5 MINUTES WITH

5 MINUTES WITH… JOELLE ROTSAERT

Transjectual co-founder Joelle Rotsaert, talks creating truly inclusive, patient-centred spaces

WHAT INSPIRED TRANSJECTUAL?

“There were two pivotal moments. With laser hair removal, I was really poorly treated in clinics. People were unsure what to do with me and they made me feel so uncomfortable. It was unpleasant, degrading, and came with a lot of shame and anxiety.

“The second moment was working at other clinics and seeing what they were doing right, but also what they were doing wrong. Most clinics employ practitioners that have done a one or two-day course and then throw them into the wild west. Everybody that comes through the door at Injectual needs to be educated in gender affirming care.

“Creating a really safe space that feels comfortable is important, because it’s a really vulnerable journey to go through.”

“Trans people are just normal people. It’s just the same care as for anybody else.

HOW DOES AESTHETICS GO BEYOND APPEARANCE?

“It’s very easy to call aesthetics superficial, but we hear day in, day out how we really change people’s lives. Cosmetic treatments and skincare changed my life completely. That’s what Injectual was based on and born from, my own personal experience.

“People regain their confidence, the way they go to work, the way they present themselves, you can even see it in the before and after images, patients have a twinkle in their eyes.

“With trans people, it really affirms their gender. It affirms how you feel and present to the world. It’s very rewarding because we’re actually having a serious impact on people’s lives and confidence.”

DO YOU THINK THE AESTHETICS INDUSTRY IS EVOLVING FAST ENOUGH?

“I don’t think so, there’s always more that you can learn from each other. We do monthly journal clubs where we often present cases, and often it’s trans cases because they stick out with regards to an amazing story, transformation or a specialised approach.

“My team is at the forefront of gender-affirming care in the UK. Most clinics have maybe seen one or two transitions a year, if that. We see transitions every single day.

“There should be specialised gender affirming courses that are more widely available.

HOW ARE YOU REDEFINING TRADITIONAL IDEAS OF BEAUTY?

“Aesthetics tends to be very behind with everything.

“A lot of previous clinics have catered to one particular demographic – same age, same gender, same ethnicity. We decided to focus on everyone else. I believe in beauty for everyone and I want everyone to feel welcome. It’s not out of tokenism, every other clinic focuses on one demographic, so I decided we should focus on everyone else.’”

WHY IS PATIENT SUPPORT AND AFTERCARE SO IMPORTANT TO YOU?

“We try to be as available as possible. If there’s anything really important, we have an emergency line.

“I have always wanted to work on the entire experience. Doctors, especially aesthetic doctors, have treated aesthetics almost like an NHS GP visit. There has been absolutely no thought about the experience.

“We think about everything – the way patient’s calls are handled, their bookings, reminders and confirmations.

“We offer complimentary LED therapy after every treatment and we have skincare and makeup bars for touch ups after treatments.

“I want patients to feel really cared for and reassured and loved.”

WHAT DOES PATIENT-CENTRED CARE LOOK LIKE WITHIN GENDER-AFFIRMING AESTHETICS?

“The patient is at the centre of everything we do, we want to create a medical and safe environment, but that doesn’t mean we need to take away the human element.”

“Being part of somebody’s journey is really important.”

WHAT GAPS STILL NEED ADDRESSING?

“Conferences are still very focused on similar demographics. There is a lot of work that still needs to be done.”

“Brands need to put their money where their mouth is, don’t just turn your highlights rainbow and call it a day, actually do the work. Work with trans influencers. Have a trans charity partner. Educate yourself.”

“There are multiple organisations that can educate your staff on how to welcome queer people into clinics.”

HOW DO YOU HOPE TO CONTRIBUTE TO CONVERSATIONS AROUND INCLUSIVE CARE?

“I want Transjectual to become its own location as soon as possible. We want to offer the full scope of surgery, injectables and hormonal care. We want people to be able to come for their full journey.” “I would love for a percentage of Injectual’s profits to go directly into a fund, so we can provide as many treatments as possible with heavily reduced or free prices.”

“I want to contribute in an actual meaningful way. The NHS waiting lists are seven years. If I’d had to wait seven years, I wouldn’t be here right now.

“If Transjectual becomes its own location with its own fund, it could help hundreds or even thousands of people every year.”