Why We Care About Our Reputation

Working in the aesthetic beauty industry for over 25 years has taught me a lot. I have had the pleasure of working with many lovely people, but have also come across, shall we say, some more shady operators. 

My experience. Reputation matters!

That’s why ensuring the reputation of  The SMART Group  is the best it can be, is so important to our business. From the quality of treatments our products deliver (which we guarantee!), to their reliability and value, all the way through to our business sales processes, aftersales care and training – we set our bar high! 

The reason I mention this, is because now we’re going one step further, with the launch of our customer satisfaction survey. The survey will allow us to continue to improve our services and tailor our products to the needs of our customers. 

Better still, as an added win-win, for everyone who completes the survey we’ll also donate £25 to one of four charities: Mind, RSPCA, Cancer Research UK and CCHS UK (Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome). 

I therefore wanted to talk a little about the charities we have chosen:

Mind  –  www.mind.org.uk  

In uncertain and scary times such as these, the work that Mind is doing is incredibly important for people all across the UK. Mind is a charity that focuses on raising awareness of mental health and providing information & assistance to those affected by mental health illnesses. It lobbies the government and local authorities on behalf of people with mental health issues to ensure that everyone gets the help and support they need to live a healthy, happy life. They believe that no one should have to face a mental health problem alone. In these difficult times, the services of Mind are surely going to be increasingly important.

Cancer Research UK  –  www.cancerresearchuk.org  

Needing little introduction, we decided to support Cancer Research UK because of the sheer number of people cancer affects. Pioneering key research into cancer treatments and cures, Cancer Research UK aims to one day ensure all cancers are curable. They raise money to help scientists, doctors and nurses work together to help beat cancer. Donations are incredibly important at this time to get Cancer Research UK back on track after a pause in research during the initial Covid-19 outbreak. 

RSPCA  –  www.rspca.org.uk  

As a supplier to the beauty industry – we love people, but we love animals too! The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a charity specialising in animal rescue and furthering the welfare cause for all animals. From pets, to farm animals, to wild animals, to animals being tested and experimented on, the RSPCA ensures that all are treated kindly, whether that is by following up on local calls or campaigning to change the law. 

CCHS UK  –  www.cchs.uk  

Compared to our other choices, our final charity is a little known organisation supporting those with Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome. CCHS is a rare genetic condition that results in the abnormal development of the body’s nervous system during early childhood, which causes an inability to control breathing, particularly during sleep. This is a charity close to our hearts, providing networking opportunities and advocating for those who suffer with CCHS, as well as leading education and research into the disease. 

If you’ve previously purchased a SMART Group product, and would like to take our survey to give us your views and to get another £25 winging its way to a deserving charity, please drop us a note in the comments below and we will send you the link – you won’t just be helping us out, but any one of these incredible causes.

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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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