By Linda Mather (Lead Nurse & Director)
5 minute read
A few weeks ago, I was at Costa enjoying my Soy Cappuccino when I noticed a woman reading a newspaper, the headline (Daily Mirror) was ‘WILD WEST OF COSMETIC SURGERY IN BRITAIN.’ Instantly, I felt compelled to buy the paper. As I read the article, I found myself relieved that the risk to public health from Aesthetic treatments that are being delivered by inadequately prepared people had actually made the front of a newspaper. It leads me to the idea that I should share my own thoughts on the subject and restart the Chamonix Clinic blog and I will begin with my first blog post in many years here on the Chamonix Clinic website!
Writing this blog isn’t something I take lightly, but after over 40 years in nursing, I’ve seen enough to know that the public needs more guidance when it comes to aesthetic and cosmetic procedures. Whether you’re a patient at the Chamonix Clinic or just someone curious about the world of aesthetic procedures, I’ve got a lot to say—and I’m eager to share it!
For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Linda Mather. My journey in nursing began when I was just 18, and for over four decades, I’ve been dedicated to patient care, learning, and evolving with the times. Along the way, I’ve come to understand the challenges and risks of the aesthetics world, which is why I’m passionate about giving patients the information they deserve.
Aesthetic Care: It’s About More Than Just Needles
Aesthetic care is about so much more than simply injecting needles into someone’s face. I’ve been a nurse since 1983 (yes, I know, I’m really old!). Over the years, I’ve learned so much about anatomy, physiology, and holistic patient care. While I might not be an expert in every medical or surgical field, I have an extensive understanding of many, and perhaps most importantly, I have developed a deep intuition for when something is wrong with a patient. It’s what I call a nurse’s gut instinct—and trust me, it never fails!
There have been countless times when I’ve told a patient, “I’m not treating you today. I need you to see your GP first.” I’ve helped many people avoid or detect early signs of serious health conditions—like facial or oral cancers, motor neurone disease, vision loss, and more. These are things I didn’t learn from a one-day training course. They come from years of experience, skills, and ongoing education.
For example, I spent months working toward my prescribing qualification, so I can safely assess each patient’s suitability for treatment and prescribe the necessary corrective medication if something goes wrong. I also hold a Master’s in Aesthetic Practice, which took me three years to complete, and a PGCert in Education, so I can teach and guide other professionals. This is all part of my commitment to leaving a strong legacy, ensuring that the next generation of professionals is just as dedicated as I am. I’m an expert in managing complications—something that doesn’t come easily and certainly doesn’t happen overnight. It’s taken years of learning and practice.
To put it in perspective: if I need legal advice, I’m going to hire a qualified solicitor, not someone who has just taken a one-day course on law. It simply wouldn’t make sense to trust something as important as my health—or yours—to someone without proper qualifications or experience.
What to Expect at the Chamonix Clinic
When you visit the Chamonix Clinic, expect to spend some time with us. This isn’t a quick in-and-out kind of consultation. We take the time to educate you, understand your needs, and learn about your motivations. What has driven you to seek treatment? What are you experiencing—physically, mentally, or emotionally? What treatments have you had before, and what do you know about aesthetic procedures?
Please understand that this process takes time, but we do it to protect you and ensure the best possible outcome for your treatment. We want to delight you and our aim is to provide you with a result that will leave you feeling confident and happy—and that will also let me sleep soundly at night, knowing you’re safe.
One last thing—please forgive me if you try to show me Instagram posts and I politely decline to look. I understand that social media is full of beauty inspiration, but many of those posts violate advertising laws, and as a registered healthcare professional, I have a duty of care. Once I’ve seen something illegal, it puts me in a difficult position, and I cannot engage with content that doesn’t meet proper ethical standards.
Thank You for Reading
I hope this post gives you a bit of insight into how much of my life, heart, and soul I’ve invested in the Chamonix Clinic over the past 16 years. The ethos of our clinic is built on a foundation of care, expertise, and trust. Every decision we make is aimed at ensuring you receive the very best treatment possible.
Thank you for taking the time to read one of my first blog post in 2024, better late than never! Your support means the world to me. If we haven’t met yet, I hope to connect with you in the future, and if we already know each other, I look forward to seeing you again soon.
Stay tuned for more content—there’s so much I’m excited to share!
Linda xxx
