General Training Archives

Your guide to sunscreen and sun care for your patients

As an Aesthetic Practitioner you will be well aware of the importance of protecting your skin from the sun. However, this awareness does not always carry over into the general public. To help advise your patients on the importance of sun protection and the different products available Shailesh Patel, superintendent pharmacist at Pharmacyspace offers his five minute guide to sunscreen and sun care.

Most of us enjoy being in the sunshine, it makes us feel good, but too much sun exposure can lead to adverse effects on our skin such as; sunburn, skin ageing, sun induced skin allergies, cold sores and immunosuppression of the skin. So using a good sunscreen product with an SPF30 or above and a high UVA protection rating should be an essential part of a daily skin care routine, as well as seeking shaded areas to avoid sun exposure during 11.00am and 3.00pm, and protecting the skin with clothing.

Sun protection needs of individuals will vary according to;

skin type,
age,
gender and
daily activities.

It is important to provide product recommendation and advice which provides protection against both UVA and UVB radiation. UVB has a wavelength of 290 – 320 nm and is mostly responsible for sunburn and contributes to skin ageing. In the UK the sun is at its strongest in the middle of the day between 11.00am and 3.00pm. In hotter regions nearer the equator, UVB is more constantly present and intense.

UVA radiation has a longer wavelength of 320 – 400nm. Although it does not burn the skin, UVA does increase the burning effect of UVB and can cause skin cancers just as much as UVB. It is little affected by the seasons – it can be almost as strong in the winter as in the summer. This is why it is important to use a sunscreen which has high UVA protection. UVA penetrates deep into the dermis, where the supporting collagen and elastic fibres are contained. Much of the signs of skin ageing, such as loss of skin tone, sagging, enlarged blood vessels, uneven skin tone and wrinkles, are the result of UVA exposure. It is also responsible for photosensitivity reactions.

Skin type affects how the skin will react to the sun

One of the most commonly used skin type classifications is provided below.

Type	Features
Type I	Northern European. Pale skin, often burn and rarely tan. They generally have light coloured hair or red hair and freckles. Blue or green eyes.
Type II	European/Scandinavian. Usually burn but may gradually tan. They are likely to have light hair, and blue or brown eyes. Some may have dark hair but still have fair skin.
Type III	Southern European. Central European. Burn with long exposure to the sun but generally tan quite easily. They usually have a light olive skin with dark hair and brown or green eyes.
Type IV	Mediterranean, Asian, Latin America. Burn with very lengthy exposures but always tan easily as well. They usually have brown eyes and dark hair.
Type V	East Indian, African, Native American, Have a naturally brown skin, with brown eyes and dark hair. They burn only with excessive exposure to the sun and their skin further darkens easily.
Type VI	African, Aboriginal. Have dark brown/black skin with dark brown eyes and black hair. They burn only with extreme exposure to the sun and their skin further darkens very easily.

Adapted from D’Orazio JA, Jarrett S, Marsch A, Lagrew J, Cleary L (2013). Melanoma – Epidemiology, Genetics and Risk factor. Recent advances in the biology, therapy and management of melanoma. Dr Lester Davids (ed).

Skin types I and II are at the greatest risk of sunburn and skin ageing whilst in the sun. Whereas darker skin types have increased levels of melanin and provide more protection.

What’s in the sunscreen products?

Sunscreen products contain organic UV filters (chemicals which are designed to absorb UV light) such as ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, and inorganic (mineral) filters such as titanium dioxide which reflect and scatter the ultraviolet radiation (UVR) at the skin surface. Once opened, the packaging will give an indication of the expiry of the product. After this expiry period sunscreens will lose their effectiveness; this is normally an icon of a small jar upon which will be a number, generally 3, 6 or 12, with a ‘M’ next to it.

What is Sun Protection Factor (SPF)?

The SPF is mainly a measure of UVB protection and indicates how long a person can stay in the sun without burning with sunscreen on compared to a person without sunscreen on. For example, if it takes 20 minutes for unprotected skin to start to burn (turn red), then a SPF 15 sunscreen will protect them for 15 times longer (i.e. approx. 5 hours). However, it is important to remember that sunscreen products should not be used to increase the amount of time spent in the sun. SPFs are now categorized as providing low to very high protection. These are also printed on the product labels.

