Aesthetics Blog

Beginning an aesthetics business can be an exciting step, but attracting new clients in such a competitive market comes with its difficulties.

How do you transform from a beginner aesthetics practitioner to someone who treats clients frequently?

Let’s dive into how to get clients for aesthetics businesses.

Whether you’re a nurse practitioner looking to supplement your income or transition fully into the aesthetics industry, starting a Botox business can offer flexibility, financial rewards, and the chance to enhance your professional skill set in a rapidly growing field.

In fact, the aesthetics industry is globally estimated to be worth a mind blowing £45.5 billion, and the UK market makes up a considerable proportion of that, with an estimated worth of more than £3.6 billion.

It’s therefore evident why so many nurse practitioners, and other medical professionals, decide to start their own aesthetic business.

But where do you start? In this blog, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to successfully launch your Botox business, ensuring you’re set up for success from the very beginning.

6 Steps to Start a Botox Business as a Nurse Practitioner

Here are 6 steps to start a Botox business as a nurse practitioner:

1. Understand the UK Regulations

First things first, do your research and fully understand the UK regulations around working in the botox industry, to ensure that your practice adheres to legal and ethical guidelines.

In the UK, the administration of Botox (a prescription-only medicine) is regulated.

If you are a Nurse Practitioner, you need to be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), and in order to legally administer Botox, you must be a non-medical prescriber. If you're not a prescriber, you'll need to work with a prescriber who can assess the patient and issue a prescription.

Botox injections can only be administered following a face-to-face consultation with a prescriber (doctor, dentist, or qualified nurse prescriber).

2. Obtain the Necessary Training and Qualifications

Before you start your own Botox business, you will need to gain the relevant qualifications, as even though you’re already a qualified nurse, specific training in aesthetic treatments is essential.

The qualification you will need to complete before you can become an aesthetic Botox practitioner is a Level 6 from an accredited training provider. From here, you can gain your Level 7 qualification. Make sure that the training provides practical hands-on training and covers all aspects of safe administration, such as facial anatomy, injection techniques, and safety protocols.

To be able to legally administer prescription-only Botox independently, you will need a prescribing licence. Additionally, in order to gain your Level 7 qualification, you will need a prescribing licence.

To obtain your prescribing licence, you will need to take an aesthetics training course or complete a ‘V300 Advanced Certificate in Independent Prescribing’ course.

Without one of these licences, you will not be able to autonomously work with Botox, and you’ll therefore have to hire someone who oversees all of your aesthetic treatments. 

3. Get Medical Insurance

Another crucial step before starting a Botox business is to get comprehensive medical malpractice insurance to protect yourself from potential legal claims. 

Providers such as Hamilton Fraser or Cosmetic Insure specialise in insurance for aesthetic practitioners, which should cover Botox administration and other treatments you plan to offer, and public & product liability.

Medical malpractice insurance provides financial protection in case a patient files a lawsuit claiming negligence or harm due to the treatment.

4. Set up Your Business 

Now the fun part - setting up your business!

In the UK, you’ll need to establish a formal business entity, whether that’s operating as a sole trader, a limited company or a partnership. 

Once you’ve done your research on these 3 entities, register your business with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and set up a business bank account.

During this phase you should also be deciding important things like how much you want to charge, and whether you will be running your business from a practice that you rent, or from your own home. You might even want to consider being a mobile aesthetic practitioner.

Let’s look at these options in more detail…

5. Secure a Location & Purchase Equipment and Supplies

To carry out Botox treatments, you’ll need to operate from a professional, safe, and hygienic environment, either at your own clinic, working from home, or working mobile:

The most common option is renting or buying a space to turn into a clinic, or renting rooms within beauty salons, medical practices, or other wellness businesses.

If legally permissible in your area, you could also offer treatments in clients' homes or at pop-up events, provided you meet all hygiene and safety standards.

Once you’ve decided on a location/space, you’ll need to set up the practice with any necessary tools and equipment, such as Botox (or other neuromodulators) from licensed pharmaceutical distributors, syringes, gloves, antiseptics, and other medical supplies.

Proper disposal methods for medical waste (e.g., needles).

You Can Clinic is one of the UK's leading providers of pharmaceutical supplies, stocking all major aesthetic products as well as starter packs and emergency kits. You can shop for Botox our Faces Shop here.

6. Consider Expanding Your Services Over Time

This step isn’t crucial but is one that many nurse practitioners consider doing once the business is established.

Expanding your services over time will allow you to attract a wider range of clients and diversify your revenue streams. 

For example, you might decide to offer other aesthetic treatments such as dermal fillers, microneedling/dermaplaning, laser treatments, skin boosters, or PDO COG thread lift.

Check out our wide range of aesthetic training courses, including many of those mentioned above. All our courses are CPD accredited and upon completion of the course, you will receive a certificate that can be used with your application to insurers. 

And there we have it! We hope this blog has provided you with a clear roadmap on how to start a Botox business as a Nurse Practitioner in the UK. 

Are you interested in training in the aesthetics industry? Check out our articles on Botulinum Toxin, Weight Management and Dermaplaning Training Courses.

Written by Kate, for You Can Clinic.

 As more and more people seek radiant, youthful skin, skin booster treatments are increasing in popularity as a non-invasive, effective solution. But what are skin booster treatments, and how can they benefit your skin?

In short, skin booster treatments are injectables which improve skin hydration, elasticity, and general appearance. People can use skin booster aesthetic treatments to improve facial skin, but they can also be used to improve the hands, chest, and neck. 

Let’s explore skin booster treatments in more detail, including how they work and how long they last. 

What Are Skin Booster Treatments?

Known as injectable moisturisers, skin boosters are a type of a large percentage of hyaluronic acid filler. These differ from dermal fillers, as they’re used to increase hydration, not volume. 

Hyaluronic acid is a molecule that adheres to water, able to hold 10,000 times its weight in water. The skin contains around half of the hyaluronic acid in the body, but the human body becomes less able to produce it as we age. 

As we get older, the skin’s production of important substances like hyaluronic acid, collagen, and elastin, decreases. This makes the skin lose hydration and firmness. 

Hyaluronic acid looks like long chains, each of which attracts and carries water. The chains in dermal fillers bundle up and remain put where they’re injected to add volume. 

The molecule is different in skin boosters, as instead of bunching up, the chains spread evenly across the skin. This hydrates skin without adding volume to the face, helping the skin to look fresh and healthy, keeping skin laxity at bay.

How Long Do Skin Booster Injections Last?

Skin booster effects have different durations, depending on the brand, the patient’s skin quality, and whether the patient continues to recieve the treatment over time.

Typically speaking, skin boosters can last between six and twelve months. Results may be evident soon after the treatment, but full resutls are expected to show two weeks afterwards. 

It’s important to note that if the patient does not maintain their results with successive top-up treatments, the skin will return to it’s original state as time goes on. The results may last six months, but it’s best to have a top up session after every three months to preserve your results.

Are There Any Side Effects of Skin Boosters?

There’s minimal downtime following a skin booster treatment, but like any injectable treatment, a minor amount of bruising might be visible. If this is the case, the brusing should wear off after a few days. 

Some patients notice slight bumps or redness on the injection points, but these should subside after 24 hours.

To minimise the likelihood of side effects, always consult with a qualified practitioner to determine if skin boosters are suitable for your skin type and goals before your treatment, taking care to follow the aftercare advice they give you. 

Examples of Skin Boosters

Here are some examples of skin booster treatments that can help improve the look and quality of the skin.

ICONA-H8

ICONA-H8 is an advanced skin booster treatment with a unique formulation. 

While most skin boosters solely contain large amounts of hyaluronic acid, ICONA-H8 contains both high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, a blend of eight amino acids, and vitamin B12. These elements all work together to encourage collagen production, improve skin firmness, and provide a youthful glow. 

The aesthetic practitioner will inject ICONA-H8 0.2 ml per point in the dermis, delivered evenly and smoothly into the skin. The formulation and injection technique make it an effective and minimally invasive choice for people seeking to rejuvenate their skin. 

