Aesthetics nurse and clinic owner Francesca Otote shares her insights on treating younger patients, conducting consultations, and the value of preventative care.
What is the youngest patient you would treat? How did you make that decision?
While the legal age for most cosmetic treatments is 18, I approach this with additional responsibility. My decision to treat younger adults is guided by their emotional maturity, understanding of the treatment, and clarity of their goals. I ensure that clients under 25 undergo more thorough consultations, as they may still be forming their sense of self and appearance. Treatments for this demographic tend to focus on preventative care or subtle enhancements, avoiding drastic changes. Ultimately, my priority is informed consent, realistic expectations, and a genuine understanding of the long-term commitment to maintenance and care.
What would be your criteria when conducting an initial consultation?
The first and most essential step in my consultation process is conducting a comprehensive medical questionnaire to ensure the client is in good health and fit for treatment. The second step involves delving deeper into the client’s goals and desires. This often goes beyond a straightforward request, such as "I want chin filler." For example, a client may express dissatisfaction with their side profile, which opens the door to exploring a variety of treatment options that could better align with their desired outcome.
When it comes to cosmetic procedures—or "tweakments," as I like to call them—it’s often about combining several treatments to achieve the best possible results. Addressing the client’s underlying concerns ensures a holistic and effective approach. My philosophy centers on tailoring treatments to each individual, recognising that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Every treatment plan is carefully customised to deliver natural, balanced, and satisfying results.
In addition to these criteria, I assess the client’s emotional readiness and motivations. This ensures the treatment is truly for their benefit rather than external pressures or trends, safeguarding their long-term satisfaction and well-being.
What special safeguards would you have in place?
I prioritise patient safety by ensuring all treatments are grounded in a thorough understanding of the client’s medical history and lifestyle. Safeguards include requiring detailed medical questionnaires, using only reputable product brands, and implementing a cooling-off period for more invasive treatments, allowing clients time to reflect on their decisions.
A comprehensive consultation goes beyond medical assessment; it provides clients with the opportunity to ask questions and allows you, as an aesthetic nurse, to evaluate their holistic suitability for treatment. Key questions to reflect on include: Are the client’s expectations realistic? How many sessions will they require to achieve their desired goals? What are the potential long-term and short-term impacts of these treatments?
I also adhere strictly to regulatory guidelines and continuously update my training to stay informed about the latest safety protocols and techniques. For younger or first-time clients, I offer additional consultations to discuss risks, set realistic expectations, and ensure they are fully prepared for treatment. This extra layer of diligence fosters trust and ensures optimal, ethical outcomes
What advice do you have for other practitioners considering incorporating preventative treatments into their clinic?
Educate your clients on the benefits of preventative treatments as part of their skincare journey. Highlight how starting early can lead to long-term skin health and confidence. Begin by introducing treatments like skin boosters. These are excellent entry-point options for clients who may not yet be ready for more invasive procedures. Skin boosters provide visible results with minimal downtime, making them highly appealing.
Only work with products from reputable, established brands. Quality is key to client trust and satisfaction. Research thoroughly and ensure the products meet high safety and efficacy standards. Adding medical-grade skincare to your clinic can diversify your revenue streams while providing additional value to your clients. Offering skincare allows you to create comprehensive treatment plans that combine in-clinic procedures with at-home care, improving long-term client outcomes.
Reflect on the demographics of your current clients and their specific needs. This will help you choose products and treatments that resonate with them, ensuring higher adoption and satisfaction. Many reputable companies offer training and support for their products, which can help you and your team feel confident in integrating them into your practice.
Additionally, invest in ongoing education, not just about products and treatments but also about understanding trends and managing client expectations. This builds both trust and expertise. Clients should also be made aware that preventative treatments aren’t "quick fixes" but part of a long-term commitment to skin health. By setting realistic expectations, practitioners can foster stronger, more lasting client relationships.
Francesca Otote is the nurse director of Cactus Laser Clinic.
What is the youngest patient you would treat? How did you make that decision?
While the legal age for most cosmetic treatments is 18, I approach this with additional responsibility. My decision to treat younger adults is guided by their emotional maturity, understanding of the treatment, and clarity of their goals. I ensure that clients under 25 undergo more thorough consultations, as they may still be forming their sense of self and appearance. Treatments for this demographic tend to focus on preventative care or subtle enhancements, avoiding drastic changes. Ultimately, my priority is informed consent, realistic expectations, and a genuine understanding of the long-term commitment to maintenance and care.
What would be your criteria when conducting an initial consultation?
The first and most essential step in my consultation process is conducting a comprehensive medical questionnaire to ensure the client is in good health and fit for treatment. The second step involves delving deeper into the client’s goals and desires. This often goes beyond a straightforward request, such as "I want chin filler." For example, a client may express dissatisfaction with their side profile, which opens the door to exploring a variety of treatment options that could better align with their desired outcome.
When it comes to cosmetic procedures—or "tweakments," as I like to call them—it’s often about combining several treatments to achieve the best possible results. Addressing the client’s underlying concerns ensures a holistic and effective approach. My philosophy centers on tailoring treatments to each individual, recognising that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Every treatment plan is carefully customised to deliver natural, balanced, and satisfying results.
In addition to these criteria, I assess the client’s emotional readiness and motivations. This ensures the treatment is truly for their benefit rather than external pressures or trends, safeguarding their long-term satisfaction and well-being.
What special safeguards would you have in place?
I prioritise patient safety by ensuring all treatments are grounded in a thorough understanding of the client’s medical history and lifestyle. Safeguards include requiring detailed medical questionnaires, using only reputable product brands, and implementing a cooling-off period for more invasive treatments, allowing clients time to reflect on their decisions.
A comprehensive consultation goes beyond medical assessment; it provides clients with the opportunity to ask questions and allows you, as an aesthetic nurse, to evaluate their holistic suitability for treatment. Key questions to reflect on include: Are the client’s expectations realistic? How many sessions will they require to achieve their desired goals? What are the potential long-term and short-term impacts of these treatments?
I also adhere strictly to regulatory guidelines and continuously update my training to stay informed about the latest safety protocols and techniques. For younger or first-time clients, I offer additional consultations to discuss risks, set realistic expectations, and ensure they are fully prepared for treatment. This extra layer of diligence fosters trust and ensures optimal, ethical outcomes
What advice do you have for other practitioners considering incorporating preventative treatments into their clinic?
Educate your clients on the benefits of preventative treatments as part of their skincare journey. Highlight how starting early can lead to long-term skin health and confidence. Begin by introducing treatments like skin boosters. These are excellent entry-point options for clients who may not yet be ready for more invasive procedures. Skin boosters provide visible results with minimal downtime, making them highly appealing.
Only work with products from reputable, established brands. Quality is key to client trust and satisfaction. Research thoroughly and ensure the products meet high safety and efficacy standards. Adding medical-grade skincare to your clinic can diversify your revenue streams while providing additional value to your clients. Offering skincare allows you to create comprehensive treatment plans that combine in-clinic procedures with at-home care, improving long-term client outcomes.
Reflect on the demographics of your current clients and their specific needs. This will help you choose products and treatments that resonate with them, ensuring higher adoption and satisfaction. Many reputable companies offer training and support for their products, which can help you and your team feel confident in integrating them into your practice.
Additionally, invest in ongoing education, not just about products and treatments but also about understanding trends and managing client expectations. This builds both trust and expertise. Clients should also be made aware that preventative treatments aren’t "quick fixes" but part of a long-term commitment to skin health. By setting realistic expectations, practitioners can foster stronger, more lasting client relationships.
Francesca Otote is the nurse director of Cactus Laser Clinic.
