In this episode of Conversations in Aesthetics, we take a deep dive into one of the most debated topics in our industry today: regulation.

Should injectables be reserved only for healthcare professionals? What’s causing the rise in complications? And where is the UK headed next when it comes to safety, training, and clinical standards?

Joining Elly for this conversation are two respected voices with strong views and deep experience:

- Dr Ed Robinson – NHS anaesthetist and aesthetic doctor with CQC-accredited clinics in Cheshire and Harley Street. Known for his patient-first approach, Ed is a leading advocate for ethical, regulated medical aesthetics.

- Lorna Bowes – CEO of AestheticSource and one of the UK’s most experienced clinical leaders in the aesthetics industry. Lorna brings her perspective as a nurse, educator, and distributor deeply involved in shaping industry standards.

Together, they explore the complications practitioners are seeing on the ground, the grey areas in current legislation, and what meaningful, practical regulation could and should look like in the UK.

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AestheticSource

Ed Robinson

Lorna Bowes

Elly Makinson

This episode was bought to you by AestheticSource, researched, planned, and created by Elly Makinson and produced by Urban Podcasts.

How can aesthetic medicine best support women’s skin and overall health during menopause? And how does specialist knowledge in menopause transform the way we approach aesthetic treatments?

In this episode of Conversations in Aesthetics, we’re joined by Dr Hazel Parkinson, an award-winning GP-turned-aesthetic practitioner with a deep passion for women’s health. Hazel’s journey has taken her from the pressures of NHS practice to creating a clinic that blends advanced aesthetic treatments with evidence-based menopause care. Her approach addresses the skin concerns so common in this life stage from dryness and loss of elasticity to changes in pigmentation and healing, while also integrating lifestyle, nutrition, muscle health, and stress management to achieve results that are both visible and lasting.

We’ll explore the science behind maintaining muscle mass as we age, why it’s a cornerstone for skin quality and overall vitality, and how chronic stress silently undermines both hormonal balance and skin regeneration. Hazel will share her insights on common pitfalls in treating menopausal skin including outdated product strategies and over-treatment, and how bio-stimulators, such as polynucleotides, are changing the game for long-term collagen and tissue health.

Connect

AestheticSource

Lorna Bowes

Elly Makinson

This episode was bought to you by AestheticSource, researched, planned, and created by Elly Makinson and produced by Urban Podcasts.

In this episode, we’re cutting through the confusion surrounding injectable skin boosters — exploring the science, the techniques, and the reasons behind inconsistent patient outcomes.

We’re joined by Dr Abs Settipalli, a globally recognised aesthetic doctor and educator. With a background in medicine, surgical training, and advanced aesthetics, Dr Abs is renowned for his evidence-based approach, in-depth anatomical knowledge, and passion for raising standards in clinical practice. He also runs a thriving aesthetics clinic in the UK and lectures internationally on safe and effective injectable treatments.

Alongside co-host Lorna Bowes, CEO of AestheticSource, this episode tackles a rising concern in the industry: the growing number of poorly trained practitioners and misinformation around what injectable skin boosters can and should deliver.

We discuss:

• Why the term "skin booster" is misunderstood — and how that affects patient expectations
• The science behind injectable treatments designed to improve skin quality
• How poor technique and unregulated training are fuelling inconsistent outcomes
• What practitioners should look for in a product, training provider, and treatment protocol
• How experienced educators like Dr Abs are helping to raise clinical standards

While AestheticSource do distribute Sunekos®, this episode is a brand-agnostic discussion focused on education, clinical responsibility, and better outcomes for patients.

You can find Dr Abs here: https://www.drabs.clinic/

AestheticSouce here: https://www.aestheticsource.com/

Lorna Bowes here: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/lornabowes

Elly Makinson here: https://www.instagram.com/the_aesthetics_marketer/

This episode was bought to you by AestheticSource, researched, planned, and created by Elly Makinson and produced by Urban Podcasts.

How can skincare retail feel authentic, not pushy? In this episode of Conversations in Aesthetics, Advanced Facialist and Nutritional Therapist  Andy Millward, shaped by his own acne journey, and Victoria Millerchip, Business Development Manager at Aesthetic Source, join me to explore.

Andy shares his detective-like approach to uncover lifestyle triggers, while Victoria exposes how single-brand reliance limits results. Discover practical tips: pair products with treatments, shift from selling to solving, and use open-ended questions for tailored care. Our conversation reimagines skincare with heart, empowering you to blend budgets, trust, and transformative outcomes for clients and clinics with genuine care and impact.

Follow Andy and Victoria on Instagram.

This episode was bought to you by AestheticSource, researched, planned, and created by Elly Makinson and produced by Urban Podcasts.

Elly and Lorna sit down with Ben Pask from Rare: Monitor, whose platform tracks over 100,000 healthcare providers. Their latest report reveals a sharp 5% drop in botulinum providers—largely unregulated ones—driven by stricter regulations. Ben’s data exposes a market pivoting toward professionalism, yet contending with consumer scepticism and concerns over unnatural outcomes.

Together, we dive into why 87% of providers cluster in affluent urban centres, why patients are spending more but visiting less, and the growing demand for holistic treatments like skin boosters and longevity therapies.

Find out more about Rare: Monitor.

