Opportunities and challenges facing aesthetic practitioners
Working in aesthetics can open up a whole new world of opportunities, while tapping into existing clinical skills
Becoming an aesthetic practitioner can open up a whole new world of opportunities, while tapping into existing clinical skills.
The cosmetic sector continues to grow rapidly and aesthetic work can be both lucrative and flexible. A career in aesthetics can also be adapted to fit in around NHS commitments.
Working as an aesthetic practitioner offers a wide range of potential opportunities to medical professionals:
The freedom to choose when and where you work, making for a better work life balance
The option to continue in medical practice using your transferrable clinical skills while carrying out treatments that involve a more personal touch
The chance to develop a personal brand or set up an independent practice and grow your own client base
The potential to generate an income that will not be subject to NHS caps
The opportunity to be part of a rapidly growing sector that offers diverse and exciting career paths for existing medical professionals
Flexible hours and control over working pattern
Job satisfaction and interest in treatments
Financial reasons
It’s important to also be prepared for challenges you may experience, particularly if you’re looking to move out of medical practice and into aesthetics full-time.
It is important to also be prepared for challenges you may experience, particularly if you’re looking to move out of medical practice and into aesthetics full-time.
Nurse practitioner, Julie Scott, a speaker on the topic of ‘How to get started in aesthetics at Hamilton Fraser’s Aesthetics Business Conference , shares her advice on navigating the challenges of starting out in aesthetics.
“When I first started in aesthetics, I encountered challenges like working independently, limited training options, and being a minority in the field. It was also tough grappling with self-doubt. My advice for others facing similar hurdles is to seek mentors and connect with peers who can offer support and guidance. Invest in learning opportunities that align with your goals, and embrace your unique perspective—it can be a real asset.”
You may need to reconcile your initial reasons for entering the medical profession with your move into the aesthetics sector.
You may have the transferable clinical skills to succeed in aesthetics, but you will also need to develop your business knowledge in areas like marketing and finance.
If you have been part of a busy NHS team, you may miss the camaraderie and teamwork.
You may have been employed at a senior level in your previous role and could feel uncomfortable with your relative lack of experience in aesthetics to begin with.
You are vulnerable to scrutiny as a private aesthetic practitioner and may receive negative feedback such as negative reviews.
Maintaining your reputation and high levels of customer service in a sector highly influenced by social media is likely to be outside your previous experience as a doctor, dentist or nurse.
Once you’ve weighed up the potential pros and cons of a move into aesthetic medicine, if you think the timing is right and a career as an aesthetic practitioner is for you, it’s essential to get off on the right foot.
But where do you begin? Our next chapter covers how to get started as an aesthetic practitioner.
