Cosmetic nurse wants to lift spirits with free treatments

Cosmetic nurse Alicia Henry is determined to help Jamaicans smile again after months of stress, trauma and uncertainty, including what was brought by Hurricane Melissa.

To do this, she's giving away free, non-surgical treatments at the AC Hotel on Saturday, collaborating with Injectors TV to gift a full face contour treatment and gift cards for future use.

"This is open to everyone, both existing and new clients," said Henry, who is the owner of The Aesthetic Blueprint.

Henry, who built a booming brand offering non-surgical enhancements, said there is only one criteria for those who are interested.

"They would have to do a medical sign off so to ensure they are healthy enough for treatment," she advised. Known for the high demand for her "puckering lips" and specialty contouring, the Jamaica-born, Canada-trained nurse said this giveback is her way of helping people feel whole again.

"I'm paying for the event to give back and help people get ready for the holiday. Although many are worried about even having a holiday, we are hoping that the treatment procedures will help people to regain some confidence and some sense of normalcy. The aim is for it to boost morale," she said. "In Jamaica, confidence is culture and lifting spirits is what we do."

Henry said the response so far has shown just how much the gesture is needed.

"Clients are excited. I have been getting a lot of sweet and encouraging messages and that has cemented my efforts. AC Hotel also gave a huge discount for the venue and I believe that goes to show that in one way or another, each organisation or body is helping the other so that relief goes where it is most needed," she said.

Henry opined that self-care plays a vital role in recovery, especially after a national crisis.

"Caring for ourselves gives us the energy to care for each other. Beauty care is just one way we show up for each other after the storm," she said.

Henry, who moved to Canada at age 18 and began injecting shortly after graduating nursing school, has become one of the most sought-after aesthetic practitioners in Jamaica. The Aesthetic Blueprint has grown from a single Instagram Live lip session to a full-blown client base of influencers, business people, and frontline professionals who trust her precision and ethics.

"Aesthetics often gets a bad reputation for being superficial and shallow, so this is my way of using my services to do good," she said. "I see a lot of my clients on the frontline giving back to those most in need, I want to give them so they can continue to give or even be able to give more."