By Yuliya Culley
Novello Skin Clinic, Derbyshire
For many healthcare professionals, the idea of building a medical aesthetics business holds strong appeal, flexibility, independence, and the satisfaction of working for yourself. But as one Save Face accredited practitioner discovered, good injecting skills are only part of the equation.
In this candid reflection, Yuliya Culley, founder of Novello Skin Clinic, shares her journey from the NHS to becoming a successful aesthetic entrepreneur, and how Save Face accreditation provided structure, confidence, and peace of mind along the way.
Finding the Confidence to Start
Like many medical professionals, my background was rooted in the NHS, both in Britain and abroad. I loved my work but longed for change for more flexibility around family life, room for professional growth, and the chance to be my own boss.
But making that leap is rarely easy. Owning a business is hard work, and running one in healthcare is even harder. The truth is, good injecting skills alone don’t make a successful clinic.
Before launching my own practice, I spent five years working for a large cosmetic surgery group, learning the business side of aesthetics, operations, compliance, and quality control. Even then, I didn’t feel ready to go it alone.
The Reality of Running a Medical Aesthetics Business
When you transition from clinical work to running a medical aesthetics business, the challenges shift dramatically. Suddenly, you’re responsible for every aspect of safety, compliance, and governance.
It’s impossible to anticipate every legal and operational detail on your own, especially in a fast-evolving industry. You want to make your business “bulletproof,” but it can feel isolating, particularly when you’re striving to uphold higher standards in a competitive market.
There’s no room for guessing or hoping for the best. You need the right systems, policies, and procedures in place. And that’s where I found Save Face invaluable.
How Save Face Transformed My Practice
I joined Save Face eight years ago, and it remains one of the best decisions I’ve made for my clinic. The accreditation process gave me a clear structure to follow, with practical guidance and access to resources that helped me strengthen every aspect of my business.
The support doesn’t stop once you’re accredited. When challenges arise, such as patient complaints, having Save Face’s guidance makes all the difference. They don’t just offer compliance checklists; they provide real, human support to help practitioners reflect, improve, and protect their reputation.
It also gives patients confidence. Being listed as an accredited Save Face clinic means clients know they’re in safe, qualified hands. That reassurance helps build lasting trust and has directly contributed to my business growth.
A Partnership That Grows with You
Over the years, public awareness of Save Face has grown significantly through its partnerships with media, patient safety campaigns, and practitioner collaborations. Patients now actively seek out accredited clinics, and I’m proud that Novello Skin Clinic has achieved Platinum Status.
During our CQC registration process, the audits and documentation provided by Save Face were instrumental in demonstrating our governance standards. Their framework gave us the confidence to prove we met, and often exceeded, regulatory expectations.
Building a Sustainable Future
It’s been eight years since I first joined Save Face, starting as a solo practitioner and now leading a small team of four at our new clinic premises in Derbyshire. Patients frequently comment on the transparency and professionalism that come with being Save Face accredited, and many even scan our accreditation QR code displayed proudly at the front of our clinic.
I still have much to learn and achieve, but I know my practice is built on a foundation I can trust.
If you’re a medical professional considering the move into aesthetics, my advice is simple:
Do your best. Ask for help. Build something sustainable.
And if you want to grow your business with the right support behind you, find out more about joining Save Face as an accredited practitioner.