Profilho

Profilho is another popular skin booster treatment that’s known for it’s ability to increase the skin’s hydration and stimulate collagen production. It mainly uses a highly concentrated hyaluronic acid formulation to target skin issues, helping improve fine lines, laxity, and loss of skin volume. 

Profilho usually requires an initial treatment period with two sessions spaced four weeks apart. After this, the patient should seek top-up sessions with intervals between three and six months. 

SEVENTYHYAL 2000

Seventy Hyal 2000 is another skin booster that primarily contains hyaluronic acid. It’s great for hydrating the skin from within, so it’s a good choice for people with dehydrated or dry skin. 

It’s different from Profilho, which helpes to stimulate collagen production and increase hydration. Seventy Hyal 2000’s formula does support collagen production to an extent, but it’s focus is more on hydration. 

The Benefits Of Skin Booster Injections

Skin booster treatments have several benefits that improve the look of facial and body skin. Here are some of the benefits of skin booster injections:

1. Increased Hydration

One of the main reasons why skin booster treatments are good for your skin is that they increase skin hydration.

Compared to traditional moisturisers that work on the surface, skin boosters inject hyaluronic acid directly into the dermis, delivering long-lasting, intense hydration from within the skin. This deep hydration helps to keep skin plump, making it look fuller and more youthful. 

2. Improved Skin Texture

Skin boosters can directly improve the texture and appearance of the skin. The injection triggers the skin’s own repair process, leading to increased collagen production. 

Collagen is a protein found within the skin, which after 25, decreases by 1% each year. The loss of collagen can lead to skin wrinkles in the skin dermis and make the skin lose firmness. 

As skin boosters simultaneously trigger collagen production and increase skin hydration, the treatments can improve the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, miminise the look of pores, and improve skin smoothness. 

As skin boosters improve skin texture, this can make makeup application easier as it creates a more even surface for foundation and other cosmetics to adhere to. 

3. A Non-Invasive Treatment

Skin booster treatments offer a non-invasive way to improve the skin’s appearance without the need for surgical treatments which need downtime, like facelifts. 

The procedure involves several micro injections which are quick and relatively painless, so you can resume your regular routine soon afterwards. This means skin boosters are a great for people who want to improve the skin’s look and feel without the risks or recovery time associated with invasive procedures. 

The short treatment time and minimal discomfort make these aesthetics treatments convenient for people with busy schedules, as well those who cannot afford to take extended time off for recovery. This makes skin boosters a good option for people seeking low-maintenance, yet effective skin care solutions. 

4. Delivers Natural Results

Skin boosters provide natural, subtle results which enhance your beauty without altering your facial features. 

Some cosmetic treatments may result in an overdone look, but skin boosters work by improving the overal quality and hydration of your skin, giving it a healthy glow. The results look natural as they are gradual, building up slowly over time. 

As the treatment works with your skin’s natural processes - like collagen production and hydration - you’ll look refreshed and rejuvenated, instead of noticeably different. 

There we go! We hope this post helped explain what skin booster treatments are, as well as the benefits of skin booster injections. 

If you’re a practitioner looking to expand your knowledge in skin rejuvenation treatments, our Skin Booster/Mesotherapy course can help.

Our CPD accredited training will give you the understanding and skill to administer popular skin boosters. 

Participants will need to have experience with injectables having completed a filler or toxin course. Our Skin Booster courses are delivered in Cardiff, Swansea, and Bristol. 

Book now to secure a place at your nearest facilities, or browse our other training courses to find out more about what we do. 

Updated on 30/09/2024

A chemical peel, also called ‘chemical exfoliation’, is a restorative treatment that has gained traction in the industry over the years.

Whether you’re looking for a solution to minimise the appearance of hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, acne, or other skin problems, chemical peels can be an effective treatment to rejuvenate the skin for a more youthful complexion.

If you’re looking for some dos and don’ts after a chemical, this guide is for you.

The 8 dos and don’ts after a chemical peel include:

1. Do reconsider your skincare products
2. Do moisturise your skin
3. Do protect your skin from the sun
4. Do stay hydrated
5. Don’t pick the treated area
6. Don’t break a sweat
7. Don't overwash your face
8. Don’t use retinol

1. Do Reconsider Your Skincare Products

After a chemical peel, you should reconsider your skincare products.

Whether you usually have a 3-step- or 10-step skincare routine, it’s best to strip it back while your skin is healing.

Generally speaking, you should use a soap-free cleanser and a simple moisturiser to allow the treatment to work its magic.

Once your skin has healed, you can reintroduce your other skincare products back into your routine.

2. Do Moisturise Your Skin

Following a chemical peel, it’s normal for your skin to become very dry and flake off in the days following your treatment.

That said, it’s important to regularly moisturise your skin to hydrate it until it’s completely healed from the treatment.

To aid healing, choose a gentle moisturiser that doesn’t contain harsh chemicals and won’t dry out your skin for the best aftercare.

Chemical peels can minimise the appearance of fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and more.

3. Do Protect Your Skin From The Sun

It’s essential to stay out of the sun post-peel and protect your skin.

The new skin is particularly sensitive to harsh UV rays, so be mindful to stick to shaded areas when possible.

When you’re out and about, it’s essential to protect your skin with an SPF of 50+, which should already be a staple in your skincare routine.

At You Can Clinic, we’ve recently become a stockist for AlumierMD, a medical-grade skincare brand exclusively available through professionals.

Whether you’re looking for a medical-grade SPF or an array of other skincare products, we’ve got you covered.

To place an order, simply email pharmacy@youcanclinic.com or call 02922747543.

4. Do Stay Hydrated

5. Don’t Pick The Treated Area

You mustn’t pick the treated area after a chemical peel.

Although it may be tempting to pick or scratch your skin when it's peeling, flaking, or feeling itchy, it’s important not to give in to temptation.

Your skin is highly sensitive after a chemical peel, and picking the shedding skin will only exacerbate this and increase the chances of infection.

Instead, you should use a cold compress and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate to alleviate any itching.

There are numerous types of chemical peels, each with a unique PH level, application method, time, and associated risks and complications.

6. Don’t Break A Sweat

You also shouldn’t break a sweat after a chemical peel treatment.

This means you should avoid sunbathing, the sauna, and high-intensity workouts until your skin is healed, as sweat can irritate it.

Can You Exercise After A Chemical Peel?

You can exercise after a chemical peel, but keep it light.

To protect your skin and maximise the benefits of your chemical peel, you’ll want to stick to gentle exercise to avoid getting too sweaty for the first couple of days following your treatment.

7. Don't Overwash Your Face

8. Don’t Use Retinol 

Lastly, don’t use retinol after a chemical peel. 

Retinol is an exfoliant form of vitamin A and can cause many side effects, including irritation, burning and redness that can hinder your skin’s healing process after a chemical peel.

How Soon After A Chemical Peel Can I Use Retinol?

This depends on the chemical peel you get, as they can be done at different depths, from light to deep.

Generally speaking, you should wait 10 days before reintroducing retinol into your skincare routine after a chemical peel.

However, after a deep chemical peel, the skin takes longer to heal, and you should wait at least six weeks before using retinol again.

Interested in a chemical peel training course? Look no further than You Can Clinic.

Our AlumierMD Chemical Peel Training Course

Are you interested in advancing your skills as an aesthetic practitioner? You Can Clinic’s AlumierMD chemical peel training course is perfect.

In this course, you’ll receive expert-led training from professionals who are passionate about skin health.

You’ll gain an in-depth understanding of AlumierMD’s cutting-edge chemical peels, which are designed to address various skin concerns, including blemishes, discolouration, and signs of ageing.

To book a space on our aesthetics training courses, please email courses@youcanclinic.com or call us on 02921678740. 

You Can Clinic is one of the UK's leading providers of aesthetic training courses and pharmaceutical supplies. Over 1000 individuals have progressed through our affordable programmes, which provide comprehensive coverage of all relevant aesthetic procedures. 

Written by Jemima for You Can Clinic.

If you’ve been looking at non-surgical enhancements online and through social media, you may have heard about the lip flip procedure, an enhancement that focuses on the appearance of the lips. 

So, what is a lip flip procedure and how is it performed? 

