3 minute read
Ask the Expert
ask the
expert Feeling good is great for wellbeing
By Vivien Clarke
I was brought up in a town called Edenderry, Co. Offaly and came to London at the tender age of fourteen. I have an uncle back home Larry Clarke, who built his businesses from scratch; he is someone I admired and respect immensely for his entrepreneurial mind and work ethic. I always wanted to be “like him” and run my own business. Finally, I had the headspace to put my dreams into action!
Fortunately, a close friend and business consultant, Catherina Casey, was happy to provide advice and guidance on setting up a business. Catherina is such a positive influence and force for good, I really would not have come this far without her.
I qualified as a beautician at the London College of Beauty Therapy in 2012 and shortly after completed an adult nursing degree at Kingston University. I have always been innately caring and felt proud to be able to connect with my patients and clients in a gentle and compassionate way.
As a beautician, I practice with laser (IPL) and micro-needling to rejuvenate the skin. These treatments work by penetrating the skin’s surface, enabling the light to target melanin, blood supply, collagen and bacteria. Photo-rejuvenation can drastically reduce skin imperfection such as thread veins, pigmentation and acne-prone skins while also boosting skin for a more youthful, clearer complexion. These treatments are incredibly affective with long-lasting results. The product range I use complements and enhances the treatments. I use Dermopen and Neal’s Yard Organic range for facials and massage for their ability to stimulate the senses and promote relaxation.
By using advanced technologies to rejuvenate skin, it felt natural to progress and train as an aesthetician. I decided to open my aesthetics business in 2021 following four waves of COVID-19 as an ICU & ICU burns nurse in a London hospital.
I was fortunate to work alongside one of London’s finest plastic surgeon consultants, Andrew Williams, who has become my friend and mentor. Doctor Williams has been an aesthetics consultant for more than 13 years and I felt incredibly privileged that he entrusted me with his expert knowledge and extensive experience.
I am a member of the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses (BACN) and British Association of Critical Care Nurses (BACCN). I have weekly meetings with my mentor and attend trade events to keep up to date and informed about the industry. If you are thinking of having a tweak, it’s important to do your research and be confident you have chosen a highly trained and responsible practitioner who knows how to deal with any possible side effects. Do not believe everything you see on social media.
A professional will always provide a full and comprehensive consultation prior to any treatment. This will involve explaining other non-invasive skin rejuvenation treatments which may be more appropriate. I use Allegan and Juvéderm for aesthetics as they are considered to be the leading brands in the market.
My clients are always followed up with a phone call/text after their initial treatments. I encourage my clients to stay connected and return for a review after two weeks to ensure they are happy with their results. Some of the feedback I have received from my clients makes me immensely proud and has been very humbling.
Looking good enhances our self-esteem and confidence while enabling us to remain youthful and current. We all want to look our best, whether this is for our partners, colleagues, friends or just for our own wellbeing. This in turn give us a regular dose of positivity and calm, helping us to feel happy in our own skin.
My motto is pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.
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