Low protection	SPF 6 and 10
Medium protection	SPF 15, 20 and 25
High protection	SPF 30 and 50
Very high protection	SPF50+

What are the UVA stars and circle?

The star system is widely used in Europe to indicate a products UVA protection. A product with five stars indicates excellent protection against UVA equal to the SPF. The EU recommendations in 2006 also introduced a UVA logo (letters UVA printing in a circle) to show that the product achieves the requirement.

How to apply sunscreens correctly

It is widely recognised that people who use sunscreen protection do not apply the required amount of sunscreen. Hence the importance to apply sunscreens evenly and liberally to achieve the indicated SPF. Particular attention should be given to those areas that burn easily such as ears, nose, neck and lips (via a lip screen).

Sunscreens should be applied 30 minutes before going out and to apply a second application just as you go out i.e. 30 minutes after the first application to correct missed areas and ensure adequate application. If a sunscreen has a high SPF factor it will provide greater protection to the areas where they are thinly applied. As a general guide an average sized adult should apply approximately 35ml (6 full teaspoons) for full body application – a teaspoon for the face, each arm, each leg, the front of the body and the back.

An overview of our advice on protecting your skin from sun damage

Choose a sunscreen labelled broad spectrum or high protection against UVA and UVB so it offers balanced UVA and UVB protection e.g. SPF30 and 5 star UVA
Do not stay in the sun too long, even whilst using sunscreen, as no sunscreen can provide 100% protection
Use a high protection sunscreen and re-apply frequently and generously, especially after perspiring, swimming or towelling
In sunny weather, seek shade between 11am and 3pm
Cover up with clothing and don’t forget to wear a hat that protects your face, neck and ears, and sunglasses
Never let your skin burn
A tan is a sign of sun damage to the skin

Pharmacyspace is based in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire and is dedicated to providing a trusted and cost-effective service for your clinic supplies. The handpicked team of dedicated staff will ensure that you get the products you need for your clinic, together with a professional service.

August 10, 2016/by Dr Fiona Durban

Bespoke Training, Botox News, Botox Training, Cosmetic Surgery, Dermal Filler News, Facial Rejuvenation, Filler Training, General Training, Skin Rejuvenation

The differences between Male and Female Ageing

Male and Female Ageing

As technology has advanced, it has become more apparent that in society we are more obsessed with how we look. Mobile phones, iPads and tablets, make capturing the moment even easier with the rise in ‘selfies’ and social media sharing. Within the aesthetic industry, there has also been a shift. Over 90% of procedures performed in the UK in 2015 were non-surgical, and approximately 800,000 of those treatments were for Botox and filler treatments. Many clinics are also reporting that they have seen an increase in the volume of male patients that they are now treating with in their clinic, showing that it is not just woman that are interested in anti-ageing treatments. This could be due to more male celebrities admitting to having treatments, such as Peter Andre and Shane Warne having a little ‘Brotox’ here and there.

One of the questions that we at Cosmetic Courses have been asked by our delegates over the past few months is; are there any differences between the male and female ageing process?

In essence, the ageing process itself is more or less the same, but it is worth noting that there are significant differences between both sexes anatomy, and care should therefore be taken when carrying out aesthetic treatments to ensure a natural and harmonious look is achieved to suit both sexes.

The areas that we believe need to be treated differently for Males and Females are the following:

Forehead
Eyebrow
Cheek
Nose
Jawline and chin
Peri Oral Area

The Forehead

This is one of the most important areas for rejuvenation, but there are noticeable differences between the sexes. Anthropologists use the forehead as an indicator to determine the sex of the skull. It has been observed that a female skull has more of a flat supraorbital ridge, with a smooth convexity up to the hairline, whereas the male skull has a more pronounced supraorbital ridge with some concavity before the forehead becomes flatter towards the hairline. This skeletal structure is what influences the soft tissues and the overall position of the eyebrows.

Eyebrows

The male eyebrow is flat and tends to sit along the supraorbital ridge whereas the female brow arches at a 10 -2- degree angle with a tail that is more superior to the head.

The aim of aesthetic treatments is to restore a more youthful and natural looking appearance. To treat this area for a female it may require forehead re-volumisation and a bit of brow lifting to maintaining that feminine look, but applying the same technique for males, it could result in over feminising, and portray an unnatural. To stay respectful of the male gender, it is advised to not lift above the supraorbital and to only elevate the ptotic brow to ensure the most natural look is achieved.