Essentially, a lip flip procedure involves injecting a neuromodulator, like Botox, into muscles around the upper lip. The lip flip relaxes the muscles so the upper lip projects outwards, looking larger and more defined. 

A lip flip can help address a gummy smile and enhance the appearance of your lips, but like any non-surgical enhancements, it can have side effects if not performed properly. 

We’ll cover more about the lip flip procedure and it’s potential benefits below, as well as advice on the best candidates for the treatment. 

What Is A Lip Flip Treatment?

A lip flip is a non-surgical aesthetic treatment used to produce a fuller lip. A practitioner will inject Botox (botulinum toxin A) inside the upper lip to give the appearance of a larger lip. 

Botox will relax muscles above the upper lip, so the lip flips upward. A lip flip treatment does enhance the lips to make them appear larger, but the lips do not actually increase in size. 

How Does A Lip Flip Treatment Work?

The lip flip procedure involves administering botox injections or a variation of abobotulinumtoxin A, like Jeuveau, into the muscles above the upper lip. 

The aim is to slacken the orbicularis oris muscle, which shapes and forms the lips. The injection relaxes the upper lip so it ‘flips’ outward, appearing like a fuller lip.

Lip flips are quick treatments that can take a few minutes, so they are a good alternative for people concerned about more invasive procedures, like a surgical lip lift. 

Good Candidates For Lip Flip Procedure

A lip flip procedure can be a good treatment for people who have the following:

• Desire fuller lips without lip filler.
• Believe their upper lip disappears as they smile.
• Want to reduce a gummy smile, when the smile reveals more gum show than you would prefer.

Results from a lip flip procedure generally last between 8 and 12 weeks. If you’re searching for permanent effects, lip fillers or surgical lip lifts may be a better option.

Lip Flip or Lip Filler?

If you’re wondering what is a lip flip procedure, you may have considered getting dermal lip filler too. Both lip fillers and lip flips can create the appearance of more defined, fuller lips, but both these treatments are different. 

Lip flips create the appearance of fuller lips, but lip filler actually changes the size of the lips to make them fuller. Lip filler treatments involve a practitioner injecting the lips with a dermal filler, usually made from hyaluronic acid. 

Lip flips, however, relax muscles around the upper lip with Botox, so the lip turns outwards. The lip looks fuller, but its size doesn’t actually change - it becomes restructured instead. 

If you’re wondering whether you should go for lip flip or lip filler, consider whether you want lasting, more invasive results.

Lip filler is best for patients who want to change the actual size and shape of their lips, while a lip flip is best for those looking for a non-permanent lip enhancement. 

Benefits of A Lip Flip

A lip flip procedure has several advantages which may make it the preferred treatment over other procedures, like a surgical bullhorn lip lift. 

Here are some of the main benefits of a lip flip.

1. A Lip Flip Creates Subtle Results

The main advantage of a lip flip is the natural results on the upper lip. The lips receive a ski-jump appearance that defines the edges of the lip, known as the vermillion border. This makes it look like your lips are fuller. 

2. No Downtime

Another one of the benefits of a lip flip is that the procedure is non-surgical, so it doesn’t have much downtime.

Unlike surgical lip lifts, which require adequate aftercare and recovery time to heal properly, you can resume normal activities once your Botox injections are done. 

3. Targets A Gummy Smile

If you have a gummy smile, where the gums show when you smile, lip flip injections can relax the muscles that pull the lips upwards, reducing gum show when you smile. 

By the same token, if your top lip curls under when you smile, a lip flip can reduce this, so you show more of your upper lip as you smile. 

4. Temporary Results

If you’re experimenting with non-surgical aesthetic treatments to your lips, you can try a lip flip without committing to permanent results. 

Lip flip results tend to wear off in three to four months, which is ideal if you’re not satisfied with the results. 

Reasons To Avoid A Lip Flip Procedure

The lip flip procedure can have great results in the right candidate, but there are some reasons why you may want to opt for alternative treatments. 

1. Results Are Too Subtle

A lip flip targets the appearance of your upper lip, so the edges roll outwards a little. This is a very subtle effect, particularly when the patient doesn’t smile. 

If you prefer more visible results or want to make distinct changes to your lip size, it’s best to look at more permanent changes. 

2. You Have Difficulty Pronouncing Words

Botox injections prevents the muscle from moving as it normally would, which can make the following more difficult:

• Whistling
• Using a spoon to eat
• Using a straw to drink
• Spitting after cleaning teeth
• Pronouncing certain syllables or words 

People who speak in public for a living, like teachers, singers, or lecturers, should assess the advantages of an enhanced lip against the risks related to impaired lip function before a lip flip procedure. 

If you do choose to get a lip flip, it’s important to go to a skilled, qualified injector who knows what they’re doing. 

3. The Effects Wear Off

Lip flip effects can look great, but like all Botox treatments, they will wear off. Botox treatments to other areas, like the forehead, last longer, but a lip flip usually wears off in two months. 

This is because we move the upper lip muscles more than other facial muscles during the day, as we speak, eat, and drink. These continuous movements bring about shorter results, so you’ll need to get top-up botox injections to keep seeing the effects. 

Lip filler results, on the other hand, can last over a year, while surgery can have lasting effects. If you want lasting results, you should look into procedures like these, unless you’re experimenting with a lip flip to assess how fuller lips may look on you. 

4. Results Aren’t Immediate

Botox lip flip results take a while to set in, around a week in most cases. This means that your aesthetic practitioner won’t be able to assess your results instantly as you are treated. 

This isn’t the case with filler, as an injector can immediately see if they’ve injected too much or too little, increasing the likelihood of satisfaction with the results. 

Lip Flip Risks

Lip flips, like any non-surgical treatment, aren’t without risks. When gone wrong, lip flip risks include excess muscle relaxation, lopsided results, or severe complications, like botulism, in some cases.  

It’s also important to have reasonable expectations. Lip flip results should be subtle - they aren’t a replacement for dermal lip fillers. If your practitioner attempts to replicate filler results with a lip flip, you could increase your risk of complications. 

You can reduce the risk of complications by choosing a professional, skilled, and qualified practitioner to deliver your lip flip treatment. Always follow the practitioner's Botox aftercare advice and report any unusual changes or effects as soon as you notice them. 

There we have it! We hope this post helped answer what is a lip flip procedure, including what a lip flip involves and whether it’s the right procedure for you. 

How We Can Help

At You Can Clinic, our Botulinum Toxin training courses cover several techniques to give practitioners confidence in delivering injections.

Our Lip Masterclass courses also give aesthetic professionals dermal filler training to deliver natural lip enhancement results. 

With courses suitable for beginner and more advanced practitioners, you will receive an understanding of facial anatomy and how to inject botulinum toxins like Botox safely, so you can give your patients stellar results. 

We conduct our botulinum toxin training courses in Cardiff and Swansea, and our lip masterclass courses in Cardiff, Swansea, and Bristol. To find out more about our courses, give us a call at +44 (0)2921 678747 or check out our other training courses to find out more about what we do. 

Many different instruments are used to deliver dermal fillers, but one technique that’s increasing in popularity is injecting fillers with a cannula. 

Before cannulas came onto the scene, needles were the only method available for injecting fillers. Cannula needles were approved for commercial, tissue filler use in 2012, after which aesthetic clinics began offering cannula injected fillers to their patients. 

While needles are stiff and precise, cannulas are flexible, thin, and blunt. Practitioners still use needles to treat their patients, but more and more practitioners are using cannulas as an alternative method. 

So, which method works best? Should practitioners use a cannula or needle for fillers? 

In short, cannulas are thought to be the superior injection method by many aesthetics experts. However, traditional needles are good for injecting fillers in precise areas, which we’ll cover below. 

What’s The Difference Between A Needle and Cannula?

Practitioners can decide whether they should use a cannula or needle for fillers by understanding the difference between the two techniques. 

Needles and cannulas have the following differences:

1. Physical Form
2. Injection Method
3. Number of Entry Points
4. Recovery and Downtime

1. Physical Form

The main difference between a cannula and a needle is that a cannula tip is blunt, whereas a needle tip is sharp. Cannulas have a thin, flexible tube, but needles are rigid and still. A cannula’s tube can move easily beneath the skin, but a needle’s tip stays stiff, both before and during injection. 

