Good Vibrations

Tamborine Mountain is such a popular destination and home to many often because of its breathtaking harmony with nature. But don’t let that fool you into thinking that it’s behind with the times— people like Julie McCullough are already applying fascinating new technology in some surprising and creative ways. For 10 months, Julie has been helping mountain residents to build their self-confidence and live up to their inner beauty at Jools Body Sculpting Clinic with HIFU. What is HIFU and how can it help shave years off your face? Read on to find out.

by Kyle Hitchmough

What was your original inspiration to open Jools Body Sculpting Clinic?

I do HIFU, which is high intensity frequency ultrasound, for facelifting and fat removal. I think my main motivation was to make it affordable and accessible for everyone here on the mountain. I work from home, and the prices down on the Gold Coast are much more expensive. Plus, I like living up here! I didn’t really want to travel down to the coast every day for work.

Can you explain what HIFU is and what it is you do here?

I have a machine that uses focused ultrasound to target the layers in the skin that produce collagen and elastin. It gives people a fresher, younger look, as much as 5-10 years. A lot of people see results straight away, but the treatment itself does take 3 months to work. The good thing about HIFU is that it targets one specific area. If you were to go on a diet and go to the gym, you would lose fat from all over your body, maybe not specifically where you want to lose it from. It removes up to 2cm of fat permanently, so you may only need one treatment.

What goes into the average day here for you?

The average day would be about 2 or 3 clients coming in and having a treatment done, probably the face or neck lifts which are the most popular at the moment. I always start each procedure with a facial, to give it a personal touch. I like people to feel quite pampered when they leave, that they’ve had a lot of attention. They’re here for about 2 hours, since I do a facial before and after the treatment. Each person that comes will have an in-depth consultation first. Because I have a nursing background, I cover any medical conditions they might have. I also have a background in nutritional medicine. It’s quite an individual thing.

Are there any notable trends in your clientele?

The treatment itself is most ideal for 40-65-year-olds but the oldest I’ve had was an 89-year-old who was turning 90 and wanted to look a little bit better for her birthday! I thought that was just adorable. It works on everybody, but the earlier you get in, the more effective the treatment is, so don’t delay!

What kinds of preparation or upkeep are expected for a procedure like this?

Because this is a medical procedure, clients do need to come back for a review at 3 months, to see if they’re happy with their results or need a bit of a touch-up. Everyone has photos taken when they come so they can compare at the 3-month mark and see the differences and the evidence. I haven’t had anyone that has been unhappy with their treatment.

As a local, what’s your opinion on the Tamborine Mountain area and community?

My personal opinion is that I love it up here! It’s a great community, that’s why I moved up here. I wanted to be somewhere where people were friendly, where there was that community spirit, where you can get involved in a lot of things if you want. I go for a walk and everyone says hello, that sort of thing. That’s why I was drawn here. I like the fact that it’s not overpopulated, it’s a small area, it has that quirky, rural feeling. There’s lots of things to like up here.

Do you have any personal favourite places to go on the mountain?

The Coffee Plantation is a great place for coffee. The Monkey Tree is also very good. I go for walks around the place and go out for dinner every fortnight. I recommend that people walk in the rainforest. I’ve been all over the walks. All the trees and the quiet is so nice. I’m lucky, I can look out on my walk and see the coast, and the views from the lookout where the hang gliders are. The sunsets and sunrises there arebeautiful.

What do you think Jools Body Sculpting Clinic really provides to the area?

Because it’s a home-based clinic, it has those personal touches. People don’t need to feel intimidated like they might in some of the more clinical places down on the Gold Coast. They can come here and be themselves, not jumped-on to buy a whole lot of other stuff they don’t want or get other treatments they don’t really need, which is why I just specialise in the one. It’s a more welcoming, more personal, very genuine and sincere environment. You’re not going to get ripped-off.

What do you enjoy most about doing this?

Having been a nurse, I’ve felt that when I went into this that I was still helping people feel good about themselves in a different way. I feel like I’m still healing people in some way, because they leave feeling really good. It’s an extension of the healing and wellbeing process. And I love listening to people’s stories.

Is there anything else you’d like to go on the record?

I like to think that I could support local businesses up here as well. I’ve networked with a lot of other small businesses where I felt that we could support one another. I have brochures from beauty therapists and products that I can recommend to clients, like the Pamper Zone or Purple Door. I particularly like that one because she’s made her own skin care range, which is very affordable. Also, I don’t charge for a consult, people can just come and have a chat for an hour, because I’d rather they were sure about what they want to get done and know that it works for them.

Jools Body Sculpting Clinic

57 Pacific Parade, Tamborine Mountain QLD 4272

We are always looking for new topics for our blog. If there’s something you like to see more of, email your suggestions to: social@professionalsserendipity.com.au, or email the writer at kyle.hitchmough@hotmail.com.