A SCOTS facialist has become one of the leading skincare experts in the country – working with celebs like singer Amy Macdonald, reality star Gemma Collins and radio DJ Vick Hope.
Nicola Russell’s skin clinic business Skin Geek based in Falkirk has gone from strength to strength after she brought the treatment dermaplaning to the UK around seven years ago.
Dermaplaning is an exfoliating treatment where a therapist scrapes off the top, dead layer of skin with a scalpel.
When she opened her own business specialising in skincare, many people thought she was crazy.
Nicola told the Scottish Sun: "Everyone thought it was mental that I was just doing skincare.
"Back then, facials were a luxury and nobody really saw it as a necessity.
"I think I was probably one of the first in Scotland to have a salon that only focused on skincare, I literally did nothing else.
"I was doing treatments that nobody else was doing and over the past seven years, it's been a gradual build up.
"Salons that just specialise in skincare are normal now, people don't see it as a luxury anymore, they see things like facials as a necessity.
As well as opening her own business, Nicola also takes a trip down to London every month to work in Phi Clinic on Harley Street.
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And has recently started working with Dr Tapan Patel at the clinic who featured on the Channel 5 reality show 10 Years Younger In 10 Days.
Between the two clinics she works at – Nicola has a handful a celebrity clients turn up for treatment.
Posting pictures on her Instagram account, big names such as former Towie stars Gemma Collins and Chloe Sims have gone for treatments.
Scots singer Amy Macdonald, Strictly dancer Ola Jordan and Radio 1 DJ Vick Hope are also regular customers at Nicola's clinic.
And Nicola is expecting an impressive clientele list to come through the door in the UK capital.
She added: "There’s a few nerves about the clients I will get through the door.
"I'm not a stranger to treating celebrities but I already know of a massive A-lister that has a spot on my first day there.
"[Dr Patel] is the go-to aesthetic doctor in London so I know he has an impressive clientele list."
Nicola originally met Dr Patel back in 2019 and admitted that she is "delighted" to be working alongside him in London.
She added: "I’d originally met Dr Patel at the Cutera University event in London back in 2019 where we were both key note speakers on their laser machines.
"I was particularly nervous about it and when everyone involved was busy with other things going on he approached me and gave me a pep talk and assured me I'd do great.
"I’ve had a soft spot for him ever since.
"So i’m delighted to be working alongside, not only someone as talented as him, but someone so kind and thoughtful.
"I’ve always been curious and open to new experiences so monthly visits are perfect for me.
"I have family and commitments in Scotland so I could never move to London permanently.
"But a change in scenery for a few days a month takes me outside my comfort zone and makes life that little bit exciting."
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