Finding out exactly what qualifications you need to practice aesthetics isn’t easy. Especially with so many websites out there offering confusing or conflicting advice.
One thing they'd all agree on is there are no legal requirements for carrying out non-surgical aesthetics treatments in the UK.
Meaning that, technically, anyone can carry out treatments like Botox, chemical peels, and laser hair removal…regardless of their background or qualifications.
That’s likely to change, though, with Scotland introducing draft legislation for a three-tiered system to categorise the level of risk associated with aesthetics treatments.
And while there's no official regulatory framework in place just yet, it underlines the importance of having the right training and qualifications to practice aesthetics.
Looking to either start out or level up in aesthetics and need help deciding which qualifications are right for you? Our guide tackles the most commonly-asked questions…from whether you need a medical degree to how to find the right training course.
Do you need a medical degree to work in aesthetics?
Not always, no. It all depends on what treatments you want to offer and whether they’d be classed as ‘medical’ or ‘non-medical’.
In reality, though, most people looking to work in medical aesthetics will need to be a registered healthcare professional with a foundation degree in medicine, dentistry, or nursing. And certainly if they want to sign up to the register of a regulatory body like the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP).
That’s because carrying out treatments in a clinical setting, using potentially dangerous toxins and medical-grade equipment, requires a specific skill set. And as there’s a risk of complications both during and after treatment, a solid grounding in anatomy is a must.
That’s especially the case for learning to administer injectables like Botox and dermal fillers, and carry out ‘risky’ treatments like thread vein removal and hair transplants. Because while current UK legislature doesn’t currently prohibit beauticians and cosmeticians from carrying out these non-surgical procedures, they might find it much harder to practice.
Especially since the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) now stipulates that anyone needing a Botox prescription would need to carry out a face-to-face consultation with a medical prescriber first.
Although there’s nothing to stop aestheticians from non-medical backgrounds from carrying out advanced treatments like chemical peels, laser treatments, and micro-needling…just so long as they’ve had appropriate training and plenty of practice.
What qualifications do you need to do aesthetics?
Aesthetics qualifications can be tricky to figure out. There are so many training providers, courses, governing bodies, and guidelines to consider.
And while a foundational degree in a field like dermatology or cosmetology is a bonus, requirements vary and, depending on your level of experience and what treatments you want to carry out, you don't always need a higher education.
To simplify things, let’s look at the types of requirements set out by governing bodies, and break them down into two:
If you’re looking to focus on advanced non-medical treatments, like micro-needling, dermaplaning, laser, and chemical peels, you’ll need a:
- Level 4 diploma in Advanced Aesthetics Treatments, specialising in the kinds of treatments you want to administer,
- plus Level 2 and 3 beauty therapy qualifications.
Want to branch out and offer non-surgical medical treatments, like Botox and dermal fillers? Your requirements get a bit more complicated.
As a medical professional, you’ll need a:
- Level 7 post-graduate diploma in Aesthetic Medicine/Injectables, with a fast-track option for anyone with two years’ experience in treating Botox and filler patients
- Level 6 qualification (typically a Bachelor’s degree in a healthcare field)
- Registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), General Dental Council (GDC), or General Medical Council (GMC)
- Recommended three years’ experience working in general healthcare.
How to choose the right aesthetics course for you
Entry requirements differ across the board so it’s important to pick an aesthetics course that's suited to your background and experience.
As a starting point, you should check with your governing body (if you belong to one) on what qualifications you'd need. For beauticians and cosmeticians, that's likely to be someone like the British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (BABTAC) or Hair and Beauty Industry Authority (Habia).
Next, you'll want to find an aesthetics course that’s run by a professionally accredited provider like OFQUAL, the CPD Certification Service, or VTCT Skills.
Accredited courses provide the safest pathway to practice. They’ll provide you with hands-on training in a clinical environment and teach you about proper hygiene practices and what equipment to use. And you can trust you're not getting swindled by a dodgy training provider...
When choosing a course, steer clear of any that use hard-sell tactics ('Earn six figures a year!', 'Learn to inject in a week!'), are too cheap to be true, or set little to no entry requirements.
Remember, too, that while remote training or fast-track courses might be suitable for learning some treatments, your insurer might not cover you unless you’ve already completed a face-to-face foundation course in a similar method.
If you're unsure if the treatment you want to train in is covered by your insurer, it’s best to check with them first.
How long does it take to get qualified as an aesthetician?
Aesthetics courses for non-medics can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to 2-3 months to complete, depending on the treatment and whether they're doing it full-time or part-time.
Medics, on the other hand, can train for much longer. It can take them between 1-3 years to get qualified. Courses in injectables are especially thorough. The Harley Academy's Level 7 Diploma, for example, requires trainees to carry out 40 observed and supervised injectable treatments.
As well as learning technical skills, you might opt for a course that teaches you about consultation techniques, the psychological aspect of aesthetics practice, risk management, and gaining consent. In other words, the complete A-to-Z of everything you'd need to find employment or start your own aesthetics business.
In the right hands
As well as qualifications and training, you should think carefully about your aesthetics insurance when starting out on your career.
Whether your ambition is to work solo visiting people at home or freelance within a bigger practice, you’ll need to arrange your own cover before you start practicing.
To start with, you’ll need medical malpractice insurance to defend you if you’re accused of negligence or error in your treatments. Because while good-quality training is essential, it won’t protect you if your client alleges you've done something to injure them – physically, psychologically, or otherwise.
This goes hand-in-hand with public liability insurance, which covers accidental bodily injury and property damage, whether your clients are visiting you or you’re on their turf.
We’ve only just scratched the surface here. But if you’re starting out in your career and would like to know more about aesthetics insurance, just give us a call on 0345 222 5391.
Image used under license from Shutterstock.
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