Buying a new machine is the easy part. The real work starts once it’s sitting in your treatment room and you need every therapist on your team to use it confidently, consistently and safely, without your appointment book falling apart in the process. This is the stage a lot of salon owners underestimate, and it’s where a genuinely good piece of equipment can end up underused simply because the team never got properly comfortable with it.
Here’s how to plan training so your new machine starts earning its keep quickly, rather than sitting half-used while everyone works up the confidence to touch it.
In-Person vs Online Training: Which Do You Actually Need?
Most equipment suppliers offer some mix of in-person and online training, and the right choice usually depends on the complexity of the machine rather than personal preference alone.
In-person training
This is generally worth prioritising for any machine involving a technical skill component, hydrodermabrasion devices, laser or IPL equipment, and anything where incorrect technique could affect client safety or comfort. Having a trainer physically present means therapists get real-time correction on pressure, angle and pacing, which is difficult to replicate through a screen.
Online training
Online sessions work well for machines with a more straightforward operating process, or as a refresher once your team already has the fundamentals down. They’re also useful for onboarding new hires later on, without needing to schedule an in-person session every time someone joins the team.
A blended approach often works best: an initial in-person session to build core technique and confidence, followed by online resources your team can revisit whenever they need a refresher.
How Long Does Onboarding Actually Take?
This varies significantly by machine type, and it’s worth setting realistic expectations rather than assuming your team will be fully confident after a single session.
- Simple devices such as facial steamers or basic extraction tools: often one to two hours to reach solid confidence
- Mid-complexity machines like hydrodermabrasion or microdermabrasion devices: typically a half day of training, plus a few supervised sessions on real clients before therapists are fully independent
- Advanced technology such as laser, IPL or body contouring equipment: often a full day of formal training, followed by a structured period of supervised practice before therapists are cleared to work unsupervised
Confidence tends to build in layers. Most therapists can operate a new machine safely fairly quickly, but the kind of fluency that makes a treatment feel smooth and effortless for the client usually takes a few weeks of regular use to fully develop.
Reducing Appointment Disruption During Training
The biggest concern most owners have isn’t the training itself, it’s what happens to the appointment book while it’s underway. A few practical approaches can minimise the impact significantly.
- Schedule training on a traditionally quieter day or during a slower period, rather than trying to squeeze it in around a fully booked week
- Train one or two therapists first, then have them help bring the rest of the team up to speed, rather than pulling your entire team out of appointments at once
- Offer a short introductory version of the new treatment at a reduced price during the first week or two, which gives your newly trained therapists real client practice while still generating revenue
- Communicate clearly with regular clients ahead of time if their usual therapist is completing training, so there are no surprises around availability
- Build a buffer into the appointment schedule for the first few real client treatments on the new machine, since these will naturally take longer than they will once your team is fully up to speed
Keeping the Whole Team Consistent
Training day one is really just the start. Consistency across your team is what actually protects the client experience and your salon’s reputation for the new treatment.
- Create a simple, written protocol for the treatment that every therapist can reference, rather than relying purely on memory from the training session
- Schedule a follow-up check-in a few weeks after initial training, once therapists have had a chance to use the machine on real clients and have questions worth asking
- Encourage therapists to flag anything that felt unclear or inconsistent during training, since this often reveals gaps worth addressing before they become habits
- Keep training materials and protocols accessible for future hires, so onboarding a new team member doesn’t mean starting from scratch every time
Getting This Right the First Time
Rushing training to get a machine into service faster almost always costs more time in the long run, whether that’s through inconsistent results, therapist hesitation, or having to redo training properly once gaps become obvious. A well-planned onboarding process, even if it takes slightly longer upfront, pays off in a team that’s genuinely confident and a treatment that’s consistent from the very first booking.
Get Your Team Trained Properly
Ready to get your team confident on your new equipment? Visit our training page to see available sessions and book training for your team.
Planning a bigger equipment rollout across your salon, or fitting out multiple locations? Book a consultation with our team, and we’ll help you plan both the equipment and the training schedule so your rollout goes smoothly.
Still sourcing equipment? Browse our full beauty equipment range, or check out our starter packages if you’re setting up a new treatment room from scratch. Multi-location salons can find bulk pricing on our wholesale enquiry page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does training come included when I buy new salon equipment?
This varies by supplier and machine type, so it’s worth confirming what’s included before you purchase. Some suppliers bundle initial training into the price, while others offer it as a separate booking.
How many staff members should be trained on a new machine?
Ideally, enough therapists to cover your regular roster without creating a single point of failure if one person is away or leaves. For most salons, that means training at least two to three therapists on any machine that’s central to your treatment menu.
Can new staff be trained after the initial session, or only at the time of purchase?
Most suppliers offer ongoing training options for new hires, whether through refresher sessions, online resources or additional in-person bookings. It’s worth confirming this with your supplier before you buy, especially if staff turnover is a factor in your salon.
What happens if a therapist isn’t confident after the initial training session?
This is more common than owners expect, and it’s worth building in supervised practice sessions before a therapist works on clients independently. A good supplier should also be available for follow-up questions or a refresher session if needed.
Is online-only training enough for advanced equipment like lasers or body contouring machines?
For more advanced or higher-risk equipment, in-person training is generally recommended over online-only options, since real-time technique correction matters more for these machine types. Online training can still be useful as a supplement or refresher once core skills are established.
How soon after training can a machine start generating revenue?
Many salons start booking clients within the first week or two after training, often at a reduced introductory price while therapists build real-world confidence. Full-price bookings typically follow once the team feels consistent and the treatment protocol is well established.
