Kerry Hanaphy, renowned as Ireland’s ‘Lip Queen,’ has carved out an impressive career in the aesthetics industry. Starting as a nurse, her journey into aesthetic treatments was driven by a personal connection to laser treatments for her daughter’s birthmark. This experience laid the foundation for her expertise and passion for aesthetic nursing.

With three locations across Dublin – South William Street, Citywest and Swords, the Kerry Hanaphy Clinic has long been at the forefront of skincare and anti-ageing in Ireland, offering their dedicated clients only the finest in a vast array of treatments. From Fillers, Botox, Profhilo, Facials, and non-invasive Sofwave to the newly introduced Polynucleotides and a quartet of InMode offerings – Morpheus8, Forma, Diolazexl and Lumecca, there is something available to suit all skin types, tones and desires.

Kerry spoke to Hi Style about the aesthetics industry in Ireland. She also discussed how she keeps up with trends and innovations while maintaining high standards and safety in her clinics. 

Early Career and Transition to Aesthetics

Kerry’s nursing career began in 1991, encompassing roles in asthma care management and as a respiratory nurse advisor in the NHS. Her experience managing clinics shaped her approach to aesthetics. She emphasises the importance of understanding the intricacies of clinic operations, which has been instrumental in her success. 

She says: “Aside from medical knowledge, the ability to run a successful clinic and understanding its repetitiveness was a huge takeaway from my career in pre-aesthetics.”

Keeping Safety and Quality Standards High

Kerry Hanaphy clinics have been awarded the Clinic of Excellence from Teoxane for three consecutive years. Its commitment to the ongoing training and upskilling of the team is paramount. 

Kerry’s training protocols for several aesthetic treatments are meticulous due to her experience as a national trainer.Furthermore, ensuring all trainees have verified medical qualifications is standard practice.

“Training and upskilling is extremely relevant to us, so much so we are developing our own in-house training facility in the coming months which will service our own team as well as training for clinics across Ireland,” she explains.

Aesthetics Sector in Ireland

Kerry acknowledges the progress in Ireland’s aesthetics sector, but she believes that while regulations are essential, educating the public on the risks of non-medical providers is crucial. 

“There will always be a black market in the industry. It’s how we educate the public on these risks that will make the difference”, she underscores.

Emerging Trends and Innovations

For Kerry, the aesthetics industry is like riding a rollercoaster. “From the day I started 20 years ago, all I had in my, as they call it, toolbox was fillers. Now today fillers are only 1 of the 20 to 30 different treatments we offer in each of the 3 clinics. It’s all about diversifying your offering”, she says.

According to her, what’s changing most now is regenerative medicine and looking at the skin from several angles. The key is to understand that the treatment plan must target each layer of the skin, so it’s not just about stuffing your face with fillers. 

“It’s about looking at your clients’ elastin, fat deposits, and pigmentation. Every aspect of the skin needs a different treatment, so finding the right plan is key”, Kerry emphasises.  

Advice for Aspiring Aesthetic Nurses

Kerry advises aspiring aesthetic nurses to never compromise on quality. From products to clinic maintenance, she believes that attention to detail and quality assurance are key to client satisfaction and business success.

“Your business is all about return customers,” she stresses.

Future Expansion Plans

In addition to expanding her Citywest clinic, Kerry Hanaphy plans to set up a training academy. An upcoming rebrand and new product developments are also underway.

Keeping up with new technologies and treatments is part of Kerry’s commitment to staying ahead of the curve in the industry.

With a strong nursing foundation and a passion for aesthetics, Kerry Hanaphy continues to lead the industry with innovative treatments and a commitment to quality and education. 

Kerry Hanaphy Clinic

Locations:

  • South William Street, Dublin
  • Citywest, Dublin
  • Swords, Dublin

Contact: