‘Here we go again’ is a phrase we have heard a lot in our industry, as businesses nationwide are forced to close their clinic doors yet again with another National lockdown. Our Award-Winning Aesthetic Artist and columnist, Amish Patel discusses lockdown limbo and the impact of the ‘Zoom Effect’ in his latest entry.
“Like all my contemporaries, industry colleagues and industry friends, the most recent series of lockdowns and now national lockdown closure has been the toughest blow to date. Just as we thought we might be able to start to move forward again with our covid-safe protocols still firmly in place, the lockdown returned to the South East and our clinic was forced to close and then the National lockdown returned with no definite release date.
Reflecting on the first lockdown back in March, there’s certainly been an interesting shift in desires and reasoning behind coming to the clinic as first-time aesthetic clients. At Intrigue, we have always focused on being part of our client’s approach to wellbeing and self-care, but I think during the first lockdown, we certainly saw that narrative being more widely accepted. People were undoubtedly using that time for an introspective reflection of the way they were living, and how they looked.
From taking up exercise through to eating more healthily, taking better care of yourself was undoubtedly on the agenda. The emergence of video calls as the principal choice of communication led to the beauty industry seeing a new and rapid uptake in sales. Consumers began to scrutinise their appearances even more and started shopping online with urgency. Skincare products which helped boost the skin, make-up which promised flawless skin tone, home hair dye that wouldn’t turn your hair green and even beauty lighting, as used by YouTube influencers were all selling out.
The race for gorgeous, and the ‘Zoom Effect’ was born!
Prior to the first lockdown, I would say that celebrities, beauty trends and fashion influenced treatment choices. However, after lockdown, there was a definite shift in the new first time clients wanting to do something more for themselves instead of being strongly influenced by these external factors. It was more about exploring treatments or small ‘tweakments’ that would considerably supercharge their confidence.
Welcoming a new client that had been self-conscious about her nose for many years but who had finally plucked up the courage to have non-surgical rhinoplasty because, in her words, she wanted to live for today and not ‘wish or want, but do’ was a highlight for me. Seeing the difference, the treatment has made to her in her follow up virtual consultation was wonderful.
Another highlight was a first time client who felt that he needed a refresh, and for him, Botox was the perfect solution. He was particularly delighted that during his work video calls, his clients commented about how well he was keeping and asked his secret! Obviously, he didn’t divulge his aesthetic work, but it gave him the confidence boost he felt he lacked in the boardroom.
We all know the positive impact that our work has on our clients, and we all hope to be able to look forward to opening our doors to welcome back both new and existing clients.
Wishing you all the very best during these challenging times and may much brighter times lay ahead.”
About Amish Patel
Amish’s extensive training includes at the Royal College Of General Practitioners and with some of the best Harley Street, International Aesthetic Doctors in the sector. Amish launched Intrigue Cosmetic Clinic in 2016, and his talent for creating beautiful results without the need for surgery has seen his loyal clientele grow year on year.
Amish Patel is an Award-Winning aesthetics practitioner. Amish’s extensive training includes at the Royal College Of General Practitioners and with some of the best Harley Street, International Aesthetic Doctors in the sector.
Amish launched Intrigue Cosmetic Clinic in 2016, and his talent for creating beautiful results without the need for surgery has seen his loyal clientele grow year on year. Amongst the many procedures Amish offers is Non-surgical Rhinoplasty which has built Amish an international reputation for being the ‘go-to’ ‘liquid nose job guru’. A long standing member of ‘Save Face’ Amish has achieved ‘excellence’ rating. Save Face is a national register of Accredited practitioners who provide non-surgical cosmetic treatments such as anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers. Their Register is accredited by Professional Standards Authority and is recognised by the Government, The Department of Health, NHS England and The Care Quality Commission.
Amish is also a member of the ACE Group (Aesthetic Complications Expert) Group. Amish’s background as an Award-Winning pharmacist, also gives him unrivalled knowledge and expertise in both the products he chooses to work with and achievable results. Amish is also a respected aesthetics trainer and regularly features in the national and international press.