Cheeks

This is an area that is extensively covered in female rejuvenation, but it does come with limited descriptions when it comes to males. Females have a rounder and fuller cheek due to having a thicker fat compartment in the medial area compared to the lateral area. In regards to female ageing, a fuller cheek gives a more youthful look, referring back to the triangle of youth – everything is more pert and smoother. Male cheeks tend to be flatter and more angular due to a thinner layer of subcutaneous fat. The technique used to treat this area have slight differences, and the volume of product used needs to vary. To keep the ‘flatter’ cheek look for male patients, product should only be used to replace the volume loss. Females can have slightly more product used, and this can be replaced more often to maintain the fuller cheek look.

Nose

There are more subtle differences between the sexes in this area. There are 2 angles that are used to determine the ideal nose shape: Naso-labial Angle and Naso-frontal angle.

Naso Labial is the angle between a line drawn from the lip border to the base of the columella to the nasel tip. This angle is slightly more obtuse and slightly upturned for females, and it’s also necessary to consider your patients cultural and ethnic differences when treating this area.

Naso Frontal is the angle at the radix, the lowest point of the nasal bridge formed by a line running from the radix to the glabella and from the radix along the dorsum of the nose. This position of the radix is important between males and females. Females are normally in line with the lash line whereas males are at the level of the tarsal fold.

Jawline and Chin

Both masculinisation and feminisation techniques can be used within this area. Toxins can be used to narrow down the masseter or curve the chin, and Dermal Fillers can widen the jawline, increase definition or add a sharper gonial angles as well as flatten or enlarge the chin area. Different cultures and ethnicities have different representations of what they believe is an attractive jawline, so it is useful to be aware of this when treating patients. The Hollywood ideal is a defined as a strong wide jaw for males whereas females have a softer narrower pointier chin.

Perioral Area

Treating this area is a more common request in females rather than males. Male skin within this area is thicker than in females, who tend to suffer more with smokers lines and wrinkling. This area benefits from toxin, filler and skin resurfacing treatments for both sexes. If treating a male patient, we suggest you treat with caution.

When treating both the female and male face for any aesthetic treatment, it is important to book them in for a full consultation, to undertake a facial analysis. Within this consultation, grade the upper, mid and lower face in terms of structure, proportion and symmetry. Within our training, we advise that you take photos of all your patients and keep these as a record to show before and after treatment– it also helps to show the patient how far they have come on their treatments with you.

At Cosmetic Courses, we offer an advanced Botox and Dermal Filler training Course which offers more advanced techniques. If you would like to find out more about the course, or have any questions, please call the team on 01844 390110 or email [email protected]

May 10, 2016/by Dr Fiona Durban

Chemical Peel Training, Dermaroller Training, General Training, Microdermabrasion Training, Skin Rejuvenation

Beauty Therapist Training Courses – is it time you moved from beautician to aesthetician?

As a Beauty Therapist, you’ve put in the hard work to build up a loyal client base.

But while you can help your clients with a lot of their aesthetic issues, there are probably some needs you can’t meet.

Current beauty therapy training only qualifies you to treat some complaints you’re likely to encounter in your clients. And for an ambitious Beauty Therapist like you, that can be frustrating.

Not only does it mean you can’t provide a truly comprehensive service to your clients, you’re also missing out on the revenue from treatments they’re seeking elsewhere!

So what can you do?

You already have a good understanding of aesthetics and the “science of beauty”. And you already have the client base.

All you need to do is broaden your repertoire. Extend your beauty salon treatments to include some popular non-surgical aesthetic treatments.

You want to become a ‘one-stop beauty shop’, so there’s every chance your clients won’t need to go anywhere else! And there are a few Beauty Therapist Training Courses that will help you do just that.

Which Beauty Therapist Training Courses are available?

There are two obvious choices when it comes to adding new treatments to your beauty repertoire. Chemical skin peels and Dermaroller micro-needling.

With proper training you’ll be able to safely offer these advanced aesthetic techniques to your clients – either individually or as part of a beauty package.

Add them to your treatment menu and watch your profits skyrocket.

Both Dermaroller and skin peel treatments are extremely cost-effective to perform. Once you’ve trained, the consumables used for each treatment are very inexpensive.

