Skin deep: Heather Harrison

Heather Harrison wants you to rethink how you approach skincare.

"Everybody knows they have to clean their teeth morning and night, and skincare is equally as important," the Managing Director of Advanced Skin Technology Australia (AST) tells The CEO Magazine.

"Skincare is not a luxury. You wouldn’t compromise on your oral health, so you shouldn’t compromise on your skincare either."

By protecting your skin now, Harrison promises you’re ultimately setting yourself up for a future of younger-looking, healthy, glowing skin for the duration of your life.

Yet in a post-COVID-19 climate, where the cost of living crisis is manifesting in the tightening of purse strings all across Australia and New Zealand, Harrison believes many of us aren’t prioritizing skincare like we used to or like we really should be.

"People are tending to go into clinics less often and purchase fewer products," she explains. "Unless you’ve got proper care at home and are also going in for treatments as needed in-clinic, then you’re really not getting the maximum benefits.

"If you’re just buying what you think is the right thing, not connecting with a clinic or a therapist, then you’re only getting what you already know."

Trusted skincare experts

Harrison describes a new pattern that has emerged: of individuals going online to research the type of products they think that they may need. However, when they don’t get the results they’re looking for after using the products, only then do they go into a clinic to get some answers.

"So if you can short-circuit the messing around and trying to do it by yourself, you’ll save yourself money and get better results more quickly," she enthuses.

"I’d like to see people doing that from a puberty-plus age – because if you’re looking after your skin in an informed, age-appropriate way, then you won’t need to be investing in short-term fixes."

As she approaches three decades since joining AST in 1996, not to mention her seven years prior as Education Manager at beauty giant Estée Lauder, one thing is certain: Harrison knows skincare. And when it comes to skincare, AST is the best there is.

Since its inception in 1994, the company has established itself as a trusted voice in the industry, a one-stop shop boasting an impressive reach, combining its own premium range, Aspect, with a number of high-quality brands and products from both international and local sources, including Biojuve, Cosmedix, DermaQuest, PCA Skin and Société.

"What sets us apart is the portfolio of products that we have and the services that we offer," Harrison says. "We’ll offer a wide range of products that then can meet the clinic’s and consumer’s needs and get outstanding results both for their business and also for their end users."

Partnering with more than 1,500 skincare clinics across Australia and New Zealand, AST goes far beyond simply supplying products and instead provides full marketing support, training and ongoing relationship management and an extensive education program.

"We have very bespoke training online now with an educator and pupils," Harrison explains. "But we’re also really encouraging people to come back into classroom training, as the most important thing is networking and hearing from others who are similar to you – how they are working and growing together in the industry.

"We have educators and salespeople on the road every single day supporting clinics, working with them to build their marketing plans."

Investing in people

Unsurprisingly, when it also comes to how AST deals with suppliers, Harrison views them as vital relationships that are truly the beating heart of the operation.

"It’s all about honest and open communication," she reveals. "Nothing happens in a bubble, and it must always be win–win. We have monthly meetings, we talk about innovation, growth and challenges."

Over the next few years, Harrison is keen to show even more people just how impressive AST products are – by taking the business overseas.

"We want to do some expansion internationally," she says. "With Aspect and Aspect Dr we are looking at new technologies and how we can play in the skin space. That’s where we specialize."

And by continuing to invest in its people – staff, clinics and customers – AST can holistically and harmoniously grow all aspects of the aesthetics market.

"I don’t consider myself any smarter than anybody else," Harrison reflects. "I surround myself with very smart people who, if we work together and collaborate and use each other’s strengths, then we become stronger as a community."

At the end of the day, Harrison’s goal is to show as many people as possible that skincare is an essential, exciting part of life. Because with good skin, you can take on the world.

"I truly believe that if you've got skin challenges, it can really erode your confidence," she points out.

"And when you have good skincare and it changes your skin, it changes your life. I know the brands we represent give people that confidence, and I couldn’t be prouder of that."