might need before your treatment room is open for business.
Of course, your needs vary depending on the treatments you offer. A massage therapist won’t need the same tools as a sugaring technician. But, most estheticians can benefit from the following:
- A magnifying lamp
- Sheets and towels
- Cleansing tools
- A towel warmer
- A trolley cart
- A facial steamer
- Sterile cabinet
- Storage boxes
Pro tip: Some retailers sell spa equipment as a packaged bundle, so you get everything you need at a lower price.
The Bottom Line
A good esthetician chair can increase the comfort, beauty and efficiency of your treatment room. And you don’t have to break the bank to get your hands on the right one. So, keep your eye out for an esthetician chair that’s comfortable to use for long periods and has features that make your job easier.
Equipment is just one piece of the puzzle to running your esthetician business. You still need a system to manage bookings, collect payments and follow up with clients.
That’s where we come in!
PocketSuite has all the tools you need to run a high-earning esthetician business.
