Career Advice From Aesthetics Professionals

The aesthetic medicine sector is exciting, challenging and there is always so much to learn. So when experts, or even new injectors offer their advice, always listen!

Inspired by a post on the Harley Academy student community platform partner and medical aesthetics professionals network, Comma, we asked a number of aesthetics experts what changed their practice forever. This could be a piece of information, advice they received, understanding a particular concept… anything that really helped them to move their practice forward.

Here is some of the resulting career advice from aesthetics professionals which we hope inspires you!

Understand facial ageing and approach aesthetics as a specialist

“The best advice I’ve been given is about understanding the facial ageing process, understanding how the different tissues age at which decade, because that maps very closely to how we’d map good treatment plans. We’d want to be replacing volume loss with the right types of fillers at the right depths. So, the facial ageing process – understanding it and how it affects every area of the face – gives us a map for creating really great treatment plans for rejuvenation patients.

“As for the best advice I could give new injectors: approach it as a specialist not as a technician. Don’t do lips back to back. Don’t start doing anything complex until you’ve done a few hundred treatments. Get a deeper understanding and then move on to certain areas when you have enough cases under your belt. Take it at your own pace and make sure you understand what you’re doing and why you’re doing it at all times.”

Dr Tristan Mehta, doctor, founder and executive chairman of Harley Academy, aesthetics industry key opinion leader (KOL) and facial aesthetics expert at STORY Clinic, London (pictured above, training).

Take a holistic approach to facial aesthetics

“Understanding the idea for holistic approach in facial aesthetic with dermal fillers. To treat all the face as one, not one area in isolation, is the only way to achieve a natural and complete outcome. To work not for anti-ageing, but for positive ageing – to treat negative emotions and transform them into positive ones.”

Dr Radina Denkova, Allergan trainer, facial aesthetics specialist and owner of three Dr Denkova Dermatology clinics in Bulgaria.

Under-promise and over-deliver

“Under-promise and over-deliver always! Manage patient expectations well and it will be a great foundation of practice for your business to grow and move forward. Injectables cannot work miracles and are temporary. Be careful how you deliver information to your patients and choose words carefully.”

Natalie Haswell, aesthetics nurse, Harley Academy clinical trainer and owner of the Haswell Aesthetics clinic in Essex (pictured above, top left).

Understand the harmony between how we look and feel

“Beauty is more about how we feel than how we look and the sense of wellbeing that comes from the harmony between how we look and how we feel”

Dr Lubna Khan-Salim, aesthetics practitioner and owner of the Time to Bloom clinic in Yorkshire.

Patient expectations may be unrealistic

“Understanding that patient expectations may be unrealistic and acting on my right to refuse treatment changed how I practice forever.”

Silviya Ivanova – Independent Nurse Prescriber, Adult Nurse, Midwife and a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse, Medical Aesthetics Practitioner

Understanding anti-ageing trigger points

“Understanding MD codes, anti-ageing trigger points and their injection techniques and sequence, plus the optimal volume each point should be injected with, changed how I practice.”

Mette Norup, aesthetics specialist and cosmetic dentist, specialising in periodontal surgery and implantology.

You’re worth it, don’t discount!

“Patient retention is more important than patient acquisition. Declining treatment is equally important as treating, and always take your time with consulting. And, in the words of L’Oreal, “you’re worth it” – don’t discount!

“Be yourself – authentic connection with your patient is the key to a shared partnership on the journey to great aesthetic results.

“Also, unless it’s for inspiration, other people’s progress is not your business. Do something, even if small, to make steps in your development, every day.”

Dr Kalpna Pindolia, aesthetics specialist, head of education at Harley Academy and facial aesthetics practitioner at STORY clinic, London.

Focus on your own journey

“A couple of things have changed my practice for the better. One is focusing on yourself. In aesthetics it’s so easy to look around you. Don’t compare your Chapter One to someone else’s Chapter 20. It’s easy to look around and think the market is very saturated and think because you’re starting out, you’re not going to get any patients. So focusing on yourself and staying in your own lane and not being distracted by others or put off from achieving your own goals.

“When it comes to actually treating people, it’s important to know when not to treat. When we first see patients, there’s such a pressure to treat absolutely everyone, but knowing your limitations and not treating people if you don’t feel comfortable or don’t have the knowledge or skillset yet to do so, is really important.”

Dr Jessica Srivastava, dentist, doctor, aesthetics specialist and Harley Academy clinical trainer.

Have a business plan and know that you can say NO

“Know that you can say NO. Unlike in your medical work, aesthetic treatments are non-urgent and non-essential. If anything about the medical history of the patient is concerning, or anything about your interaction with them doesn’t feel right, just (gently) say no and don’t proceed with treatment. This is particularly important when you are less experienced and are less familiar with dealing with complications and challenging patient scenarios.

“Also, have a business plan even if you don’t have much experience yet. If you are going down the self-employed route then it is never too early to have a plan! I’d recommend starting this as soon as you know that you want to start an aesthetics business even if you haven’t finished training yet. Finding the right space to work, stock suppliers and marketing strategies takes time and you want to have it all in place ready in time for when you have finished your training. The worst thing that can happen after your training is that you have a long gap before you start treating anyone and start to lose your confidence.”

Dr Emily MacGregor, facial aesthetics expert, medical director of Harley Academy and co-owner of STORY clinic, London (pictured above, training).

What has been the most inspiring or best practical advice you’ve received on your aesthetics journey so far? Let us know over on Instagram…