The Rise of Memberships in the Beauty Industry: Should Your Clinic Offer One?
Discover why beauty clinics are embracing membership models and how offering one could help you increase client loyalty, improve cash flow, and scale your business sustainably.
The beauty and aesthetic industry is evolving rapidly, and one major trend gaining traction right now is the membership model. From skincare to laser clinics, more businesses are now offering memberships as a way to increase client retention, create consistent revenue, and build brand loyalty. But is it the right move for your clinic?
Let’s dive into why memberships are on the rise and how you can decide whether they’re a smart fit for your business.
Why Memberships Are Booming in the Beauty Industry
1. Predictable, Recurring Revenue
Unlike one-off treatments, membership models create a steady income stream that you can count on month after month. This consistency helps with budgeting, planning, and scaling your business, even during slower seasons.
2. Stronger Client Loyalty
Clients who join a membership program are more likely to stay loyal to your clinic. Whether it’s monthly facials, laser sessions, or skin maintenance plans, memberships build a sense of commitment and routine that traditional bookings often lack.
3. Increased Lifetime Value (LTV)
When clients subscribe to a monthly plan, they actually become more emotionally invested in the services they receive from your clinic. This can lead to more upsells, referrals, and longer retention, which significantly boosts the lifetime value of each client.
What Kind of Memberships Work Best for Clinics?
Not all memberships are the same. The key is to design a structure that suits both your services and your client base.
Here are a few successful models:
Treatment Bundles: Monthly or quarterly packages that include facials, LED therapy, peels, or laser sessions.
Product + Service Memberships: Combine in-clinic treatments with exclusive discounts on skincare products.
Tiered Memberships: Offer multiple levels (e.g. Bronze, Silver, Gold) with increasing benefits and price points.
Make sure the offers are clearly defined, easy to understand, and deliver real value to your clients. You will never be able to pitch a membership programmes if it is too complicated or convoluted. Be sure to clearly outline the ways it will benefit them, both in terms of the services and/or products on offer as well the financial benefits to be had.
Is a Membership Right for Your Clinic?
While you have probably seen various competitors offering membership programmes, this does not answer the question of whether it is the right move for your unique business and client base. It may help you to decide if you ask yourself these questions:
Do you offer treatments that require regular maintenance or repeat visits?
Do you have a loyal client base that values consistency?
Can your team handle the operational side of memberships (scheduling, billing, tracking)?
Are you looking to reduce your reliance on once-off promos and flash sales?
If you answered yes to most of these, a membership program could be a smart move.
Tips for Launching a Successful Membership Program
Start simple: Begin with one or two tiers and grow from there.
Promote strategically: Use email marketing, social media, in-clinic signage and upselling methods to build awareness.
Leverage urgency: Use limited-time bonuses or founding member perks to drive early sign-ups.
Automate where possible: Use booking and billing software to streamline your backend processes. If you have any questions surrounding which booking systems work best, you can check out our recommendations here Salon Marketing Agency Ireland and Australia.
You may already have a membership option in your booking system! Phorest have recently released a membership option which you can check out here: Memberships – Phorest.
For those operating in Australia and New Zealand, Aglow includes this service. If you do not have this specific booking system, they offer a Free Trial so you can give it a try at no extra cost: aglow Beauty Memberships — Leading the beauty membership movement.
Final Thoughts: Memberships Are More Than a Trend. . . They’re the Future
The rise of memberships in the beauty industry isn’t just a passing fad. They’re reshaping how clients engage with clinics and giving salon owners like you a powerful way to scale sustainably. Whether you're just starting to explore the idea or ready to launch your first plan, memberships offer the potential to grow your revenue, deepen client relationships, and stand out in a crowded market.
Need help designing your clinic’s membership model or marketing it the right way?
At Glow Up Marketing, we specialise in helping those in the skin, beauty and aesthetic industry create and promote smart, scalable programs for their businesses that attract and retain ideal clients.
Browse our services here, we’re sure to have an option suitable to your business and budget Glow Up Marketing - Salon Websites, Salon Marketing and Digital Marketing For Salons.