A cannula’s flexibility makes it good for delivering filler smoothly in larger places like the jawline. However, it’s not the best for treating areas that require more accuracy. Thanks to their thin tip and firm structure, needles that can place small amounts of filler accurately in particular areas, like smokers' lines. 

A cannula’s flexibility makes it good for delivering filler smoothly in larger places like the jawline, but it’s not the best for treating areas that require more accuracy.

2. Injection Method 

Needles and cannulas penetrate the skin differently during filler injections. Needles are sharp and can pierce skin easily. Aesthetic practitioners can use needles to place filler into smaller areas, without other tools or techniques. 

As cannulas have a blunt, rounded tip, they cannot pierce skin by themselves and will need further assistance. If a cannula is needed, practitioners will use a needle to puncture the skin first, creating an entry point for the cannula. 

3. Number of Entry Points

Unlike cannulas, needles are shorter and need more entry points to treat a complete area. As cannulas are longer and flexible, they only need one insertion point. 

Cannulas can go through one entry point several times, reducing the need for several insertion points. This reduces the discomfort felt by the patient, which can make the appointment go smoothly overall. 

4. Recovery and Downtime

As noted above, cannulas lower the need for multiple insertion points. This reduces the risk of infection, which encourages quicker healing and recovery. 

A significant concern with needles is their stiff form and sharp tip. Needles have a higher chance of piercing arteries or veins. This can cause complications like bruising, swelling, or in serious cases, intravascular injection. 

Intravascular injection occurs when dermal filler enters an artery or vein. This can lead to dangerous problems, like necrosis, where lack of blood flow leads to the death of body tissue. Cannulas have a lower chance of causing these problems as they have rounded tips.

A cannula's blunt edges can push past any veins or arteries below the skin, reducing the chance of bruising and bleeding. As cannulas have a decreased risk of piercing arteries, they have a lower risk of intravascular injection and necrosis. 

Are Canuulas Safer Than Needles?

Cannulas have a lot of advantages that can make a patient’s experience more comfortable. Cannulas are associated with fewer entry points and less downtime, the patient can resume regular activities without swelling or bruising linked with needles. 

Despite their advantages, cannulas aren’t entirely pain or risk-free. Cannulas may involve fewer entry points, but patients can feel the tube moving beneath the skin. Most patients don’t find this painful, but unusually uncomfortable. 

Cannulas may have a lower risk of swelling and bruising, but using the tool doesn’t entirely prevent skin damage. An aesthetic practitioner’s skill, technique, and experience with a cannula matter here. If the injector is more skilled with using a needle and opts to use a cannula instead, the patient may experience more swelling or bruising. 

People seeking fillers should always consult with a qualified aesthetic practitioner who understands how to use both cannulas and needles, including which method works best for your desired results. 

At You Can Clinic, our Dermal FIller courses cover both cannula and needle filler techniques to give practitioners confidence in practising each method. You’ll learn how to use both tools safely, as well as how to choose between the two when you treat patients in the future. 

We conduct our practical dermal filler courses in Cardiff, Swansea, and Bristol. To book onto the course, check out our website, or give us a call at +44 (0)2921 678747 to find out more. 

What Works Best For Fillers: A Cannula or A Needle?

A needle and a cannula both have their advantages and disadvantages with injecting filler. The best method depends on the treatment area, the practitioner's skill, and naturally, the patient. 

A practitioner may feel more confident using one dermal filler method, either a cannula or a needle during appointments. Other practitioners may feel comfortable switching between the two techniques based on the filler case.

Most skilled injectors have ended up in the middle by using both methods. This gives them the advantages of each method, like using a needle for accurate filler details, then moving to a cannula for larger areas, like the cheeks. 

More perceptive patients may prefer their injector uses a cannula for safety purposes, or a needle for precise work. Despite the patient's wishes, their preferred filler method might be incompatible with their features or expected outcome.

Practitioners need to assess the patient’s characteristics, skin quality, and desired results to decide which injection method is best, then communicate this, along with aftercare advice to the patient. A skilled, experienced, and well-trained clinician will be able to achieve their patient’s filler wishes with a low level of risk and patient discomfort. 

Cannulas and needles have their advantages, but the most important factor in filler treatments is the practitioner. Being skilled in using both a cannula and needle is essential, as well as staying up to date with the latest filler techniques. This helps aesthetic practitioners and patients work in tandem to achieve natural, attractive filler results.

You Can Clinic is one of the UK's leading providers of aesthetic training courses and pharmaceutical supplies.

Over 1000 individuals have progressed through our affordable programmes, which provide extensive coverage of all relevant aesthetic procedures, which are available from beginner to advanced courses.

Do you see yourself in the industry? Check out our articles on Botulinum Toxin, Weight Management and Dermaplaning Training Courses. 

Written by Rosh for You Can Clinic.

There’s lots of advice about weight loss, but losing weight and keeping it off is one of the hardest things to do. 

In England, 25.9% of adults are obese, while 37.9% of adults are overweight. Despite these statistics, the British diet industry has never been more successful. 

In 2020, the UK’s wellness industry was worth over £20 billion. With 43% of British citizens trying to lose weight, there are lots of potential customers for weight loss brands to market their goods towards. 

Unfortunately, a large part of the diet and wellness industry promotes unsatisfactory information. This may be due to inadequate education regarding nutrition, false information about successful weight management, and combative marketing from food producers selling goods that lack nutrition.

Effective weight management programs exist, but they prioritise lifestyle intervention and realistic living changes to make long-term weight changes. 

Whether you’re developing a weight management program yourself, or want to get the most out of a program you’re currently on, understanding what better weight management services look like can help you or your clients reach their body composition goals. 

If you’re wondering what should a good weight management program include, you’ll find more about weight management services and the importance of lifestyle intervention below. 

What Is A Weight Management Service?

A weight management service is a specialist program catered to help people achieve and maintain a healthy weight. This is generally done through a blend of personalised lifestyle interventions, guidance, and external support.

Weight management services are usually delivered by wellness centres, fitness facilities, healthcare professionals, or aesthetic clinics. Weight management services aim to help people take on realistic lifestyle changes that encourage weight loss and improve overall health. 

What Does An Effective Weight Management Program Include?

The global weight loss market is growing fast, expected to reach $826.53 by 2033. With new diet and exercise programs cropping up every day, which one do you choose? 

Research shows that better weight management programs involve lifestyle changes through lifestyle intervention. 

Lifestyle interventions aim to improve a person’s health by modifying their living habits. This generally involves positive changes to activity levels, alcohol consumption, diet, sleep, stress levels, and smoking habits.

Lifestyle interventions are used to prevent obesity and encourage weight management, but they are also used to prevent chronic diseases, like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. 

Lifestyle Intervention In Good Weight Management Programs

Here are the key lifestyle intervention components you’ll find in an effective weight management program. 

1. Tailoring To The Individual

Many well-being programs stress making healthy lifestyle changes, but better weight management programs tailor lifestyle interventions to each unique individual. This includes taking age, gender, ethnicity, fitness level, and overall well-being into account. 

For instance, a person who is 60 years old with no history of exercise may find it harder to increase their activity levels compared to a 30-year-old former school athlete. 

2. Knowledge and Awareness

A good weight management service will educate on healthy lifestyle intervention changes. This involves looking at healthy nutrition, activity levels, lowering stress levels, and good sleep habits. 

Similarly, the program should look at the consequences of unhealthy habits that lead to weight gain, including excessive drinking, nutrient-deficient food, lack of sleep, and increased stress levels.  

3. Changing Habits

Better weight management programs will help individuals identify personal unhealthy triggers and patterns. 

This can involve cognitive behavioural tactics, like keeping a diary to track negative thoughts or practising mindfulness to become aware of eating patterns. 

After identifying unhealthy habits, individuals can set goals to adopt new lifestyle intervention changes. Examples include increasing sleep hours, eating less energy-dense food, and setting time aside to plan meals. 

