How to get into the industry

[Naturalskincare]

Hello,

I've always been really interested in skin care and am considering trying to get into the industry. I have a load of questions (below), any help answering any of them would be very much appreciated.

• I particularly care about facials and skin care, is this viable to do on it's own, or would I need to offer other services, such as waxing / nails etc?
• What skills/qualifications would I need? And are there any accredited bodies I should be looking at?
• There are online course and full time courses, I'm more interested in online as I can complete them quicker. Are there any negatives to this? (for example, there are less practical days, would this put off a potential employer?
• I'd like to go self-employed, but appreciate I'd need to get salon experience first to learn the ins and outs.

Thank you

 

[Lynne Baker]

I'm firmly of the belief that there has to be A LOT of hands on practical work as well as a solid grounding in skin A & P in order to be a successful facialist. Choose your course wisely, and choose one which is a recognised qualification like NVQ, VTCT, CIBTAC etc.
Check that it has been accredited by insurance companies too.

 

[Naturalskincare]

I'm firmly of the belief that there has to be A LOT of hands on practical work as well as a solid grounding in skin A & P in order to be a successful facialist. Choose your course wisely, and choose one which is a recognised qualification like NVQ, VTCT, CIBTAC etc.
Check that it has been accredited by insurance companies too.

Thank you for responding

I've been looking at level 2 NVQs, the research I've done so far suggested that I would struggle to get insurance if I don't complete at least a 2, maybe 3. I'm struggling to find courses specific to skin that aren't medical dermatology courses, what kind of terminology should I be searching for?

 

[Lynne Baker]

Facial unit.

This kind of thing

https://qualifications.vtct.org.uk/finder/qualfinder/unit.php?unit=UB200B4

 

[TheDuchess]

I'd suggest looking at a CIBTAC or CIDESCO qualification. There are only a few private schools offering this qualification but it is worth travelling for. You'll be training with other therapists all determined to be amazing therapists and committed to their education. It's only level2/3 and you'll need to do this first before you can do a skin specific course. Think of it as the ALevels/access to education for a university course. A necessary stepping stone. With this course under your belt you can progress on to study the science of skin which are level 4 courses.

Alternatively there are biological science degree courses which cover detailed anatomy and physiology. There are a couple of foundation degree (2 year) courses in biological sciences for those without the necessary grades at A levels.

 

[Naturalskincare]

Facial unit.

This kind of thing

https://qualifications.vtct.org.uk/finder/qualfinder/unit.php?unit=UB200B4

Great, thank you for sharing

 

[Naturalskincare]

I'd suggest looking at a CIBTAC or CIDESCO qualification. There are only a few private schools offering this qualification but it is worth travelling for. You'll be training with other therapists all determined to be amazing therapists and committed to their education. It's only level2/3 and you'll need to do this first before you can do a skin specific course. Think of it as the ALevels/access to education for a university course. A necessary stepping stone. With this course under your belt you can progress on to study the science of skin which are level 4 courses.

Alternatively there are biological science degree courses which cover detailed anatomy and physiology. There are a couple of foundation degree (2 year) courses in biological sciences for those without the necessary grades at A levels.

Wow, just had a google and these courses look great, and much more specific to the areas I'm interested in. Thank you so much for sharing!

 

[Lynne Baker]

Yep, I did CIBTAC. Hardest thing I ever did since my nursing degree!

 

[TheDuchess]

Yes! I'm fiendishly bright and thought I could snooze through the classes...I trained with a vet and a radiographer who had been running a dept for 10 years. We all worked really really hard. And do you know what? None of us got the highest mark in class...