Featured Articles
When regulatory warnings become reality
Last week, Spa & Clinic reported on a Queensland tribunal decision that marks a significant moment for the aesthetic industry.
Last week, Spa & Clinic reported on a Queensland tribunal decision that marks a significant moment for the aesthetic industry.
A registered nurse has been banned from practice for two years after administering Schedule 4 medicines without a valid medical consultation or prescription, and for continuing to practise while suspended. The findings are confronting, but they’re also an opportunity to learn, reflect, and improve our own practices.
As Spa & Clinic noted, the decision sends “a clear signal that Ahpra and the National Boards are no longer tolerating breaches that have long concerned regulators.” That signal matters for every cosmetic injector in Australia.
According to the tribunal findings, the practitioner administered restricted medicines without authorisation, falsified clinical records, and continued treating patients despite regulatory restrictions. The tribunal determined this behaviour constituted professional misconduct and highlighted the importance of deterrence, both for the practitioner involved and for the wider industry.
Ahpra CEO, Justin Untersteiner, reinforced this shift:
“We will leave no stone unturned to investigate and take action against practitioners who do the wrong thing.”
For years, Australia’s aesthetic industry has operated in an environment where expectations have been tightening, but enforcement has been inconsistent. That era has now ended.
This case reinforces several non-negotiables:
- Patient Safety is paramount.
- Schedule 4 medicines must only be administered following an appropriate medical consultation, and all medications must have a valid prescription in place for the patient.
- Medicines must be supplied to the authorised practitioner, stored, and administered in accordance with state and territory regulations.
- Clinical records must be accurate, complete, and truthful.
- Any Aphra registration conditions and suspensions must be strictly followed.
When a medication is not supplied by the prescribing provider, the chain of custody is compromised, creating uncertainty regarding the medication's origin and accountability. In such instances, practitioners cannot assume clinical responsibility for the safety, integrity, or efficacy of products they did not procure or oversee.
In the event of an adverse clinical reaction, audit, or complaint, clear and accurate records are critical. They provide transparency around the supply, prescribing, and administration of the medication, and protect both patient safety and the practitioner/s involved.
These are not administrative details, but the professional standards expected of every healthcare practitioner. They are fundamental patient safety obligations, and failing to uphold them carries serious consequences.
At Fresh Clinics, our mission has always been to support nurses to build sustainable, compliant aesthetic practices — backed by education, systems, and clinical governance that stand up to scrutiny.
This moment matters for our industry. It’s an opportunity to raise standards, protect patients, and ensure aesthetic medicine remains a respected, trusted profession.
Read the full Spa & Clinic article here.
Menopause Awareness Month: What every cosmetic nurse should know
Menopause Awareness Month: Understand the impact of hormonal changes on skin. Learn how aesthetic nurses can better support patients during this transition.
This Menopause Awareness Month, we sat down with Dr Izzy Sillar to talk about something that affects every woman, but is still so often overlooked: menopause.
For women, menopause isn’t just a hormonal shift. It’s a whole-body transition that affects skin, mood, sleep, energy, and confidence. And for cosmetic nurses, it’s an opportunity to change how women experience this stage of life.
“Perimenopause and menopause… is a clinical diagnosis. We don’t actually rely on blood tests or serum markers… It’s based on the clinical picture.” - Dr Izzy.
That one shift in mindset can change how you consult, treat, and support patients who are 40+ in your aesthetic clinic.
Perimenopause vs. Menopause
“Menopause is diagnosed as being 12 months since their last menstrual period. And perimenopause is less than 12 months, where we’re seeing changes in the menstrual cycle.”
Dr Izzy outlined a typical trajectory:
- Mid–late 30s: testosterone trends down.
- Early 40s: progesterone declines.
- Mid-40s onward: estrogen drops.
As estrogen falls, cycles often space out or go missing. Skin can feel thinner, joints ache (hands, knees, lower back), and patients frequently report the “middle-aged spread.”
“When we lose estrogen… our fibroblasts become dysregulated… This can translate to skin becoming thinner, [and] joints… more sore. It’s really common… to gain weight around the tummy… even when eating well and exercising."
Why this matters in aesthetics
For too long, menopause has been underdiagnosed and undertreated.
“Currently, 85% of women are mismanaged for a condition that affects 100% of women by age 55.”
By adding women’s health pathways to your practice, you’re helping to close a major gap in medicine. You’re saying: we see you, and your experience matters.
"We have safe ways to manage this in conjunction with lifestyle… and it’s absolutely a woman’s right to have access to this.” - Dr Izzy.
Untreated symptoms aren’t just inconvenient.
“Heart attacks become the third biggest killer for women [not on appropriate therapy]. Fragility hip fractures… 75%… are in fact women… small falls shouldn’t be something that is going to take their life.”
Connecting patients to competent care is essential to preventive health.