4. Taking Medication

Depending on the person’s circumstances, they may be eligible for weight management medication, like GLP-1 drugs. 

As the GLP-1 market is set to grow to USD 133.5 billion in 2030, it’s clear that weight loss medication will only grow in popularity. It’s a good idea to learn more about these drugs, particularly if you’re considering taking weight loss medication yourself. 

An effective weight management program should discuss what weight management medication is available, what circumstances they would be prescribed, and the results they may deliver. 

Better weight management courses will also clarify the potential side effects of weight loss medication and how to track an individual’s medication treatment plan. 

At You Can Clinic, our weight management program covers new weight loss medication, centred around GLP-1 drugs. You’ll learn about the circumstances in which these drugs are prescribed and the potential outcomes they may deliver. 

If you have any questions about our courses, please get in touch with a member of our team at courses@youcanclinic.com or +442921678747. 

5. Social Encouragement

Research shows that having family or friends who support weight management goals can help drive long-term weight loss. 

A better weight management program may prioritise being around peers with similar goals, or sharing your plan with trustworthy family members to create a positive culture around weight management. 

Social encouragement can create a community feel and help an individual adopt other lifestyle intervention changes easily. 

6. Frequent Assessments

Better weight management services should have regular assessments to track a person’s progress. Whether they use tracking apps or a pencil or paper, tracking can help people get into the habit of setting weight management goals and achieving them later on. 

Tracking weight, measurements, food, and exercise can help people note their behaviours around these subjects, then make lifestyle intervention changes wherever necessary. 

Whether they use tracking apps or a pencil or paper, tracking can help people get into the habit of setting weight management goals and achieving them later.

7. Maintenance Techniques

Weight loss studies have shown that many people who lose weight initially gain some weight back afterwards. An effective weight management program should give individuals strategies to maintain healthy lifestyle intervention changes in the long term. 

Examples include coping skills for dealing with setbacks and adopting flexibility around indulgent food. This can make it more likely that lifestyle interventions remain effective and that any issues with maintaining weight loss are promptly dealt with. 

We hope this article has helped you understand the importance of lifestyle intervention and what an effective weight management program should include. 

How We Can Help

At You Can Clinic, our weight management program covers new weight loss medication, focused around GLP-1 drugs. 

The program is covered by Dr Anish Kotecha, who, having worked as a GP for eight years, brings his clinical and medical knowledge to the course. You’ll learn more about when GLP-1 drugs are prescribed and the potential weight management results they can assist with. 

You can find out more about Dr. Kotecha’s work through Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X, or more about our aesthetic training courses through our Instagram. 

If you have any questions about our courses, please get in touch with a member of our team at courses@youcanclinic.com or +442921678747. 

You Can Clinic is one of the UK's leading providers of aesthetic training courses and pharmaceutical supplies. Our programmes deliver extensive coverage of weight management methods and other aesthetic procedures.

Do you see yourself in the aesthetics industry? Check out our Botulinum Toxin and Dermaplaning Training Courses. 

Written by Rosh for You Can Clinic. 

What do you picture when you think about lip fillers? Many visualise an overfilled pout with distinct ‘sausage’ lips’, instead of a natural-looking smile. 

According to Glamour, Google searches for natural lip fillers have increased by 250%. Lip fillers have been popular for a while, but this statistic shows people are moving away from a noticeably ‘done’ look. 

Many people considering lip enhancements wonder whether subtle results are possible. So, can lip fillers ever look natural? The answer is yes - as long as your practitioner is skilled and understands anatomy well. 

Why Do Fake Lip Fillers Happen?

Good lip filler isn’t noticeable. Depending on the practitioner and patient’s goals, a well-done lip enhancement will look full and well-balanced.

Despite this, many people don’t believe that lip fillers can ever look natural. This may be a result of celebrities with poor filler jobs, or collagen lips from the 90s which never looked realistic. Today, however, there are two reasons you may see fake lip fillers out and about. 

Firstly, some patients like the artificial look and seek out overdone lip filler results. The second reason is that some practitioners don’t understand lip and facial anatomy well. 

Fake lip fillers aren’t simply a result of desiring larger lips. Expert practitioners can help patients achieve big lips without being able to tell if they have been enhanced. There are some important lip filler practices which can help prevent unnatural results. 

What Makes Lips Attractive?

The lips and the perioral area, which is the space adjacent to the mouth, affect how attractive the lips look. The main structural features that contribute to lip attractiveness are a defined vermilion border, philtrum, and Cupid’s bow. 

The lips and the perioral area affect how attractive the lips look.

Cupid’s Bow

A dual curve in the middle of the upper lip. The Cupid’s bow makes the lips look defined and symmetrical. Injectors need to understand the Cupid’s bow’s dimensions to define this feature properly. 

A groove that runs between the upper lip and nasal base. Injectors will need to maintain the philtrum’s optimum dimensions to make sure it complements the patient’s facial characteristics. 

The clear edge of the lips which divides the facial skin and the lip’s coloured portion. Practitioners need to preserve the border’s natural curves to prevent fake-looking results. 

How To Avoid Fake-Looking Lip Filler

People who look for lip fillers are generally part of two categories. 

The first category is older patients over forty who have less full lips. A 2019 study from Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that adults lose upper lip volume with age. In addition to restoring lost volume, these patients may want to remodel certain features, like a flat Cupid’s bow or lower philtral columns. 

The second category is patients between their twenties and thirties. These people may have youthful-looking lips but desire fuller results popularised by modern celebrities.

Even though younger patients usually want voluminous results, practitioners need to prevent injecting too much filler into the lips. They should also know when their to reject treatment entirely and only top up lip filler when it’s needed.

In both older and younger patients, there are three things practitioners should avoid to prevent fake-looking lips. 

People who don’t believe lip fillers can ever look natural may envision overfilled, sausage-like lips when thinking about enhancements. 

The ‘sausage’ look occurs when injectors introduce filler equally between the lower and upper lips. Natural lips have volume differences over their structure. Simply injecting filler across doesn’t take these variations into account, leading to artificial results. 

The next is not taking the golden ratio into account. The golden ratio is a mathematical theory that states a 1:1.618 ratio is most appealing to the eye. This proportion means that between two items, the second item will be 1.618 bigger than the first one. 

In the case of lips, golden ratio characteristics are:

• Lips are 1.618 times larger compared to the nose. 
• An upper lip that extends 1.618 times ahead compared to the lower lip (side view).
• A lower lip is 1.618 times bigger than the upper lip. 

Ignoring the golden ratio, for instance, the upper lip being equal to or larger than the lower lip, causes artificial results. Most practitioners start with the top lip to avoid this. If the upper lip is overfilled a little, they can inject into the lower lip to achieve the golden ratio once more. 

Ignoring the golden ratio with lip proportions causes fake lip filler results.

An overly defined or lack of a Cupid’s bow can detract from an otherwise good lip enhancement. Injectors will need to maintain a patient’s original Cupid’s bow or restore it without weakening the section. 

Some errors involve injecting the Cupid’s bow peaks too much, which gives a distinctly ‘done’ look, or overfilling the area below the curve which gives a ‘duck’ lip look.

No two pairs of lips are alike, so practitioners need to examine a patient’s lip anatomy properly, and then figure out what the best injection techniques are in response.  

How To Get Natural Looking Lip Filler

If you’re wondering how to get natural looking lip fillers, here are some things to keep in mind before your aesthetic treatment. 

Think about your desired lip shape and how much volume you want, as well as any problems you want to avoid. Tell your injector about these points and make sure you understand how they will achieve your facial goals, as well as aftercare advice following your appointment. 

Learn more about good practices after your lip filler appointment with this post on lip filler aftercare. 

Communication with your practitioner is key to achieving natural lip filler results.

Low and Slow

A common practice used to achieve natural lip fillers is going for the low and slow approach. It’s better to begin with a lower amount of filler and slowly increase the amount over time. This lets practitioners and the patient view developments and make changes as needed. 

Skilled practitioners will take your lip shape, facial characteristics, and personal goals into account, then supply a personalised treatment plan. Avoid practitioners who don’t ask you about your unique goals, or those who have a ‘one size fits all’ approach to injecting. Your. 

