HOT OFF THE PRESS

Paul Burgess stands down as BAMAN chief executive

Paul Burgess MBE concluded his term as the chief executive of the British Association of Aesthetic Nurses (BAMAN) on January 1, 2025, after 10 years with the organisation. The new chief executive is yet to be named.

In his resignation announcement, Burgess also said that 2025 will see the election of a new management board and officers, as the existing team stands down: “I would like to place on record my thanks to the many members who have served on this management board, in particular, the leadership provided by Sharon Bennett as chair. Your achievements are there for all to see.”

PBA Business Associates managing director Burgess will be developing his own business interests in Africa, continuing his charitable activities and maintaining an interest in medical aesthetics.

He also thanked the “outstanding group of medical aesthetic nurses that have formed the BAMAN management board”, as well as vice chair Sharon King.

“Along the way, I have also met and worked with a great and highly motivated HQ team, led by Gareth Lewis and numerous BAMAN members across the breadth of the UK,” he continued. “The association has grown from its small beginnings to now being the most recognised and respected association in medical aesthetics for nurses. It can look forward to a great future with record membership numbers, a stable financial situation, strong reserves and a regional structure with highly motivated leaders. I wish you all the best.”

Royal Surgical College announces suite of honours and new deans

The Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh (RCSEd) recently honoured several prominent figures in the medical field, including a former BBC editor and the president of a sister Royal Surgical College.

Branwen Jeffreys, whose late father was a fellow of the college, has been formally appointed and robed as a regent of the college.

Jeffreys’ distinguished career with the BBC includes her tenure as the corporation’s first education editor and nearly a decade as a senior health correspondent, where she initiated an award-winning emergency wait tracker and explored the ethics of rationing healthcare.

Beyond her work with the BBC, Jeffreys has also served as a governor on The Health Foundation board for nine years.

Mr Mike McKirdy, a renowned medical professional who has recently concluded his term as president of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, has been awarded the fellowship ad hominem of RCSEd.

A retired consultant breast surgeon for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Mr McKirdy was honoured for his significant contributions to the medical profession.

Scottish Government opens consultation for aesthetic treatments

The Scottish Government has launched a consultation into a licensing scheme for non-surgical aesthetic procedures including microneedling, botulinum toxin injections, chemical peels and dermal fillers.

The consultation opened on December 20 last year and will close on February 14.

In a similar format to the England consultation which ran from September to October 2023, the Scottish Government consultation breaks down the procedures into three key groups. As with the England consultation, beauty professionals have expressed concern that comparatively low-risk procedures such as mesotherapy and radiofrequency would require the oversight of a healthcare professional if the framework were to proceed in its current format. Meanwhile, procedures such as electrolysis, traditionally carried out by advanced beauty therapists, would be reclassified as safe for medics only.

Beauty and aesthetics professionals are urged to have their say via the consultation before the February 14 deadline.

Living in the North benefits skin health

New climate data has analysed every UK region to determine where is healthiest for your skin. The data, gathered by Fresha, shows that living in Scotland and the North East is better for skin, due to lower pollution and UV levels. It has also revealed that residents of southern coastal cities face the highest skin health risks from wind, humidity, and sun exposure. The research assessed key environmental factors impacting skin health across 100 UK areas, including air pollution, humidity, temperature, wind speed, and precipitation. It then calculated scores for each area to pinpoint those most likely to contribute to poorer skin health, including air pollution, humidity, temperature, wind speed, and precipitation. It then calculated scores for each area to pinpoint those most likely to contribute to poorer skin health.

Dr Catherine Fairris joins AesthetiCare faculty

Aesthetic practitioner and president of the British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM) Dr Catherine Fairris is the newest faculty member of aesthetic distributor AesthetiCare.

Dr Fairris joins the faculty with Dr Paris Acharya, Dr Karen Doherty and Dr Jaskaren Midh. Her responsibilities include guiding protocol development, fostering peer-to-peer inspiration in the field and enhancing evidence-based data.

She will play a key role in raising awareness for AesthetiCare and its brand portfolio, which includes ALLSKIN|MED, Biretex and Heliocare. “I am absolutely thrilled to be invited to join the faculty of ALLSKIN|MED, a renowned skincare brand owned by Cantabria Labs,” said Dr Fairris. “As a passionate advocate for evidence-based skincare and skin rejuvenation, I am excited to join such an esteemed group of experts who are already part of this dedicated team.”

DermaFocus warns of unapproved pharmacies selling Plinest

Distribution and training company DermaFocus has reported a notable rise in the number of online shops and pharmacies selling the Plinest range of polynucleotides.

As the UK’s exclusive distributor of Plinest, DermaFocus warns that products which are not bought directly from them or approved partners are at risk of safety concerns.

DermaFocus prides itself on its stringent distribution service, which strictly complies with Good Distribution Practice (GDP) standards.

This ensures:

• All products are shipped by Italian manufacturer Mastelli to the DermaFocus warehouse facility which is specifically designed for pharmaceutical goods. This guarantees a sterile environment, sufficient ventilation, lighting, temperature control, security and space

• Products are checked and stored with batch numbers

• Products are shipped from the DermaFocus warehouse to subdistributers in dedicated vehicles that adhere to handling and storage requirements

• All products have relevant documentation to enable traceability

• Monthly audits and inspections are conducted to ensure whole team is complying with GDP, with improvements made as necessary.

To further protect patients’ safety, DermaFocus and sub-distributors only train and supply to healthcare professionals who have provided their medical pin number and evidence of insurance cover. Extensive checks are conducted to ensure these are legitimate. Patient leaflets and post-procedure advice are also included in all shipments free of charge.