Ready to support your patients holistically?
“Position yourself as more than an injector — become a guide.”
If you’re a Fresh Clinics member, you can access Fresh Health and start referring today. Not yet a member? Get in touch and we’ll show you how to integrate safe, modern women’s health support into your clinic.
Why Clinical Excellence Drives Success
Why clinical excellence drives sustainable success: Discover how prioritizing patient safety and high standards builds a loyal client base and profitable clinic.
In today’s booming aesthetics industry, clinics are popping up on every corner. Many chase growth with ads, discounts, and quick-win marketing tactics. But the truth is: the fastest-growing businesses aren’t the ones spending the most on ads — they’re the ones delivering the best patient outcomes.
At Fresh Clinics, we’ve supported more than 2,000 nurses and doctors in building thriving practices. The data is clear: clinical excellence is the #1 driver of clinic growth. Why? Because excellence fuels patient trust, and trust fuels referrals.
In this article, we’ll share:
- Proprietary insights from Fresh’s network of clinics
- Why referrals, not ads, are the ultimate growth engine
- The Fresh 4-Pillar Growth Model for sustainable success
The problem with “quick-fix” business growth
The aesthetics industry is often framed around leads, discounts, and fast revenue. Competitors offer:
- Paid ads campaigns
- Website rebuilds
- “Get more patients fast” playbooks
The issue? Patients notice the difference.
Poor consultation processes, unprepared practitioners, and inconsistent results lead to disappointment — and in some cases, safety risks.
Clinics built on short-term marketing tactics struggle to retain patients and eventually burn out.
Fresh data: Referrals are the growth engine
Fresh’s work with thousands of practitioners has revealed a simple truth: referrals account for the majority of sustainable growth in clinics.
- Practices that focus on complication management training see up to 2x more referrals within 6 months.
- Practitioners who adopt a consultation mastery framework report a 35% increase in repeat patient bookings.
- Clinics that deliver consistently superior outcomes see organic referral growth surpass paid acquisition by Year 2.
This is the compounding power of excellence. Each happy patient tells a friend, leaves a glowing review, and builds the practitioner’s reputation.
The Fresh 4-Pillar Growth Model
We’ve codified what works into the Fresh 4-Pillar Growth Model — a framework built on what we’ve seen across 2,000+ aesthetic clinics.
1. Consultation mastery
- A structured consultation builds trust and ensures tailored outcomes.
2. Complication confidence
- When practitioners are trained to handle complications, confidence radiates.
- Patients sense this security — leading to stronger loyalty and referrals.
3. Patient experience
- Every touchpoint matters: from the first consult to follow-ups.
- A superior patient journey drives love, loyalty, and advocacy.
4. Business growth through referrals
- Delivering excellence creates a flywheel: Great outcomes → Referrals → More patients → Sustainable revenue.
Why Clinical excellence builds premium brands
The benefits go beyond just growth:
- Exclusivity: Better practitioners attract better patients.
- Future-Proofing: As competition intensifies, only practices with clinical excellence will stand out.
- Industry Stewardship: Putting patients first sets Fresh and its members apart from negative industry trends.
In short, excellence isn’t just a growth strategy — it’s a brand strategy.
Key Questions Answered
What is the #1 way clinics grow?
Referrals. And referrals come from delivering excellent patient outcomes.
Why are referrals better than ads?
Ads can buy attention. But only excellence earns trust — and trust is what fuels long-term patient advocacy.
What role does complication management play in growth?
Confidence in handling complications radiates to patients. It builds safety, trust, and loyalty — all drivers of referrals.
What is the Fresh 4-Pillar Growth Model?
A framework for sustainable success: Consultation Mastery, Complication Confidence, Patient Experience, and Business Growth via Referrals.
Conclusion: Excellence wins, every time
The aesthetics industry is evolving quickly. In the short-term, anyone can buy ads. In the long-term, only those who build their practices on clinical excellence will thrive. At Fresh, we’ve helped over 2,000 nurses and doctors achieve their dreams — by putting patients first, building confidence, and creating practices that grow on referrals. The future of aesthetics is clear: Excellence drives growth.
Latest Articles
Unlocking the Full Potential of Microneedling
In the cosmetic and aesthetic industry, constant innovations help us push boundaries to empower clinics to achieve remarkable results. One of the most exciting advancements is microneedling, particularly with devices like SkinPen®. At Fresh Clinics, we’re dedicated to empowering your clinic with the latest tools and insights to stay ahead.
The SkinPen, a medical-grade microneedling device, has the potential to alter the landscape of aesthetic treatments drastically. Specifically designed for cosmetic professionals, this device aligns perfectly with our call for compliance, empowering "clinics to future-proof their practices for whatever lies ahead." - Rochelle Akhavan, Advanced Skin Technology.
