Why Regular Maintenance on Your Aesthetic Devices is Crucial for Your Practice
Aesthetic devices are at the heart of your practice’s success and patient experience. It’s imperative to do routine checks of your existing equipment to ensure it’s running at its best.
Here’s why regular maintenance should be a priority:
1. Compliance with FDA Requirements
As with any medical device, aesthetic technologies are subject to rigorous FDA regulations. These guidelines ensure that devices are safe, effective, and used properly in clinical settings. Manufacturers often provide specific maintenance instructions to ensure that devices remain in compliance with these requirements.
Failing to keep up with the prescribed maintenance regardless of the age, use and quality can lead to equipment malfunctions, unexpected outcomes, decreased efficacy or even safety hazards. For example, a laser or radiofrequency device that is no longer properly calibrated could produce inconsistent energy levels, which may put patients at risk of burns, scarring, or other complications.
2. Warranty Coverage
Regular servicing is a requirement for warranty upkeep. Not adhering to the manufacturer’s guidelines may void coverage. By sticking to a proactive maintenance schedule, you can ensure that your devices are operating as intended, keeping your technology covered for any service requirements down the line.
3. Accurate Documentation
Annual maintenance also ensures your practice has accurate documentation of your device’s service history, calibration, and any updates performed. This documentation is vital for regulatory compliance, insurance purposes, and warranty claims, providing a clear record that your equipment is well-maintained and up to date.
4. Patient Safety
Patient safety is a priority of any aesthetic practice. When you’re using advanced technology for skin rejuvenation, body contouring, or laser treatments, it’s crucial that the devices are working correctly to avoid complications.
Aesthetic devices are often used in close proximity to sensitive skin, and malfunctioning equipment can result in unwanted side effects, such as burns, skin discoloration, or infection. Regular maintenance ensures that devices are calibrated correctly, energy outputs are accurate, and cooling systems are functioning as intended.
Moreover, preventative maintenance reduces the risk of breakdowns that could leave patients vulnerable during treatments. If a device stops working mid-session or fails to perform as expected, it can cause patient discomfort or even injury. Keeping equipment in peak working condition means safer treatments for your patients and peace of mind for you as a practitioner.
5. Treatment Efficacy
When patients come to you for treatments, they expect optimal results. To meet these expectations, your devices must be performing at their best. Aesthetic technologies, whether they are lasers, IPL, or radiofrequency (RF) devices, rely on precise energy delivery to achieve consistent and effective results.
Over time, even the highest quality machines can experience wear and tear. Regular maintenance—such as calibration checks, cleaning, and part replacements—ensures that devices are delivering energy at the right intensity, targeting the appropriate tissue, and producing the desired outcomes.
For example, a laser with a degraded or misaligned beam will not produce the same results as one that’s regularly serviced, potentially leading to ineffective treatments or patient dissatisfaction. On the other hand, well-maintained equipment will perform consistently, delivering reliable results and boosting patient satisfaction.
By keeping up with both routine maintenance and software updates, you ensure that your devices are always performing at their peak potential. Software updates, in particular, can improve device efficiency and introduce new features that enhance treatment options or provide more precise control over settings.
6. Cost-Effectiveness: Prevent Larger Issues and Extend Device Lifespan
While regular maintenance comes with some upfront costs, it’s far more economical than dealing with the consequences of neglect. A well maintained device can have a significantly longer lifespan, meaning fewer repairs, fewer unexpected breakdowns, and ultimately a lower cost of ownership.
When devices are not properly maintained, problems often compound over time, leading to more expensive repairs or the need for early replacements. By investing in routine maintenance, you can catch small issues before they become costly failures, ensuring your equipment continues to function smoothly and you avoid expensive downtime.
If you are an existing Cartessa customer, and interested in maintenance service for your device, submit your service request here. Cartessa also offers extended service contracts that provide several benefits including annual maintenance amongst others. Be sure to ask us about these agreements!