Genuine Dermaroller treatments use no product on the skin, so the only expense is the disposable roller. Treatments are usually charged at around £225, and a course of at least 3 is usually recommended for best results.

Skin peels have a broad scope, treating specific skin complaints as well as improving the general condition of the skin, which makes them popular with all ages. Prices vary depending on the product used, but are typically from £75-£150 per treatment – and again, a course of at least 3 is usually recommended to get optimum results.

Training in both means you can provide your customers with proper, comprehensive treatment plans, leading to a significant increase in both your income and your client satisfaction levels.

Our next available Beauty Therapist Training Courses

Would you like to get some more treatments under your belt? We’re always adding new dates for Beauty Therapist Training Courses throughout the year, but these are our next available dates:

Chemical Peel training – Buckinghamshire – BOOK NOW
Dermaroller training – Buckinghamshire – BOOK NOW

Both of these upcoming courses will be held at our Paddocks Clinic training centre in Princes Risborough, Bucks.

Find out more about our Beauty Therapist Training Courses

Cosmetic Courses is led by acclaimed Consultant Plastic Surgeon Adrian Richards. We offer a wide range of accredited training courses for people looking to enter or improve their credentials in the aesthetic industry. For more information on any of our Beauty Therapist Training Courses, please call the team on 01844 318317 or email us at [email protected].

December 11, 2015/by Melanie Recchia

Dermaroller Training, Filler Training, General Training, Microdermabrasion Training, Platelet Rich Plasma Training

Could better cosmetic training help ‘clean up’ the aesthetic industry?

With shocking celebrity photos and a never-ending supply of horror stories on Botched Bodies, as aestheticians we’re up against it. But what can we do to clean up the reputation of the cosmetic industry?

The long-awaited Keogh Report, published in 2013, found what most of us in the industry already know. Non-surgical cosmetic treatments are grossly under-regulated.

And while the report made several recommendations, so far it hasn’t translated into new legislation.

So in the absence of strong regulations, it’s our responsibility as practitioners to do what we can to reassure patients. And there’s a couple of important ways we can do that.

Cosmetic Training

Unfortunately, lax rules have created conditions where unqualified, unscrupulous practitioners have been allowed to flourish.

It’s hugely disappointing that Botox and fillers can be legally injected by people without any medical training. So if we want to raise standards, those of us who recognise the need for proper training need to make our voices heard.

Pursuing the best, most comprehensive cosmetic training we can, and displaying our credentials, is vital. We need to create a ‘race to the top’, where the best practitioners help decide the new norm.

Talking to patients about our training, in the form of newsletters and displayed certificates, will help raise awareness – and put clear water between us and unqualified practitioners.

We need to make sure patients expect their practitioners to be medically qualified, and have pursued additional cosmetic training.

Our patients trust us. So it’s our duty not only to make sure we’ve pursued the best training we can, and are updating it as needed, but to make sure they know how important that is.

Accreditation

Accreditation is voluntary, so by seeking it out you’re sending a powerful message to your patients, and by extension, the industry. The bare minimum is not enough.

The organisation Save Face was founded in 2013 as a direct response to the Keogh Review of the Regulation of Cosmetic Interventions.

Their Save Face Scheme is a voluntary register of cosmetic practitioners who have been thoroughly vetted by doctors.

It gives independent accreditation to practitioners and clinics who complete a rigorous cosmetic training programme and demonstrate that their practice complies with robust standards.

They check professional credentials, interview practitioners, and visit clinics to ensure they’re fit for purpose, all products are stored correctly and data protection is adhered to.

Accreditation is a reassuring ‘shorthand’ for patients. A prominent logo lets them know that their practitioner conforms to certain standards, and has nothing to hide.

The more practitioners seek and achieve accreditation, the more patients will start to look for it as a minimum standard.

At Cosmetic Courses, we’ve teamed up with Save Face to promote their enhanced accreditation programme to our delegates. All those who meet the criteria and achieve Save Face accreditation are entitled to a discount on further training with us.

As professionals, the power is in our hands to bring about the changes we want to see in the industry.

Educating ourselves and our patients, and seeking accreditation, are powerful tools to help raise the bar when it comes to patients’ expectations. And in time, those clinics and practitioners who don’t measure up will either have to take steps to improve, or fall by the wayside.