The Device
This potent clinical solution caters to various skin types and can be used throughout the year. Contrary to popular belief, microneedling does not exacerbate acne. In fact, it helps in alleviating acne vulgaris and refining the texture of acne scars. Wrinkles, enlarged pores, pigmentation, surgical and stretch marks, fine lines - you name it, and the SkinPen is equipped to tackle it.
Unlike other aesthetic treatments, microneedling with SkinPen is easy to implement with no significant downtime and short-lived side effects such as temporary discomfort and redness. Additionally, a post-treatment protocol usually entails using a singular repair cream for three to four days followed by a regular skincare regimen.
The SkinPen addresses a pressing issue in cosmetics, offering a cost-effective yet efficient solution. This prospect of not just solving but also profitably offers a higher revenue per patient, with the ability to provide more treatments and generate increased revenue.
Packed with innovation and backed by solid clinical data, SkinPen is not just a device; it’s an innovative tool, uniquely designed with features like intuitive speed control and continuous power, making it a low-risk, high-reward venture.
At Fresh Clinics, we’re committed to providing our members with the best training and opportunities. Want to get your hands on the SkinPen® at exclusive prices?
Reach out to our team today, call us, or schedule a time to chat below!
Webinar Transcript & Key Insights
At Fresh Clinics, we value the trust our Members place in us. This fuels our commitment to providing innovative incentives such as our Refer a Friend program. This initiative allows our Nurses to help their network benefit from our services and win fantastic rewards in the process.
The heart of our growth lies in word-of-mouth recommendations, cementing our belief in the strong, positive impact referrals can have on the aesthetic industry.
How does it work?
Imagine you’re a Fresh Member, well aware of the exclusive benefits you enjoy. Yet, many of your colleagues remain unaware of the advantages of Fresh Clinics. This is where you come in—utilising the opportunity to enlighten your network about our expertly tailored support and services.
Upon successful onboarding of your referral, a reward awaits you - a $500 credit for the Fresh Shop to use towards any product available to you in our store.But hold on, we’re not done just yet! The Fresh Member with the most successful referrals within 6 months, stands a chance to win a phenomenal prize valued at up to $10,000.
Take a glimpse into the experience of our latest winner, Cecile from the Aesthetic Space:
-May-17-2024-02-19-28-3057-AM.avif)
Her exclusive prize included a stay in the luxurious Harbour Bridge Suite at Crown Towers, complemented by a welcoming surprise upon arrival. During her stay, Cecile enjoyed a delicious breakfast for two at the Epicurean, following a 90-minute relaxation massage session at Crown Spa. Her stay continued with a sumptuous $500 resort credit and pre-dinner drinks at the elegant Neat Peat VIP Whiskey Bar, concluding with a five-star dining experience at the one-of-a-kind Woodcut restaurant.
We are proud to share these experiences and nurture the sense of appreciation between us and our dedicated Members. Rally behind industry growth with us, and take the step to reward yourself and your colleagues through our Refer a Friend program.
Just imagine the possibilities by simply referring a friend to Fresh.
Fill in the referral form here. You've done your part, so let us handle the rest and connect with your referred friend.
Not a Fresh Clinics member yet? Reach out to our team today, call us, or schedule a time to chat below to discuss how to become a Fresh Clinics member and take advantage of Fresh initiatives today.
The Importance of Ultrasound in Aesthetics
The demand for non-surgical cosmetic procedures is on the rise globally, which is why we strive to stay at the forefront of medical technology, equipping our community with the necessary tools for safety and adverse event management.
In aesthetic medicine, ultrasound technology plays a crucial role in mapping previous fillers on the face and body, guiding injections in high-risk areas to avoid arteries, botulinum toxin in the desired muscle, and guiding hyaluronidase when necessary.
Ultrasound technology ensures accuracy in the administration of cosmetic injectables and allows for detailed monitoring. With the help of ultrasound guidance, a cosmetic nurse can easily view facial anatomy, particularly in high-risk areas, leading to a more precise injection and reducing the risk of adverse events. It also reduces the guesswork accompanying such treatments, bringing a newfound level of effectiveness and patient safety.
Despite complications being reported, the presence of an accurate diagnostic instrument for identifying cutaneous filler deposits could potentially explain the link between the procedure and any adverse events. It's in this context that our pursuit of innovation empowers cosmetic professionals with precise diagnostic tools, and the ability to resolve uncertainties, and ensures our commitment to compliance and regulation within the industry.
A Fresh Perspective on Ultrasound
For those seeking a fresh perspective on how ultrasound can enhance their practice, a compelling case comes from Cathy Wood, founder of Meraki Cosmetics. She recently integrated ultrasound technology into her clinic and has achieved remarkable success in implementing this technique for safer, more effective aesthetic procedures.
