Preston and Southport aesthetic clinics mark 25th anniversary as demand for 'natural-effect' surges

Business partner and wife Kerry Hennessy is key in championing ‘cultural shift’ among 40+ women to ‘own the skin they’re in’, two decades on - which includes knowing when to 'say no' to clients.

Husband and wife business partners Dr Stephen and Kerry Hennessy say they are determined to make their third decade working together ‘their biggest yet’ as they continue their focus on providing women aged 40+ with specialist non-invasive treatments.

From fixing ‘botched’ botox to challenging ‘quick fix’ toxic beauty standards, the couple agree helping women navigate a sea of confusing information during the challenges of mid-life to find the best bespoke aesthetics solution continues to be the most rewarding aspect of their jobs.

Over the last two decades, Dr Stephen Hennessy says raising standards and promoting a more considered, natural approach to aesthetics is the story of the business’s success - amid a period of significant growth driven by rising demand for regenerative, treatment-stacked long-term skin investment.

This philosophy is now translating into measurable growth, with the clinic seeing an increase in demand among mid-life women for natural-effect botox and regenerative treatments (those which stimulate the skin to produce its own collagen to produce long-term natural results) in the last five years.

Alongside its clinical growth, the business has also played a key role in shaping the next generation of practitioners, having trained many aesthetics clinicians over the years, with a focus on a more considered approach to aesthetics. 

As the global regenerative medicine market continues to expand, and non-invasive treatments grow at pace, patients are increasingly turning towards bio-stimulatory treatments such as polynucleotides, exosomes, Sculptra and Radiesse, designed to stimulate the body’s own collagen production and deliver gradual, natural-looking results.

Over two decades the couple have grown the clinic from a single practice into a trusted name across the region, now operating from two sites in Preston and Southport. Continuing its growth, the clinic has recently welcomed new team member Dr Clare Todd, further strengthening its clinical offering. The core business also has a retail offer with specialist third party brands available in store including ZO Skincare.

At the forefront of a cultural shift in women’s wellness

The clinic also helps women navigate a ‘sea of confusing information’ around dealing with menopause skin often set against a backdrop of harmful anti-aging messaging in day-to-day life.

The surge in demand for a more natural look that celebrates women' s mid-life reflects a cultural shift in patient mindset pioneered by Dr Hennessy Aesthetics, with more individuals opting to “stack” treatments - combining modalities to improve skin quality across multiple layers over time. This also includes empowering clients on when to scale back treatments, prioritising trusted relationships that help them understand when further treatment isn’t necessary.

Dr Stephen Hennessy says: “At every stage of the past 25 years, we’ve invested in doing things the right way, not the fastest way.” 

“What’s interesting now is that the industry - and patients -are catching up. People are thinking longer-term. They want to look after their skin properly, not just fix something in the moment.

“That shift has driven real growth for us, but growth has never been the goal in itself. Trust has always been the foundation of what we do. If someone comes in and doesn’t need treatment, we’ll tell them. In fact, we’ll often turn people away. That can be difficult in a fast-moving industry, but it’s essential if you want to build something that lasts.”

“One of the biggest challenges over the years has been staying true to that approach when trends come and go. There’s always something new, something more immediate, something more dramatic, but that doesn’t always mean it’s better for the patient. We’ve always taken a more measured, evidence-based view, and what’s rewarding now is seeing that approach validated.

“For me, it’s never been about rolling back the clock. It’s about helping people feel confident in who they are. Every year matters, and the way you look should reflect that, not erase it.”

This commitment to considered, regenerative care is reflected not only in rising demand, but in the loyalty of a patient base that increasingly values subtle, long-term results over quick fixes.

Dr Stephen Hennessy’s wife and business partner Kerry Hennessy has played a central role in building the business over the past two decades. Rather than opting for immediate change, she is currently undertaking a structured programme combining Sculptra and Radiesse to address skin laxity and crepiness in areas such as the neck and arms.

“I’m not trying to look younger, just like the best version of me. That’s the goal for all our patients.” she says.

For more information, visit https://www.drhennessy.com/