Kirsty Taggart, owner of Emerald Aesthetics, is practitioner of the month in Ulster for May 2026.
Q1. What inspired you to start your career in aesthetics?
My background in nursing inspired me to pursue aesthetics because I wanted to combine clinical expertise with confidence-building treatments that help people feel like the best version of themselves. I was drawn to the blend of science, artistry, and patient care, and I loved the idea of achieving natural results that enhance rather than change someone’s appearance.
Q2. Are there any stories that stand out to you?
One of the most rewarding parts of my role is seeing the genuine impact treatments can have on a patient’s quality of life and confidence.
Since introducing the NeoCare Infinite into the clinic, we have worked with many patients experiencing both acute and chronic pain conditions. We’ve achieved some truly life-changing results, helping patients return to day-to-day activities that had previously been limited by pain associated with conditions such as fibromyalgia, arthritis, sciatica, tennis elbow, and even endometriosis. Seeing patients regain comfort, mobility, and confidence in their daily lives has been incredibly rewarding.
Another recent case that stands out was a young woman who struggled with confidence surrounding her jawline and chin due to a genetic condition affecting bone growth. Using dermal filler in a subtle and balanced way, I was able to harmonise her profile and create more definition through the lower face. The emotional transformation was just as significant as the physical result, and seeing her confidence grow afterwards was incredibly special.
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Q3. What trends do you see emerging in aesthetics for 2026, and how are you staying ahead?
One of the biggest trends emerging in aesthetics for 2026 is the continued shift towards regenerative medicine and long-term skin health. The industry is moving away from overfilled or unnatural results, with both patients and practitioners now prioritising treatments that stimulate the body’s own regenerative processes to improve skin quality, collagen production, and overall tissue health.
We’re already seeing this reflected in many of the newer products and technologies being introduced this year, with a strong focus on regenerative-based outcomes. To stay ahead, we have expanded our treatment offering to include more regenerative therapies, allowing us to create highly personalised and bespoke treatment plans tailored to each patient’s individual concerns and goals.
We have also introduced the NeoCare Infinite into the clinic, which supports a multimodality approach to regenerative aesthetics and helps us deliver more advanced, evidence-led results centred around skin health, longevity, and natural rejuvenation.
Alongside this, I continually invest in ongoing education by attending industry conferences, advanced training courses, and keeping up to date with the latest research and clinical publications to ensure our patients have access to the safest, most innovative, and evidence-based treatments available.
Q4. Which treatments are particularly popular with your patients, and why?
There has definitely been a noticeable shift in clinic towards patients prioritising skin health and long-term results rather than quick fixes. More people are now investing in treatments that improve overall skin quality, stimulate collagen production, and support healthy ageing in a natural way.
Medical microneedling has consistently been one of our most popular treatments over the past few months because it is such a versatile and effective regenerative treatment. We offer a range of advanced combinations alongside microneedling, including exosomes, NCTF, and PRP, with each treatment plan tailored entirely to the patient’s individual skin concerns and aesthetic goals.
Patients are becoming much more educated about regenerative aesthetics, and they appreciate treatments that deliver gradual, natural-looking improvements while supporting long-term skin health and confidence.
Q5. As a practitioner, what are your aspirations for the aesthetics industry moving forward?
One of my biggest aspirations for the aesthetics industry moving forward is the introduction of stronger regulation and clearer industry standards. I am extremely passionate about patient safety, ethical practice, and ensuring that treatments are carried out by appropriately trained medical professionals.
While increased regulation will undoubtedly create more responsibility and accountability for practitioners, it is a necessary and very important step for the future of the industry. We need minimum standards of education and training, safer prescribing practices, and stricter measures to prevent the use of counterfeit or black-market products.
Ultimately, regulation is about protecting patients, improving standards of care, and helping to build greater trust and professionalism within the aesthetics industry as a whole.
