Keogh Review receives more industry support

The Keogh Review, a committee that has been set up to look at regulating the medical aesthetics industry to ensure best practice and protection for patients, is receiving support from numerous bodies working within the industry.

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) has already offered their support and agreement with the Review, insisting the committee findings echo what they want the industry to offer too. This includes their call for proper training for those administering non-invasive procedures, administration by medical professionals only, and tighter regulation on advertising and the ways in which the procedures are sold.

Now two other organisations have lent their support – the Association of Aesthetics, Injectibles and Cosmetic Laser (AAIC) and the Cosmetic, Dermal, Aesthetic, Botulinum and Fillers Inspectorate (cdABFI) – in the belief that the industry should put up a united front.

Discussing their direct involvement in the Keogh Review, AAIC Managing Director, Chris Wade, said:

“We have presented to the Keogh Review and outlined our proposal for a training and recognition model, which would enhance the delivery of high quality, professional non-surgical treatments as well as public confidence in the sector.

“We can see no reason why adequately trained and responsible sector professionals cannot deliver treatments they have been delivering safely for years.”

This view was endorsed by Managing Director of cdABFI, Una Riley, who believes extra regulation will ensure greater consumer trust:

“We want the consumer to be able to make an informed choice and be confident of receiving high-quality treatment from qualified professionals.”

The findings of the Keogh Review are due to be released this month. It was set up to help to inform government policy however Westminster will not be under obligation to instill their recommendations.

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Botox and fillers – why take a refresher course?

It’s important for every practising medical aesthetic professional to undertake training to administer Botox and fillers, though it may be that a refresher course along the way could also prove useful.

How do you know if you could benefit from it? If you have worked in the aesthetics industry but have taken a break from it recently, the chances are that a refresher course will be the right course of action for you.

It may be that you have left the profession for a maternity break, or perhaps moved temporarily to another specialism. In which case it will not only help to brush up on techniques but will be vital in restoring any confidence that may have been lost as a result of absence from the industry.

It can also provide a worthwhile exercise for those who have not had a break from the profession, if not just to compare techniques with others but also learn any newer ideas with regards how to administer such treatments. It may simply provide a fresh way of looking at procedures, or how to get the very best out of them.

Cosmetic Courses offer Botox training and refresher courses to medical professionals, including doctors, dentists and nurses. For more information, contact the team on 01844 390110.

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Nurse in Aesthetics | Working as a nurse and considering a career change?

There is an ongoing discussion within the medical industry right now about who should be able to perform non-surgical cosmetic procedures such as Botox, chemical peels and fillers. PopularNurses in Aesthetics opinion amongst senior medical staff, as well as industry bodies, is that practitioners should be appropriately qualified medical professionals, Nurses in Aesthetics.

As a result, procedures such as Botox may have to be performed by a doctor, nurse or dentist. Additionally there are calls that such professionals should be qualified in the area they want to practice specifically. Due to this popular way of thinking now may be a good time for nurses to consider branching out in to the cosmetic arena.

Nurses typically make great candidates for practitioners of non-invasive cosmetic procedures. Nursing not only has a nurturing aspect to it, but relies on attention to detail and has a number of transferable skills, for example administering injections. Add to this the increasing strain on NHS nurses with tumultuous working conditions and possible pay and pension changes and a switch to the cosmetic field can be an attractive proposition.

Often such a switch will result in better working conditions, more sociable hours and possibly better pay. Because of these factors it’s possible that such a shift is already starting to happen, with more and more nurses registering for courses in medical aesthetics.

Are you a nurse considering a move into the aesthetics field? Find out more about Botox training course options for nurses.

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Botox and Filler Training: Movements in the News?

Recently in the press, the issue of Botox and Filler training and who can be trained has come to light. Due to legislation only medically trained professionals are able to teach but also learn how to inject Botox and fillers.

At Cosmetic Courses we only offer our training to medical professionals – our delegates being a mixture of Doctors, Dentists and Nurses. Our delegates have to be medically qualified and registered with one of the following: General Medical Council, General Dental Council or Nursing and Midwifery Council. This ensures that our delegates are fully licensed to practise within the UK.