Cosmetic Courses offer cosmetic training to medical professionals looking to move into the aesthetics industry. We have training centres throughout the UK, including Bucks, Birmingham, Leeds, London, Kent and Essex. For information on any of our cosmetic training courses, call the team on 01844 318317 or email us at [email protected].

November 20, 2015/by Mr Adrian Richards

Bespoke Training, Botox Training, Business Marketing Training, Chemical Peel Training, Dermaroller Training, Filler Training, General Training, Microdermabrasion Training, Platelet Rich Plasma Training, Vaser Training

5 reasons to choose our Aesthetic Training Courses

With demand for aesthetic treatments growing fast, and more professionals looking to enter the industry, the number of aesthetic training providers is expanding too.

Which means if you’re a medical professional looking to train in aesthetics, you’ve more choice than ever. But given the number of providers out there, it’s important to do your research and find the right provider for you.

If you’ve landed here, we guess you’re considering us (thanks!). So to give you a flavour of what you can expect, here are 5 reasons to consider our Aesthetic Training Courses…

1. Our team

We think the number one reason to choose us is the thing we’re most proud of – our people. The Cosmetic Courses team, handpicked and led by Consultant Plastic Surgeon Adrian Richards, go the extra mile for our delegates.

All of them have excellent medical credentials and bags of experience. That’s a given. But what sets them apart – and what we consistently receive great feedback for – is their approach.

Our team understand that you need a little hand-holding while you’re learning, and in the early days after training. So we’ll always be there to help and support you throughout. We don’t just provide training – we see ourselves as a lifelong learning partner for our delegates.

2. Our history

We’ve been doing this for a long time. We’re the UK’s most established provider of aesthetic training courses, starting life back in 2002.

Over those 13 years, we’ve continuously refined and developed our courses, and added several new ones, in order to make sure we’re offering the best aesthetic training available in the UK.

To date, we’ve successfully trained and mentored over 3,000 Doctors, Dentists and Nurses, many of whom are now running their own successful businesses – and 72% of whom came back for more training.

3. Our comprehensive service

There are plenty of challenges involved in changing career. So we’re determined to make the training part as easy and hassle-free as possible for our delegates.

We provide all the models and resources you need for your training. All you need to do is turn up on the day, ready to learn.

We also offer a bespoke, tailored service that lets you piece together a comprehensive training plan to suit your specific needs.

4. Our business support

As a medical professional, the practical side to aesthetics should come easily to you. But if you want to work for yourself, you’ll need to know about the ins and outs of running a business too.

So we’ve put measures in place to help you.

Once you’ve completed one of our aesthetic training courses, you’ll get access to the Members area of our website. Rather than having to create patient medical history and consent forms, treatment information sheets and other essential documents yourself, you can simply download them from here.

We’re also partnered with a pharmacy to give you a convenient way to access the products and supplies you need to run your practice – with cost savings too.

5. We’ll help you find new clients – for free

Training is only part of the picture. We know it can take time to build up your client base in the early days. So after you complete a course with us, we’ll automatically give you a free listing on our National Cosmetic Network (NCN) website.

The website is targeted at patients looking for safe, insured and accredited aesthetic practitioners in their local area. You can update your profile as you complete more training with us, so any prospective patients can see your expert credentials at a glance.

We only list practitioners that we’ve personally trained, so a listing on the NCN is a vote of confidence from the most established aesthetic training company in the land. Priceless!

Find out more about our Aesthetic Training Courses

At Cosmetic Courses, we offer a broad range of aesthetic training courses at several centres across the UK, including Bucks, Essex, Kent, Birmingham and Manchester. For information on our training, or to book a place on a course, please call us on 01844 318317 or email us at [email protected].

November 6, 2015/by Mr Adrian Richards

Botox Training, Chemical Peel Training, Filler Training, General Training, Microdermabrasion Training, Platelet Rich Plasma Training

Aesthetic nurse training – what do you need for a cosmetic career?

Are you a nurse looking for a new direction? Still keen to keep using your practical and personal skills to change people’s lives?

There could be a home for you in aesthetic nursing.

The aesthetic industry is booming – and the non-surgical side in particular. Demand for non-invasive aesthetic treatments is now growing faster than cosmetic surgery.

And nurses have been at the forefront of the aesthetic revolution. They’ve been treating and caring for aesthetic patients since the early 1980s.

