For Gort nurse Yvonne McNamara, opening her own aesthetics clinic wasn’t just about transforming skin, it was about helping people feel confident.
“I’ve been nursing for over 20 years,” said Yvonne. “In Australia I worked in skin cancer clinics, we were cutting cancers out every day, and so there was a huge focus on SPF and minding your skin. SPF is the cheapest anti-ageing product you’ll ever buy; it protects against 80 per cent of damage to the skin.”
That early education shaped the clinic’s philosophy and its focus on regenerative aesthetics; treatments that harness the body’s natural processes to rejuvenate skin and soft tissue. Results are longer-lasting and more natural than temporary fixes.
While fillers remain popular in the industry, Yvonne says her clients are increasingly drawn to regenerative treatments. “Fillers are great if they’re suitable, but not for everybody. The thing with regenerative is people like the idea of their body doing its own work. It feels more natural, less scary for someone starting out.”
Among the clinic’s most popular treatments are microneedling and skin peels, often offered in mix-and-match packages to help newcomers explore. “People might be afraid of the needles, but nine times out of ten they come back and say, ‘My skin was amazing.’”
More advanced options such as polynucleotides and exosomes are also gaining traction. “Polynucleotides are slower,” Yvonne explains. “You’re talking six to 12 months, because your body is regenerating itself. But it’s an investment — you’re reaping the rewards all the time.” Exosomes, she adds, act “like microscopic bubbles … carrying growth factors into your cells. They’re brilliant for rosacea, scarring and speeding up healing after microneedling.”
Hair restoration is another growing area, with treatments like PRP and polynucleotides helping both men and women. “If there’s some activity in the follicle, we can thicken the hair,” she says. “It’s becoming more popular, especially for women experiencing hair loss during menopause.”
For Yvonne, the best part remains the boost in her patients’ confidence. “I’ve had women in their 30s and 40s with lifelong acne who now say, ‘I haven’t worn makeup since I saw you.’ That’s the biggest compliment.”
Today, Renew Skincare & Aesthetics Clinic is recognised both locally and nationally, recently winning 'Clinic of the Year Galway' in the Prestige Awards, and being named Best Clinic in Connacht' and a surprise award for 'Patients Choice' at last weekend's HiStyle Aesthetics Awards' Speaking about the win, Yvonne said she is "so grateful" to her patients for nominating and voting for Renew Skincare & Aesthetics Clinic.
Now in its third year, Renew also offers oncology-approved treatments as well as pregnancy and breastfeeding-safe options. On Thursday, November 13, Yvonne will give a talk at Gort Cancer Support Centre, sharing gentle skincare advice for those experiencing skin changes during or after cancer treatment, along with free mini-skin analyses.
Yvonne is a proud member of Network Galway and DANAI (Dermatology & Aesthetics Nurses Association of Ireland ).
With flexible packages, payment plans and award recognition under its belt, Renew Skincare & Aesthetics Clinic continues to build a reputation for results that look, and feel, entirely natural.
