JULIE SCOTT

VALUING YOURSELF AS A PRACTITIONER

In a profession built on caring for others, personal well being is often overlooked. Julie Scott looks at why self-care is the secret to success

Moving into the start of spring is a time of renewed purpose, professional goals and a promise to do things differently; be more balanced, intentional and perhaps even a little kinder to ourselves.

This month, I want to turn the lens inward, to the quieter and more personal work of valuing ourselves as practitioners.

In aesthetics, we’re trained to value precision, safety and patient outcomes. We learn to read faces, to see imbalance and to restore harmony. Yet we are rarely taught to value ourselves. Too often, our worth gets lost between caring deeply for others and constantly striving to do better, yet everything we offer is grounded in our own sense of self-worth.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR WORTH

Valuing yourself starts with recognising what you bring to the table, not just your technical ability, but the years of experience, study and emotional context that underpin every patient interaction. The time spent refining your skills, attending conferences, writing protocols and following up with patients is rarely visible, but it’s what defines your professional integrity.

Experience is about mindset, curiosity, care and the courage to pause when something doesn’t feel right. The wisdom to listen, to notice when a patient’s words and expression don’t align, and to know when less is more, that is the invisible skill set patients depend on.

And then there’s the emotional work; holding space for someone who feels anxious or vulnerable demands empathy and patience, qualities that can’t be taught through technique alone. Those human moments are where our real value lies.

When you see empathy, honesty and patient reassurance as part of your clinical skill set, you realise that your true value runs deeper than the treatments you deliver.

If you’re unsure where to begin, try writing down three things you bring to your patients that can’t be seen on a price list. Seeing it in writing helps you reconnect with your worth.

FROM IMPOSTER TO INTEGRITY

Many of us, have faced moments of self-doubt. Imposter syndrome can make us feel like we’re not good enough, that others are more skilled or more deserving. I’ve felt it myself, that uneasy tension between competence and comparison.

I remember early in my career being surrounded by practitioners I admired, feeling like I didn’t belong there. Over time, I realised that imposter syndrome hides in those who care the most. It’s not a sign of weakness; it’s a reflection of conscience. When you stop questioning yourself entirely is the moment you stop growing.

True confidence doesn’t come from recognition; it comes from integrity, from knowing that your work is ethical, your intentions are good, and your practice is safe. Confidence built on integrity is quiet; it doesn’t need to prove itself. It’s grounded in self-awareness, humility and purpose.

Next time that voice appears, ask yourself: Am I being safe? Am I being kind? Am I acting with integrity? If the answer is yes, you’re exactly where you should be. And if that uneasy thought lingers, ask: Is this fear or fact? Often, it’s fear, and recognising that is the first step in quietening it.

CHARGING FAIRLY AND SETTING BOUNDARIES

Valuing yourself also means valuing your work, and that includes how you charge your treatments and protect your time.

Your charges aren’t about ego or business acumen, but around ethics and respect. What we offer goes far beyond the syringe; it’s about the professional holding it. This syringe may look simple, but behind it are years of training, anatomical knowledge, precision and understanding of patient safety. It doesn’t just deliver a product; it delivers peace of mind.

When it comes to your face, safety, experience, and ethics should never be discounted. Patients aren’t just paying for minutes in the chair; they’re investing in judgment, accountability and trust.

And then there are boundaries. I’ve learned to protect my time with the same care I protect my patients.

Saying “no” isn’t a refusal of care; it’s a sign of responsibility.

If you ever struggle to say no, try reframing it: you’re not saying no to a patient, you’re saying yes to safe, ethical practice. Or, if you find yourself feeling guilty for setting limits, remember: your boundaries protect your patients as much as they protect you.

BUILDING AN AUTHENTIC PRESENCE

Authenticity in aesthetics isn’t about flawless branding or perfectly curated social media; it’s about alignment between what you say and what you do. Patients don’t just choose you for your skill, they choose you because they feel safe in your care. That sense of trust comes from consistency and truth.

I often tell my mentees that their professional identity should be an extension of their personal values.

When who you are aligns with how you practise, confidence becomes effortless. The most successful practitioners I know aren’t the loudest or the most visible. They’re the ones who lead quietly, with kindness and conviction, and who are entirely at ease being themselves

RESPECTING PEERS WHILE OWNING YOUR VOICE

In an industry that can sometimes feel competitive, I’ve learned that the only person you are ever truly in competition with is yourself.

Confidence and humility can, and should, coexist. You can acknowledge your achievements without diminishing someone else’s.

The practitioners I admire most are those who share knowledge freely, who mentor generously, and who celebrate others’ success as readily as their own.

I’ve also learned that mentorship is reciprocal. I learn as much from mentees and colleagues as they do from me.

If you catch yourself slipping into comparison, turn it into curiosity: what can I learn from them? That mindset shift turns envy into growth.

THE COST OF UNDERVALUING YOURSELF

Every time we undervalue what we do, by overworking, undercharging or neglecting our own needs, we erode the very joy that drew us into this profession. Burnout doesn’t arrive suddenly; it builds quietly, disguised as dedication.

A good self-check is to notice how you feel. If resentment, exhaustion or guilt start creeping in, it’s not a lack of resilience; it’s a signal that your boundaries, not your passion, need attention.

I’ve met brilliant practitioners who equate self-sacrifice with professionalism, but the two are not the same. You can care deeply and still protect your peace.

Each time you undervalue yourself, you teach others to do the same. But when you stand in your worth, with clarity, compassion and self-respect, others rise to meet you there.

VALUING LEARNING, REST AND REFLECTION

There was a time when I saw rest as indulgence. Now I see it as wisdom.

The most valuable lessons I’ve learned often came in the moments of reflection, observation and stillness.

Continuous learning keeps us relevant, but rest keeps us resilient.

Together, they sustain the curiosity and compassion that define our best work. The truth is, we can’t pour from an empty cup, and sometimes the most professional thing you can do is pause.

So block time in your diary for learning and for rest, both feed the same professional muscle: self-respect.

CLOSING REFLECTION

Valuing yourself is one of the most important, and often the hardest, lessons to learn. It’s not about perfection; it’s about recognising that the care you give others begins with how you care for yourself. When you set boundaries, price with integrity, and protect your energy, you’re demonstrating self-respect.

Our patients trust us because we show up with empathy, skill and composure. But those qualities only flourish when we create space for rest, learning and self-respect. When you honour your worth, you safeguard your ability to serve others with consistency and compassion.

Remember, valuing yourself isn’t self-indulgence; the more we model self-respect and balance, the more we give permission for others in our profession to do the same.

Confidence doesn’t come from how loudly you speak or how much you do; it comes from standing quietly in your values and knowing that is enough.

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.