We’re talking to the experts to learn more about the advanced beauty products and techniques they use in their professional skincare practice. These skincare leaders not only talk the talk, but they also walk it, too! They help clients look and feel their best and believe that well-being is greatly improved by taking an inside-out approach. Today, we’re chatting with Caroline McLean.
With more than 15 years of experience in the industry,
Caroline McLean has partnered with several medi-spas in Glasgow to offer skin correctional treatments and non-surgical body rejuvenation. Therapies range from hydrafacials and laser therapies to dermaplaning and skin peels. Additionally, she uses a holistic approach to skincare, combining advanced skincare treatments with diet, lifestyle and other factors to get to the source of the skin concern.
Medico Beauty: Self-care is becoming a new buzz word. Often clients feel they lack enough time for themselves. What advice do you have for getting started?
Agreed, it is a buzz word now and something I think we can feel guilty about all too easily. My advice to anyone is that YOU time is important - ask yourself ‘Do you do anything that is just for you?’ It's as simple as reading a book uninterrupted, having a bath, going for a walk, or lifting some weights. Just something small that you switch off and don’t have to think about anyone else for a little while.
Medico Beauty: What is your favourite wellness ritual?
A walk without my phone in nature. I have the best local park that I can get lost in the woods and you have to disconnect! Candles, a bath, and an early night work wonders, too.
Medico Beauty: How do you recover after a stressful day or in the moment of a serious meltdown?
You have the choice to react in a meltdown situation or reflect and then respond. A younger me always reacted - that adrenaline rush of raw emotion. These days I’m more aware and tend to reflect; I take a step back and think about the outcomes. Personally, I train regularly and walk and these are both great stress relievers as they make you switch off from the stressful situation.
Medico Beauty: What personal achievement are you most proud of?
That’s an easy one - I have a 6-year-old daughter and I’ve been on my own with her since she was 2. She is awesome! My absolute hands-down best achievement.
Other than that, starting on my own and supporting myself and my daughter has felt pretty awesome and I’m forever grateful to those that support me in my passion.
Medico Beauty: What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
Trust in the process - it’s all part of the journey - the good, the bad and the ugly. It’s all directing you toward something.
Medico Beauty: How did you get started in the field of Advanced Skin Health and Wellness?
My background is Beauty Therapy and I worked in salons and spas for a few years. I lived in Australia for a couple of years and got into laser and light skin peels. That started my interest in advanced skincare therapies. When I returned, I trained in Colon Hydrotherapy - I'm interested in the body, how it works and responds and I combine my holistic side with achieving results. I started in cosmetic clinics around 10 years ago and it has been a constant evolvement of training and new technology. My passion for skin correction and wellness has continued to grow.
Medico Beauty: What single discovery do you believe has made a difference in treating skin concerns?
That everything is connected - it’s not ‘just your skin’. How you live, eat, sleep, and feel all play a part in what is going on.
Medico Beauty: What’s the best way to get started with using active ingredients?
First off - find a good aesthetician. We all connect to different people, and you want someone you trust and can go to with questions and feel comfortable with. You also want active ingredients that will work! Active ingredients are often a minefield to people. You need support through certain forms of Retinol for example but really to get started on active ingredients. A treatment cleanser and an SPF. Keep it simple.
Medico Beauty: Have you had any beauty or skincare disasters?
Personally, I have acne type skin and my skin has had its share of flare-ups over the years. I also think that this is why I treat acne type skin the most - you attract your own and I can relate very personally to the emotional and physiological effects acne has on the skin.
Medico Beauty: What skincare advice do you have for those on a budget or who would like to save money?
Less is More. Don’t buy the over the counter product just to have product. Save up for a good treatment cleanser and SPF.
Medico Beauty: Tell us about any new exciting projects you’re developing in 2019?
In 2019 I am adding a third location and I’m working on a nutrition course. I hope to also enrol in an advanced skin care course to keep things fresh and up to date. Eventually, I think I’d like to end up in a teaching role.
Medico Beauty: How do you see advanced skin health evolving in the future?
It’s forever evolving. I personally love combining the therapies available and working alongside practitioners who specialise in different aesthetic treatments to create packages that get clients the best results.
Medico Beauty: What is your favourite face mask right now?
Oh, I have all the masks and I rotate them to suit :)
Medico Beauty: Favourite CosMedix hero product?
Do I have to pick just one? Got to be
Rescue Balm. It’s my ultimate hero product.
To learn more about Caroline McLean, visit her
website or follow her on
Facebook and
Instagram
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