Buying and selling used salon and beauty equipment: what to check

Quick answer: When you buy or sell used salon and beauty equipment, check five things: that it is electrically safe and tested, that it carries the right safety or medical device marking for your country, that it has a clear service history, that it can be cleaned and disinfected properly, and that the seller can prove they own it. Never pass on products that are now banned, such as TPO gels in the EU and, from 14 February 2027, in Great Britain. Done this way, second hand equipment saves money and keeps good kit in use.

Every salon has a corner where good equipment waits for its next job. A trolley from a refit, a steamer that was replaced by a newer model, a couch from a room that changed use. For someone opening their first treatment room, that same kit could be exactly what they need at a price that makes their plan work.

Buying and selling used equipment is one of the simplest ways to save money and cut waste in our industry. It works best when both sides know what to look for. This guide covers the checks that protect you, your clients and your insurance, whether you are buying or selling, and wherever in the world you work.

Why the second hand market makes sense

Buying pre owned is now mainstream. eBay's 2025 Recommerce Report, which surveyed around 16,000 people across nine countries including the US, UK, Canada and Australia, found that 89% planned to spend the same or more on pre loved goods than the year before. Saving money was the top reason, named by 81%.

There is a bigger picture too. The UN's 2024 global monitor on electronic waste found the world produced a record 62 million tonnes of electronic waste in 2022, and only 22.3% was documented as properly collected and recycled. Every working steamer, lamp or magnifier that finds a new home is one less item in that total.

Safety checks for any piece of equipment

Start with a careful look before anything else. Whether it is a hydraulic chair, a wax heater or a facial steamer, check:

• Cables and plugs are intact, with no fraying, splits, scorch marks or taped repairs.
• Casings are not cracked, and there are no loose parts, rattles or burning smells when it runs.
• Hydraulics and moving parts lift, lower, recline and lock smoothly, with no leaks.
• Upholstery is whole, because tears in vinyl cannot be disinfected properly.
• The model has not been recalled. Search the brand and model number on your national product safety or recall site.

Electrical testing in different countries

Electrical equipment should be tested by a competent person before you use it on clients, and the name of that test differs around the world.

UK: portable appliance testing (PAT) is the usual approach. The Health and Safety Executive explains that the law requires employers to keep electrical equipment maintained to prevent danger, rather than setting a fixed PAT schedule. For second hand goods, Trading Standards guidance recommends having items examined by a competent person, recording the results, and labelling passed items with the date. Items must also have an approved plug and the correct fuse.

Australia and New Zealand: testing and tagging to the AS/NZS 3760 standard is the equivalent. In Queensland, WorkSafe Queensland says sellers of second hand electrical equipment must provide information on using it safely, and if it has not been tested they must tell the buyer.

US, Canada, EU, UAE and elsewhere: there may be no PAT style scheme, but your workplace safety rules and your insurer will still expect equipment to be safe and maintained. A qualified electrician can inspect and test items for you.

Whatever your location, keep the test certificate with the equipment. It is a selling point later and evidence for your insurer now. Add each item to your salon risk assessment as it comes into use.

Markings and medical device rules for machines

Electrical equipment should carry the safety marking that applies where it was sold, such as CE in the EU, UKCA or CE in Great Britain, RCM in Australia and New Zealand, or a listing mark from a recognised testing laboratory in the US and Canada. Missing labels, faded rating plates or markings that look printed on cheaply are all reasons to ask questions.

Light and energy based machines need extra care, because many count as regulated devices:

• EU: since 22 June 2023, lasers and IPL equipment used for hair removal, skin resurfacing, tattoo removal and other skin treatments fall under the Medical Device Regulation even when used for cosmetic purposes, as QbD Group explains. They need CE marking under that regulation.
• US: lasers and IPL devices for hair removal are regulated by the FDA as medical devices. Ask the seller for the FDA clearance number for the exact model and check it before you buy.
• Australia: ARPANSA confirms cosmetic lasers are licensed in Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia, and IPL in Tasmania. Lasers should carry a classification label on the housing, and IPL equipment should meet the relevant Australian standard.
• UK and elsewhere: licensing for lasers, IPL and other advanced treatments varies by nation and local authority, and rules are changing. Check with your local council or regulator before you buy.

