4 Aesthetics Treatments to Elevate Your Practice
Find out which aesthetics treatments can elevate your practice to help set you apart!
We sat down with one of our clinical trainers, Dr Lindsay Jones, who's an aesthetics specialist practising in Brighton.
She explained how you can start building your aesthetics career once you've completed your initial botox and filler course.
We also quizzed her on the best treatments to introduce once you're ready to expand your treatment menu.
The first steps after your initial aesthetics training
So you’ve completed your initial botox and filler course and have obtained your practice insurance. You want to start treating your own patients but don't know where to start. What do you do next?
Dr Lindsay notes, "During your aesthetics training, we focus on getting the basics right. This includes taking a history, examining a patient’s face properly and administering various appropriate injectable treatments for your patients.”
The good news is that an extensive treatment menu isn't necessary, especially when first starting out.
It's better to focus on getting really good at delivering a select few cornerstone injectables. You can build your confidence and reputation with these and can often sustain your practice through its first few years.
There are many successful injectors who only offer upper face toxin and basic filler treatments. By delivering fantastic, reliable outcomes and outstanding patient care, they're able to carve out a thriving niche, locally.
Getting your career off to a flying start
This is something we explain during the 'business bootcamp' section of our career kickstarter course, The Aesthetics Accelerator.
Designed to get you up and running from a standing start, this well-rounded programme comprises a total of two full days of hands-on practical training in clinic. This is made up of your Foundation Training day and an extra full day - or two half days, if you prefer - of one-to-one injecting to consolidate the fundamental theory and practice you have learned. You'll treat your very first patients - provided by us - through the entire treatment cycle for a true clinical experience.
The rest is made up of an extensive library of video learning which can be accessed remotely. This covers interactive pre-course eLearning, a further six hours of high definition injectable treatment demonstrations and more!
You'll also benefit from a host of digital assets including a guide to everything you need to set up your practice and complications charts. So, if you want an intensive aesthetics training experience but aren't ready or able to commit to a Level 7 Diploma course yet, this is a great option.
How to build your practice by introducing new treatments
“In the next phase of your journey as an injector, it’s important to evaluate what your patient group is asking for," shares Dr Lindsay.
"It’s also essential to factor in what aspects of aesthetics you enjoy.”
She emphasises, “The single most important way to elevate your practice is through gaining experience in consulting, treating patients and reflecting on your results.”
This will stand you in good stead for whatever you offer and create consistent results.
So, which aesthetics treatments can help to enhance your practice?
4 aesthetics treatments to elevate your practice
Once you’ve gained experience and feel confident injecting your current offering, there are additional procedures worth considering.
"Not only does this provide more value to your patients but it grows your business too,” says Dr Lindsay.
Whether you're coming from a commercial point of view, a patient satisfaction angle, or both, these are her recommendations...
1. Mid- and lower face botulinum toxin treatments
Dr Lindsay states, “Once you've mastered the basic upper face toxin injections, it’s relatively easy to add more advanced areas."
Her examples include:
- Bunny lines
- Gummy smile treatment (excessive gingival display)
- Lip flips
- Depressor anguli oris (DAO) botox
- Platysmal band treatments
- Masseter toxin for jawline contouring.
Advanced botox training and understanding facial anatomy
When administering botox in the mid-and lower face, Dr Lindsay highlights that “We're often treating overactive muscle movement rather than lines. This means a full understanding of the complex and overlapping anatomy is vital.
“Furthermore, as with every treatment, there are patients who can benefit and those who aren't suitable candidates.
“You can - and should - develop your facial anatomy knowledge through in-depth aesthetics training. I completed - and now teach - the Harley Academy Level 7 Diploma in Botox & Dermal Fillers which is an Ofqual-regulated, Master's level qualification. This provides a thorough grounding in the anatomical considerations medical aesthetic practitioners need to know.
"For adding toxin treatments outside of the standard upper face '3 areas', I recommend taking an advanced botox course.
"This will teach you to recognise appropriate patients. You'll also learn all the different injecting techniques for these areas. We also cover insightful tips such as the best needle gauge for each region," Dr Lindsay advises.
2. Advanced mid-face filler treatments
Dr Lindsay recommends adding more advanced mid-face treatments if you want to expand your filler offering.
She highlights, “The basic supraperiosteal boluses of filler on the zygoma are a lovely treatment for a significant number of patients. However, other mid-face procedures can really elevate your patients' results.
“Often, if there's volume loss across the lateral cheeks, there’ll also be volume loss medially in the suborbicularis oculi fat, deep medial cheek fat pad and piriform fossa. This occurs deep into the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS). These areas are ideally treated with a cannula in layer four."
Learn effective, patient-pleasing full-face filler techniques
If you want to elevate your approach and enhance your techniques in this area, consider our Cheek, Mid-Face & Lower Face Filler Masterclass. This short filler course includes detailed anatomical information and a day of practical one-to-one mentored injecting using a needle and cannula. With the support of our experienced specialists, you’ll learn to sculpt and contour the mid-face, cheeks and lower face.
This small-group, immersive learning experience puts your growth first and develops your understanding of how to plan effective, proportionate full-face treatment plans. This is not only a fantastic service for your patients but it can really benefit your business revenue, too!