Throughout April and May 2025, Rare: are publishing a series of reports on the UK injectable market across Dermal Fillers, Polynucleotides, Botulinum Toxin and Skin Boosters. All of which can be downloaded at rare.consulting. Rare Monitor tracks the activities of over 100,000 UK health beauty and wellness providers. Pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers can improve their private market conversion rates at raremonitor.com.

Learn more about AestheticSource at: aestheticsource.com.

Follow Lorna on LinkedIn.

Follow Elly on Instagram.

This episode was bought to you by AestheticSource, researched, planned, and created by Elly Makinson and produced by Urban Podcasts.

Choosing the right laser device for your clinic can feel like navigating a minefield. In this episode, we're joined by Sarah Bow—laser expert, educator, and UK consultant for Asclepion—to help cut through the confusion and marketing noise.

With over a decade of hands-on experience, Sarah breaks down the science behind photoablative, photothermal, and photoacoustic technologies, and explains why the best device isn’t always the most hyped—it’s the one that aligns with your clinic’s patient base and treatment goals.

We dive into the industry’s pivot towards skin health and regeneration, discuss the pros and cons of CO2 vs Erbium YAG, and challenge the idea that more features always mean better outcomes. Sarah shares valuable insights on how to make smarter investment decisions, avoid common pitfalls, and maximise your ROI from day one.

This episode is packed with practical advice for any practitioner looking to grow their device offering with confidence. I also reflect on my own treatment experience with Sarah - expect honest, occasionally contraversial opinions and no fluff.

Host: Elly Makinson
Guest: Sarah Bow / McNulty

Resources: Lasers and Lights, 4th Edition

This episode was bought to you by AestheticSource, researched, planned, and created by Elly Makinson and produced by Urban Podcasts.

What does it take to build a successful and fulfilling business in the competitive aesthetics industry? In this episode of Conversations and Aesthetics, I sit down with Fiona Macaskill, a seasoned business coach specialising in the aesthetics sector, to explore her journey from television to upholstery and eventually to coaching in the beauty industry. Fiona’s unique path illustrates the power of adaptability and the importance of strategic insight for entrepreneurs looking to thrive in this fast-paced field.

We explore Fiona’s experiences, discussing her transition from the upholstery industry to working with Skin Viva and how those early encounters shaped her coaching approach. Fiona shares valuable advice on overcoming feelings of stagnation and fear, emphasising the importance of identifying your core purpose—your ‘why’—and creating structured plans for consistent growth. We also explore the significance of marketing, a crucial skill often overlooked in aesthetics, and how practitioners can better communicate their unique selling points to attract clients and drive business growth.

Through inspiring success stories, we see how tailored coaching can lead to remarkable transformations. Fiona also looks ahead to the evolving trends in the aesthetics industry, such as the shift towards natural, rejuvenate treatments, and how professionals can adapt to meet these changing consumer demands.

 Conversations in Aesthetics is produced by Urban Podcasts.

How do you navigate the often-overwhelming landscape of aesthetic education and choose the right path for your career? In this episode of Conversations and Aesthetics, Lorna sitsdown with Dr. Tristan Mehta, founder and CEO of Harley Academy, to discuss the crucial role education plays in shaping the future of aesthetic medicine.

Tristan shares his journey of founding one of the UK’s leading aesthetic training institutions, highlighting the challenges and successes along the way. He provides insights into what makes effective training, emphasising the importance of high-quality education, practical experience, and adherence to industry standards. Our conversation delves into the significant legislative developments, including the 2012 Health Education England Report, which reshaped the field, pushing for higher qualifications and better patient safety.

We also explore the ethical considerations around who should be performing aesthetic procedures and the ongoing debate for stronger regulation. Dr. Mehta stresses the need for hands-on training and guidance from reputable institutions, offering advice for anyone considering a career in aesthetics, from understanding the qualifications to embracing continuous learning in an ever-evolving industry.

Conversations in Aesthetics is produced by Urban Podcasts.

What drives a top surgeon to trade the high-paced American medical world for a fresh start in the UK? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Ash Soni, a dual-trained aesthetic doctor and plastic surgeon, who takes us behind the scenes of his incredible journey from Imperial College London to elite US institutions like Cornell and Johns Hopkins.

Dr. Soni shares his insights on the intense US training culture, burnout, and the pivotal moment that led him back to the UK. He opens up about building his own aesthetic practice from the ground up during the pandemic, redefining personal branding, and the surprising challenges of starting fresh.

From pitching his vision like a 'Dragon’s Den' contender to handling every bit of his own social media, Dr. Soni’s story is one of resilience, authenticity, and a passion for patient care.

Conversations in Aesthetics is produced by Urban Podcasts.

Can personal hardships shape the future of aesthetic medicine? Dr. Gabriella Burley, an NHS doctor and co-founder of the Doctor Clinic, turned her challenges into a thriving, patient-centric aesthetic practice.

From overcoming a burns accident to creating a holistic clinic that addresses aesthetic concerns and medical conditions like PCOS, Gabriella shares how her experiences fuel her passion for transforming lives. Gabriella shares how her vision came to life with the support of an ideal investor who managed the business side, allowing her to focus on delivering exceptional patient care.

Striking a balance between professional success and family life can often feel impossible. Yet, Gabriella exemplifies how dedication and mindful practices can harmonise these worlds, sharing her strategies for managing the demands of clinic ownership, a building project, and family commitments.

Conversations in Aesthetics is produced and managed by Urban Podcasts.