The Numbers Every Aesthetic Doctor Should Know (But Most Don’t)

By Dr. Nicky Potgieter

Let me ask you something—and be honest with yourself when you answer:

Do you know how much profit you make from your most popular treatment?

Do you know what it actually costs to perform it?

Do you know how many patients you need per month to break even… and how many you need to hit your income goal?

If those questions make you feel uncomfortable, overwhelmed, or just plain unsure—you’re not alone. In fact, I created the Business Accelerator because so many of the aesthetic doctors I mentor don’t know their numbers… and it’s costing them.

You Can’t Scale What You Don’t Track

I say this all the time: you can have the most beautiful clinic, the most advanced treatments, and the busiest calendar—but if you don’t know your numbers, you’re flying blind.

Here’s the truth:
Financial clarity is the foundation of freedom.

When you understand what’s working in your business (and what’s draining it), you stop reacting emotionally and start making decisions based on strategy.

The Key Numbers Every Aesthetic Doctor Should Know

These are just a few of the core metrics we cover inside the Business Accelerator, but let me give you a starting point:

1. Cost Per Treatment

What does it actually cost you to deliver a single treatment—including product, consumables, your time, and overhead? This is essential for setting profitable pricing.

2. Revenue Per Hour

How much are you making per clinical hour worked? This helps you identify which treatments are worth your time—and which ones aren’t.

3. Patient Lifetime Value (LTV)

How much does the average patient spend with you over the course of their journey? Knowing this helps you shift focus from just attracting new patients to retaining and nurturing the ones you have.

4. Rebooking Rate

How many of your patients are rebooking without prompting? Low rebooking = high leak in your business.

5. Monthly Operating Costs

If you don’t know how much it costs to run your business each month, you don’t know what you’re aiming to cover (or surpass).

6. Profit Margin

This is the number that matters most—but is most misunderstood. High revenue is great, but if your expenses are equally high, you’re working hard and not getting ahead.

What Knowing These Numbers Actually Does

• You stop discounting because you understand the value and margin

• You price confidently and explain your treatments with clarity

• You feel in control of your business instead of guessing month to month

• You know when to hire, scale, or slow down

• You stop measuring success by how busy you are—and start measuring by how profitable and free you feel

Why This Matters More Than Ever

In an increasingly competitive aesthetics landscape, the doctors who succeed long-term will be the ones who blend clinical skill with business intelligence. That means understanding your numbers, your systems, and your strategy.

You didn’t become a doctor to run a spreadsheet all day—but you did become one to make an impact, lead with purpose, and live well. And you can’t do that if your business is running you into the ground.

If this post hit home, you’re ready for the next step.

The Business Accelerator exists to help aesthetic doctors like you take control of their business, understand the numbers, and build sustainable, profitable practices with clarity.

Let’s stop guessing and start growing—together.

– Dr. Nicky
Founder, Aesthetics 360