Clinic Profile: BeautyPhi MediSpa

The evolution of non-surgical procedures in recent years means that it’s rare to come across an area of the UK that isn’t occupied by at least one thriving aesthetics business. It was this anomaly that inspired the owner of BeautiPhi MediSpa to open in Colne, Lancashire, where manager Ammarah Tahir says that, apart from an award-winning hotel spa nearby, there isn’t anywhere offering doctor-led aesthetic services in a premium environment.

“We wanted to do something where all the services patients could want are grouped together,” she says. “And in terms of aesthetics, there’s quite a few people [offering treatments] in salons locally but it’s not exactly the safest way to be doing it.” 

On the other end of the spectrum, BeautiPhi’s aesthetic clinic is headed up by consultant facial surgeon Dr Chris Sweet and specialist orthodontist Dr Zia Ud-Din, with an aesthetic nurse and capacity for an additional orthodontist. This part of the business operates under the name Smyli Orthodontics and Facial Aesthetics, while skin, laser and body-sculpting treatments are performed by expert therapists in the Skin Lumino clinic, all under the same roof. “We’re split over two floors in a large Victorian building. Our builders had to do a lot of work to restore damage to the beautiful original architecture, but they got it to the point where everything was a clean slate and restored to its former grandeur,” says Tahir. 

The sleek white interiors with polished marble floors and grey accents throughout provide an appropriate and luxurious environment for both the clinical and beauty services on offer. “We want to operate across the whole spectrum of aesthetic treatments, with a real focus on cross-referrals,” explains Tahir. “If someone comes in for a dental treatment their orthodontist might notice some scarring around the mouth and be able to refer them to have it looked at and treated, for example, and we can let patients know that we offer popular treatments like laser hair removal.” 

START WITH SKIN

Tahir explains that BeautiPhi opened in stages, with Skin Lumino launching initially, followed by orthodontics at Smyli. Aesthetic treatments were up and running as of the start of 2020. “Already, the most popular skin treatment has been HydraFacial, and we’ve had a lot of interest in laser hair removal too,” she says. Skin Lumino has a 3D Trilogy Ice laser, along with the HydraFacial MD machine, Crystal Clear Comcit Elite microneedling, microdermabrasion and cryo-oxygen facial system as well as the 3D-Lipomed, which performs cavitation, HIFU, radiofrequency and fat; and 3D-Skinmed. 

A range of advanced non-surgical treatments are on offer at Smyli, such as PRP for hair restoration and skin rejuvenation, injectables, including Profhilo, and non-surgical blepharoplasty using plasma. BeautiPhi’s full treatment menu marries together under the Greek concept of phi, also known as “the golden ratio”, where the clinic gets its name. “Everything is about balance and creating a natural, harmonious look that works for each patient using all these specialities that complement each other,” says Tahir, adding, “There have been one or two people who decided not to go ahead with treatment with us because the predicted results would have been too subtle for them.” 

WARM WELCOME

This commitment to delivering the best, most natural looking-results to suit every patient is also reflected in the clinic’s customer service and client journey. “The way staff deal with customers is so important. We take care of their every single need and just be as friendly, open and welcoming as possible,” says Tahir. “We’ve tried to think about all the little touches that make a huge difference to the client experience, which is why we have our comfortable lounge room for them to relax and take some time before or after their treatment with a menu of hot drinks or mocktails.” Other examples include the TVs with streaming apps fitted in each treatment room to help patients relax – particularly suited to fat-freezing treatments, which require patients to lie on the couch for up to an hour, Tahir points out. 

While BeautiPhi currently operates across the ground and first floors of the building, the basement space is currently under construction, with a phase two launch, set for a late 2020 opening. “It’s been part of the plan from the start to have a Moroccan-themed spa with hammam in the basement,” says Tahir. This third element of the business will be called Zagora Hammam & Spa and will also feature a Himalayan salt sauna. Massages and body scrubs will be carried out in the spacious facial treatments room. Blending aesthetics and spa is an interesting approach, and one that Tahir is confident will prove popular with clients. 

“There’s a glass door at the back of the ground floor leading down to the basement where the spa will be, which we’ve had frosted and printed with the Zagora logo. Existing clients are already asking when it will be open because they’d be keen to try it out, and people have also been asking if we offer massage yet,” says Tahir. 

The team anticipates drawing new business to the spa facilities as well as bookings from aesthetic or beauty clients. While it’s still early days, it looks likely that BeautiPhi will make a strong mark on the aesthetics market in the north of England.