Natural-looking lip filler generally begins with a light hand. Your practitioner should examine your entire lip structure before injecting, then assess where filler should be placed for a balanced appearance. Subtle lip enhancements are more likely to go undetected and will complement your facial features nicely. 

You Can Clinic is one of the UK's leading providers of aesthetic training courses and pharmaceutical supplies. Over 1000 individuals have progressed through our affordable programmes, which provide extensive coverage of all relevant aesthetic procedures. Available from beginner to advanced courses.

Do you see yourself in the industry? Check out our articles on Botulinum Toxin, Weight Management, and Dermaplaning Training Courses. 

Written by Rosh for You Can Clinic.

To put it simply, an aesthetic practitioner is a trained healthcare professional who specialises in providing non-surgical cosmetic treatments to enhance their client’s appearance, whether it be on their face or body. There are a range of opportunities for aesthetic practitioners to develop a niche set of skills across several different treatments, or to become a specialist in one specific area. 

Ongoing innovation in the beauty and cosmetic field means that aesthetic practitioners are currently at the cutting edge of beauty and continuously developing existing skills and talents, adapting as new developments are made.

Continued professional development is crucial in the aesthetic industry, as customers expect practitioners to be up to date with the latest trends, insights, knowledge and risks associated with each new procedure.

Here are just some treatments and procedures that aesthetic practitioners offer:

1. Body Contouring
2. Skin Treatments
3. Hair Restoration
4. Facial Injectables

1. Body Contouring

Body contouring in aesthetics refers to several procedures designed to reshape and sculpt the body without the need for surgery. These treatments are not a weight loss solution, they are simply designed to help people at a healthy weight to remove stubborn fat pockets that can’t be removed through exercise and diet.

Body Contouring Treatments

Some of the most common body contouring treatments include:

• Cryolipolysis (Fat Freezing): This is a procedure which selectively freezes and destroys fat cells in targeted areas. As time passes, the body naturally eliminates the damaged fat cells, resulting in a reduction of fat bulges.

• Injectable Contouring Treatments: Injectable treatments like deoxycholic acid injections, can be used to reduce submental fat (double chin) and contour the jawline without the need for going under the knife.

• Radiofrequency (RF) Therapy: These procedures deliver controlled heat energy to the deeper layers of the skin, which in turn can tighten loose skin and reduce the appearance of cellulite.

2. Skin Treatments 

The rise of the wellness movement over the last decade or so has led to a significant emphasis on self-care and self-improvement, and investing in skin health and appearance has become a huge part of that. After all, our skin is the largest organ of our body, so why shouldn’t we look after it the best we can?

Aesthetic nurses perform a variety of skin treatments aimed at improving skin health and appearance, addressing various concerns such as ageing, texture, blemishes, pigmentation, and overall skin rejuvenation. 

Aesthetic Skin Treatments

Popular aesthetic skin treatments include:

• Chemical Peels - This is a cosmetic procedure that involves applying a chemical solution to the skin to remove dead skin cells and stimulate the growth of new cells. From fine lines to uneven skin tones to acne scarring, these treatments will help to improve the appearance of many skin issues. Learn more about chemical peels and what they can do for the skin here. 

• Microdermabrasion - This is where an aesthetic nurse would use a handheld device to exfoliate the outermost layer of the skin, removing dead skin cells and debris. Great for improving skin texture and enhancing the skin’s overall radiance.

• Microneedling - Microneedling involves using a device with fine needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin. It is a minimally invasive aesthetic procedure which encourages collagen production to help stimulate the skin's healing process. Learn more about how microneedling works here. 

• Dermaplaning -  Dermaplaning is a gentle exfoliation aesthetic treatment where hair and dead skin are skimmed from the face with a fine blade, providing the skin with a smoother appearance. Discover more benefits of dermaplaning here. 

If you’re looking to expand your knowledge in aesthetic skin treatments and develop your aesthetic skills, we offer an extensive range of training courses here at You Can Clinic, including a Microneedling & Dermaplaning Facial Training Course.

If you have any questions about our courses, please get in touch with a member of our team at courses@youcanclinic.com or +442921678747. 

3. Hair Restoration

Another popular aesthetic treatment carried out by an aesthetic practitioner is hair restoration. These are procedures designed to promote hair growth and improve hair density and thickness.

These treatments are mainly carried out on people experiencing hair thinning, balding, or other forms of hair loss, whether it be due to genetics, ageing, hormonal changes or medical conditions.

A common hair restoration treatment is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy, which involves extracting a small amount of the patient's blood, processing it to isolate platelet-rich plasma containing growth factors, and injecting it into the scalp. This then stimulates hair follicles to promote hair growth and improve thickness.

4. Facial Injectables 

With the global facial injectable market size valued at 18.95 billion USD last year and expected to hit 36.8 billion by 2032, this sector of aesthetics won’t be slowing down anytime soon. While cosmetic surgery remains popular, most people prefer the advantage of minimally invasive procedures as a way of slowing down the appearance of ageing and enhancing overall facial appearance.

Injectable Facial Treatments 

Face injectables have gained significant popularity over the years due to their effectiveness in addressing various facial concerns and providing noticeable, yet natural-looking results. 

2 of the most popular injectable facial treatments are Botox and dermal fillers. Let’s take a look…

1. Botox

Botox (Botulinum toxin) injections work to relax the muscles in the face to smooth out lines and wrinkles, such as crow's feet and frown lines, lasting for around 3 or 4 months.

Interestingly, a new survey has found that wrinkle-relaxing injections i.e. Botox, are the world's most popular non-surgical facial procedure, and now account for 38% of procedures worldwide. The UK shows a similar position, with Botox injections accounting for 39% of all non-surgical treatments carried out by practitioners. 

Fancy a career in Botox injectables? You Can Clinic offers specific botulinum toxin training courses for all levels, whether you’re a complete beginner or an advanced practitioner. If just starting, our starter course is the easiest and most popular gateway to Botox treatments and is a great starting point for the budding aesthetic practitioner.

The goal of Botox is not to eliminate facial movement, but to soften fine lines and wrinkles, resulting in a more refreshed and youthful appearance.

2. Dermal Injections

Another increasingly popular injectable facial treatment is the much-loved lip filler, also known as dermal fillers. 

Dermal fillers are the 2nd most popular aesthetic procedure in the world, accounting for 23% of non-invasive procedures internationally and a much higher 32% in the UK. The difference between Botox and dermal fillers is that while Botox softens lines and wrinkles, the latter adds volume to soft tissue.

Dermal fillers (also sometimes referred to as face fillers) are typically made up of hyaluronic acid and can be injected into different parts of your face: around the eye, cheeks, mouth and jawline, as well as lip fillers administered directly into the lip tissue to increase volume.

Fillers can also be used to improve the appearance of under-eye hollows and temples and to rejuvenate the look of aged hands.

Check out our popular Dermal Filler & Lip Masterclass Courses here at You Can Clinic, available for both beginners and the more advanced. 

There we have it! We hope this article has aided your understanding of what aesthetic practitioners do and the types of treatments they typically carry out for their patients. 

If you’re interested in expanding your skillset as an aesthetic practitioner, look no further than You Can Clinic. We offer a range of training courses, including Botulinum Toxin, Microneedling & Dermaplaning and Weight Management. 

Visit our website to book a course or contact a member of our team today at  +442921678747 to find out more.

You Can Clinic is one of the UK's leading providers of aesthetic training courses and pharmaceutical supplies. Over 1000 individuals have progressed through our affordable programmes, which provide comprehensive coverage of all relevant aesthetic procedures.

Written by Kate, for You Can Clinic.

Also classed as collagen induction therapy, microneedling is a minimally invasive skin treatment that is used to encourage collagen production and help stimulate the skin's healing process.

As microneedling punctures your skin, it’s super important that you take the necessary steps to prepare for the treatment, ensuring your skin is in a calm state prior. 

In the same breath, it’s equally important to follow the necessary aftercare steps to protect your skin’s barrier as it heals, as your skin will be much more sensitive after the treatment. This is why we’ve rounded up 6 of the most important pieces of aftercare advice for the best possible results following your microneedling treatment. 