LED devices are less tightly controlled in many places, but the same rule applies: buy models with clear manufacturer details, a user manual and safety markings. Read our LED light therapy guide and laser hair removal guide for more on these treatments.

Service history, warranties and paperwork

For any machine, ask for:

• The original receipt or proof of purchase, which also shows the seller owns it.
• Service and calibration records, especially for lasers, IPL and microcurrent units.
• The shot count or lamp hours for IPL and laser, as handpieces and lamps wear out and can be costly to replace.
• The user manual, safety instructions and any training materials.
• Whether any warranty transfers to a new owner. Many do not, so ask the manufacturer directly.

Also check that the manufacturer still exists and still supports the model. A bargain machine with no available parts, software updates or engineers can become an expensive ornament. Your insurer may also need to know about the machine and your training on it before you use it on clients.

Hygiene: what can and cannot be reused

Hard surfaces such as trolleys, steamers, lamps and couches can be cleaned and disinfected. Inspect seams, wheels and vents where product and dust collect. Some things are best bought new every time: single use items, pots of wax, opened products, porous tools such as files and buffers, and anything with a damaged surface that cannot be disinfected. If in doubt, leave it out.

Banned products cannot be passed on

This point is easy to miss. When an ingredient is banned, the ban usually covers selling and giving products away, not only using them. TPO gels are a clear example. In the EU, Ireland and Northern Ireland, TPO products have been off limits since 1 September 2025 and cannot be sold, swapped or given away. In Great Britain, suppliers must stop selling TPO products from 14 February 2027. Our guide to the TPO ban country by country explains the detail.

For used equipment listings, this is the way: sell lamps, tools and furniture, and leave out opened products and anything containing a banned ingredient.

How to value used equipment

There is no single formula, but these factors shape a fair price:

• Age and condition compared with the current new price.
• Brand reputation and whether parts and support are still available.
• Paperwork: test certificates, service records and manuals add value.
• Usage, such as shot counts or lamp hours on light based machines.
• Demand: check what similar items have sold for recently, not just what they are listed at.

Avoiding scams

Scams are common in any online marketplace. In the UK, UK Finance figures for 2025 show purchase scams made up 71% of authorised push payment fraud cases, the most common type by far. A few habits keep you safe:

• View the item in person, or on a live video call where the seller switches it on.
• Be wary of prices that seem far too low, sellers who rush you, or stories about being abroad.
• Avoid paying by bank transfer to someone you do not know. Use a payment method with buyer protection, or pay on collection.
• Check serial numbers against the paperwork, and ask the manufacturer if a high value machine is registered as stolen or under finance.

Tips for selling equipment

• Clean the item well and take clear, bright photos from every angle, including the rating plate.
• Include the brand, model, age, condition and reason for selling.
• Have it tested first and include the certificate. It builds trust and helps it sell faster.
• Pass on the manual, receipts and service history.
• Be honest about faults. A buyer who knows what they are getting comes back.
• Agree how collection and payment will work before anyone travels.

FAQs

Do I need to PAT test second hand salon equipment?

In the UK there is no fixed legal schedule, but equipment must be safe and maintained. Having a competent person test second hand electrical items before use is good practice and helps with insurance. Other countries have their own equivalents, such as test and tag in Australia.

Is it legal to buy a used laser or IPL machine?

Usually, yes, but the machine must meet the device rules where you work, and you may need a licence or specific training to use it. Check markings, clearance or registration, service history and local licensing before you pay.

Can I sell my leftover gel polish or products?

Only if they are unopened, legal where you are selling, and within date. Products containing banned ingredients, such as TPO in the EU, cannot be sold or given away.

What should I ask when buying used beauty equipment?

Ask for proof of ownership, the age, service records, test certificates, the manual, and the reason for selling. For light based machines, ask for the shot count or lamp hours.

Sell what you no longer need, find what you do

We help you sell equipment you no longer need and find quality used equipment from fellow professionals. Browse or list an item in our classifieds today. If you are not on the directory yet, you can list your business for free and get a free visibility report.