12 minute read
WHY ULTRACEUTICALS
By Louise May
ULTRACEUTICALS has established itself as a leader in professional cosmeceutical skincare, known for delivering real results through scientific formulations and advanced technology.
Founded by Dr. Geoffrey Heber, the brand focuses on addressing all major skin concerns such as ageing, pigmentation, and acne with cruelty-free, ethically produced products. ULTRACEUTICALS’ commitment goes beyond skincare—its comprehensive education, training, and support programs have made it a trusted partner for clinics across Australia and the globe.
For clinics like FIKA Clinic and Face Bar, is more than just a product supplier—it is a collaborative partner that provides extensive support to help grow their businesses while achieving remarkable results for their clients.
Editor of Beauty Biz Louise May spoke with two of ULTRACEUTICALS’ partners—Emily Wood, owner of FIKA Clinic, and Carla Pizzirani, co-owner with her husband Andrew Rand, of Face Bar— to discover how the brand has impacted their clinics and transformed the way they deliver results to their clients. Both clinics have seen remarkable growth, not only in terms of services offered but also in their ability to provide holistic skincare solutions backed by ULTRACEUTICALS’ education and product innovations.
From expanding their treatment offerings to elevating client satisfaction, these partnerships showcase how ULTRACEUTICALS helps businesses grow through continuous support, personalised training, and a commitment to cutting-edge skincare.
Can you please tell us all about your clinic, how long you have been in business, and what makes your business unique?
Emily Wood - Fika Clinic: Fika was born in 2022, however, “fika” is actually a Swedish ritual that has been around for far longer than my little clinic. The true meaning of Fika is a break taken in one’s day to eat (cake, usually), drink coffee, and socialise with friends... to fill one’s cup (metaphorically and quite literally). Fika is more than just a coffee break; it’s an experience and a state of mind.
It’s a chance to unwind, connect, and step away from the daily grind while enjoying time with friends or colleagues. Our version of “fika” embodies all of that goodness that feeds the soul. It means taking a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life, putting yourself first, and doing things for YOU—things that make you feel good.
When you open the door to our clinic, you’re instantly met with our signature scent (cactus flower, yum.), which is a little reminder that it’s time for you to relax and feel taken care of. Being inside Fika should feel like the comfort of sitting in an old friend’s living room, free of stress or judgment.
It’s warm, inviting, social, and happy... like a big hug. And of course, there’s always a coffee or tea and snack (we have an endless supply of Haigh’s chocolate hearts) at the ready. In Sweden, it’s essential to make time for fika regularly. At Fika, it’s essential to make time for you.
Carla Pizzirani-Rand - Face Bar: Andrew and I opened Face Bar in 2009, driven by my vision to bridge the gap between education and retail in the beauty industry. With over 40 years of experience, I have dedicated my career to beauty, and together, we’ve grown Face Bar from a humble start with just two staff members to a thriving team of 14 passionate therapists. Under our leadership, the business has flourished—doubling in size, tripling the number of treatment rooms, and winning prestigious awards with ULTRACEUTICALS.
My entrepreneurial journey began at just 19, when I opened my first business, Belladonna. Over the years, my passion for the beauty industry has only grown stronger. Alongside me, Andrew has been an unwavering support—known as the “handyman” of Face Bar—helping bring our shared vision to life and driving the business forward to reach new heights.
With continuous growth, commitment to training, and a dedication to evolving our craft, we’ve worked hard to make Face Bar a leading name in beauty. We pride ourselves on offering a truly exceptional experience for our clients. Our business model is holistic and thoughtful, offering a range of products that cater to skincare and overall well-being.
By emphasising Australian-owned, organic, and environmentally friendly options, we’ve created a meaningful connection with customers who value sustainability.
How has ULTRACEUTICALS helped your business?
Emily: ULTRACEUTICALS has helped Fika transform from a clinic offering solely injectables to a “skin clinic”. It’s helped me expand my team and be able to offer a more rounded and holistic service and outcome for our guests. It’s helped to create diversity within our offering, consequently growing our client base. It’s grown our revenue not only from offering skin but also with the ability to recommend and retail quality products that we truly love and believe in, to our injectable clients as well as our skin clients.
