The Definition of Insanity: Whether You Fear or Embrace it, Change is Constant

Change can be daunting; but amidst a global ‘new normal’, beauty salons & clinics are having to face challenges head on, adapting to survive. It’s not all doom and gloom – change can actually be extremely profitable and rewarding, and provides a fantastic opportunity to refresh your service offering to give your clients access to the most advanced and high-quality treatments. That is where we come in, with our SMART technology designed for profitability, efficiency and incredible results. 

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again – but expecting different results.”  – Albert Einstein. 

As the second hand on my watch reminds me, change is a constant – and we’ve certainly seen a lot of it so far this year. With most beauty salon & clinic owners working most, if not all, days of the week, the forced break in the beauty industry initiated by COVID-19 was certainly a big change. As salons & clinics begin to reopen, uncertainty is rife and many owners are still exploring how they can provide their usual high-quality treatments to their client bases at the volume and the standard they used to. We’re here to give our advice. 

Fear change, or embrace it

Never have we seen more clearly what change can do! The events of the pandemic have changed our lives, businesses and probably the future.

The important question for the beauty industry now is: What will a changed world offer to aesthetic beauty operators?

Facing a ‘new normal’

For decades, the aesthetic beauty salon has served its clients with treatments, services and products. Dedicated salon & clinic owners and practitioners have used their time, attention and skills to help clients achieve their skin health goals, massage away their stress, instil confidence in how they look and help them to feel better in themselves. 

So, what’s changed?

Not the consumer demand – the need to feel and look great is there as always, and aesthetic services are just as valuable as ever. However, the way in which these services and treatments can be delivered has changed, potentially forever. So, we now have to accept this new normal whilst still finding ways to provide clients with the experiences that they come to salons and clinics for. 

The challenges

The fear created by Covid guidelines – suggesting a facial is more dangerous than a haircut – has greatly affected the core demographic who use our services, who tend to feel the most at risk and vulnerable. Instilling trust and confidence in the safety of aesthetic treatments is a key challenge facing many salons and clinics. 

In addition, the cost of delivering many normal old treatments has risen, forcing businesses to reconsider their service offerings. Accompanying this is the cost of PPE, and the fact that salons and clinics have been forced to offer fewer treatments per hour to comply with social distancing measures. 

The solution? Embrace change

You need to bring back the confidence of your core market. Adjusting your service offering may be just one way to do this, by embracing new technologies to offer ‘no-touch’ treatments such as the  SMARTMeso  and  SMART EM Shape . In this way you can also deliver treatments more quickly – think 30-minute facials! – so that you can still produce incredible results, but with half the time; and double the profit! 

Technologies also provide the opportunity to diversify your offering. Have you previously offered body treatments, for example? Widening your service offering can draw in a wider audience, and reignite the excitement of cautious existing clients. If you are passionate and enthusiastic about what you do, showing your clients that you are always looking forward, you may just find that that positive energy is contagious!

Whether you fear or embrace change, one thing is for certain: Change is constant, and how we choose to adapt to the new normal will define our sanity – and our success. 

If you want to talk about your business, contact me on  Josh@the-smartgroup.co.uk  or  call 01344 411480.

