In the last 15 years, cosmetic surgery has gone from being secret women’s business to everybody’s business, thanks in large part to Michelle Kearney, founder and editor-in-chief of Cosmetic Surgery and Beauty Magazine.

After working as a pharmacist for 15 years, Michelle noticed a gap in the market for a reliable source of information on cosmetic surgery, and from there, her “Y” became a clear vision. Tired of the social judgement that was often heaped upon those who decided to proceed with cosmetic enhancement, Michelle decided it was time to launch a magazine that would separate fact from fiction when it came to cosmetic surgery. Fast-forward 15 years and Cosmetic Surgery and Beauty Magazine is celebrating its 60th issue, marking 15 years in niche publishing.

‘While I strongly believe everyone is entitled to make their own decisions about their appearance, I also feel it’s important those decisions are based on fact,’ says Michelle, who published the first issue in May 1998.

It’s thanks to this philosophy and a clear vision that the magazine is today recognised as Australia’s number one authoritative source of information on cosmetic procedures. With its no-nonsense approach, the magazine helps men and women throughout Australia and New Zealand make sense of the vast array of cosmetic treatments, procedures, devices and technologies, warning of the risks as well as the rewards.

‘When I first launched the magazine 15 years ago, it was in response to the need for a reliable, authoritative source of information, rather than the whispered asides and sensationalist stories that were doing the rounds,’ says Michelle, who has gone a long way to shape the way in which cosmetic procedures are reported on.

Over 60 issues, Michelle has observed a number of key changes in the industry, the most notable being the rise in minimally invasive procedures. ‘Today, cosmetic enhancement is intrinsically bound with the beauty industry,’ she says. ‘Many men and women regularly invest in procedures such as dermal fillers, skin needling and anti-wrinkle injections as part of their regular beauty regimen, which more often than not also incorporates some kind of anti-ageing or cosmeceutical skincare.’

As editor-in-chief, informing readers of these new and emerging trends, treatments, technologies and techniques has always been at the forefront of Michelle’s mind.

‘I get great satisfaction from being seen as a leader in educating consumers about the industry, and empowering people to feel comfortable to do whatever they want with their body,’ she says. ‘It is clear that medical advances have played a massive part in the growth of the beauty industry, but it’s the improved patient education that has fuelled the mainstream acceptance of cosmetic medicine, and I take pride in having played a role in pioneering that.’

This article was published in the June issue of Y Magazine.