There are over 4,000 Aesthetic Nurses currently practising in the UK. So how do you go about joining them?

Aesthetic Nurse training – the requirements

While a minority of Aesthetic Nurses work in cosmetic surgery, most work on the non-surgical side.

Either based in clinics or self-employed in their own practices, they offer treatments like cosmetic injectables (Botox, dermal fillers), skin peels, sclerotherapy and medical micro-needling.

The most popular treatments by far are injectables. So if you’re serious about becoming an Aesthetic Nurse, you’ll need to pursue training in Botox and dermal fillers.

As long as you’re a Registered Nurse with current registration with the NMC, you’re eligible to train in the use of Botox and fillers.

Training can be completed in one day, and will qualify you to offer both Botox and filler treatments to your own patients.

But bear in mind that Botulinum Toxin is a prescription-only medicine. So unless you’re a Nurse Prescriber, you’ll always need to work with someone else who can prescribe it.

For that reason, we’d recommend your Aesthetic Nurse training also includes an Independent Nurse Prescriber Course. These are offered on a part-time basis at colleges and universities and can usually be completed in around 4 months.

Being able to prescribe Botulinum Toxin, as well as administer it, will make you a valuable asset to potential employers. It’ll also make it easier to set up and run your own business further down the line.

Other Aesthetic Nurse training options

Once you’ve trained in Botox and fillers, you’re ready to start practising as an Aesthetic Nurse. But in time, you’ll probably want to be able to offer more treatments to your patients.

You can add more to your repertoire at your own pace, as and when you’re ready. It’s simply a case of deciding which treatments you’d like to offer your patients, and completing the appropriate course.

Most non-surgical treatments only need a one-day course, letting you get up to speed very quickly. At Cosmetic Courses, we offer a wide range of one-day courses, including Microsclerotherapy, Chemical Peels, Dermaroller and Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy.

You might also want to consider advanced Botox and dermal filler courses to learn more specialist techniques like chemical brow lift and peri-oral sculpting.

Whatever you choose to learn on your Aesthetic Nurse training journey, it’s a great time to get on the aesthetics learning curve.

If the UK market keeps growing (and with an increasing – and ageing – population, it seems likely), you can expect to carve out an extremely rewarding career, both financially and professionally.

Find out more about Aesthetic Nurse training

Cosmetic Courses are the UK’s most established aesthetic training provider, with centres in Buckinghamshire, London, Kent, Birmingham and Manchester.

To date, we’ve trained over 3,000 nurses and other medical professionals to administer safe, effective treatments to their patients. Want to find out more about our Aesthetic Nurse training courses? Give us a call on 01844 318317 or email [email protected].

September 29, 2015/by Melanie Recchia

Aesthetic Industry News, General Training

We’re shortlisted in the Aesthetics Awards!

We’re not ones to boast – but we can’t keep this to ourselves. We’ve been shortlisted for ‘Training Initiative of the Year’ in the Aesthetics Awards!

My, there’s a buzz in the air at Cosmetic Courses HQ. Even more so than normal. Finding out we’ve made the finals in our category has put a real spring in everyone’s step.

The perfect antidote to the onset of autumn and those back to school blues!

We’re genuinely thrilled to be shortlisted. And doubly delighted because it’s the second award we’ve been shortlisted for this year (we’ve also made the shortlist in the My Face My Body Awards.)

Everybody in our team works hard to provide the most comprehensive service they can to our delegates, both during their training and afterwards. So getting a tip of the hat in these awards is fantastic.

All finalists were officially announced in the September issue of Aesthetics Journal.

Judging and voting is now underway. The winner in our category will be decided by the judging panel, with no voting process – so you won’t be able to help us with this one. But you can wish us luck!

We’ve been told there were more entries this year than last, and the standard was the highest it’s ever been. So whatever happens from here, we’re really proud to even make it this far.

What happens next?

Voting and judging closes on 30^th October. All the winners, as well as the Highly Commended and Commended finalists, will then be announced at the Aesthetics Awards 2015 ceremony on 5^th December in London.

About the Aesthetics Awards

The aim of the Aesthetics Awards is to bring together the best in medical aesthetics and leaders in the profession to celebrate the achievements of the past year.