Here are 6 pieces of advice for microneedling aftercare:

1. Follow the advice of your aesthetic practitioner
2. Avoid sun exposure
3. Gently cleanse and moisturise
4. Avoid makeup 
5. Avoid sweating
6. Stay hydrated and take supplements

1. Follow the Advice of Your Aesthetic Practitioner

It goes without saying that in order for the most effective healing process and the best results, you must follow the advice of your microneedling aesthetic practitioner. 

As your practitioner is a trusted professional, they will know the microneedling treatment inside out, and will therefore have the best advice regarding aftercare.

In addition to this, you should also keep in touch with them should you have any questions, and especially if you have any concerns following your treatment.

If training in microneedling sounds like something you’re interested in, you’re in the right place! Learn more about our microneedling training courses here and book onto our next class. 

2. Avoid Sun Exposure

One of the most important pieces of aftercare advice we can give you is to stay out of the sun directly after your aesthetic treatment, and for 48 hours post-procedure. And the same goes for sunbeds! 

Microneedling creates thousands of tiny micro-injuries in the skin, which can in turn, make your skin much more sensitive to sunlight. 

Having direct exposure to UV rays can increase the risk of sunburn, irritation, inflammation and premature ageing, which we do NOT want.

In addition, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is a common concern after procedures like microneedling, especially for those with darker skin tones. Exposure to UV radiation can intensify this risk, leading to uneven hyper pigmentation and darkening of the skin.

How to Protect Your Skin After Microneedling

As a general rule, you must wear a high physical defence spf (30+) on your face whenever you are exposed to the sun, for the first 2 weeks after microneedling. Sun cream should be worn everyday regardless, but it is extra important that you protect your sensitive and healing skin from sun damage during the recovery process.

3. Gently Cleanse & Moisturise

When it comes to skincare, your practitioner should provide you with a skin care regimen to help soothe, calm and protect the skin.

Generally speaking, you shouldn’t wash your face at all during the first 72 hours. After that, you can gently cleanse the skin to remove the flaky dead skin that typically forms after treatments like this. 

Make sure the cleanser you use is gentle on your skin and only use lukewarm water. It’s also important that you avoid any face brushes for at least 1 week after the treatment. 

You can use a gentle, non-comedogenic moisturiser after the treatment to keep your skin hydrated. But remember to avoid any products containing harsh chemicals, fragrances, or active ingredients like retinoids or alpha acids for the first few days. You should also avoid alcohol-based toners for 10-14 days, as these can irritate the skin. 

A good tip is to use a hydrating and cooling face mask to give your skin a soothing break. This can also help with any inflammation, as long as it's a gentle/mild mask, with no harsh ingredients. 

4. Avoid Makeup 

It also goes without saying that makeup must be avoided for at least 24-48 hours after getting the treatment done. You need to let your skin breathe, and as the skin channels will be open, applying makeup will penetrate the open pores and cause further irritation. 

Another thing you should avoid directly after microneedling is cosmetic tattooing, such as eyebrow microblading. This is because both microneedling and microblading involve creating tiny punctures or incisions in the skin, so having microblading shortly after microneedling increases the risk of introducing bacteria into the skin, leading to infection. It can also compromise the results of both treatments. 

In the same sense, it’s advised that you avoid spray tanning or fake tanning creams for 2-3 weeks after the treatment. This is because not only do tanning products contain chemicals and dyes that can further irritate the skin, but they may interfere with the skin's natural healing process after microneedling.

5. Avoid Sweating

Another crucial piece of advice is to avoid activities that induce sweating for at least 24-48 hours post microneedling. This allows the healing process to do its thing and minimise the risk of complications.

Remember, sweat contains salt and bacteria, which can enter the micro-injuries caused by microneedling and increase the risk of infection.

How to Avoid Excessive Sweating on Your Face:

• Avoid having a bath for 1 day, and don’t have a long bath or shower during the first week of your recovery
• Avoid spas and saunas
• Skip the gym
• Avoid intensive house chores (great excuse, right?)

Excessive sweating can introduce dirt, oil, and bacteria to the treated area, leading to inflammation, redness, or even infection.

6. Stay Hydrated & Take Supplements

Hydration plays a crucial role in the body's natural healing process, which is why you must stay hydrated following the treatment.

After microneedling, the skin needs plenty of moisture to repair itself, regenerate new tissue, and heal properly, and therefore getting in enough hydration will ensure that the skin has the necessary resources to recover effectively.

Hydration is also essential for collagen synthesis, which is essential for improving skin texture, elasticity, and firmness, all of which are targeted outcomes of microneedling. Proper hydration supports the body's ability to produce collagen, enhancing the results of the treatment.

It’s also a good idea to take oral supplements that can help benefit the skin and improve the result of treatment. These might include Vitamin C, Zinc, Omega 3 and Glucosamine.

And there we have it! We hope this article has helped your understanding of microneedling aftercare.

If you’re interested in expanding your skillset as an aesthetic practitioner, look no further than You Can Clinic. We offer a range of training courses, including Botulinum Toxin, Microneedling & Dermaplaning and Weight Management.

Visit our website to book a course or contact a member of our team today at courses@youcanclinic.com or on 02921678747 to find out more.

You Can Clinic is one of the UK's leading providers of aesthetic training courses and pharmaceutical supplies. Over 1000 individuals have progressed through our affordable programmes, which provide comprehensive coverage of all relevant aesthetic procedures.

Written by Kate, for You Can Clinic.

In the UK, microneedling is considered a medical aesthetic procedure, and it should only be performed by trained and qualified healthcare professionals. These professionals include doctors, dermatologists (doctors who specialise in skin conditions), registered nurses, medical aesthetic practitioners, dental practitioners, and surgeons.

Qualifications required to perform microneedling can vary depending on the length of the needle used. 

But before we look at the necessary qualifications in more detail, let’s ensure we understand exactly what microneedling is, and why so many people get it. 

What Is Skin Microneedling?

To put it simply, skin microneedling, also classed as collagen induction therapy, is a minimally invasive procedure that is used to encourage collagen production and help stimulate the skin's healing process.

The procedure is known for rejuvenating the skin’s surface, leaving it looking smoother, with improved firmness. It is also fantastic as an anti-aging treatment as it gets to work on fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentation.  What’s more, it can also offer significant improvements to scarring and acne indentations on the face, due to its ‘skin healing’ benefits.

Microneedling should only be administered by a qualified healthcare professional, who will use an automated pen applicator to perform the procedure. 

The device moves across the surface of the skin to create tiny, superficial punctures that will encourage minor trauma to the skin, which will then stimulate the body’s natural healing process. This in turn boosts lymph and blood circulation and stimulates collagen cell growth. 

To discover more benefits of microneedling, check out this blog.

What Qualifications Do You Need for Microneedling?

While there are no actual regulations around who can use Microneedling devices in the UK, it is highly recommended by Health Education England that proper training and qualifications are undertaken before administering the procedure. 

Qualifications required to perform microneedling can vary depending on the length of the needle used. 

Most Microneedling pens offer a variety of needle depths, from very shallow needles at 0.25mm to very deep needles at 2.0mm. The deeper the microneedle depth, the more skin rejuvenation will be achieved, giving better results for the skin. 

Deeper needles do, however, also come with higher risks, so the deeper you want to operate, the more likely you are to need a qualification to get insurance.

The Health Education England’s (HEE) 2016 Qualification Requirements for Delivery of Cosmetic Procedures recommends a Level 4 qualification for up to 0.5mm, Level 5 for up to 1.0mm, and a Level 6 for up to 1.5mm. This gets even more strict for a power-assisted needle device, with a Level 6 recommended for 1.0mm.

It's important to note that regardless of the initial qualification, individuals performing microneedling should have received specialised training in the procedure. Microneedling training typically covers areas such as device usage, infection control, patient assessment, and post-procedure care. 

At You Can Clinic, we offer a combined Microneedling & Dermaplaning course that provides you with plenty of hands-on experience with live models and is the perfect stepping stone to developing your career in aesthetics. Book your Microneedling Training Course here. 

