Caroline Hall, nurse prescriber, midwife, Level 7 aesthetics graduate and master of advanced aesthetic techniques took some time out of lockdown with 3 young children and a clinic to answer a few questions about how she is doing during lockdown.
First of all, could you let us know a little about you and your clinic?
Hi I’m Caroline, I am a nurse prescriber and midwife and a mum of three! I worked in the NHS for 12 years before starting my aesthetics business R & R Aesthetics in 2016 in Garforth, Leeds. I am now working full time in aesthetics.
I started my clinic from a room in a local beauty salon and have since moved to a room within a purpose built aesthetics clinic. We have something very exciting in the pipeline for the second half of the year! Watch this space!
It's great to hear that you are still motivated and making plans for your clinic. How did you get into aesthetics after spending so many years as a nurse and midwife?
I had talked about doing an aesthetics course for years, finally my husband told me he’d pay for me to train. I think he was sick of listening to me talk about it!
Brilliant! It's a strange time for everyone, particularly small business owners. What are you doing to try to keep yourself on an even keel at the moment?
I have 3 children to home school, so I’m super busy with that!! But I’m also making lots of plans for when we get back into clinic. I’ve just brought Alumier into the clinic, so have been completing all the e learning. I’ve also done some further Obagi online training and created some exciting new packages for my patients.
It sounds like you are pretty busy?! What other steps have you taken to help your clinic weather the storm?
We have a brilliant e-commerce portal, where patients can buy the products we stock and have them delivered to their door.
We are also offering virtual consultations to our patients so we can keep in touch and also keep their skin healthy during lockdown.
Have you been doing any online training and CPD? Anything you'd recommend in particular?
Yes! Lots! I’m part of the Lee Walker mentorship group. We have had a good recap of all our learning so far. I’ve also done lots of skincare e-learning and have seen some great webinars from Teoxane and Galderma.
Have you made any changes to the was you do things that you think you will keep when 'things go back to normal'? (I'll definitely be ditching the homeschooling ASAP!)
Yes! The online portal has been great. It’s really easy to send products directly to patients, so I think I will keep up with this! I will also definitely be ditching the homeschooling!!
Overall, how are you feeling about the future? Of your business? Of the aesthetics industry?
Really positive! I have so many patients wanting appointments straight out of lockdown. so I have a nice waiting list to get through once we are back open. I’m sure many practitioners are in the same position, so I’m sure we will make up our lost income then!
I think it is important to keep in touch with your patients during this time, either via social media or emails, let them know you are thinking about them!
What are you most looking forward to when lockdown is over?
Going out for dinner and a bottle of wine with my husband and NO kids!!
God Yes!!!! It seems like you are a glass half full kind of person. What positives are you taking from this situation?
I’m actually enjoying a bit of downtime and appreciating the time we are spending at home. I’m normally so busy, I rarely stop and sit down at home! It’s been quite nice to just relax for once.
Now is the perfect time for use to sort out our at home skincare. What is your own skin care routine?
This is scaled back at the moment as I’m doing regular peels. Normally, there are a lot more steps. I’m a skincare junkie!!
AM
- Alumier Hydroboost Cleanser
- Alumier Bright and Clear solution
- Alumier Recovery Balm or Teoxane Deep Repair Balm
- Obagi Elastiderm Eye Serum
- Alumier SPF 40
PM
- Alumier Hydroboost Cleanser
- Alumier Bright and Clear solution
- Retinol 0.5
- Obagi Elastiderm Eye Serum
- Twice a week Teoxane Perfect Skin Refiner
- Alumier recovery balm or teoxane deep repair.
And finally, if you could only recommend one skincare product, what would it be and why?
Retinol! Everyone needs retinol. It is perfect for encouraging cell renewal and stimulating collagen production.
Oh, and SPF! But that goes without saying!?!
