I don't need Leyla D
to be the biggest clinic.

How it started

I entered the beauty industry over 15 years ago after completing my initial studies and beginning my career in a day spa. Early on, I was fortunate to work under the guidance of a naturopath, and that experience shaped so much of the practitioner I am today.

I learnt that a beautiful treatment isn't just about technique, it's about giving your client your time, attention and genuine care. Even back then, we worked with Ayurvedic-based skincare and focused heavily on skin health and maintaining a healthy skin barrier rather than constantly trying to aggressively treat the skin.

Chasing the skin

From there, I completed two separate qualifications in cosmetic tattooing. While I enjoyed that chapter of my career, I kept finding myself drawn back to skin. I wanted to understand it better.

That curiosity led me to international training in plasma fibroblast and advanced microneedling techniques, followed by course after course in skin health, devices and advanced treatments. Education became, and still is, a huge part of my career.

Bringing bio-microneedling to Australia

For almost 10 years, I ran my little clinic in Werribee, continually learning and evolving. Eventually I discovered bio-microneedling and became the first person to introduce it into Australia. I then spent approximately three years educating and training more than 200 clinics across Australia in bio-microneedling and needling techniques.

Interestingly, teaching others also taught me an enormous amount.

Knowing when not to treat

The deeper I went into skin, the more I began to understand that aggressive treatment isn't always better treatment. Consistency, barrier health, appropriate treatment selection and knowing when not to treat can be just as important as the technology or technique itself.

Still learning

During the COVID years, I used the downtime to study even further. I immersed myself in HIFU and have since undertaken HIFU training three separate times across different technologies and devices. We expanded into laser education and certification, and the learning has never really stopped.

For the past 10 years, I've also had Emily by my side. Together we've continued our education through advanced training, seminars, Australia's Beauty Expo and learning alongside other experienced clinics and practitioners around the country. Some of my greatest education has come from speaking openly with others in the industry about what genuinely works, and what doesn't.

I also love to travel, and whenever the opportunity arises, I seek out education, seminars and different approaches overseas. I'm naturally curious. I always want to know what's next, what's better and, most importantly, what's actually worthwhile for the skin.

Why the clinic has stayed small

There have been many opportunities over the years to expand into something much bigger, but I've deliberately chosen not to. I love my small clinic.

I want Emily and myself to be able to give our clients genuine one-on-one attention. We're not interested in pushing packages simply to turn over appointments. We'd rather build trust, educate our clients and develop relationships that last for years.

Outside the clinic

I was also a single mum of two for many years. While raising my children and building my business, learning became something I constantly came back to. Keeping busy, studying and discovering something new became part of who I am.

And after all these years, I still genuinely love what I do.