2016 vs 2026 – How McCarthy Skin Clinic Has Progressed From a Small Beauty Salon in Milton Keynes into a Leading Skin Care Clinic in Buckinghamshire
If you had walked into our clinic in 2016, you would have stepped into McCarthy Beauty Clinic, a busy beauty salon in Milton Keynes with a full team and a broad treatment menu. Fast forward to 2026, and you will find something far more focused, refined and intentional: McCarthy Skin Clinic, a specialist destination for advanced skin treatments in Buckinghamshire, laser hair removal, and award-winning Guinot facials.
This 2016 vs 2026 reflection taps into nostalgia, but it also tells a deeper story. It is about growth, clarity, motherhood, leadership and the decision to specialise in what we love most, skin.
Below, Anna shares her journey in her own words.
The Journey, Then vs Now
When you think back to 2016, what did your typical day look like running McCarthy Beauty Clinic compared to today at McCarthy Skin Clinic?
Back in 2016, I had a full team of therapists, and from 2019 Eleanor worked with us as a part-time receptionist. At that time, the clinic was called McCarthy Beauty Clinic, as we offered a mix of beauty and skin treatments.
Today, things look quite different. I now work as a solo therapist, with a stronger focus on advanced skin and laser treatments. Eleanor has transitioned into the role of social media and marketing creator, and Kirstie is our part-time receptionist.
The biggest changes have been refining our focus and evolving the team, moving from a broad beauty offering, to a specialist skin and laser clinic.
How has your vision for the clinic evolved over the past decade?
I had a clear vision of moving away from beauty treatments to focus on my real passion, skin. Over time, I gradually evolved the business, reducing the beauty treatments I offered and increasing our focus on advanced facials and skin treatments.
This shift led to rebranding the clinic, including a name change and logo update to better reflect our specialist skin focus. One of the most significant additions during this transition was the introduction of laser hair removal in Milton Keynes, a service that has since become incredibly successful and an integral part of the clinic.
If you could tell your 2016 self one thing about where you’d be in 2026, what would it be?
Definitely the major change has been becoming a solo therapist. It was not something I would’ve imagined back then, as I’ve always had a team. But this is definitely a change that has been a positive move for myself and the business. The next chapter if you will.
What Has Changed Most, You, Clients or the Industry?
What do you think has changed most?
Definitely all three, in different ways, but mostly myself.
Over the years, I’ve employed many brilliant people, taken risks when necessary, and always had a clear vision for how I wanted the business to evolve. Most importantly, I followed through on that vision.
I’m incredibly proud to say that I’ve created a business that not only reflects my passion and expertise, but also gives me the freedom to take the time off I need, to be with my family and travel the world.
This reflects a wider industry trend, too. According to the British Beauty Council, advanced aesthetic treatments and results-driven skincare have seen significant growth over the past decade, as clients prioritise clinical results over traditional beauty services.
Balancing Motherhood & Business
Your children were very young in 2016. How did you balance motherhood and business?
There were definitely times when it felt hard, juggling the demands of running a business while raising three small children.
In 2016, I made the decision to invest in a business mentor. I knew I wanted to grow and progress, but I also wanted to protect my time with my husband and children. I needed help finding the right balance.
Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my career. Working with a mentor showed me that it was possible to build a successful, thriving business that aligned with my home life rather than competing with it.
Ten years on, I’m still working with my mentor, Susan, something that speaks volumes about the impact that decision has had.
Has becoming a mother influenced how you manage your work-life balance today?
When I became a mum, my priorities shifted overnight. I often say that my business was my first baby, but once my children came along, I knew I had to make changes to create the right work-life balance.
Today, I take every school holiday off to spend time with my children. That’s something I’m incredibly proud of, and something I truly consider real success.
Do you think family life shaped the businesswoman you’ve become?
Becoming a mother has truly shaped the businesswoman I am today. It gave me clarity on what would genuinely fulfil me, building a thriving business that I love working in, while also creating the freedom to take the time off I need.
Motherhood shifted my definition of success. It’s no longer just about growth; it’s about alignment.
Growing, Adapting & Working Solo
How did the transition to becoming a solo therapist feel?
The transition into becoming a solo therapist felt like it happened at exactly the right time, both for me and for the business.
It marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter, one that feels focused, intentional and completely in tune with where I am now, both professionally and personally.
What have you enjoyed most about working independently?
What I’m enjoying most about working independently is the deeper level of connection I now have with each of my clients. They are my sole focus, which allows me to truly listen, personalise every treatment and serve them on a much deeper level.
That one-to-one relationship feels more intentional and aligned with the practitioner I want to be.
The Rebrand, From Beauty to Specialist Skin Clinic
What inspired the rebrand to McCarthy Skin Clinic?
Rebranding the business was something I knew I had to do in order to fully step into the new direction I was taking, a clinic completely focused on delivering real skin transformations.
McCarthy Beauty Clinic no longer reflected who we were becoming. To be truly authentic and aligned with my vision, it needed to evolve into McCarthy Skin Clinic, a name that clearly represents our focus on advanced skin treatments in Milton Keynes.
That change was not cosmetic. It was a statement of intent.
What Makes the Skin Transformation Programmes Unique?
Can you describe what makes your programmes different?
I created my Skin Transformation Programmes to make it simple for clients to achieve the skin they want.
Each programme combines:
- A course of prescribed in clinic treatments
- Professional skincare products
- Targeted supplements
- Ongoing reviews and adjustments
Clients who commit to the programme often see incredible results. Once they’ve achieved their goals, they usually continue with maintenance programmes to protect their investment.
This structured, consultation-led model aligns with best practice guidance from the General Medical Council around informed consent and treatment planning, ensuring clients understand their journey from start to finish.
How Has Treatment Technology Changed Since 2016?
In 2016, our treatment menu included a wider mix of beauty services. Today, our focus is almost entirely on advanced skin and laser treatments.
We now specialise in:
Guinot Visible Age Reverse facials
Microneedling with radio frequency
What inspired you to introduce advanced treatments like HIFU & microneedling?
I’ve had the pleasure of working with the award-winning skincare brand Guinot for around 24 years. Over time, I wanted to introduce more advanced treatments that would complement the Guinot facials I offer.
Combining expert skincare with high-tech treatments allows us to deliver even more impressive, visible results.
The Guinot Legacy & Crown Salon Status
What does being a Guinot Crown Salon mean to you?
Being awarded the Guinot Crown Salon Award for five years in a row is incredibly special to me.
It represents consistency, dedication and care. It’s recognition from a brand I’ve trusted for over two decades, and that recognition motivates me to continue striving for excellence.
As confirmed by Guinot UK, Crown Salon status is reserved for clinics that meet strict standards of treatment delivery, training and customer care, making it a significant credential within the UK skincare industry.
2016 vs 2026, What Does the Future Hold?
Looking ahead, our focus remains clear:
- Continued growth in laser hair removal in Stony Stratford and Milton Keynes
- Expanding our advanced skin technologies
- Supporting clients through bespoke, results-driven programmes
- Maintaining our reputation as a trusted skin clinic in Buckinghamshire
The past decade has been about clarity. The next decade is about refinement and impact.
Pay Our Clinic a Visit
If you are looking for a specialist, results-driven skin clinic in Milton Keynes, we would love to welcome you.
Book a consultation today and let’s create your personalised skin transformation plan.