Aesthetic treatments like dermal fillers, Botox, and other injectables are no longer reserved for special occasions — they’ve become part of many people’s regular skincare and wellness routines. Whether patients are looking for a subtle rejuvenation or full facial contouring, these services deliver impressive results with minimal downtime.

But even as these services become more mainstream, patients often hesitate when it comes time to book, especially if they’re layering treatments like microneedling, chemical peels, or laser treatments alongside dermal fillers. It's not just about the purchase price — it's about how and when that price is paid.

That’s where payment plans come in. By offering flexible payment options, med spas and injectors can eliminate financial friction, giving patients the freedom to prioritize their aesthetic treatments without delay. With tools like interest-free terms, monthly payments, and no hard credit check, the entire checkout experience becomes smoother — for both patients and practices.

Common Financing Options for Dermal Fillers

Patients today have a range of financing options to choose from, whether they’re getting Juvederm, Kybella, or other Allergan products.

1. Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) Services

BNPL services like Cherry are ideal for injectables and skin treatments. Patients can split their purchase price into manageable monthly payments, often with low or no interest and only a small down payment. One major advantage of Cherry is that it performs a soft credit check, meaning it won’t affect a patient’s credit score. This makes it easier for more people to qualify without the stress of a full credit card application.

Unlike traditional financing, Cherry's application process is quick and easy, and approval decisions are made in real-time. Practices can integrate Cherry directly into their checkout process, increasing conversions and boosting revenue with minimal friction.

2. Healthcare Credit Cards

Healthcare-specific credit cards such as CareCredit and Alphaeon Credit are widely used for aesthetic treatments, including dermal fillers, botox, and laser hair removal. These cards often provide promotional interest-free periods if the balance is paid off in full within the specified time. They’re especially useful for patients bundling services like facelift alternatives or chemical peels.

However, both require a hard credit check during the application process, and patients who fail to pay within the promotional window may face high interest charges. For providers, accepting these cards typically comes with transaction fees, and not all patients qualify based on their credit score.

3. Personal Credit and Debit Cards

Using a credit card or debit card is still a common way to pay for aesthetic treatments, especially for smaller-ticket services. While this option is convenient and widely accepted, it lacks the benefits of structured financing plans. Credit cards, in particular, can carry high interest rates if the balance isn’t paid off quickly, making them less budget-friendly for patients financing larger treatments like coolsculpting, prp, or body contouring packages.

4. Elective Procedure Financing Platforms

Some platforms specialize in financing options for elective healthcare and wellness services, including dermal fillers, microneedling, and ipl. These companies often offer flexible payment options, quick approvals, and higher acceptance rate – even for patients with less-than-perfect credit. Many use a soft credit check, which helps preserve a patient’s credit score, and lets patients view offers in real-time.

Interest rates and monthly payments vary depending on the patient’s financial profile, and not all platforms offer interest-free plans. Still, they’re a strong alternative for those who don’t qualify for healthcare credit cards.

5. Peer-to-Peer Personal Loans

For patients who prefer a more traditional loan model, peer-to-peer lending platforms allow individuals to apply for personal loans and use the funds for skin care and aesthetic treatments. These loans often involve a fixed repayment term and require a hard credit check. While they offer predictable payment schedules, the interest rates can be higher, especially for those with lower credit scores.

6. In-House Payment Options

Some med spas offer their own payment plans, allowing patients to pay a portion upfront and spread the rest over time. These plans may come with no interest and flexible terms, but they’re less regulated than third-party options and may require a larger down payment. Practices that manage in-house financing essentially become a lender — having to develop payment plans, collect payments, and take on the financial risk if a patient fails to pay.

How It Works for Patients

Patients interested in dermal fillers can often apply for financing right from the provider’s website or during their checkout process. Here’s a general overview of how it works:

1. Choose a Provider: Start with a med spa or injector that offers payment plans through a lending partner like Cherry.
   
2. Apply in Minutes: Most BNPL options require only basic personal info, and a soft credit check is used to determine eligibility. Patients typically receive a decision within seconds.
   
3. Select a Plan: Once approved, patients can review different financing plans, including term lengths, down payment amounts, and total monthly cost.
   
4. Get Treated: Patients can schedule their aesthetic treatments — from laser hair removal and coolsculpting to facelift alternatives — without having to pay everything upfront.
   
5. Pay Over Time: Payments are automatically deducted based on the agreed schedule, providing a predictable and budget-friendly way to cover skin care procedures.
   

Benefits for Practices

For med spa owners and injectors, offering financing options doesn’t just improve access — it also drives growth. Here’s how:

• Increase Conversions: When patients see that they can pay later, they’re more likely to book high-ticket services like Juvederm, PRP, and IPL.
  
• Improve Patient Loyalty: Monthly payments encourage ongoing treatment plans and repeat visits.
  
• Higher Average Order Value: Patients are more likely to bundle services—combining dermal fillers with chemical peels, microneedling, or laser hair removal—when they don’t have to pay the entire purchase price at once.
  
• Easy Integration: Companies like Cherry provide seamless integration for the application process, including real-time approvals and transparent pricing.
  

Plus, with Cherry, providers aren’t stuck with the risk. Once a patient is approved and makes their down payment, the practice gets paid in full upfront, while Cherry handles the rest.

Understanding Eligibility and Approval

One of the biggest barriers to traditional financing plans is the credit score requirement. Many lending partners still rely on a hard credit check, which can deter patients or lower approval rates.

Cherry uses a soft credit check only, helping more patients get approved without hurting their score. This means patients who might not qualify for CareCredit, Alphaeon, or a traditional credit card can still finance aesthetic treatments.

Approval is based on factors like income, banking history, and repayment patterns — not just credit score alone. This wider accessibility means more patients can pursue ongoing aesthetic treatments or complement more permanent solutions like plastic surgery, without delaying care due to financial constraints.

How to Promote Payment Plans in Your Practice

To maximize the impact of your payment options, make them visible and easy to understand:

• Feature financing options on your pricing page and service descriptions.
  
• Train your front desk and injectors to discuss monthly payments as part of the consultation.
  
• Use QR codes, signage, or direct links to the application process at checkout.
  
• Promote on social media, especially when advertising high-value services like Kybella, facelift, Dysport, or CoolSculpting for weight loss.

The more accessible your payment plans are, the more likely patients are to take action.

Make Dermal Fillers Affordable with Cherry

Whether you're a patient exploring dermal fillers or a provider looking to grow your business, flexible payment options are the key to making aesthetic treatments more accessible. With Cherry, patients get real-time approvals, interest-free plans, and a stress-free application process — all without impacting their credit score.

Don’t let upfront treatment costs hold you or your patients back. Offer Cherry and make beautiful results achievable with easy, affordable monthly payments and integration with Allē, the loyalty program for Botox, Juvéderm, and other injectables. Book your complimentary demo and find out how Cherry can transform your business today.