Most Microneedling devices offer a variety of needle depths, from 0.25mm to 2.0mm.

Why Train in Microneedling?

Training in microneedling can offer a number of benefits for healthcare professionals and practitioners in the field of dermatology and aesthetics:

You might want to train in microneedling because:

1. It Is Super Rewarding

As with any skin and aesthetic treatment, the main goal of microneedling is to enhance the patient's natural beauty and improve the appearance of the skin. 

Being able to create positive changes in clients' skin conditions can be highly rewarding for practitioners, especially when it contributes to their self-confidence and well-being by, for example, improving acne scarring.

Also, as microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure, it’s attractive to individuals who may be hesitant to undergo surgical interventions, contributing to client satisfaction. 

2. It Can Be Used in Combination With Other Aesthetic Treatments

Another benefit of training in microneedling is that it is complementary to other aesthetic treatments. By this we mean, microneedling can be used in combination with other treatments, and practitioners can offer customised treatment plans to enhance overall results. 

Some of the common skin treatments that can be combined with microneedling include:

• Hydraulic acid fillers - While microneedling improves overall skin texture, hydraulic acid fillers will add volume to specific areas, improving concerns like fine lines and wrinkles.

• Topical serums - Applying topical serums during or after microneedling is great for improving absorption. This is because the micro-channels created by the needles facilitate the penetration of these products into the skin.

• Chemical Peels: Microneedling can also be combined with chemical peels to enhance exfoliation, skin renewal and improve skin tone, texture, and pigmentation. 

• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): PRP works by extracting a small amount of the patient's own blood, processing it to concentrate the platelets, and then applying the PRP to the skin. When combined with microneedling, this treatment can further stimulate collagen production and promote faster skin healing. 

• Botox: While microneedling primarily focuses on improving the skin's texture and collagen production, neuromodulators like Botox, address dynamic wrinkles by temporarily relaxing underlying facial muscles. Combining these treatments can provide a more comprehensive anti-aging solution. Check out our Botox Training Courses here. 

If you’re looking to expand your knowledge in aesthetic treatments and develop your aesthetic skills, we offer an extensive range of training courses based at the grounds of the Heath Hospital, Cardiff Medicentre.

Check out our range of aesthetics training courses here.

3. Continuous Personal Development

Continuous education and training are crucial for professional development, and training in microneedling allows practitioners to stay up to date with the latest techniques, safety procedures and technologies in the field of aesthetics. 

Continuously expanding your knowledge and mastering micro needling techniques can also seriously boost a practitioner's confidence and contribute to not just professional, but personal growth too. The sense of accomplishment in mastering a procedure like microneedling adds to the rewarding nature of the training. 

4. Entrepreneurial Opportunities

For healthcare professionals looking to start their own skincare or aesthetic practice, being trained and qualified in microneedling can open up huge business opportunities and additional revenue streams. And with the popularity of microneedling growing year on year, this is great news. 

At You Can Clinic, we have scores of examples where we have helped medical professionals go from an absolute beginner to a more experienced aesthetic practitioner with a thriving business.

And there we have it! We hope this article has helped your understanding of who can perform microneedling.

If you’re interested in expanding your skillset as an aesthetic practitioner, look no further than You Can Clinic. We offer a range of training courses, including Botulinum Toxin, Microneedling & Dermaplaning and Weight Management.

Visit our website to book a course or contact a member of our team today at courses@youcanclinic.com or on 02921678747 to find out more.

You Can Clinic is one of the UK's leading providers of aesthetic training courses and pharmaceutical supplies. Over 1000 individuals have progressed through our affordable programmes, which provide comprehensive coverage of all relevant aesthetic procedures.

Microneedling is a ‘minimally invasive procedure using thin needles’ that can help to treat minor skin problems and requires little to no downtime. 

If you’ve never had a microneedling treatment before, you might not know what to expect or how to prepare for microneedling. 

Microneedling prep is a crucial part of the procedure, as your skin should be in a calm state before a microneedling appointment to achieve the best results. 

To prepare for microneedling, you should:

1. Avoid exfoliating in the days prior
2. Skip hair removal 
3. Avoid topical retinoids and acids
4. Be mindful of any medication you’re taking
5. Avoid unprotected sun exposure

1. Avoid Exfoliating In The Days Prior

To prepare for microneedling, you will need to avoid exfoliating in the days prior to your appointment.

This comes down to the fact that exfoliating can be harsh on your skin and using the wrong exfoliant can even cause microtears to your skin. 

As such, you should remove exfoliating from your skincare routine 5 to 7 days before you’re due to receive microneedling. 

Microneedling is a ‘minimally invasive procedure using thin needles’ that can help to treat minor skin problems and requires little to no downtime. 

2. Skip Hair Removal 

You’ll also want to skip hair removal before your microneedling appointment. 

Avoid waxing, shaving, electrolysis, lasering, and using any hair removal products on your skin during the week before your treatment.

This is to ensure you avoid any skin irritation before you arrive at your appointment. 

When in doubt, always ask your aesthetic practitioner for their recommendations and be sure to follow their aftercare advice.

3. Avoid Topical Retinoids & Acids 

To prepare for microneedling, you’ll also want to avoid topical retinoids and acid-based skincare products such as glycolic acid and salicylic acid.

Your skin needs to be in its most calm state before you receive the treatment. These types of skincare products can irritate the skin before your appointment, so you should focus on simplifying your routine with gentle products.

Additionally, you should wait until you reintroduce retinoids and acids back into your skincare routine as they can interfere with the healing process.

To discover the many benefits of microneedling, read our blog here.

4. Be Mindful Of Any Medication You’re Taking

Before booking your microneedling appointment, you’ll also need to be mindful of any medications that you’re taking.

There are a few medications you’ll need to be mindful of if you’re interested in microneedling. These include:

• Acne medications - You may need to stop taking acne medications, such as Accutane, before your microneedling appointment. 

• Ibuprofen - Ibuprofen should be avoided as it can interfere with the natural inflammatory process critical for skin rejuvenation following microneedling.

• Blood thinning medications - Blood thinning medications such as warfarin can increase your risk of bruising from the procedure.

If you’re taking any medications on a regular basis, you should always follow the advice of your doctor and aesthetic practitioner.

They will be able to advise you on the best course of action whilst taking any medications into consideration. 

Your skin needs to be in its most calm state before you receive the treatment.

5. Avoid Unprotected Sun Exposure

Lastly, you should avoid unprotected sun exposure before a microneedling appointment.

While SPF should already be a staple in your skincare routine, it’s important to be all the more vigilant before your aesthetic treatment, so make sure that you’re wearing factor 50 SPF every day.

Wearing a sunhat is also prudent when outdoors, and you’ll need to ensure that you’re reapplying your SPF throughout the day to ensure your skin is protected from the sun’s harmful rays.

How Long Does A Microneedling Session Take?

Generally speaking, a microneedling session will take anywhere between 20 and 30 minutes to complete.

That said, this can vary depending on the number of areas that are being treated and you will also need to account for the time it takes for the numbing cream to take effect. 

That said, not every microneedling session will last the same amount of time.

Before booking your micro-needling appointment, you’ll need to be mindful of any medications that you’re taking.

How We Can Help

If you’re looking to further your career in aesthetics, we at You Can Clinic can help.

We’ve trained over 1000 healthcare professionals in aesthetics, and offer a variety of training courses, including our microneedling and dermaplaning facial training course. 

This half-day training course provides you with hands-on experience with live models and is the perfect opportunity for aesthetic nurses looking to expand their skills. 

Book your place on our website or get in touch with a member of our team today at 02921 678747 or courses@youcanclinic.com.

We hope that this guide has given you a better understanding of how to prepare for a microneedling session. 

You Can Clinic is one of the UK's leading providers of aesthetic training courses and pharmaceutical supplies. Over 1000 individuals have progressed through our affordable programmes, which provide comprehensive coverage of all relevant aesthetic procedures. 

Do you see yourself in the industry? Check out our articles on Botulinum Toxin, Weight Management, Eyebrow and Eyelash and Dermaplaning Training Courses.