Sharon Bennett’s Expert Insights

Aesthetic nurse prescriber Sharon Bennett is the Clinical Lead of the Aesthetics Clinical Advisory Board and the chair of the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses (BACN).

Here, Aesthetics imparts some of the wisdom gained from her 20+ years’ experience…

What innovative aesthetic concept have you got your eye on?

I’m actively looking into the research behind regenerative medicine and wellness at the moment. Aesthetics has always been centred on extrinsic appearance, but it’s time to look at intrinsic ageing as well, and I’m interested in incorporating this into my practice.

What are your go-to treatments for dull skin?

I always begin with skincare – ZO Skin is my goto – and I make sure my patients know how to use it effectively. Products like Restylane Skinboosters and Profhilo are other great options for prolonged hydration, and various devices can also help rejuvenate the skin. My patients love Hydrafacials and microneedling treatments – I have an Endymed Intensif RF and a SkinMed Derma FNS Pen.

What are your top tips for administering cheek filler?

Start off with an in-depth consultation to make sure cheek filler will actually address the patient’s concerns. Before administering the product, you need a good understanding of the anatomy and product rheology to optimise placement and results.

How do you choose what filler to use?

There are hundreds of fillers on the market, but I only go for those with US FDA approval. Listen to the evidence behind certain products rather than sales rhetoric. I’ve been using Restylane since it arrived in the UK in the late 1990s, and now also use Revanesse due to their safety profiles.

What are three reasons to join an industry association?

1. Practitioners often work in isolation, so it’s beneficial to build a support network

2. Associations present up-to-date and non-partisan information to boost your education

3. Having support from associations like ACE Group World or CMAC gives you confidence in the case of complications

Why do you recommend reading publications like Aesthetics?

There are golden nuggets in every publication you read. The Aesthetics journal, for example, provides news, case studies, advice and more, and publications like the Journal of Aesthetic Nursing or the British Dermatology Journal contain full papers on emerging research.