After struggling to find safe, effective treatments for her own skin type, Francesca Otote founded Cactus Laser Clinic with her husband Fred in 2024, creating a space where everyone feels seen, supported, and confident in their skin. Since then, the pair have helped more than 2,000 clients achieve real results with honest, science-led treatments designed for every tone and concern.
In this interview, Francesca shares her expert insight on fillers, skin boosters, pigmentation, and the rise of “Ozempic face”.
They say ‘Black don’t crack’ but more of us are turning to derma fillers. What are your thoughts on this?
Assuming the “crack” is fine lines, dermal fillers may be used to address this, although typically considered a last resort. Many clients prefer to explore less invasive treatments first, such as medical skin peels or microneedling. I am also a strong advocate for skin boosters, particularly for improving overall skin quality. While fillers certainly have their place, we more commonly utilise them for profile rebalancing and refining facial asymmetries.
What makes the Perfect Peel® Superblend different from traditional chemical peels?
Instead of relying on a single acid (like glycolic or TCA alone), the Superblend combines a carefully balanced mix of acids. This allows it to target multiple skin concerns in one treatment – texture, tone, pigmentation, fine lines, and acne.
How should someone prep their skin before a peel, to ensure effective treatment?
Before any type of peel, we recommend that clients prepare their skin by avoiding anything that could compromise the skin’s barrier. This includes pausing the use of active ingredients (such as retinoids, AHAs, and BHAs), avoiding excessive sun exposure, and refraining from treatments like laser or injectables in the days leading up to your appointment. This ensures the skin is in its healthiest state for the peel, allowing for the most effective results with minimal irritation.
Pigmentation is a big concern, especially for people with melanin-rich skin. How does this peel support safer treatment for Black and Brown skin?
Pigmentation is a big concern, especially for people with melanin-rich skin. Its careful formulation, with added Glutathione to help inhibit excess melanin production, is designed to minimise inflammation – one of the main causes of pigmentation in darker skin tones.
What’s the aftercare like? Are there any downtime surprises people should know about?
Downtime can vary between clients, but we generally tell them to expect 4-7 days of gradual peeling. The peeling can be quite shocking for some clients so we like to share pictures (with consent) of other clients so they know what to expect.
With the rise of the weight loss jab, we’re seeing an increased awareness of consequences like ‘Ozempic face’, where the facial skin loses volume and starts to sag. Can fillers help with this?
“Ozempic face” typically occurs due to the loss of facial fat pads, which can result in a deflated appearance and make clients look older. Dermal fillers can help restore volume, lift, and support the skin; however, when significant skin laxity is present, fillers alone may not provide the desired outcome. In such cases, we recommend a combination of skin-tightening treatments to achieve more comprehensive results. A conservative approach, combined with a multi-practitioner care plan, is often key to helping clients reach their goals safely and effectively.
Many people are nervous about injectables looking ‘overdone’. What’s your approach when it comes to filler and tweakments?
Slow and steady wins the race! While hyaluronic acid fillers are technically dissolvable, this should always be considered a last resort. I believe in having a thorough consultation with each client to discuss their desired outcomes, both short and long term, while also factoring in their budget. It’s important to be honest, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. From there, we create a tailored treatment plan, delivered over the course of weeks or, more often, months. Realistic expectations are key to achieving results that clients will love and feel confident about.
You offer Profile Rebalancing with dermal fillers. What does that mean, and how is it different to just treating one area like lips or cheeks?
Profile Rebalancing is a holistic approach to dermal filler treatments where we assess the face as a whole, rather than focusing on a single feature. When only one area, such as the lips or cheeks, is treated, that feature may improve, but the overall balance of the face can still feel “off” if it isn’t in harmony with the rest of your proportions. Profile Rebalancing involves placing filler in multiple, strategic points to subtly adjust and enhance your overall profile from both the front and the side, creating a naturally balanced and harmonious result.
Profhilo has become a big name in aesthetics. What exactly does it do, and how do you know if it’s right for your skin?
Profhilo, often called an injectable “skin moisturiser”, is not a filler. It’s injected just under the skin, where it spreads to deeply hydrate, plump and firm. Unlike fillers, it stimulates collagen and elastin for improved skin quality. Perfect for the face, neck, or hands, it’s ideal if you’re noticing loss of firmness or hydration but aren’t ready for more invasive treatments.
For people unsure whether to go for skin boosters or fillers, how do you help them decide what will work best?
Let’s assess your goals. Do you want to restore volume? Sculpt or shape? Then fillers! Or, if you’re looking to improve skin quality, let’s go for skin boosters. Most of the time clients assume they need fillers, which just isn’t the case. A comprehensive consultation is key to making sure we’re getting clients realistic, achievable results.
Does it help when clients bring in photos of celebrities or influencers to give you an idea of the look they want to achieve?
I’m not a fan of the trend of trying to look like someone else. It’s fine to be inspired, whether that’s fuller lips or more defined cheeks, but unless your bone structure, skin type, and skin quality are identical to that celebrity, it’s highly unlikely you’ll achieve the exact same results. Our tweakments are all about enhancing your natural features and helping you become the best version of yourself.
What’s one myth or misunderstanding about aesthetic treatments that you wish more people understood?
In reality, good aesthetics is about subtle enhancement, not transforming you into someone else’s face. The best treatments are those people can’t quite pinpoint, they just notice you look fresher, more rested, and well. Overfilled lips, frozen foreheads, or exaggerated cheekbones are not the standard, they’re extreme examples that in reality often look disproportionate. With the right injector, treatments are tailored to your unique features rather than copied from a celebrity photo, balanced and natural-looking so your proportions remain harmonious, and done gradually so changes are subtle, refined, and easy to maintain.
What excites you most about the future of skincare?
Over the last decade, clients have become far more knowledgeable about the products they use, understanding ingredients, how they work, and the importance of consistency. This is exciting, because skincare is never about a single treatment and you’re done – it’s a long-term commitment. When clients understand that, they’re far more likely to achieve the best results over time.