Our team all have such beautiful skin (we get lots of compliments!), which naturally is an advertisement for our services (regardless of skin or injectables), and this can largely be attributed to ULTRACEUTICALS.
Carla: It’s great how ULTRACEUTICALS has played such a supportive role in Face Bar’s growth and development. That kind of partnership, especially with consistent education and personal support, really strengthens our team’s skills and helps the business thrive.
What made you choose ULTRACEUTICALS for your business?
Emily: There were SO many reasons for wanting to offer ULTRACEUTICALS as our main skincare line at Fika, and the biggest driving factor was what it should always be: ensuring results and satisfaction for our clients. However, what makes ULTRACEUTICALS stand out is what the company provides not only for the end consumer/ but also for the partner stockist.
The level of (genuine) passion, involvement, education, and ongoing support that we have been afforded continues to amaze me. I truly feel that ULTRACEUTICALS wants the best for Fika, and they do whatever they can to help us achieve that. The fact that it’s an Australian company has an entire in-house research and development team dedicated to quality + safety, is cruelty-free and uses ethical packaging are all added bonuses!
Carla: Choosing ULTRACEUTICALS for our business makes a lot of sense, especially with our focus on Australian and progressive brands. It’s interesting how I kept them in mind from a past business and then decided they were the right fit when we started Face Bar in 2009. That foresight seems to have paid off well!
What is your favourite ULTRACEUTICALS product or treatment & why?
Emily: I cannot go past the ULTRACEUTICALS UV Protective Daily Moisturiser. I am actually a registered nurse/cosmetic nurse (and self-professed skincare junkie!), so when I’m administering cosmetic injectables, I know how crucial adequate sun protection is for anti-ageing, prolonging results, improving longevity, and creating optimal outcomes.
It’s so hydrating, non-greasy, won’t clog pores/ create breakouts, won’t look like sunscreen, smells divine, and it’s a 2-in-1 with moisturiser, so it helps this busy mum save time in the morning—plus it’s basically 2 products for the price of one (girl math LOL). It also comes in a mattifying finish for our oily gals. So good!
Carla: ULTRACEUTICALS ‘ Vitamin A product has been a standout for me. Seeing quick visible results and knowing the long-term benefits makes it a favourite for me. Being able to treat your skin daily at home with Vitamin A is a great investment in my skin.
Since changing to ULTRACEUTICALS, what changes have you noticed in your business?
Emily: Since Fika’s opening in 2022 as solely an injectable clinic, ULTRACEUTICALS (the first skincare line we ever stocked) allowed us to introduce skin as part of our offering in September 2022 and grow our skin arm of the business to the point where we are now well known as a “skin clinic” and have progressed to becoming a Platinum Plus ULTRACEUTICALS partner—the only Platinum Plus partner within South Australia.
Carla: It’s amazing how Face Bar has grown from those initial concerns about inventory (small opening order of 3s) to becoming the leading stockist of ULTRACEUTICALS in Australia and on a global scale. Achieving that level of success in a smaller, more remote city like ours in Tasmania really highlights the hard work of our team and ULTRACEUTICALS’ team to strengthen our business model.
What is a standout client success story?
Emily: We had a 22-year-old female client start her Fika journey with injectables, and while I was getting to know her, we started talking about skin and got her booked in for a skin consultation. She was using so many different products from different skincare ranges, and her barrier was completely impaired.
She had cystic acne, congestion, severe redness + reactivity, and scarring. We got her started on ULTRACEUTICALS and strengthened her barrier. Once her skin was looking/feeling more hydrated, we incorporated actives and treatments. Fast forward 1 year on, her skin is completely clear and blemish-free, she never wears makeup anymore, and she walks into Fika confident, smiling, and loving her skin.
Carla: Four years ago, a client raised concerns about pigmentation, redness, and ageing lines. She began with ULTRACEUTICALSA-Zyme Facial Peels, which use anti-ageing vitamin A and exfoliating Bromelain to target uneven skin tone and texture.
