BUILDING YOUR TRIBE IN AESTHETICS: THE VOICES IN MY HEAD

Independent nurse prescriber Julie Scott shares how her internal compass helps to guide her through the fast paced and sometimes lonely world of aesthetic medicine.

When I think about what has shaped my journey , it isn’t a single mentor, course or brand partnership. It’s the people. Not just those I see in real life, but the ones who live quietly in my head, my internal tribe! If you’ve ever watched Inside Out, you’ll remember the characters that live inside Riley’s mind: Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust. Over time, I’ve realised that my own tribe in aesthetics isn’t too different. They represent different voices, emotions and values that guide how I practise, teach and lead.

Aesthetics can be an isolating profession, and it’s easy to lose perspective and drift away from what first drew us to patient care.

That’s why building an internal compass matters, to shape your decision-making when no one else is in the room.

And those voices can guide you: reminding you of your values, protecting your integrity, and helping you find meaning in the noise of your aesthetics business.

JOY: THE ENERGY THAT KEEPS US MOVING FORWARD

Joy, reminds me why I love my work. She’s there when I meet a patient whose confidence blooms after years of hiding behind concealer.

Joy is there in my team meetings, encouraging me to celebrate the small wins. It’s the journeys I share with my patients that bring me the greatest joy. These are people I’ve shared life chapters with, one patient has been with me for over 23 years. I’ve treated her through the peri-menopause, major life changes and now into her seventies, she puts it best: “Julie has been my saviour. She’s treated me holistically, helping me feel like myself again.” For me that is the real reward, when a patient feels restored.

Joy reminds us that success isn’t only measured in results, but in connection, and it’s essential to keep burnout at bay.

SADNESS: THE EMPATH AND THE HEALER

Then there’s Sadness, the part of me that recognises vulnerability in my patients.

In aesthetics, we meet people at emotional crossroads: the woman navigating menopause and loss of identity, the man struggling with post-acne scarring and low self-esteem, the young patient whose reflection doesn’t align with how they feel inside. I recently studied the psychological impact of botulinum toxin and ninety-six percent of my patients indicated that their treatment had a positive emotional impact. These findings reinforce how aesthetic medicine goes beyond appearances.

Sadness doesn’t rush: she listens, validates and reminds me that sometimes therapeutic intervention isn’t a needle; it’s a conversation. Sadness grounds me and reminds me that healing takes time.

When you listen to sadness, empathy becomes your greatest tool.

ANGER: THE PROTECTOR OF VALUES

Anger has a place too, though he wears a different face in my world. He’s not about shouting or outrage; he’s about conviction. He appears when I see unethical advertising, unsafe practice or unqualified injectors risking patient safety. He fuels my advocacy work, my commitment to regulation and my voice when it would be easier to stay silent.

My sense of responsibility doesn’t end when a patient leaves the clinic room, and that’s why I’m so active in promoting psychological screening as part of aesthetic practice. I’ve seen firsthand how emotional vulnerability can be overlooked, and how the absence of proper screening can cause harm.

My anger defends integrity, safety and authenticity in a field that sometimes prioritises profit over purpose.

Anger isn’t trouble, it’s leadership, and it reminds us to stand firm in our principles. Channelled well, he becomes the voice that protects both your patients and your professional integrity.

FEAR: THE QUIET VOICE OF CAUTION

Fear has saved me more times than I can count. He’s the one who insists I double-check a dose, question a technique or take that extra moment to review a medical history before proceeding.

I’ve always been a bit of a “Cautious Cathy”, and I’m unashamedly proud of that.

My cautious nature has shaped my entire practice. I have an ultrasound machine to guide me during filler treatments because I want to see where I’m going. I never see and treat a patient on the same day, and I’ve learned to trust my gut. That instinct has never let me down, I’m confident in saying no, whether it’s because a patient’s expectations are unrealistic, their motivations feel emotionally loaded or simply because it isn’t the right time to treat.

In the early years, I saw fear as a weakness, something to overcome. In reality, fear is what keeps us safe, as it prevents complacency.

In your own practice, you may recognise Fear as that small voice that stops you mid-action or makes you hesitate before treating. Listen to him: He isn’t doubt, he’s discernment, he keeps you humble, keeps you learning, and keeps your patients safe.

DISGUST: THE GATEKEEPER OF STANDARDS

Finally, there’s Disgust, she’s my quality control. The part of me that winces when I see overfilled lips, unethical before-and-afters or practitioners promoting treatments as quick fixes.

I’ve always adopted a less-is-more approach. It’s not just an aesthetic preference; it’s a professional philosophy. I’ve turned away many patients when it didn’t feel right to treat. One patient came to me asking for more lip filler than I was comfortable providing. I sat down with her and listened to her anxieties, and in the end all she left with was an SPF, and a little more self-acceptance.

Disgust, in that moment, wasn’t about judgement; it was discernment. Disgust drives me to protect vulnerable patients. I once met a gentleman struggling with anxiety about his nose. He had already been treated in several clinics and I gently explained that I believed he had altered image concerns.

Disgust has sharpened my boundaries, she’s taught me that saying no is a form of professionalism. Disgust, channelled with kindness, becomes discernment. It helps you preserve your integrity, and the trust that patients place in you.

CLOSING REFLECTION: LISTENING TO THE VOICES WITHIN

These five voices are the internal guides that remind me why I do what I do, and how I want to do it. They keep me balanced, grounded and honest.

But of course, they’re not the only ones. Over time, other voices have joined them, mentors, colleagues, and friends. They might not live in my head in quite the same way, but they’ve certainly left their mark there.

You have your own tribe too, and the trick is to listen to them. Recognise when Joy calls you to reconnect, when Sadness asks for empathy, when Anger demands integrity, when Fear keeps you cautious, and when Disgust preserves your standards.

If you listen closely, those voices don’t just reflect your experience, they refine it, and they can become the mentors within.

Next month, I’ll explore that part of the story: how I built my external tribe, the real people who surround me, challenge me and quietly uplift me.

Scott Shares.

Reflections for practitioners who care deeply.

JULIE SCOTT

Julie Scott RGN, NIP, PGDip(Aes) is an independent nurse prescriber, Level 7 qualified aesthetic injector and trainer with more than 30 years of experience in the field of plastics and skin rejuvenation. She is an aesthetic mentor and international speaker, who has won the Aesthetics Awards ‘Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner of the Year’ in both 2022 & 2024, and ‘Best Clinic South of England’ 2023 awards.

She also sits on the Aesthetics Reviewing Panel for the Aesthetics Journal, is a Board member for DANAI and is an ambassador and KOL for the JCCP and several leading aesthetic brands.