In conversation with Sally Wheeler

What’s your favourite aesthetic treatment to perform and why?
For me, it’s not about performing the actual treatment that makes it my favourite, it’s the results that I achieve and the affect that has on my patients’ self-esteem, confidence and quality of life. I have history of acne and consequently I have developed a passion for treating long-term skin conditions. I love devising treatment plans that start with medical grade skin care before moving onto in-clinic treatments, such as chemical peels, microneedling, polynucleotides, radiofrequency, microneedling and laser.

What is your signature approach when it comes to treating your patients?
Treating patients holistically and starting with a thorough consultation. We discuss diet, lifestyle, exercise, stress, hormones, supplements, amongst other contributing factors and devise a treatment plan combining therapies for best results. I love the trust and relationship that this builds with my patients. I invest my time in them, providing thorough reviews and achieving amazing results along the journey.

Why do you use HydroPeptide products?
At the beginning of the year, I began a masters in dermatology. Long-term skin conditions are multi causal, we studied amongst other topics, the pathophysiology of skin conditions, contributing extrinsic and intrinsic factors, such as lifestyle, environmental factors, the mind- gut- skin axis and genetics. It was very apparent that there is still so much to learn about the relationship between genetics and skin, I think with further understanding about genotypes it will really help to development treatments.

HydroPeptide caught my attention when I learnt that the product range was developed by geneticists, and that the science behind the brand focuses on peptides and the way in which they interact and communicate with DNA.

I wasn’t looking for a new brand as I had been very happy with the results that I was achieving and the thought of learning a whole new brand felt overwhelming. But once I started using the products, I really fell in love. They are so luxurious, every time I use the products I feel like I have been to a spa, they smell amazing, feel amazing, they are so hydrating and gentle, my skin looks so healthy too. I have a history of moderate nodular cystic acne and although I have managed to keep the condition under control, products and treatment have always been quite harsh and aggressive, involving downtime. I love that my skin now feels hydrated, soft and the texture is even, the oils are controlled and it looks healthy. I love that this has been achieved without feeling like I have used anything harsh, over exfoliating or stripping.

Who does the range best suit and why?
I think this brand suits everyone, but I have found it excels for patients that have a compromised skin barrier. Previously I found it quite challenging treating skin with excess oils, breakouts, but sensitised and dry at the same time. For my rosacea, menopausal and post cancer treatment patients it has been incredible.

It has also been lovely to transition my patients onto HydroPeptide. My patients’ skin feels and looks so much calmer, stronger and importantly the skin conditions are maintained. HydroPeptide also have lovely products for those pregnant or breastfeeding.

Which are your must-have products and why?
I have been using a lot of the products from the ‘Clarify’ range. I love the Cranberry and Pomegranate Balancing Mask. It feels a little zingy when I first apply it, but it quickly becomes gentle and my skin then looks so calm, the oils and inflammation are reduced and it leaves my complexion clear. I also love Hydraflora, which contains pre and probiotics. It has been a very popular product in my clinic and has really helped those that are struggling in the colder weather.

Do you use HydroPeptide personally? Which products?
Yes, typically I have a whole host of products. I love that you can swap and change and do what you feel your skin needs that day.
I have the Foaming Cream Cleanser and the Purifying Cleanser. I have the Polish and Plump Kit, Hydraflora, Clarifying Pads and Pre-treatment Toner. I use the Liquid Resurfacing Serum, Clear Rescue, Retinol Routine Booster and the 5x Power Peel. I also use the Balancing Mask and treat myself to the Pumpkin Peel, followed by a Moisture Infusion Mask used under my LED light.


How does HydroPeptide complement the aesthetics treatments you offer?
The majority of my patients have longterm skin conditions. I devise their treatment plan starting with medical grade skin care. It is so important to be able to provide products and a programme suitable to your patients’ needs and lifestyle.

I love that HydroPeptide is active but has a calming and hydrating nature. I love the flexibility that HydroPeptide offer and that you can dip in out of products. You really can keep the routine quite minimal or build it up. The fact that they feel so luxurious is just the cherry on top.

I have received 100% happy feedback, my patients love the products and quickly notice the improvement to their skin. Once the skin is healthy, we can advance to in clinic treatments. Consequently, the patients experience less downtime, results are enhanced and ongoing.

What do you enjoy most about working in aesthetics?
I love the variety. In one day, I can be doing anything from a consultation and a facial analysis, to radiofrequency and microneedling, laser, skin lesion removal, to a full-face of neurotoxins and dermal fillers.
I love that I never stop learning, every time you think you are getting more and more experienced, you go to a training day or conference and you feel like you’re still just at the beginning, learning a new technique, treatment or protocol. There is always so much to learn.

What do you think are the industry trends to watch?
We have all been talking about the shift towards skin and I have seen this in my clinic over the last year. We are learning more about treatments such as polynucleotides and exosomes in combination with devices such as laser, radiofrequency and microneedling. I am enjoying learning more about gut health and the microbiome and I hope that this becomes a more popular topic.


What are the future plans for you and your practice?
I have outgrown my clinic space and am needing to expand both from a space point of view and with staffing. I am currently recruiting a beauty therapist and I am hoping to buy some land, on which to build my own clinic soon. I have also just purchased the Xeo laser machine from Cutera and I am very excited to add this to the services I offer.

How does working with Wigmore complement your business, and why?
Wigmore provides so many of the products that I use in clinic, they provide training and I have such a great relationship with the Wigmore regional sales managers. They have a fountain of knowledge and are so friendly and approachable. They really helped me understand their products and helped my business grow. This year I really enjoyed presenting at two conferences for Wigmore and I have also been involved in some of their PR events too. I have experienced so much growth but with a lot of fun along the way too.


Sally Wheeler is an independent nurse prescriber, and teacher of aesthetics. Her clinic, Aesthetics by Sally is based in Caterham, Surrey.