Aesthetics Mentorship - The Aesthetics Coach

Let’s have an honest discussion for a minute. An Aesthetics ‘Tox’. One that might shed some insight and share a unique perspective for nurse injectors, doctors, dentists, naturopaths or frankly anyone who is in the field of aesthetic medicine.

Today we are going to talk about the mind-blowing reality in aesthetics that most injectors fail to recognize. That is that coaching, and aesthetics mentorship, is important.

Now full disclosure – I am an aesthetics coach. My brand is THE AESTHETICS COACH and I have an obvious conflict of interest here as I point out the lack of people working with a coach in aesthetics. But what I am saying is no secret.

COACHING IS IMPORTANT. Im not splitting the atom here with this assertion.

Given this is the first of a few blogs I am keen to share, I think it is important to credential myself and share the uniqueness of my aesthetics situation.

Andrew Dargie - The Aesthetics Coach

I’ve had the honor of training more injectors than anyone else in Canada over the past half decade. I’ve been fortunate to teach on behalf of some of the largest aesthetic pharmaceutical companies and device manufactures in the world. Ive been to almost all the big conferences and meeting around the world, been a part of very select advisory boards for the newest developments in aesthetic medicine years before they have reached the market and I’ve been contracted out to teach advanced procedures to some of Canada’s most established clinics. I also own multiple cosmetic clinics and still work as an injector.

I was also a newbie to aesthetics, just under a decade ago. I never lose sight of that. I remember why I started the botox course, which became Canada’s first nationwide hands on training program. It was to do right by people who wanted to pursue their aesthetic dream and give them a coaching opportunity to start their career off on the right foot. That commitment and motivation has never changed.

Thus, I hope my message hits home.

The Importance of Aesthetics Mentorship

A concerning majority of injectors have never had a coach, do effectively no training for their job are utterly out of touch with reality thinking their skillset is up to date. What’s even more worrisome is that there are going to be some people reading this that get offended thinking they are not in need of any coaching.

They might think to themselves that because they have injected for years, own a clinic, or attend industry sponsored dinner meetings they are an exception to my assertion.

Sorry – you’re not.

What’s even more troubling than the previous two scary things Ive said – is that injectors are a group of people that can actually afford a coach! But more than 95% choose not to! I remember paying for athletic coaching when I was making $9/hour.

Best investment I made at the time. I was already the fastest runner in the province and once I got a coach, I became one of the fastest sprinters in the world for my age which earned me full scholarship offers to the best and most prestigious academic and athletic schools. Scholarships worth over $250,000 in tuition but with a lifetime value of millions.

I share this somewhat recent story with you to illustrate what continues to blow my mind as I work in the field of aesthetics. It is that medical professionals, who know that 1 vial of botox is with over $1,000 of revenue, refuse to spend a nickel to improve their skillset!

I met a newer dermatologist with a practice in British Columbia who asked for free aesthetics coaching. He literally tried to squeeze free coaching out of me saying he couldn’t afford it. This, after bragging about purchasing a multi-million dollar house and giving me a tour of his multimillion dollar clinic. This guy was offering aesthetics treatments despite having NEVER taken a training program in aesthetics. Never once taken a minute of aesthetics education! The public is generally unaware of the lack of standards in the field of aesthetics, so this may be surprising for some. Over the years I have had some of his patients come to my clinic wondering why the injections hurt so incredibly much. I know for a fact he used a 27 gauge needle, and not a 31G needle. I just shake my head.

For those non medical people reading this – a 27G needle for botox in the forehead would be remarkably painful. Can you imagine - just one little tip: use an appropriate 31G needle! And for the next few decades he might not experience patient attrition. 

So, when I see someone making a million dollars a year (public health care billings are public knowledge) and being so incredibly cheap that they wouldn’t pay to improve their skillset, or so delusional to think they don’t need a coach, or lack the insight and be so arrogant as to not recognize their own limitations -  its just one of many years of crazy, head scratching stories that keep my head bald!

Get a coach. Recognize that when you are in your clinic it is game time. Professionals don’t just practice during the games. They practice every day. Outside of paid hours. With the guidance of someone who will elevate their game. Aesthetics coaching is an insignificant and nominal price to pay for a skillset of a lifetime.

If you have more questions about coaching, or you're ready to get serious about your aesthetics practice, give me a shout.

Andrew Dargie

PS. I personally have a business coach I meet with monthly, on top of an engaged mentor I work with every second week.