In one case an untrained man has been caught teaching Botox and Fillers to beauty therapists, who cannot legally participate in these courses as they lack the required medical qualifications. The man training the beauty therapists was sentenced to time in prison due to the severity of his actions.

This is unfortunate for those trained by him, as they naturally believed the certificate he provided was authentic and allowed them to practise. However, as any respected  non-surgical training provider will know, beauty therapists are not allowed to perform Botox and Dermal Filler treatments.

Therefore it is essential that at Cosmetic Courses we offer our training to the correct delegates. We are CPD certificated as well as having a working partnership with Hamilton Fraser, our insurance company, to ensure this.

Through training with Cosmetic Courses you get the security that our highly trained professional team are there for continued support, from helping you when you start your new career choice to the finer details that may occur throughout your career.

Furthermore, all our trainers are experienced and registered with the relevant medical governing bodies, so they are fully qualified to teach and perform Botox and Filler treatment in line with the regulations and legislations currently in place in the UK.

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Botox and Dermal Fillers Foundation Training Course – Our Latest Feedback

We’ve collated the results of the feedback for our latest training course – and the results are very encouraging.

On Saturday 7th July, we ran another successful Foundation course in Botulinum Toxin and Dermal Fillers.

Though the course was fairly small, the feedback we received showed that satisfaction levels are going from strength to strength.

In fact, it was among the best feedback we have received since we began. We’re very proud to share the results with you here.

The Verdict

Here’s how our delegates rated us:

  • 100% would recommend the course and return for further training
  • 100% thought the speakers communicated effectively
  • 100% thought the venue was suitable for the training
  • 100% thought the demonstrations were well presented and informative
  • 100% thought the hands-on experience was valuable
  • 98% thought there was sufficient time for discussion

A fantastic set of feedback, and we hope that many of our Foundation course delegates choose to continue their study with Cosmetic Courses – either by moving up to the next level on our Intermediate and Advanced courses, or broadening their expertise into other areas like Dermaroller and Skin Peels.

If you would like to attend our next Foundation Botulinum Toxin and Dermal Fillers course, it will be held on Saturday 11th August. Click here to book your place. Alternatively, we are always happy to arrange bespoke one-to-one training sessions at a time that’s convenient for you. Contact us for more information on 0845 230 4110 or email [email protected].

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Feedback from our latest Botox and Dermal Fillers Foundation Training Course

The results of our latest training course are in…..and they’re better than ever!

Last Saturday, 12th May, Cosmetic Courses ran another fully subscribed Foundation course in Botulinum Toxin and Dermal Fillers.

We routinely ask all our delegates to fill out feedback forms to let us know what we’re doing right, as well as highlighting any areas we can improve on.

We’ve now collated the feedback from Saturday’s course, and are very proud to be able to share the results with you here.

The Verdict

Here’s how our delegates rated us:

  • Accommodation and travel were given a score of 96%
  • Structure of the course and discussion time scored 97%
  • Course  presentation, lecture, demonstration, venue and effectiveness of communication were all rated 99%
  • Value of the course and amount learned were given a perfect 100%!

Our Foundation courses are designed for delegates just starting out in their aesthetic careers, and mark the very first step in their journey, so it’s particularly satisfying to hear that they found our latest course so useful.

We hope that many of these happy delegates will decide to join the ranks of our previous Foundation course delegates who have progressed to further study on our Intermediate and Advanced courses, or broaden their training into other areas such as Skin Peels and Dermaroller.

If you missed out on our last training course and would like to attend the next one, it will be held on Saturday 23rd June. Alternatively, we are always happy to arrange bespoke one-to-one sessions at a time that suits you. Contact us for more information on 0845 230 4110 or email [email protected].

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Can Azzalure be Used in Areas Other than the Glabellar?

Azzalure Question:

Dear Cosmetic Courses,

I really enjoyed Mr Adrian Richards’ presentation and the Foundation Course on Saturday . They were very good and I hope to shortly join you on the 4 hours 1-1 practical session.

I would like to ask you a question about Azzalure:

In addition to the glabellar area can Azzalure be used safely in other areas like the crow’s feet and the forehead ? If yes, how much is the recommended dose to use?