By Dee Malan • November 9, 2026
At Smart Group, there's nothing more rewarding than seeing our customers grow, succeed and take their businesses to new heights. And our ongoing partnership with Amy Shaw of Take Five Skin & Laser is a fantastic example of just that. We're incredibly proud to celebrate the launch of Studio 147 Academy and Studio 147 Creative Space, two exciting new ventures founded by Amy and her business partners, combining professional education, industry expertise and creative business support under one roof. From Successful Clinic Owner to Industry Educator Having successfully run Take Five Skin & Laser for eight years, Amy brings a wealth of experience in skin, laser and education, including ten years working with City & Guilds as an assessor and internal quality assurer. Together with Mike, a Registered Nurse, Independent and Supplementary Prescriber with over 20 years of industry experience, she has created Studio 147 Academy with a clear ambition: to raise the standard of education in skin, laser and aesthetics. The academy offers small-group and one-to-one training, with an emphasis on practical experience, transparency and ongoing support long after training is complete. Professional Training, Qualifications and Mentorship Studio 147 Academy offers a comprehensive range of courses designed to help both aspiring and established practitioners develop their skills, confidence and expertise. Courses include: Facial Protocols and SMARTMeso ULTRAfacial: A 360° Approach to Exceptional Skin Dermaplaning Microneedling Laser Hair Removal Laser Skin: Acne, Pigmentation, Rejuvenation and Vascular Anti-Wrinkle Treatments: Foundation and Advanced Dermal Fillers: Foundation and Advanced Cannula Training Vitamin Injections (Combined Course CPD courses are already available, with VTCT-accredited qualifications and mentorship programmes launching in January 2027 . With small class sizes, hands-on learning and ongoing support, the academy aims to equip practitioners with more than just a qualification — providing the practical skills and confidence to build successful careers and businesses. A Collaboration Built on Shared Values Our relationship with Amy extends beyond supplying technology to Take Five Skin & Laser. Smart Group technologies and products are used within both her clinic and the academy, giving students the opportunity to learn using professional equipment and products employed in a working aesthetics business. As part of our collaboration, we're also delighted to offer exclusive discounts on Smart Group devices and AQ Skin Solutions products to Studio 147 Academy students, helping make that first step into business ownership or expanding a treatment offering more accessible. In return, we're proud to support Amy and Mike by promoting their academy and helping introduce their expertise to our wider network of salon owners and aesthetic practitioners. It's a genuine team effort, built around a shared commitment to education, quality and helping businesses succeed. Introducing Studio 147 Creative Space But the vision doesn't stop at education. Alongside the academy, Amy and Sarah of Be Social East Mids have launched Studio 147 Creative Space , a beautifully designed environment where businesses can create professional photography, video content, personal branding assets and social media content. From headshots and product photography to reels, launches and masterclasses, the space helps practitioners build their brands and showcase their expertise. Together, the two ventures offer something particularly valuable: the opportunity to learn a new skill and then gain the creative tools to confidently take it to market. Growing Together, Succeeding Together For Smart Group, this collaboration represents exactly what we believe successful partnerships should look like.  It's not simply about providing equipment. It's about supporting ambitious people, sharing expertise, opening doors and creating opportunities for the next generation of aesthetic professionals. We're incredibly proud of what Amy, Mike and the wider Studio 147 team have achieved and excited to play a part in their next chapter. Congratulations to the entire Studio 147 team — we can't wait to see what you achieve next! An Exclusive 15% Discount for the Smart Group Community! To celebrate our collaboration, Studio 147 Academy is offering 15% off any training course booked by 31 March 2027 when you mention Smart Group. Whether you're looking to gain a new qualification, introduce a new treatment or invest in your professional development, this is a fantastic opportunity to take that next step for less. Simply contact Studio 147 Academy, mention that you heard about them through Smart Group, and claim your 15% discount when booking. Find Out More & Claim Your Discount Website: www.studio-147academy.co.uk Email: info@studio-147academy.co.uk Instagram: @Studio147academy
By Dee Malan • October 2, 2026
We’re excited to introduce SMARTDiode ULTIMA – the next generation of SMARTDiode technology and the most advanced laser hair removal platform we have ever brought to our customers.  Created for specialist and expert clinics that refuse to compromise , ULTIMA brings together outstanding performance, exceptional client comfort and greater treatment flexibility in one premium professional platform. It represents an exciting evolution of our laser offering and gives established clinics the technology to deliver an even higher standard of laser hair removal. Taking professional laser hair removal to the next level Laser hair removal continues to be one of the most in-demand treatments in aesthetics. But as the market becomes increasingly competitive, simply offering laser hair removal is no longer enough. Clients expect excellent results, greater comfort and a premium experience, while clinics need technology that allows practitioners to work efficiently, confidently and adapt treatments to the individual client. That is exactly where SMARTDiode ULTIMA comes in. ULTIMA delivers 20% more laser power , with up to 120 J/cm², alongside pulse widths up to 60% shorter. Advanced sensor-controlled cooling provides a 25% improvement in cooling efficiency, while Super Cooling Mode has been designed to maximise client comfort throughout treatment. Clinics also have the flexibility of triple and single wavelength options across 755nm, 808nm and 1064nm , together with dual handpieces and multiple spot sizes to provide both fast treatment coverage and precision when working on smaller areas. But ULTIMA isn't only about what's happening beneath the skin. From handpieces that are 30% lighter to reduce therapist fatigue, to quieter operation, intelligent software, customisable treatment parameters and Smart Cloud diagnostics, the platform has been selected with the day-to-day realities of running a busy professional clinic in mind. Built for clinics that want to lead For us, SMARTDiode ULTIMA is about giving ambitious clinics the opportunity to differentiate their laser offering rather than compete in an increasingly crowded market on price alone. As our CEO, Josh Yardley, explains: “ULTIMA represents the next generation of SMARTDiode and, we believe, the strongest laser platform we have ever brought to our customers. We know what specialist and expert clinics expect from their technology – outstanding performance, reliability and an exceptional client experience – and ULTIMA delivers at that level.” ULTIMA is also supported by our three-year fix-or-replace warranty , helping protect your investment and keep one of your clinic's most important revenue-generating devices operational.
By Dee Malan • September 4, 2026
We’re delighted to announce an exciting new partnership between Smart Group Medical and Wigmore Medical, with Wigmore appointed as our exclusive pharmacy partner for AQ Skin Solutions in the UK.
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