Skin treatment room in a shared studio

Adults who want regular skin care and visible results, such as people preparing for events, anyone with skin concerns, and clients who book ongoing treatment plans.

Price per treatment, plus course packages and memberships for repeat visits. Skin care products can add a little extra income. Room rental is usually a fixed monthly fee or a share of revenue.

• Esthetics training and hands-on treatment skills
• Reading skin and explaining options honestly
• Client service and rebooking
• Strict hygiene habits

• Scope of practice differs by province; check with your provincial regulator before offering anything beyond basic esthetics
• Injectables, lasers and prescription products are generally restricted to regulated health professionals, so check before you promise them
• Professional liability and commercial general liability insurance, and whether the landlord's cover applies to you
• Infection control and sanitation standards from your local public health unit
• Rules on advertising prescription products and before and after photos, check with the regulator
• Registering for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold, and checking whether your services are taxable

Estimated startup costs are typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on room rent and deposit, equipment, products, training and insurance. Treat these as estimates and check your own quotes.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $2,000 to $9,000, depending on your treatment prices, how many clients you see and how well they rebook. These are estimates, not guarantees.

Check your provincial regulator for scope of practice before offering anything beyond basic esthetics. Injectables, lasers and prescription products are generally restricted to regulated health professionals. Also check insurance, public health infection control standards and GST/HST registration.