Azzalure Answer:

Thank you for your email- we are glad you enjoyed the course.

The answer to your question is yes you can use Azzalure for these areas- Mr Richards tends to use 3 units of Azzalure for each unit he would have used of Botox or Vistabel.

He finds that this a very similar effect and works well.

If you haven’t already, have a look at www.cosmetic-courses.co.uk where you should find more training material on this topic. There has recently been a Blog dealing specifically with this subject which you might also like to read.

With best wishes

The Cosmetic Courses Team.

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Cosmetic Courses & Competency Certification

As the medical aesthetic industry comes under scrutiny, Cosmetic Courses supports calls for higher competency levels.

Botox and Dermal Filler Providers Under Fire

Not only the Surgical sector of the cosmetic treatment industry has come under scrutiny recently following the PIP breast implants fiasco. The Non-Surgical cosmetic injectables market is now also being heavily criticized for lack of regulation and the ease with which products / procedures can launch or professionals can become qualified.

The UK has been described as “an open goal when it comes to cosmetic injections”, with companies starting up and disappearing at the first sign of trouble and a “terrible…lack of training” (Dr. Mike Comins, president of the British Association of Cosmetic Doctors).

Dr. Comins has particularly stressed the importance of competence and for “only medical doctors, their assistants or supervised nurses [to] be allowed to carry out injections of Botox and fillers”.

Cosmetic Courses support Competency & Training for Medical Professionals

These are views which leading UK medical aesthetic training provider, Cosmetic Courses, has long upheld. Even before the PIP scandal hit the media, we were championing rigorous standards within cosmetic injectables training and had a strict policy of only accepting currently qualified medical professionals onto our courses.

Test the Water: then Commit to Competency

We understand that branching into a career in medical aesthetics can be a big commitment, so we do believe that delegates should be given opportunity for ‘taster’ training sessions where they do not have to invest so much money or long-term career aspirations up-front: some people do literally start aesthetic injecting and decide then and there it’s not for them.

Bespoke 1-1 for Competency Certification
But, if a delegate does then decide that they want to pursue a career in cosmetic injectables, we strongly encourage all training with Cosmetic Courses to continue to Bespoke 1-1 level which is the stage where you can be certified in competency. This is in line with the recommendation by the BACD and Mike Comins.

Training DOESN’T end with Competency
Furthermore, Cosmetic Courses always say that your training is a journey. Even having received Competency Certification, many delegates do decide to continue to Advanced Level and we positively encourage this. As Dr. Comins continues: BACD members ‘also have to attend a certain number of conferences and training sessions to maintain their membership’. Our own Cosmetic Courses trainers frequently do this, attending regular events, training sessions and conferences to keep up-to-date with all the latest products and techniques.

Keeping up-to-date is vital in this fast paced industry. This is why Cosmetic Courses believe that Competency Certification and Refresher Training go hand-in-hand. Although many delegates may have already been competency certified, this may have been years ago any they might not have done anything with it ever since. In that time, techniques and products will have moved on. The best practitioners keep up to date with regular training and activity: and Cosmetic Courses encourage all our delegates to be the best.

Our Commitment to You
As Cosmetic Courses’ manager recognized, we do not only expect our delegates to be the best they can be but we also expect the same from ourselves. As part of this ‘we are offering more courses and expanding our packages on an ongoing basis to ensure not just that you keep up but that we keep up’.

Cosmetic Courses also offer a support program so that all delegates are never essentially ‘alone’ after graduating from Cosmetic Courses. Despite being certified competent, if you ever need support or advice after having trained with Cosmetic Courses there is ongoing mentor support via telephone or email.

In all these ways we hope to be able to help do our part to regulate the standards within the industry.

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All I want for Christmas is…Botox?

Christmas Botox is First on the Wishlist for 2011

According to the ABC, Botox is one of the cosmetic procedures right at the top of many women’s wishlists this Christmas. It certainly makes a change from underwear that doesn’t quite fit and endless cookery books. So whats the craze with Christmas Botox?

For those of us in the medical aesthetics industry, this is good news. It means that at that time of year when women draw up their fantasy list of “must have” items, your trade commodity is right up there with coveted perfumes and indulgent chocolates.

