In Conversation with Teresa, our Practising Nurse

We interview Teresa, our practising Nurse at Fountain who is passionate about beauty, skincare, and helping you achieve the results that are right for you.

Q. What inspired you to transition from general nursing to a focus on cosmetic treatments and skincare?

I am an EEN (enrolled endorsed nurse). I graduated during covid. My first year of working was doing mostly covid vaccinations. Originally going into nursing, I wanted to work with children. But when I actually got into nursing and was doing placement, I just really didn’t like working in a hospital - it just wasn’t ‘me’. I’m a ‘fixer’ and a problem solver - it’s something in my nature, this made me want to get into nursing. I always had an interest in cosmetics and somewhat in the skincare industry.  I’ve always wanted to help people, I’ve come to realise that working with people to achieve skin goals is often also helping self esteem and mental health. People clearly come here because of a deeper issue not just the surface issue. On top of that, it was a bonus that I love this work so much. I don’t feel like I’m coming to work. I actually get excited to come to work. I don’t see myself ever doing anything else. You're helping people but it’s also so much fun to do it - it’s not daunting - seeing how much brighter they feel, it feels good to know I helped them with that. 

Q. ⁠How do you personalise treatment plans for each person to ensure they achieve their skin goals?

Everyone’s skin and health goals are different - for instance, some people do actually want to get the perfect flawless finish. Some people just want to reduce their pigmentation or make smaller refinements. I feel like everyone realises that a minimal change could be enough for them. I want people to feel like themselves and be comfortable in their own skin without taking away from their character. When you’re sitting there and the person has their aesthetic concerns, and they slowly start to see change - they may realise they may not actually want that much changed at all. It’s a personal preference - it’s so okay for them to just want to do two treatments and still have a bit of pigmentation or scarring because that’s what that person is comfortable with. Having this understanding, and the understanding that not everyone wants to reach the end point of ‘perfection’ is really important. Everyone’s skin is different and people react differently to different treatments. Understanding what may work for me, may not work for you, and this is an important thing we discuss in our initial consultation. 

Q. What advice would you give to someone considering their first cosmetic treatment?

I think it’s always best to not follow what is on social media. No one shows you the in between, the before and after. That less is often more - just because it looks good on one person doesn't mean it will work for you. We can always refine later down the track - it’s good to start small. Start with something less invasive and then gradually build up, because the last thing you want to do is harm your skin. I think patience is also a big key - what people don’t realise is that your face is something you see every single day. So even a minor change will be so dramatic to you.

Q. What advantages do clients get from treatments at a Doctor-owned clinic compared to a traditional beauty clinic? How do you collaborate with Doctors for patient care? 

The depth of knowledge that Doctors have is so important... Not many clinics have this embedded as part of their service. The level of knowledge around medical skin conditions e.g. vein treatments, rosacea and hyperhidrosis is so beneficial to the level of informed treatment we can offer and compliments my knowledge as a cosmetics nurse. On a personal level, I then get to build on my own knowledge for future patients I see. It’s a huge advantage. It makes me want to learn more about the more clinical skin concerns I’m seeing and inspires me to do extra research. The Lumenis Laser Skin machine has been fantastic to use alongside the doctors. There is so much to learn and it’s an ongoing thing. 

Q. Are there any emerging trends in skincare or cosmetic treatments that you’re particularly excited about? What excites you about the future of this industry?

This industry offers an endless amount of opportunities for growth with new treatments and techniques. New technology in the form of machines like the Lumenis now allows us to tailor treatments for individual patients with so much accuracy and that will always lead to better results! You pretty much don’t stop learning. Every day our knowledge is growing and you turn around and realise that something minor you may have done before without thinking about - affects your skin health now. So in short, a little bit of everything excites me! I want to learn everything! 

Teresa works at Fountain Thursdays, Fridays and every second Saturday. Book an initial consult with her to discuss your treatment plan.