Acre secures UK distribution rights for Galderma

Acre has announced its appointment as official UK distributor for independent dermatology company Galderma. Founded in 2018, Acre is a subsidiary of CST Pharma Group Holdings, a leading contributor to the NHS supply chain. CST Pharma, an MHRA-regulated medicines wholesaler, holds over 200 NHS hospital contracts across England, Scotland, and Wales. Since entering the aesthetics field, Acre has focused on integrating its pharma heritage, standards and expertise into the industry. “This truly is a monumental moment for Acre,” said Neil Clarkson, co-founder of Acre. “Our partnership with Galderma is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication and it really is testament to the team here at Acre, our stringent processes and the wonderful community who trust us each and every day. Galderma’s portfolio represents the gold standard in skin health, and we are honoured to bring these solutions to the UK market. We look forward to supporting practitioners and patients alike with a portfolio that truly makes a difference.”

Guinot partners with Made for Life Foundation

Guinot has partnered with Made for Life Foundation to introduce the Serenity Hydra Summum Facial, a treatment specifically designed to cater inclusively to clients living with cancer and other life-limiting conditions. This new offering empowers Guinot therapists to confidently provide tailored, safe treatments for all, reinforcing Guinot’s commitment to compassionate client care and their salons.

With studies indicating that at least one in two people will experience cancer in their lifetime, the collaboration addresses this gap by equipping therapists with the knowledge and ability to offer gentle, relaxing therapies to all, including those navigating challenging health journeys. Guinot has also introduced the Cancer Care Course, a Habia-endorsed curriculum, that offers therapists comprehensive training on the new treatment and education on working with clients who are in various stages of cancer. Upon completing the two-day training, therapists earn the Guinot Oncology Certificate and are registered with both Made for Life Foundation and the Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC) — making it easy for clients seeking qualified safe havens to find them.

CPP expands in Europe

As part of Cosmetic Physician Partnership (CPP)’s strategic European expansion, the network has collaborated with four renowned clinics: Define Clinics, Holland Park, Amer Clinic London, and The Ghanem Clinic in London. “I am delighted to announce my partnership with the CPP, a leading global aesthetic and cosmetic group of clinics based in Canada and the United States,” said The Ghanem Clinic founder Mr Ali Ghanem. “Being part of CPP represents an incredible opportunity to bring the latest advancements in aesthetic medicine to my patients. Through access to global expertise, innovative technologies, and operational support, I can focus on delivering the highest standards of care while contributing to the growth of CPP’s European presence.” To learn more, visit theghanemclinic.com.

3D Aesthetics announces new appointments and forward direction for the brand

3D Aesthetics has announced two new hirings as the brand looks to grow its presence in the medical aesthetics industry in 2025. The company has appointed former managing director of award-winning company Dermalux, Dane Needham, as managing director. Throughout the past few months, Needham has already been hard at work, evaluating every corner of the business, and creating plans to develop the brand, evolving it both through advancing business systems and helping to develop the next generation of technology.

Also joining the 3D Aesthetics brand and leading the new and exciting Elite MD division set to launch by March 2025 is Rachel McInnes. With over 28 years’ experience in the industry, working with internationally recognised brands such as Dermalux, BTL and Lutronic, she said, “I am excited to embark on this new journey as the specialist sales manager for 3D Aesthetics, working with the new medical division, ‘Elite MD’. It’s an incredible opportunity to lead, innovate, and drive growth in a rapidly evolving industry. Together, we’ll redefine excellence in aesthetic solutions, building strong partnerships and delivering exceptional results for both clients and their business.” Following challenges within the industry of late, McInnes is also passionate that affordability is a key factor that is important to decision makers when investing in new technology for their business and plans to champion this along with the backing of credible technology and results.

Commenting on the new hirings, owner Roy Cowley said, “I’ve known Dale Needham for many years and have followed his progress very closely with Dermalux. His skill set has been proven out through his achievements with that organisation, resulting in many innovative product designs and the building of a very well recognised and respected brand within the medical aesthetics industry.

“Dale is the ying to my yang, what he will bring to the table contributes to a new chapter in the evolution of the 3D Aesthetics brand. He will be instrumental in spearheading many aspects of product development and device licensing, that within a short period of time will result in the launch of two new product developments – being the E-Pace, an evolvement of our existing line, which recognises advancement of pace of our technology and unique patent-pending designs. In addition, together we have developed a new exciting range called Elite MD that will represent a new division focusing on results-driven devices in the medical aesthetics field. Dale has also contributed heavily towards significant operational improvement and will be changing the scope of our ISO 13485 to virtual manufacturing, enabling significant growth with our export plans.

“In addition, Dale brings Rachel to the team, who he has worked with previously and who brings with her significant experience within the medical aesthetics market. Rachel will be directly responsible for launching our new Elite MD range and will be building a team of likeminded sales candidates beneath her throughout 2025. I know that her significant experience will contribute great value to my organisation and its new direction.”

Needham has a varied background in product design and engineering, as an MBA graduate of Manchester Business School. “I chose to join 3D Aesthetics as I have always been curious and encouraged by the brand, technology and team,” he added. “3D is a pioneer in the aesthetics industry, with the application of ‘Blue Ocean’ strategy and groundbreaking technology platforms, it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass on. Having known Roy Cowley for nearly 10 years, I am proud to join the team and continue the successes of the business and look forward to meeting old and new clients as I embark on this journey. 3D offers the chance to revolutionise the industry; with the knowledge I’ve gained over the years, my own and shared successes, I am sure collectively we will continue to be the number one provider of aesthetic equipment in the UK and encourage all to join us on our journey.”