To address deeper forehead lines and loss of firmness, she added skin needling, which stimulated collagen production and reduced fine lines. After several treatments, her skin showed dramatic improvement—reduced pigmentation, diminished redness, and significantly softened forehead lines.
Thrilled with the results and receiving many compliments, she continued her progress by incorporating laser treatments alongside her ULTRACEUTICALS peels. Using a personalised at-home skincare routine with ULTRACEUTICALS anti-ageing products, she maintained her results between treatments. Her routine is regularly updated to suit her evolving skin needs, ensuring optimal results.
Fully trusting our expertise, she remains committed to her plan and is excited to explore new advancements in skincare. Her dedication has led to long-lasting, transformative results, and her glowing skin speaks for itself.
What sets ULTRACEUTICALS apart from other cosmeceutical brands?
Emily: Honestly for me the level of support, education, training, involvement and opportunity (for further growth and business development) surpasses any other brand that I have worked with. The entire team is phenomenal, but I have to say that our Growth & Development Partner; Lauren, is just so incredible with the time she dedicates to us, her willingness to go above and beyond and her level of skill and knowledge is second to none.
Carla: Great question, it’s a company that has our back and consistently supports us, small enough to still feel like family but with vision to keep growing and better themselves.
What has been your ULTRACEUTICALS highlight?
Emily: My ULTRACEUTICALS highlight is absolutely becoming the only clinic in South Australia to reach Platinum Plus level. This seemed like an unattainable goal for our little clinic but with the help of ULTRACEUTICALS and the hard work of the entire team, we did it!
Carla: There are a few highlights; to be announced for highest sales in the past few years for Australia and globally, being rewarded by having our entire team present to receive this award, and this year to receive a standing ovation from our peers was very moving, and now to be rewarded with a trip to USA for me and my husband to go to the “Serious Business “conference is so special.
What is a deciding factor when choosing which brands you work with?
Emily: When choosing brands to work with, it’s crucial for Fika to select products or treatments that are guaranteed to give our guests results. We feel that it’s an absolute privilege to have every single one of our guests/clients walk through our clinic door and it’s our duty to have their best interests at heart and deliver them results with quality and safe products, treatments and ingredients. Everything we choose to offer must have sturdy clinical evidence behind it.
Carla: ULTRACEUTICALS plays a major role in our treatments. Relying on it for 99% of our professional services shows just how effective it is for delivering the results we want for clients.
How has ULTRACEUTICALS supported your team in terms of product education and training?
Emily: Ultra has provided support for our team listed in many of the answers above, to elaborate further: ULTRACEUTICALS offer exceptional communication, regular promotions to grow revenue, in clinic team training (with our entire team including skin therapists, nurses, administrative staff), support leading up to and at Fika events, ideas and support to help with advertising and business growth, lots of in-person face-to-face time spent with our management team and greater team.
Carla: Every quarter we have a personal two-day visit from our educators, Zoom training and mentoring for business and growth from our state manager, they have helped us achieve this great result, it’s been a true partnership.
So why ULTRACEUTICALS?...
After hearing from both FIKA Clinic and Face Bar, it’s clear why ULTRACEUTICALS has become a valued partner for leading clinics across Australia. The brand’s commitment to education, support, and delivering real results is unmatched in the skincare industry.
From transforming clinics like FIKA into full-service skin destinations to helping Face Bar achieve global recognition, ULTRACEUTICALS provides more than just skincare products and results—it builds lasting partnerships that allow clinics to thrive.
For Emily at FIKA, ULTRACEUTICALS has played a pivotal role in transitioning her clinic from a focus on injectables to a full-scale skincare destination. Carla and Andrew at Face Bar have seen first-hand how ULTRACEUTICALS’ support has helped their business grow to become one of Australia’s leading stockists.
Their success stories highlight the impact of working with a brand that goes beyond providing products and offers comprehensive training, development, and care.
ULTRACEUTICALS is helping clinics deliver exceptional client results every day. The passion, trust, and results that these clinic owners experience make it clear that ULTRACEUTICALS is not just a skincare brand—it’s a partner in the ongoing success and growth of their businesses.