In terms of adverse events, Cathy candidly shared an occurrence where she was called to assist in a vascular occlusion during a colleague's filler treatment. The ultrasound technology on hand equipped her to identify and swiftly treat the blockage. Cathy attests that having the ability to dissolve fillers using ultrasound guidance ‘significantly reduces medical complications.’
For Cathy and many other cosmetic nurses, ultrasound has become an indispensable tool in their practice, enhancing precision, granting satisfaction of better patient outcomes, and most importantly, making aesthetic procedures safer.
Patients who know that their aesthetic procedures are guided by ultrasound, find comfort and assurance and are more likely to attend clinics that use this technology. Our very own co-founder, Dr. John Holbrook, “firmly believes that every clinic should have Ultrasound technology, and within the next five years, it will become an essential part of every Nurse’s toolkit.”
At Fresh Clinics, we always prioritize safety and stay on top of clinical education for our members, which is why we use our very own ultrasound technology on-site in our training facilities. Cathy recommends embracing the learning curve and mentioned, "I think it {ultrasound} is a hundred percent necessary because you've got experts in the field and top doctors who use it every day as well and have been using it for years."
Simply search "Ultrasound" in the Fresh Shop to explore your purchasing options, or learn more by watching our range of ultrasound webinars in the Fresh Resource Hub, or talk to your Account Manager for further advice.
Not a Fresh Clinics member yet? Reach out to our team today, call us, or schedule a time to chat below to discuss how to become a Fresh Clinics member and take advantage of Fresh Training initiatives today.
The Fresh Life 2024
Discover the ultimate aesthetic conference experience at The Fresh Life 2024 in Byron Bay, Australia.
Unparalleled Aesthetic Conference Experience
Experience an aesthetic conference like no other at The Fresh Life 2024. Our event is designed to be innovative, immersive, adventurous, and distinctly different from traditional industry conferences. We strive to deliver a conference experience that will leave you inspired and transformed.
At The Fresh Life, you can expect inspiring content both on and off stage. From live demos to hands-on training, our conference is packed with valuable opportunities to learn and grow. Connect with like-minded peers and sponsors in a relaxed environment that encourages networking and collaboration.
The Fresh Life is more than just a conference; it's a gathering ground for cosmetic professionals. It unifies personal and professional aspects of your life, providing you with everything you need to live 'The Fresh Life'. Join us and be prepared for perspective, confidence, community, self-care, and life-changing moments.
Innovative Features and Highlights
At The Fresh Life 2024, we have fine-tuned every detail to create an even more magical experience. From inspiring keynote speakers to interactive workshops, our conference is filled with innovative features and highlights that will ignite your creativity and push boundaries.
Immerse yourself in the latest trends and techniques through live demos and hands-on training. Get a glimpse of the future of aesthetics and discover cutting-edge products and technologies. Our goal is to provide you with the tools and knowledge you need to stay ahead in the industry.
Experience the beauty of Byron Bay and the magical subtropical rainforest surrounding The Crystalbrook. Our venue embodies nature, responsible luxury, and mindfulness, creating the perfect setting for a conference-come-wellness retreat. Prepare to be inspired by the stunning surroundings and let nature fuel your creativity.
Valuable Networking Opportunities
Networking is a key element of The Fresh Life 2024. Connect with fellow attendees, industry experts, and sponsors to expand your professional network and build valuable relationships. Our conference provides numerous networking opportunities, both during the event and after.
By staying at Elements of Byron Bay, our on-site accommodation, you can continue networking and building connections even after the conference ends. This night-time retreat allows you to keep the Fresh bubble going and further cultivate relationships with like-minded professionals. Don't miss out on this unique chance to connect and collaborate.
Experiential Unification of Personal and Professional
The Fresh Life 2024 is not just about professional development; it's about personal growth and well-being. Our conference offers an experiential unification of personal and professional aspects, providing a holistic approach to aesthetics.
Discover the power of self-care and how it can enhance your professional life. Gain confidence in your abilities and perspective through inspiring talks and immersive experiences. Connect with a supportive community of cosmetic professionals who understand the unique challenges and rewards of the industry. The Fresh Life is here to help you thrive in all areas of your life.
Revolutionising Clinic Insights for Fresh Members
As a Fresh member, you have access to our revolutionary clinic insights through The Clinic Dashboard. This powerful tool is designed to transform clinic and patient management, providing you with the tools to identify opportunities for business growth.
With the Fresh Insights Dashboards, you can analyze patient demographics, product usage trends, and clinic performance. Identify growth opportunities, streamline workflows, and drive continuous improvement. Stay on top of your product purchases, spend breakdown, and dosage trends. Benchmark yourself against high-volume clinics and gain industry-first insights about your patients.
Take advantage of this opportunity to navigate success with Fresh Insights. Unlock the potential of your clinic and achieve new levels of growth and excellence.