Gleaming white teeth has become an obsession in today’s image-conscious world. With the rise of social media and camera phones, everyone wants a perfect smile to show off. This has led to an explosion in the popularity of teeth-whitening products over the past decade. As more consumers seek whiter smiles, starting a business selling customized whitening strips offers huge opportunities for growth and success.
In this in-depth guide, we’ll explore the booming teeth whitening industry, the benefits of private-label manufacturing, and the process of creating tailored whitening strips. Whether you’re a startup founder, dentist, or savvy entrepreneur, read on for tips to launch your own customized whitening strip brand.
Teeth whitening has transitioned from a niche service offered by dentists to a mainstream billion-dollar industry. According to Allied Market Research, the global teeth whitening market size was $7.4 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach $11.6 billion by 2028. That’s a staggering compound annual growth rate of 5.9%.
So what’s driving this surge in demand for whiter teeth? There are several cultural and technological factors at play:
The desire for beauty and acceptance. Having a vibrant, white smile is associated with attractiveness, confidence, and success. Many consumers invest in whitening products to boost their self-esteem.
Social media and selfie culture. Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok have made image more important than ever before. People want bright smiles for photos and videos.
Advances in whitening technology. New formulas, LED lights, and reusable trays have made whitening easier, faster, and more affordable. More consumers can achieve noticeable results.
Pearly whites are a high priority for large segments of the population. But which groups are fueling this demand?
Younger demographics like Millennials and Gen Z are driving much of the growth. A survey by Kelton Research found that 75% of Americans aged 18-44 want whiter teeth. They have the numbers and buying power to shape industries.
Social media influencers have also amplified the trend, frequently showcasing gleaming smiles. When followers see Instagram models or YouTube stars with perfect teeth, they aspire to emulate that image. The desire for a celebrity-like smile persists.
Finally, younger generations perceive white teeth as an important part of looking attractive and presenting their best selves. Teeth whitening allows them to boost their confidence and self-image.
Given huge consumer demand, launching a teeth whitening business can be wildly profitable. But there are several routes you can take. Here are two of the most popular options entrepreneurs consider when breaking into this sector:
One approach is to become a distributor of an existing major whitening brand like Crest or Colgate. You simply resell branded products. The upside is low startup costs and instant name recognition. The downside? Slim profit margins on each sale. Distributors also lack the power to differentiate themselves.
Alternatively, you can work with a private label manufacturer to create your own branded whitening products. This allows customization and control over your business:
Lower competition: You’re not just reselling the same products as other distributors. Your unique brand stands apart.
Increased profits: By contracting manufacturing, you earn much higher margins. No middleman is taking a cut.
Production control: As the client, you decide exactly which products get made and make design choices.
Branding opportunities: When you own the brand, you control the entire customer experience. This builds loyalty.
So if you want to dominate the industry, private labelling your line of whitening products is the smartest path.
Partnering with an experienced private label manufacturer provides huge advantages:
Customization capabilities: They can formulate and design products to your specifications. Want gluten-free strips? Minty gel? Custom trays? No problem.
Reduced costs: By handling manufacturing, they offer wholesale pricing not available to small businesses. This improves your margins.
Industry expertise: An established lab understands regulations, safety protocols, and trends in ingredients and formulas. Leverage their knowledge.
Range of services: Many offer branding design, packaging, shipping and fulfilment, making launching your business simple.
For the best results, vet manufacturers carefully to find one that offers robust capabilities and great service.
One of the most popular whitening products today is whitening strips. According to Statista, strips accounted for 43% of all teeth whitening sales in 2020. Custom strips also offer the most flexibility in formulation and design.
When creating tailored strips, there are many options:
Whitening ingredients like hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide or charcoal
Strip size and shape: Thin strips for front teeth? Broader strips for back teeth? Extended length for longer wear?
Added minerals for enamel health like fluoride or calcium
Minty flavours to overwhelm gel taste
Coconut oil or aloe for gum-soothing
Natural ingredients for customers to avoid certain chemicals
Activated charcoal for detoxifying whitening
The formula directly impacts performance. A skilled manufacturer can produce custom strips to match your desired whitening strength, from gentle brightening to dramatic multi-shade lifting.
Beyond the whitening formula, strips offer myriad possibilities for standing out:
Create strips in different sizes and shapes for upper, lower, front and back teeth.
Use vibrant packaging and branding so strips grab attention on store shelves.
