Q&A: Amanda Azzopardi, Owner of Amanda Azzopardi Aesthetics

Discover how Amanda Azzopardi transitioned from 25 years in nursing and emergency medicine to leading an aesthetic practice with clinics in Liverpool, Manchester, North Wales and London.

Liverpool’s renowned skin specialist shares her insights on safe, effective treatments, the value of patient education, and navigating an ever-changing industry with integrity

Firstly, could you tell us a bit about your background – what inspired your journey from healthcare into aesthetics?

I’ve been in healthcare for about 25 years. I started off in Australia, where I did my nursing and midwifery degrees, followed by a Master’s in midwifery. I moved to the UK in 2009 and went on to complete a Master’s in Advanced Clinical Practice (ACP) in Emergency Medicine at Bangor University. I then worked in the NHS, focusing on trauma and emergency care. There was a large number of people presenting with dermatological issues – such as inflammation, acne, and skin damage – but there simply weren’t enough resources available. I started thinking that maybe I could provide some kind of service for people. I’ve always been drawn to skin care and helping people look after their appearance, and I really enjoy working with people.

Opening your first clinic in Childwall must have been a huge milestone. What stands out most in your memory from that time, and how did you go about growing the business to open further sites in Liverpool, London, Manchester and North Wales?

Oh, I was completely overwhelmed! I had no idea how to run a business – I wasn’t a businessperson; I was a nurse. I thought I’d do a few laser treatments, maybe fix a few lips on the weekend, and that would be it – a side hustle. But it grew, and then it grew even more – and I found I really enjoyed it. What I especially loved was being able to actually connect with people, to know their names. In the NHS, I could see 15 people in one shift and by the end, I’d have no idea what the first person’s name was. In the clinic, I finally had the time and space to build real relationships with my clients, and that made all the difference.

[The expansion] was really driven by demand. People kept asking me, ‘Why aren’t you in London? I’d love it if you were there’. After expanding our marketing efforts, I realised I had clientele in London, so I set up a little satellite clinic and started travelling there regularly. Each clinic is very different and serves a distinct demographic. For example, here in Liverpool, some people suggested I open in the city centre because it’s easier for transport, and we started getting many calls from Manchester too, so a satellite clinic there was a no-brainer.

You have over two decades of experience in women’s health and emergency care. Has that shaped your approach to aesthetic practice?

100%. My knowledge of anatomy has really helped me – especially with skin and explaining things during consultations. It’s important for keeping people safe. I’m continually learning, doing various update courses, and I revalidate with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Having a medical background really reassures people that you know what you’re doing. It gives them extra confidence that they’re in safe hands – especially in such an unregulated industry, where the rise of pop-up clinics can pose real risks.

Your approach is very personalised and thorough. Why is an in-depth consultation process so important to you?

I want to enhance your natural features, not change your appearance. To achieve that, I need to fully understand your concerns, otherwise I can’t meet your expectations or provide the right treatment advice. That means gathering detailed information about your medical history, medications, allergies, and more importantly, about you as a person and what you hope to gain from my service. My free consultations typically last up to an hour. We do a skin scan, we talk through your worries, and I focus on making you feel comfortable. I also believe in educating my clients. When you come to see me, I’ll share insights on preventative ageing and help you understand how best to care for yourself moving forward. It’s not just about a one-off financial transaction; it’s about your long-term ageing journey.

You specialise in addressing skin changes related to ageing. What are some of the most common concerns clients come to you with?

Common concerns around skin changes can include pigmentation, often caused by sun damage or high-energy visible (HEV) blue light – such as the kind emitted by computer screens. Hormonal changes can also impact the skin, sometimes leading to conditions like melasma – more commonly seen in women. Other inflammatory concerns include acne and rosacea, both of which can affect teenagers and adults. Addressing these and other concerns isn’t just about skincare products or laser treatments – it’s also about understanding lifestyle triggers such as diet, exercise, hydration, and daily habits.

With so many new trends in the industry, how do you decide what’s worth offering and what’s just a passing fad?

There are only five key components in the ageing process: bone resorption, muscle and ligament changes, superficial and deep fat pad shifts, and skin quality. If you have the right tools in your toolkit to address each of those, then you simply don’t need to chase every new fad that hits the market. You need treatments that genuinely stimulate collagen production, you need a healthy diet at home, you need tools like lasers to manage things like skin tags, sunspots, or inflammation. For structural concerns, you can reposition fat pads with threads or surgical lifts, you can lift sagging eyes through non-surgical or surgical methods, and you can replace lost volume with dermal fillers.

I only use treatments and products that are thoroughly tried, tested, and backed by robust evidence – meaning double-blind, randomised, controlled clinical trials. If there’s no solid clinical evidence behind something, I won’t use it.

Are there any new treatments or innovations you’ve recently introduced?

We have recently introduced the next level of care – surgical procedures. A natural extension of this is our focus on regenerative medicine, where we prepare the skin ahead of surgery using growth factors, stem cells, amino acids, and peptides. When the skin is in optimal condition, you always achieve a better surgical outcome.

That said, I’d estimate that about 80% of our clients will never opt for surgery – but if they do, we can now keep everything in-house and offer a seamless experience. I think the next step will be the introduction of advanced resurfacing treatments, such as erbium and CO₂ lasers. These allow you to completely regenerate the skin in a single treatment.

And finally, what’s your number one, can’t-live-without skincare product?

Without a doubt, sunscreen! Prevention is always better than cure, and protecting your skin from harmful UV rays is absolutely fundamental. That said, I also absolutely love tretinoin – prescription-strength vitamin A – which I simply couldn’t live without. It keeps the skin’s cell cycle turning over, promoting renewal and maintaining healthy skin. But if I had to pick just one, sunscreen will always be my number one go-to because protection is everything.

Read the article here in YM Liverpool magazine

MEET THE AUTHOR

Amanda Azzopardi, an Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Aesthetic Medicine Prescriber, specialises in ageing-related changes. With a Masters in Advanced Clinical Practice, she's trained at the renowned Harley Academy in London and the Level 7 accredited Derma Medical Academy. Boasting over 15 years of global experience in acute medical settings and extensive aesthetic insurance, Amanda combines care, skill, and professionalism to ensure your treatments are in trustworthy hands.