Member Article

Redcar cosmetics business expands following NHS contract wins

A Redcar-based cosmetics business which provides treatments to those who have suffered from illnesses that cause scarring and hair loss has expanded on the back of a key NHS contract.

Medicare Cosmetics provides aesthetic treatments for those who have endured the likes of cancer and alopecia.

Now the firm is relocating to bigger premises following an NHS contract win which will see Medicare offering areola micro pigmentation nipple tattooing to patients who have had breast reconstructions.

The firm was set up by former alopecia sufferer Emma Holmes, was sought out by the NHS whilst working as a volunteer for Look Good Feel Better at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.

She explained: “This is such an important service as it is the finishing touches to a gruelling treatment.

“I’m so passionate about what I do. I love helping people, and it really makes a difference to people’s lives.”

Having grown by 70% over the past two years, the unique cosmetic company is also supporting local, young people in the region by adding two new members to its passionate five-strong team.

Hope Laing, 19, is now responsible for Medicare’s marketing and Laura Dyball, 22, has been appointed as business co-ordinator.

Emma added: “I’m so excited about our new clinic and the team. Hope and Laura are amazing and so professional. They have really helped me free up some time so I can grow the business.”

Emma, who founded the company almost six years ago, explained that her passion for combining healthcare with beauty treatments came after she experienced an ectopic pregnancy in 2008, which resulted in her fallopian tube being removed causing all of her hair to fall out.

The ordeal motivated Emma in moving to London to start working at a hair replacement centre in 2009, and her hair fully grew back in 2012 thanks to scalp injections and learning how to relax more.

The clinic uses A-class medical devices and medical grade pigments in order to provide their clients, who have suffered from cancer, burns, scars and alopecia, with the best possible treatment.

Emma, who not only runs her own business, but is also treasurer for Autoimmune Alopecia Research, deputy coordinator for Look Good Feel Better, has her own hair loss support group, and is a member of Finishing Touches where she offers training and speaks at conferences throughout the UK.

She added: “We’ve had such wonderful support from people, including Michael and the team from E-Strands who developed our brand new website. Federation of Small Businesses has also been very encouraging and welcomed us as a member.”

Medicare has a range of clients from those who are suffering illnesses and benefit from its life-altering treatments, to those who are interested in cosmetic treatments such as eyebrow, lip and eyeliner tattooing.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .