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Dr Rupert Critchley of Viva Skin Clinics: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became A…
Dr. Rupert Critchley's journey with Viva Skin Clinics highlights the importance of resilience and adaptability in brand strategy, especially in the competitive field of aesthetic medicine. His focus on ethical practices and education not only enhances brand reputation but also sets a standard for the industry, emphasizing the need for brands to prioritize integrity and patient care in their strategies.
Authority Magazine: Dr Rupert Critchley of Viva Skin Clinics: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became A Doctor -- Listen Share Be kind to yourself. Founders often carry silent pressure. Self-compassion is not weakness. Be kind to yourself. Founders often carry silent pressure. Self-compassion is not weakness. As part of my series about healthcare leaders, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Rupert Critchley. Dr.
Rupert Critchley is a UK-trained medical doctor, leading aesthetic practitioner, and founder of VIVA Skin Clinics, a respected medical aesthetics group known for refined, natural-looking results and a medically led approach to patient care. With over a decade of clinical experience, Dr. Rupert is recognised as an expert in advanced injectable treatments, with a specialist interest in anti-ageing, facial rejuvenation, and long-term skin health. Having treated thousands of patients, he is known for combining medical precision with an artistic eye to deliver subtle, undetectable results that enhance rather than alter.
His approach focuses on restoring facial harmony, improving skin quality, and supporting patients to age confidently and naturally. Alongside his clinical work, Dr. Rupert is an experienced educator and mentor within aesthetic medicine, training medical professionals in advanced injectable techniques, facial anatomy, and complication management. He is committed to raising standards, improving safety, and promoting evidence-based practice across the aesthetics industry. As a founder and clinician, Dr.
Rupert is also involved in clinical training, product innovation, and the development of modern aesthetic healthcare brands, helping shape the future of injectable and regenerative aesthetic medicine. Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. What is your backstory? I originally trained as a GP before moving into aesthetic medicine. I founded Viva in 2012 and, in the very early days, I was delivering flyers through letterboxes myself. What drew me to the field was the immediacy of the work.
Seeing patients grow in confidence and feel better about themselves in a relatively short space of time gave me a strong sense of purpose. The journey wasn’t linear. I had several unsuccessful business attempts before things began to gain momentum. The real turning point came when the right team formed around me. The clinics you see today are built on that team. No meaningful organisation is created alone. Can you share the most interesting story that has happened to you since you started your career? The night before opening one of our clinics, squatters broke into the premises and effectively moved in.
They had installed makeshift TV aerials and cooking equipment. We had a launch scheduled, staff ready and patients booked in, and suddenly everything was uncertain. At the time it felt like a disaster. In hindsight, it became one of the most valuable early lessons in entrepreneurship. Businesses rarely unfold exactly as planned, and challenges tend to arrive at the least convenient moments. That experience forced me to remain calm under pressure and focus on solutions rather than panic. Resilience is not built during comfortable periods.
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The article provides insights from a professional in a niche industry, which is relevant and moderately impactful for brand strategy, but the concepts discussed are not groundbreaking or entirely new.