Personalize strip cases with your logo, social handles or slogans.
Localize strips for your country by using native fruit extracts.
You can even completely reinvent traditional strips for viral buzz, like glow-in-the-dark strips or tie-dyed strips aimed at festivals. Work with a creative manufacturer to brainstorm innovative ideas.
Developing successful whitening strips requires careful manufacturing practices. Here are key steps professional labs take:
Source high-quality materials, from raw ingredients to strip substrates. This prevents skin irritation and achieves optimal whitening.
Rigorously test formulas with clinical trials to maximize safety and effectiveness. Subject strips to manufacturing stress tests.
Leverage technical experts like chemists and process engineers when designing strips. Their input prevents mistakes.
Refine designs iteratively based on feedback and results. Be willing to tweak formulas and features.
Follow regional regulations to secure necessary clearances and certifications where strips will be sold.
Reputable manufacturers invest heavily in R&D and quality control. They wantwhitening strips that work reliably. Choosing an experienced lab ensures you receive the highest caliber products.
Regulations protect consumers from unsafe or ineffective products. That’s why trusted manufacturers:
Perform clinical safety trials on skin and oral tissues to prevent irritation.
Certify ingredients and facilities to meet legal requirements in each target country.
Acquire licenses from agencies like the FDA or Health Canada which verify products have passed mandated testing.
Comply with guidelines from dental trade groups regarding acceptable formulas and procedures.
While navigating regulations requires effort, established labs want to maintain their licenses and stellar industry reputations. Partnering with one simplifies the process for business owners.
Once you’ve developed personalized whitening strips, smart marketing and sales strategies become crucial:
Sell strips through your ecommerce site. Promote via social media ads, influencers and email marketing.
Distribute strips to dental offices, spas and salons for resale to clients.
Approach local retailers like pharmacies, organic grocers and beauty supply shops to carry your brand.
List strips on Amazon and eBay to tap into their built-in customer bases.
Advertise benefits like natural ingredients, sensitivity relief or lower cost to capture market share.
Offer promotions and discounts through email newsletters and social media giveaways to attract first-time buyers.
Expand internationally by having strips translated and certified for new geographic markets.
The dental care space keeps growing but remains competitive. Unique value propositions, smart digital marketing and robust sales channels are key to dominating your niche.
In particular, social media presents cost-effective ways to promote whitening strips:
Run Instagram and Facebook ads targeted using interests and demographics data.
Recruit social media influencers in beauty, health and lifestyle to organically showcase strips.
Post attention-grabbing promos and giveaways on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
Curate user-generated content by reposting great photos and videos from customers.
Optimize social profiles with keywords and links to your online shop.
Retarget visitors who browse your website with custom strip ads.
With the ability to micro-target audiences, social platforms offer powerful tools to get the word out and drive real sales.
The demand for whitening strips and custom oral care products continues to boom globally. By partnering with a knowledgeable private label manufacturer, you can create tailored strips that grab attention in this competitive space.
Remember to:
Develop unique formulas to deliver your desired whitening and sensory experience.
Work with experts to engineer strips properly and safely.
Strategically market and sell your strips across multiple channels.
Provide value through customization to earn customer loyalty.
Following these tips will position your personalized whitening strip brand for success. So embrace innovation, meet consumer needs creatively, and claim your share of this multi-billion dollar oral care market. Show the world how a bright, white smile is always in style!
A: Custom whitening strips allow you to personalize the formula, shape, size, and packaging. This helps your brand stand out and provides a tailored experience for your customers. You can also customize the level of whitening and ingredients based on your market’s needs.
A: Manufacturing involves designing the strip material, formulating the whitening gel, combining the ingredients, coating the strips, packaging them, and quality testing. It requires expertise in chemistry, engineering and manufacturing processes to produce safe, reliable strips.
A: Common ingredients include hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide for whitening. Soothing agents like aloe and coconut oil may be added. Flavors like mint improve taste. Activated charcoal can also be used. The ingredients can be customized.
A: Strips can be sold through ecommerce shops, dental offices, spas, salons, pharmacies, grocery stores, and online marketplaces. You can even offer mobile whitening services using the strips. The model depends on your audience.
A: Digital marketing through social media and influencers is extremely effective. Promotions, giveaways and contests also help attract new customers. Listing strips on sites like Amazon expands your reach. Partnering with retailers, dentists and spas boosts sales.
