The field of aesthetics has seen significant growth in recent years. The global market for non-invasive cosmetic treatments experienced a significant surge, increasing from £39.4 billion in 2022 to £45.5 billion in 2023.
The intersection between beauty and aesthetics is big business. According to published statistics from the British Beauty Council, the cosmetic and personal care sector supported a total GDP contribution of £24.5 billion and tax contributions of £6.8 billion to HM Treasury in 2022.
As consumer demands shift toward preventative treatments and wellness-based services, it's no surprise that aesthetics is becoming an increasingly exciting prospect for beauty therapists.
There’s arguably no bigger debate in aesthetics than the one around medics and non-medics and who should be doing what in terms of treatments.
While we await a formal licensing scheme, the guidelines we currently look to as insurers are the Code of Practice and Guidance for Practitioners Who Provide Cosmetic Interventions developed jointly by the Cosmetic Practice Standards Authority (CPSA) and the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP).
The licensing scheme will make sure that those who offer specified procedures:
Hamilton Fraser is fully invested in this process, and we will welcome Professor David Sines to our Aesthetics Business Conference on 8 October 2024 to give a regulation update.
We only insure UK registered medical professionals to perform cosmetic injectables; however, aesthetics is far more than just injectables, and what gets lost in this debate is often the wide range of aesthetic and advanced treatments that can and are performed by beauty therapists, ranging from skin peels and laser hair removal to microblading and microneedling. There are also exciting new opportunities in skincare as new trends emerge, as well as in regenerative aesthetics, where topically applied exosomes can be administered with needling.
If you are a therapist who wants to advance your career into aesthetics, here are our top tips.
Top tips for beauty therapists getting started in aesthetics
There are many highly qualified and skilled therapists within the sector offering non-surgical and non-invasive face and body treatments, and there is a plethora that falls under the scope of a beauty therapist that may complement what you are already offering.
If you are focused on facials, for example, expanding your services to offer peels and more advanced skincare could be a good first step.
Those offering body treatments may be more inclined to go down the body contouring or laser hair removal direction. Although this usually involves investment in capital equipment, so it may be worth testing the water with less cost-demanding aesthetic treatments first to see if there is demand from your clients before you invest.
“If you’re looking to bring in a totally new treatment, you need to look at your existing client base first. Will they want this new treatment? It’s much easier to upsell to existing clients than to bring in new clients, so while you may want to bring in new clients with your investment, you want some guaranteed clients so that you’re not worrying about the financial burden from day one.”
- Debbie Thomas, founder of the D.Thomas Clinic
There’s a huge variety of treatments that intersect between beauty and aesthetic medicine (those treatments offered by medics).
While there is no formal regulation currently, the proposed licensing scheme has suggested that the following procedures hold the lowest risk of complications and that all practitioners would be eligible to perform licensed procedures where they meet agreed standards. If you are getting started in aesthetics, then this feels like a good place to start. These include:
There are also treatments like dermaplaning and electrolysis, which transcend both the beauty and aesthetics sectors.
“Getting started in aesthetics as a beauty therapist can be an exciting and rewarding career move. Before doing so, it is important to do your research and understand the field of services and devices that you wish to offer. I suggest starting by offering advanced facial treatments such as skin peels, micro-needling procedures, and LED protocols, which can be a lower cost of investment and carry minimal risk.
“Investing in equipment and products can be a minefield. Buy cheap, buy twice. Partner with brands offering high-quality, reliable, and safe equipment with ongoing training and support.”
- Martine Jarman, an aesthetic therapist and the founder of SkinGenius Clinic
There are no mandatory training requirements for practitioners, but National Occupational Standards (NOS) in beauty aesthetics were approved in 2020, with further NOS developed in April 2021. These NOS were developed by SkillsActive and the Hair and Beauty Industry Authority (Habia) in conjunction with stakeholders including employers and professional and industry bodies. The NOS framework forms the basis of qualifications regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual).
If you want to forge a career in aesthetics then make sure you undertake proper training and certification to safely perform advanced procedures. Many therapists are Level 3 trained, so this may mean studying for a Level 4 qualification in procedures like chemical skin peeling, skin needling, laser and light treatments for hair reduction and skin rejuvenation. There are also now Level 5 qualifications in treatments like laser tattoo removal.
Martine comments, “Obtaining the necessary qualifications is crucial. Make sure to do your research when choosing a reputable training provider that offers hands-on practical training, which is essential for building confidence and competence. Courses should cover anatomy, skin physiology, advanced skincare techniques and consultation skills. Good training providers will usually ask for a portfolio of case studies as part of the examination and assessment process.
“Once you're on your way, build your knowledge and stay updated. Aesthetics is a rapidly evolving field. Stay informed about the latest trends, technologies, and products through continuous education, attending conferences, and reading industry publications.”
Debbie adds, “I have worked in aesthetics for nearly 19 years of my 25-year beauty career. My advice is to invest in comprehensive training and avoid fast-track training courses that don't provide practical hands-on training. These treatments are amazing in experienced hands but can have side effects, which can be really devastating to both the client and potentially to your reputation. Good training does not just give you the confidence to do the treatments as safely as possible and manage complications that may arise.
“Have a network of people you can go to for advice, which should include the training providers, the machine or product manufacturers, and colleagues within the industry.”
There are several voluntary industry associations within the aesthetic industry for non-healthcare professionals. These include the:
These associations are actively involved in the proposed licensing scheme and can help guide you as to what is within your scope and what isn’t. Members can be removed from these associations for breaching the professional codes of conduct.
If you are running your own business and are not a medic yourself, there are plenty of medically qualified professionals with whom you could partner. If you don’t employ a full-time doctor/nurse/dentist in-house, you could consider having someone come to carry out procedures such as threads or fillers (providing the space is appropriate to do so), or you could partner with a local doctor or nurse and refer to them.
Referring is also a good idea for any clients who may come in with skin conditions that need further diagnosis or medical intervention. This may include severe acne, rosacea, psoriasis, and even moles that you spot that you think may warrant a specialist opinion. Especially if you are doing laser hair removal on backs, you may see moles and notice changes.
When thinking about adding new treatments to your menu, make sure you update your insurance policy accordingly. Failure to amend or update your insurance policy to reflect changes can result in underinsurance or lack of coverage when you need it most. You may have also purchased expensive new equipment and should make sure you are fully covered there too. Underinsurance occurs when the coverage limits of your policy are insufficient to cover the full value of your assets or potential liabilities. This can happen if policies are not regularly reviewed and updated. Conduct periodic reviews of your coverage to make sure that it remains adequate for your needs and that your policy limits are in line with the current value of your assets . You can read our article on the Seven deadly insurance sins to avoid for more information.
By incorporating advanced treatments like skin peels, microneedling, and light therapy into their menus, beauty therapists can address more complex skin issues and meet the growing consumer demand for radiant, healthy skin.
This can also help with:
Whether you are an employed therapist looking to upskill or take on a new challenge or are a salon owner who wants to expand your services, aesthetics offers numerous opportunities to enhance your business's offerings and meet the evolving needs of clients.
Our advice is to stay within the scope of your training and refer anything outside of that to a qualified medical professional.
For more information on the types of insurance we offer, get in touch with our team.
Martine concludes, “Transitioning into aesthetics can significantly enhance your career as a beauty therapist. By following my tips and committing to continuous learning, you can establish a successful and fulfilling practice in this dynamic field.”
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