Although the benefits to working in aesthetics are numerous – setting your own hours, gaining a better work-life balance, or enhancing your earning potential – getting started may seem a little daunting. We’ve put together some top tips for launching your career in this fast paced, exciting industry.
Invest in High Quality Training
If you’ve decided to study aesthetics, you should ensure that the course you attend will give you the greatest grounding for success in the industry. We’d recommend checking:
- How much practical training your course will give you
- Whether you’ll be able to practice on live models and whether the company will provide these
- How much theory you’ll have the chance to engage with
- Whether the course has approval from regulatory organisations like the JCCP.
Plan Your Branding and Marketing
Once you’ve completed your training, it’s time to plan branding and marketing strategy – there’s no need to wait until you have a venue. Decide on a name for your practice, launch your website and social media channels, and begin to generate local interest. Consider taking online business and marketing courses to further your knowledge in this area and enhance your presence in your local aesthetic market.
Find a Prescriber
Although any qualified aesthetic practitioner can order dermal filler, Botox is only available to prescribers following a face-to-face consultation with patients. This can be a source of worry for healthcare providers who want to practice in aesthetic injectables but don’t have prescribing rights; but truly, this shouldn’t be a barrier to you establishing a career in aesthetics.
Build and use your professional connections to your advantage to find a prescriber – network with fellow delegates at aesthetic training sessions, or speak to medical colleagues who could prescribe for you. Alternatively, you could even use a service such as Aesthetic Associates to find a prescriber for your aesthetic practice.
Find a Venue
At MATA, we would highly recommend seeing your clients in a clean, professional setting. Treatment rooms are often available for rent in existing clinics and salons, or why not explore leasing rooms and setting them up to your satisfaction?
Take Out Indemnity Insurance
Once you’ve found a venue, it’s time to get indemnity insurance. Providers such as Hamilton Fraser, InSync and Cosmetic Insure all have a wealth of experience in providing cover to medical aesthetic practitioners, ensuring you are protected should things go wrong.
Register with the CQC (England) or HIS (Scotland)
Once you’ve found a long-term premises, begin registration with the CQC if you’re in England, or HIS if you are in Scotland. Registration with England’s Care Quality Commission isn’t a legal requirement for botox and dermal filler procedures, however registration with Healthcare Improvement Scotland is needed. Although registration can take time, it will show prospective clients that you have met high standards that ensure patient safety; giving them a further reason to choose you for their aesthetic procedures over your competitors.
Keep Learning
Once you’ve completed your training and began work in the aesthetics industry, it could be tempting to rest on your laurels; but continuing your professional development could set you apart from your competitors. Keep abreast of the latest aesthetic trends and industry news, and register for additional practical training and you’ll show your clients your commitment to expert aesthetic practice.