Carl Mudd is a businessman at heart. He was a longtime entrepreneur and successful franchisee, but wanted to move to another level and become a franchisor. He came across the still fledgling industry of non-invasive laser and aesthetic skincare and saw an opportunity. He says, “The complexity of the technology and of the marketing in laser and aesthetic skincare made this an ideal business to franchise.”

Dermacare™, which Mudd founded in 2001, started franchising in 2004 and currently has 26 operating franchises with 18 more set to open within this year, and another 140 by the end of 2010. So far, the Dermacare clinics have a 100% success rate, which Mudd attributes to his company focus on marketing, medical professionalism and safety. He says, “Dermacare has performed over 30,000 procedures and we have had no malpractice complaints.”

Dermacare’s headquarters is located in Scottsdale near Tatum and Cactus roads. The company has two national training centers located in corporate-owned clinics in Scottsdale and in Ahwatukee, as well as franchise clinics in east Scottsdale, north Scottsdale, Arrowhead, Chandler/Tempe and Mesa/Gilbert.

Before new clinics open, all franchise owners and medical personnel must complete intensive instruction in the safe and effective use of lasers, BOTOX® Cosmetic and dermal fillers. The initial, comprehensive training is a full week, and is followed up with regular trainings as well as trainings by the manufacturers of the equipment and technologies. “One of the foundations of Dermacare is that the clinics are run by medical professionals,” explains Mudd. In addition to the extensive medical training, most of the franchises are owned by actual physicians.

Once trained, Dermacare franchisees are able to offer a complete line of medically based, non-invasive laser and aesthetic skincare procedures. Mudd notes, “Our diversity in procedures allows us a larger client base as well as life-long clients.” He gives the example of one person receiving Acne Light Treatment as a teen, Laser Hair Removal in their twenties, Medical Microdermabrasion in their thirties, and Laser Wrinkle Removal later in life. Other procedures offered at Dermacare include FotoFacial ™ Laser Vein Removal, Collagen Injections, and BOTOX® Cosmetics of which they are the leading provider in the nation.

Dermacare also offers a line of pharmaceutical grade skincare products, which were chosen by a focus group of estheticians and nurses. The products, as well as the procedures are catered to the client’s specific skin type, which Dermacare professionals rate on a scale of one to six, one being the lightest skin tone and six being the darkest. Mudd adds, “We are experts on ethnic skin, which often has the most problems with laser procedures.”

The skincare products cost $106 or less for a set of five products. Mudd says you would be hard pressed to find another high-end skincare line for less money. All of Dermacare’s products and procedures are set at the lowest price point possible, as well as carefully scrutinized for effectiveness, safety and quality. Mudd says, “I wanted to build a franchise to last, not make a quick buck.” He hypothesizes they could make more money right now if they pressured clients into trendy yet ineffective procedures, but prefers to work honestly and for the return client.

The careful screening of technology is important in the laser and aesthetic skincare industry, as much of what is available does not work. Mudd continually interviews consumers, doctors and technicians about various technologies and requires that its effectiveness be well documented before he adds it to the product line of Dermacare.

When asked about the growth of the industry over the last few years, Mudd says, “It’s not because people started caring more about their appearance. It’s just that the technology wasn’t available to them before. It’s a result of pent up consumer demand.” Due to the new technologies, people can spend less money, less time in recovery, and have less invasive procedures than was available for beauty enhancements before.

Dermacare plans to grow with the industry, projecting 500 stand alone centers within the next five years. They have centers throughout the U.S. and have contracts out to start franchises in other countries, such as Indonesia, Pakistan, Taiwan and China.

A seasoned businessman, Mudd created a solid business plan for Dermacare, which has proven itself with its current success and rapid growth.