Glass talks to leading cosmetic doctor Dr Sophie Shotter about the growth in men’s skincare and tweakments

From botox to brotox – Glass meets leading cosmetic doctor Dr Sophie Shotter to find out more about the growth in men’s skincare and tweakments

A LEADING light in the world of skincare and aesthetics, Dr Sophie Shotter has a growing reputation for her subtle yet effective work. She is also renowned for achieving great glow for her client and believes that an effective skincare regime comes before any undergoing any procedure – you need a good canvas for any work.

Dr SOPHIE shotterDr Sophie Shotter

Formerly an anaesthetist working in the NHS (where she has returned to help out during the Covid-19 pandemic), Dr Shotter’s deeply compassionate and responsible approach to aesthetics – which shines through when you meet her – is outstanding. A few years ago, she established the lluminate Skin Clinic in Kent, which won the Aesthetic Award for the best clinic in the south of England, and also practices in Marylebone and Buckinghamshire, where she is seeing more and more male patients.

 

It is reported that there is an increase in men are seeking aesthetic procedures or tweakments. When did you notice this trend starting?
I’ve noticed this trend slowly increasing over the last five years or so. The male market is maybe 10 years or so behind the female market – it started with male grooming procedures, waxing, skincare, manicures; and aesthetic treatments have followed.

Why do you think men have become interested in aesthetic procedures or tweakments?
The social pressure on men to look good has increased, just as it has in women. The increased awareness of options available for “age management” has meant more men have felt comfortable setting foot through clinic doors, together with some great examples of treatment results in men. I think when men realised this isn’t just for women, they have embraced it more.

Are men requesting different procedures or tweakments to women’s? And if so, what are they and what are the most popular?
Male trends are subtly different yes. The Mintel report looks at trends within the aesthetic marketplace and found that for men the top two requested procedures are treatments for abdominal fat and for hair loss. Facial lines and wrinkles came third. In women treatments for lines and wrinkles were top.

How do you foresee tweakments or procedures for men will innovate or develop in the future?
Treating men is a more advanced procedure technically than treating women, and I would advise men to be very cautious when choosing a practitioner. Not only should they be looking for someone who has training and is a regulated medical practitioner, but they also should look for someone with experience in treating men. Innovation is happening continuously in our approach to male tweakments, but more in our training. Whereas when I first trained in aesthetics the training was almost entirely focused on women, the focus has changed and there is significant emphasis on the different aesthetic men need to look attractive, and how to achieve it.

What advice would you give men in terms of skincare?
Skincare is such an easy win and can give great results. It doesn’t need to be complicated, and for men my top products are:

SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream

And the best thing is the packaging of all those products isn’t feminine or masculine– it’s stylish, elegant and unisex.

 

I am very impressed to see that you have returned to working in a hospital during the Covid-19 crisis in the UK. What has motivated you to go back to working for the NHS?
Thank you so much. My background is as an anaesthetist and intensive care doctor. When it became clear how bad this pandemic was going to be, I knew I couldn’t sit back at home and watch knowing that I had skills that were going to be essential at the moment. Becoming a doctor is a vocation, and fundamentally people who become doctors really care about people – I couldn’t not support people who are suffering at the moment.

How has this experience been for you?
Even though it’s been a horrible time, it has been extremely rewarding. I’ve been so glad to be back – the camaraderie and support between colleagues has been wonderful, and I’ve been privileged to be able to help people through this time.

How has the NHS changed since you last worked for it?
Actually not much! The trust I’m working in still has the same people and the same places. The reasons I left are still there, and I see more signs of disenfranchisement in more staff. I hope that the national show of support for the NHS and its staff will be here to stay long term – they are its biggest and most important asset.

How do you predict the field of cosmetic and aesthetic surgery will be changed by Covid-19 pandemic?
I feel we will be very busy when we can reopen our doors – our treatments make people feel better about themselves, and we all need that at the moment. But social distancing measures will be in place within clinics for the foreseeable future – waiting rooms will be less busy as we try to manage the flow of patients, staff will be wearing PPE, and you will be asked to follow rules to keep you and everyone else safe.

Can you share with Glass the highpoints of your career?
I’ve been so lucky to have a varied career, and my NHS career definitely features in my highpoints – having the trust of people at their most vulnerable is one of the biggest privileges I’ve experienced. Opening the doors to my own clinic, building my own team of amazing individuals, and culminating in winning the Aesthetic Award for the best clinic in the south of England have to feature in the list too.

What has been the greatest challenge you have faced so far in your career?
Good question – there have been a few along the way. Probably for me it was following my heart when leaving the NHS to build my own clinic practice – no one else in my life thought it was a good idea, and while some people were firmly behind me and supported me, others had no hesitation in telling me what a bad choice I was making. Taking such a huge life changing leap without the support of some very important people was extremely tough.

by Caroline Simpson

 illuminateskinclinic.co.uk

One Response