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In conversation with Julie Scott

We hear from the nurse practitioner on her recent awards, menopausal skin and the industry trends to watch





You recently won Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner of the Year twice—what does winning mean to you?
Winning Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner of the Year at both the Aesthetics Awards and the Aesthetic Medicine Awards is an incredible honour, and deeply humbling. This recognition fills me with immense pride and a profound sense of achievement. Over the years I have worked tirelessly, always striving to elevate the role of nurses within our field. These awards demonstrate the evolution of my career from an injector to a mentor, educator, writer, and presenter.

I am grateful for the support and kindness I’ve received from patients, colleagues, and mentors—their encouragement has inspired me to continually pursue my dreams. Each day in this profession is a privilege, offering opportunities to make a difference. This latest recognition reinforces my commitment to nursing and reminds me of the profound influence this career has on my life.

Why do you use ZO Skin Health products, and what are your must-haves?
ZO Skin Health has been a cornerstone of my clinic for the past eight years, and it’s here to stay—the products are incredibly effective and results-driven, catering to a range of skin concerns and allowing me to address each patient’s unique needs. For compromised skin, active acne, or ageing concerns, ZO products offer versatile solutions that yield great results. I appreciate how they allow me to start treatments gently and progress to more intensive regimens as needed.
Some of my must-haves include Exfoliating Cleanser which is an absolute staple for keeping skin clean and clear; Exfoliating Polish—the best physical exfoliator on the market, leaving skin smooth and radiant; Daily Power Defense which is essential for improving the skin’s barrier function; Growth Factor Serum for impressive rejuvenation without harsh resurfacing; and, the game-changing Oil Control Pads for managing oil production and improving overall skin health.

Dr Zein Obagi’s pioneering approach to managing skin health has made a significant difference for my patients. Each of these products holds a special place in my practice and personal skincare routine. They are integral to achieving and maintaining healthy, beautiful skin.

What are the challenges when it comes to menopausal skin, and what does it need, from both a topical and an aesthetics standpoint?
Menopausal skin is multi-factorially challenging. It can be incredibly sensitive yet also prone to oiliness and adult acne breakouts. The barrier function often becomes compromised, leading to inflammation and unpredictable changes. What once worked for a patient may no longer be effective, necessitating a personalised approach to skincare. From my experience, it’s essential to assess each patient’s specific needs and prescribe skincare accordingly. Below are my key considerations and recommendations:

  • Barrier support: Use products with ceramides and fatty acids to restore and maintain the skin barrier
  • Sun protection: Physical sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to avoid irritation and provide effective protection
  • Gentle retinoids: For those who can’t tolerate Vitamin A, growth factors and peptides offer rejuvenation without harshness
  • Antioxidants: Vitamin C helps with free radical scavenging, brightens the skin, and addresses hyperpigmentation and dullness
  • Exfoliation: Chemical exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs gently remove dead skin cells and promote cell turnover
  • Frequent reviews: Regularly reassess and adjust skincare regimens as menopausal skin can be highly changeable.
Tailoring treatments to each patient’s needs, ensuring a strong skin barrier, and avoiding overstimulation can help manage menopausal skin effectively.

What do you think are the industry trends to watch?
Regenerative aesthetic medicine is a key trend to watch. This field, focused on rejuvenating the skin from within, is gaining momentum. My philosophy of prevention aligns perfectly with this approach, which enhances the body’s natural ability to repair and regenerate tissue, leading to healthier, more youthful-looking skin. Exciting developments include injectables like polynucleotide-based hybrid dermal fillers and Profhilo. These stimulate the body’s own regenerative processes, promoting collagen production and improving skin elasticity and hydration.

While traditional hyaluronic acid fillers will always have a place, the industry is moving towards biohacking and holistic skin health. Biohacking uses advanced methods to enhance skin health at a cellular level, including injectables, topical treatments, and lifestyle interventions.

I am particularly invested in this holistic approach as it aligns with my commitment to comprehensive skin health. By focusing on regenerative treatments, we achieve better, sustainable results, moving beyond
cosmetic fixes to long-term skin vitality.

Regenerative aesthetic medicine, with its emphasis on skin rejuvenation and biohacking, represents a significant shift in how we approach skin health and ageing, offering exciting possibilities for the future
of aesthetic treatments.

How does the HydroPeptide range fit into what you offer in clinic, and what are your product essentials?
Integrating the HydroPeptide range has been a fantastic decision, providing my patients with the highest quality medical-grade skincare.

I cherry-pick products from various ranges to ensure personalised care, and the products have earned their place both on my clinic shelves and in my own routine.
The products stand out for their advanced peptide technology, which targets and improves various skin concerns, from ageing to hydration. Below are some essential products I love and highly recommend to my patients:


SPF Products
Protecting the skin from harmful UV rays is crucial. My favourites are Solar Defense Tinted SPF for a natural glow, and Solar Defense Non-Tinted SPF for a clear finish. These sunscreens also provide hydration and antioxidant protection.


Firma-Bright 20% Vitamin C Booster
This serum is packed with Vitamin C, which brightens the skin, reduces hyperpigmentation, and protects against environmental damage, significantly improving skin tone and radiance.


Firma-Fix Nectar
This neck and décolletage serum helps firm, smooth, and rejuvenate this often-neglected area, making it a new favourite among my patients.


Julie Scott is an Independent Nurse Prescriber, Level 7 qualified aesthetic injector, and trainer with over 30 years of experience in the field of plastics and skin rejuvenation. Her clinic, Facial Aesthetics, based in Essex, won the “Best Clinic South of England” at the 2023 Aesthetics Awards. Julie is an aesthetic mentor and international speaker in addition to being a Key Opinion Leader for several leading aesthetic brands.
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