iS Clinical vs Merz Aesthetics

The short version

iS Clinical sells professional skincare products and facial treatment protocols through dermatologists, plastic surgeons, medical spas and skincare professionals. Merz Aesthetics makes injectables, medical devices and skincare, and describes all functions of its business as solely focused on medical aesthetics customers. iS Clinical was founded in 2000, is based in the Los Angeles area, CA, and names co-founders Bryan Johns and Alec Call; Merz Aesthetics dates its founding to 1908, is based in Raleigh, NC, and names CEO Bob Rhatigan. Neither site publishes a price, a minimum term, a trial or a demo, so the published differences sit in the product lines, the partner programs and the return terms.

Pricing

Neither site publishes a starting price or how it charges, and neither publishes financing. iS Clinical's site does not state prices. Merz Aesthetics' site does not publish product prices either. To compare costs you have to ask: get a written price list, and ask about opening orders, re-order minimums and account fees.

Contract and cancellation

Neither site states a minimum term.

Merz Aesthetics publishes return terms for its products: returns need prior written authorization, eligible products are credited at 90% of current wholesale acquisition cost, and the customer pays return shipping unless Merz made a shipping or quality error.

iS Clinical publishes return terms for consumer web orders only: returns within 30 days of purchase with a return authorization number. Its site does not state return terms for professional accounts, so get them in writing before your first order.

Built for med spas

iS Clinical names medical spas among the professionals it sells through. Merz Aesthetics describes all functions of its business as solely focused on medical aesthetics customers. Their product lines overlap only in skincare.

iS Clinical sells professional skincare products, professional facial treatments such as the Harmony Facial, and treatment add-ons. It says it sells through professionals in more than 125 countries, and consumer web orders ship within the 48 contiguous United States. Its partner program lists professional facial treatment protocols, educational programs, marketing strategy and materials for practices, a Find a Professional locator and a professional ordering portal.

Merz Aesthetics sells injectables, medical devices and skincare. Its US site is intended for US residents, with country sites listed for other markets. Training runs through its MAX platform, with online learning, live meetings and hands-on training, plus product demonstrations and virtual training for providers.

Support: iS Clinical lists phone and email at 8 am - 5 pm PT, Monday - Friday. Merz Aesthetics lists phone and an email form at Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM ET.

Neither site names clients, publishes a case study with a stated result, or links third-party reviews.

Which one to look at first

Look at iS Clinical first if you are choosing a professional skincare line and want facial treatment protocols, education and marketing materials around it. Its site does not state prices or professional return terms, so get both in writing before you order.

Look at Merz Aesthetics first if you want injectables and devices from the same supplier as your skincare, and you want return terms published before you buy. Read the return policy against your own order volumes: you pay return shipping unless Merz made the error.

Before you order from either, ask for a price list, a minimum term and the return policy that applies to a professional account, and weigh those next to the product lines in injectables and product suppliers.