BEAUTY
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AESTHETICS PRACTITIONER AND PHARMACIST SHIKHA RISHI gives us an insight into how her life has changed since the coronavirus pandemic
HEA LTH BEFORE beauty I
’m Shikha Rishi, an aesthetics practitioner and pharmacist working in the Bournemouth and Poole area. My journey into aesthetics began in 2015, when I had been working in community pharmacy for a long time and was looking for something more fulfilling. I’d always been interested in experimenting with make-up and beauty, but found myself drawn to the world of aesthetics, where I could find longer-term solutions for people to look their best. I still loved the consultation element of pharmacy, enjoying the patient interaction that comes with it, so I knew I could offer this same personalised treatment for aesthetics. I had fantastic mentors from Harley Street in London, who helped me see where I could grow my experience and business. I then spent 5 years building up a loyal client base, while training in world-class clinics around the UK
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to keep up-to-date on the latest and most promising treatments available. I also spent time working in an A&E department where I learnt invaluable skills regarding complications and infections. The coronavirus pandemic has completely changed my world of work. As the aesthetics clinics were ordered to shut down, I have been unable to see my clients face-toface, which is the majority of what I do. I had to think outside the box and quickly adapt my business to suit the current climate. My saving grace has been my Independent Prescribing qualification that I completed in 2017. I originally got it so I could provide a much more rounded service to my clients, as I can prescribe medications to complement their treatment. Now, I have been able to move my business online to concentrate more on the health and pharmaceutical side of my training. I have started offering online
video health consultations, so I can assist people who are currently unable to get a doctor’s appointment. I can order fingerprick blood tests to be delivered to their house, then use my skills to interpret the results and refer them if needed or prescribe suitable medication that can be delivered direct to their door. I have had an amazing uptake on this service, so it looks like it is really helping the public during this crisis. My online consultations also cover aesthetics advice about home skin-prep, dermal conditions and product recommendations. I am selling online the same ranges I keep in-clinic, so people don’t have to worry running out. Fortunately, these consultations mean that I can make treatment plans in advance for all of my patients, so when it is safe to go back to work I’ll be jumping straight back into a full schedule!
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