Why Do So Many Women Want Botox?

But what is the psychology behind the Botox boom?

One recurring theory is that the gloomy economic climate is causing a growing taste for wrinkle-reducing treatments. It may sound odd at first that, as the purse strings tighten, splashing out on beauty procedures becomes a must. But the logic is actually sound: more financial stress causes more wrinkles and signs of aging and a stronger need to do something about this. Perhaps also, with all the gloom and doom in the rest of the world, ladies are feeling they owe it to themselves to at least take care of the one thing they have complete control over: their appearance.

Whilst other areas of cosmetic surgery have had to up the marketing to drive in customers throughout the recession, the non-surgical industry is booming. This looks set to continue in 2012.

So, whether you are an excited lady waiting by the Christmas Tree tomorrow to see if your wrinkle-reducing treatment voucher is waiting in that shiny envelope; or a highly skilled medical professional thinking about diverting your career into medical aesthetics with a Botox training course next year: have a fantastic Christmas and an even better 2012!

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Botox Gone Wrong: Customer Service for Unhappy Customers

Dealing with Unhappy Customers

Dear Cosmetic Courses,

Please help: I recently treated two patients (friends of mine) with Botox and they both left happy. 5 weeks later they called me wanting a top up. I would usually review up to 3 weeks after but I’d like your advice on this: should I just give them a top-up to keep them happy? Did I do something wrong initially?

Keep Calm and Carry On

Here at Cosmetic Courses, of course we always train our delegates to the very highest standards and, in a perfect world, everybody would always be happy and you’d never make any mistakes. Unfortunately, however, sometimes even when you’ve done everything absolutely right you’ll find you just can’t please every patient 100% of the time.

It is always difficult when people leave happy but return later with some element of dissatisfaction.

You can help lessen the likelihood of this happening, however, by making it absolutely clear during an initial consultation before each and every treatment what they should expect or what the limitations of our medicines are.

Our Trainer, Registered Aesthetic Nurse Libby Stewart, always tries to explain to patients that the duration of efficacy of Botox is designed to be twelve weeks. The initial response isn’t seen for three to five days with the best effect being at two weeks. This is why we arrange the review appointment at two weeks and usually give a window of up to the three week date to allow for holidays, sickness, etc. to perform the perfecting treatment.

We explain to the patient that this protocol is there to protect them from potentially developing anti-bodies to the toxin that may prevent a positive response to the medicine in the future, whether it is used for cosmetic or medical purpose. Libby says, “I usually make a little joke and say something like – if you need this medicine in the future for an incompetent bladder, you won’t thank me for having over- treated a little wrinkle!”

By emphasising to patients that the medicines’ efficacy is designed to last 12  weeks, they should understand that it is perfectly possible to see a slight return of movement from the six week period as the chemical denervation of the muscle starts to decrease and the original neurone mechanism is restored. It will be a gradual process to the return of full movement. If your patients understand the method of action of the medicine right from the start you are less likely to get this sort of query.

The most difficult thing for you is if the patients are friends. Sometimes with friends we miss out as thorough a consultation as we might give to a patient who we know less well. But it is your responsibility as an Aesthetic Practitioner to make sure that they are as informed and documented as thoroughly as any of your regular patients.

You will have to be firm as your patients probably will want you to add more product but don’t be swayed.

Stand by your professional instinct and instead use this as a good learning experience:

  • Was your muscle placement as good as it could have been?
  • Was your depth correct?
  • Was your product fresh, correctly diluted, and had it been stored at the correct temperature?
  • Had you diluted your product slowly causing no bubbles?
  • Had you chosen the right dosage to still the muscle movement?

I’m sure that in your case the answer to all these questions is “yes” but  going through these things in your mind will help you evidence the actions of your treatment and know that you have followed best practice. This will make it easier to stand your professional ground with your patients.

We hope that helps a bit. Let us know how things pan out. We are always interested in how our delegates are getting on.

For more help and advice from the Cosmetic Courses team, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01845 230 4110 or [email protected] . Details of all our leading medical aesthetic training courses for registered doctors, dentists and nurses can be found at www.cosmeticcourses.co.uk .

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