With an estimated worth of over £3 billion in the UK alone, the growing aesthetics industry has the potential to offer healthcare professionals a lucrative and exciting career.
There is a wide range of training courses available, and healthcare professionals looking to break into the field of non-surgical aesthetics can often be left with questions regarding which course could be right for them. Some important differences exist between both the training providers and the nature of the courses offered, and it is important that prospective delegates are sufficiently informed in order to make the correct choice.
Let’s consider the three main injectables courses available on the market.
This OFQUAL-regulated and accredited post-graduate level qualification in injectables was the first of its kind. It is one of a small number of nationally regulated qualifications, with training and assessment adherent to externally set standards, and a process which is externally moderated. In a sector which is poorly regulated on the whole, the Level 7 Diploma is rapidly becoming the new Gold Standard in non-surgical aesthetics training. It was rolled out in response to Health Education England (HEE) and GMC guidance, following on from the publication of the Keogh Report in 2013.
Upon completion of the Level 7 Diploma, you will be eligible to join a national register of aesthetic practitioners, and in addition to the skills and knowledge gained, you will be able to boast of being the holder of one of the few nationally accredited and regulated qualifications in injectables, with the employability benefits that come with this.
A Foundation course is the first step for any healthcare professionals looking to start out in the aesthetic field. This one-day course may be the first step as part of the regulated Level 7 Diploma (see above), or it can be taken stand-alone. The Interface Aesthetics Foundation Course has the following key features:
The Advanced course will build on previous training and experience with the aim of expanding your repertoire in both anti-wrinkle and dermal filler modalities. The Interface Aesthetics Advanced Course shares some important similarities with those features outlined above:
Before embarking on training, it is important that you get all of the information necessary to make the right decision. Training can be expensive, but choosing a course that provides the knowledge, practical experience and confidence you need to establish a safe and successful practice will pay dividends in the medium to long term. The top points to consider are:
Be confident that you will be trained in a small group, with hands-on training with real model patients. Training in a classroom setting or injecting using mannequins will not provide the confidence and experience necessary.
Be confident in the quality of the training, including the credentials of the trainers and reviews from previous delegates. At Interface Aesthetics , we strongly believe that a detailed understanding of facial anatomy as well as experience of dealing with complications are prerequisites for any aesthetic trainer.
Make an informed decision regarding nationally regulated and accredited qualifications (The Level 7 Diploma), versus non-regulated qualifications (The Foundation Course, The Advanced Course). Regulated qualifications are more expensive, but in an industry which is moving towards greater regulation, the Level 7 Diploma may be the right course for you in terms of long-term employability and gaining greater confidence under expert supervision.