3. Skin treatments
‘“You don’t want to wrap a nice present in ugly wrapping paper’. This is how I explain
the importance of looking after their skin to my patients, in addition to having their filler and
botox treatments,” Dr Lindsay jokes.
Improving your clients' skin quality can provide enormous patient satisfaction. Not only can a full treatment plan and skin routine address any concerns they may have, it can also help their injectables results to appear better and longer-lasting.
“At a minimum, we should be encouraging all our patients to use a broad-spectrum SPF daily, all year round, to prevent premature ageing and skin cancers," counsels Dr Lindsay.
Stocking reputable SPF products is a nice entry into providing skincare which can be another great regular revenue driver for your practice.
The secret to 'good skin' is something people always ask about too. So, even if their tweakments are subtle, your patients' glowing appearance is a walking advertisement for your skills and is bound to produce friend referrals!
Skin consultations and cosmetic dermatology treatments
“Adding in skin consultations, chemical peels, skin boosters and microneedling to your business can add huge value to your clients," confirms Dr Lindsay. "This is especially the case if they're nervous of or unsuitable for more invasive procedures.
"It's certainly worthwhile exploring our Cosmetic Dermatology Course if you haven’t already as part of a Combined Level 7.”
She adds, "Skin treatments are also a nice addition to your treatment menu from a commercial perspective as they offer a steady stream of revenue. Procedures such as chemical peels and microneedling usually require 4-6 sessions a few weeks apart, depending on the patient’s skin condition and goals. For the patient, it provides an additional service that enhances their skin’s quality and compliments their filler treatments."
4. In-demand injectables for facial rejuvenation
Dr Lindsay highlights, “Many patients are nervous about having botox or fillers because they don’t want to 'look done'. So having alternative facial rejuvenation options can be incredibly beneficial to your patients and your business.
“I recommend options such as Profhilo or polynucleotides as a great place to start as they have straightforward injection techniques. They also provide great natural-looking results for your patients and require consistent sessions over a longer period.”
Thanks to its deeply hydrating, smoothing and laxity-addressing properties, Profhilo is particularly popular ahead of big events and the festive party season. You'll no doubt have heard of the coveted 'Profhilo glow'!
Polynucleotides are especially sought after for their anecdotal effects of brightening dark circles under the eyes. You can see an example of a patient immediately after this treatment in the image above. This fish-based skin booster can also be used in full-face applications to improve skin quality and address fine lines.
Introducing Profhilo and polynucleotides to your aesthetic practice
Profhilo and polynucleotides are both in-demand treatments which patients know to ask for by name. They aren't just for those who aren't keen on toxin or fillers, either. Lots of people enjoy the results of these collagen induction therapies in addition to their regular injectables.
Harley Academy is the official Profhilo training provider of HA-Derma - its UK distributor. As such, we offer a stellar Profhilo course that will allow you to purchase your Profhilo products from approved stockists upon qualification.
Once you've completed your Profhilo Training Course, you'll be eligible to move on to the latest Profhilo Structura course. Structura is an innovative new skin injectable which is the first treatment to work by regenerating the facial fat pads in cases of sinking and sagging.
Our Polynucleotides Training Course is a quick win for injectors, covering periorbital and full-face applications using the Croma PhilArt range. You'll spend half a day in clinic treating patients after preparing via your pre-course theory eLearning.
Know your limits and build your referral network
Remember - not every practitioner has to offer every treatment!
Often you'll find the best way to grow your business is to start small and build trusting relationships with your patients. By asking them what they're interested in, you'll avoid offering 'trending' treatments that aren't actually what your patient cohort is looking for. The better you know your clientele, the easier it is to tailor your offering to their goals.
Dr Lindsay’s last and final point looks at this, as she discusses understanding your own limits.
“Whilst we all love to have busy days treating patients, it’s vital to understand the limitations of the treatments we offer. This means knowing when to refer to a specialist.
“Some patients will not benefit from non-surgical procedures - their best options are surgical. To truly treat patients for aesthetic treatments we need to discuss all the options with them. This includes no treatment and having a basic understanding of what surgical options are available to them.
“Familiarising yourself with the surgical options and networking with local surgical colleagues will build trust and rapport with your patients.”
Never introduce new aesthetics treatments without checking your insurance policy
It would be remiss of us to conclude this article without mentioning the insurance considerations. These apply when you introduce any new service to your offering.
This is a crucial point that mustn't be overlooked, no matter how eager you are to expand your treatment menu!
Always check your policy to ensure you're fully aware of your obligations regarding the type of training you're required to have for each treatment.
Some insurers may stipulate the type of aesthetics course you're required to take - practical and/or theory, for example. They may also list specific providers you need to be trained by for certain products or treatments.
If you don't meet the criteria set out in your policy, you risk invalidating your cover. Just a little point we wanted to highlight..!
Further advice
We know there's a lot of information packed in here! Understanding which aesthetics treatments to introduce to your clinic can be an overwhelming business. So can choosing the right training courses.
If you’d like to talk this through with our experienced advisors, book a call with one of our Courses Team. They’ll listen to your goals and help you to choose the best aesthetics course to keep your career on an upwards trajectory!
All information correct at the time of publication
