Do You Tip for Botox Laser and Peels?

To tip or not to tip? That is the question!

Hi friends! This is the most popular post on this blog, so please know that I’ll update it with new information as I get it. But for the time being, here is some advice on if and when to tip when it comes to injectables (i.e. Botox, other neuromodulators, fillers), lasers, and other in-office aesthetic treatments. If you ever have a question, DM me and I’ll put it out to my amazing group of online friends!

I got a direct message on Instagram recently that asked an excellent question—one that I hadn’t thought about before, even after all of the times I’ve gotten treatments at a dermatologist or aesthetics center:

For any type of skin care procedure—from Botox and lasers to facials—when is it appropriate to tip?

Thankfully, I have some really awesome digital friends in that space who were happy to answer, so let’s dig in!

Here’s what an esthetician at a medical skin center says:

“I’ve always been trained to never expect a tip. Some [people] don’t tip, and I’ve learned that from my serving days.

Obviously it’s a super nice gesture. Facials/massage/nails/hair/waxing—those are typical services that many tip on [myself included] and have received tips. Same goes for chemical peels.

Some of the more ‘medical’ treatments, such as microneedling, Botox, fillers, and lasers, many don’t see as a treatment that is deemed a ‘tipping service,’ especially when it’s at a dermatologist’s office.

But when I used to work the front desk I had clients ask if they should tip, and I just say it’s always a nice gesture to show if you enjoyed the service provided to you.

“It’s definitely a touchy subject for some. I’ve worked at spas that are strictly low hourly [rates], so the tips were how you made a bulk of your income. And places where you receive commission … helps on those days [when] the tips aren’t fruitful.”

Here’s what a plastic surgery physician associate (PA) says:

“If it is a medical office and medical professionals, they probably don’t expect tips for the laser treatments. If the facial treatments are facials, etc., with an esthetician, then I would tip individually on those.”

Here’s what a business development manager of aesthetics says:

“Facials are appropriate for tipping—not services such as lasers and injectables.”

Here’s what an registered nurse (RN) working in a cosmetics center says:

“It typically boils down to pay structure for the provider. Physicians will earn 100% of the product price because it is their practice, but an RN, NP [nurse practitioner], PA would earn an hourly rate—let’s say $25/hour and a commission fee which is a small amount (around 3%) of the product price. In those cases I would say it’s entirely appropriate to tip.

Rule of thumb: If your injector own the practice, no tipping necessary. If they are an employee it is customary to tip. That being said, no one expects 20% tip of their service.

Let’s say you get Botox that costs $40. If you tip your provider $20 they will be appreciative and likely to take some extra special care of you next time.

Some offices operate on a commission basis only for RNs but it is not as common. So no hourly rate but 30% of product total.”

And one more super helpful tip to help you know when it’s appropriate to tip:

“If you see small envelopes by the register, that is the best indicator [that you can tip], but in general, if you are seeing anyone aside from the physician that owns the practice, you should tip something. $20 goes a long way in making your provider feel appreciated, in my experience.”

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“Rule of thumb: If your injector own the practice, no tipping necessary. If they are an employee it is customary to tip. That being said, no one expects 20% tip of their service. … $20 goes a long way in making your provider feel appreciated, in my experience.”

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Hope that helps! Knowledge is power, friends. Hope you get an extra shot of Botox for being a good tipper next time you go in. 😉