There are 24 categories in total, chosen to recognise a broad cross-section of the aesthetic industry for the contributions they have made. Awards are presented for clinical excellence, product innovation and practice achievement to those who have excelled in the field of aesthetic medicine. That includes clinics and individual practitioners, as well as manufacturers and suppliers.

The awards ceremony takes place on Saturday 5th December at the Park Plaza Hotel, Westminster Bridge. It’s expected there will be around 500 guests who – reading the itinerary – can look forward to a fantastic evening.

A drinks reception will be followed by a performance from a top comedian and sit-down dinner. After the main event – the announcement of the winners – we’ll let our hair down with music and dancing until late. Hopefully whilst celebrating, rather than commiserating, with our colleagues and friends!

Watch this space – we’ll be sure to let you know how we get on.

September 9, 2015/by Mr Adrian Richards

Botox Training, Chemical Peel Training, Filler Training, General Training

5 great benefits of aesthetic training for Doctors

Are you a Doctor working in the NHS? Starting to want more variety from your working life? Read on for 5 compelling reasons to make aesthetic training for Doctors your next move.

1. It’s great for your bank balance

Let’s not be coy. Training in aesthetics offers you far more scope to dictate your own earnings than working as a GP.

Most aesthetic treatments can be performed in under an hour. Botox, for example, takes around 15-40 minutes depending on the areas treated. With Botox treatment typically charged at around £200 for one area, your earning potential is limited only by your own ambition.

2. More patient time

If you’re frustrated by the time pressure of the NHS, and want to spend longer with your patients, aesthetics is the perfect antidote to the NHS ‘conveyor belt’.

You can choose how much time to spend with your patients. If you enjoy patient interaction, aesthetics is much more conducive to chatting and passing the time of day.

Another crucial difference is that you’re not trying to remove a negative, as you are when you’re a GP treating unwell patients. Instead, you’re aiming to produce a positive, in the form of a great aesthetic result. So there’s far more potential for spreading joy!

3. Training is quick

In most careers, if you want to shift focus and move into a new area, you can expect a fairly lengthy retraining period. If you’re a Doctor, however, you’re in the happy position of having access to a new specialism that uses all your existing skills and experience – allowing you to qualify very quickly.

Aesthetic training for Doctors is quick to complete, with most courses taking only one day. It’s quite possible to train one week, and be treating your own aesthetic patients the next.

4. Growing market

Aesthetic treatments are hot right now. Botox alone is a billion dollar industry worldwide, and that shows no sign of slowing. In fact, demand for non-surgical aesthetic treatments is growing relative to cosmetic surgery. So getting qualified in as many non-surgical treatments as you can will make you a sought-after expert in a booming industry.

5. Long-term patient relationships

Aesthetic treatments produce impressive results for your patients – but they don’t last forever. So if a patient’s happy with their treatment, there’s a good chance they’ll return to you when needed.

And establishing long-term relationships with your patients not only makes them likely to return to you for top-ups, they may also be tempted to try new treatments you add to your repertoire.

Find out more about aesthetic training for Doctors

For more on the benefits of aesthetic training for Doctors, watch this video where Dr Sophie Shotter explains how aesthetic training helped kickstart her business.

Cosmetic Courses is the UK’s longest established medical aesthetic training provider. Our team offer a wide range of accredited aesthetic training for Doctors, Dentists and Nurses. To find out more, call the team on 01844 318798 or email [email protected].

August 28, 2015/by Dr Fiona Durban

Bespoke Training, Botox Training, Chemical Peel Training, Dermaroller Training, Filler Training, General Training, Microdermabrasion Training, Platelet Rich Plasma Training

Finance your career in aesthetics the affordable way

Are you a medical professional who’s decided on a career in aesthetics? Great news – you’re in the right place. At Cosmetic Courses, we’ve helped thousands of people like you carve out exciting and lucrative new careers in aesthetic medicine.

If you’re just setting out on your journey, we know there’s lots to think about. And one of the most important is finance.

Training in aesthetics is a great investment in your financial future. But before you can reap the rewards, you’ve got to meet the costs of your training courses.

Depending on how many treatments you want to learn, that can involve a hefty outlay. Which is why we’ve introduced our finance plans – to make it easier and more affordable for you to make your career dreams a reality.

Funding your career in aesthetics

We understand the financial pressures involved in retraining for a career in aesthetics, and setting up in business. Many of our trainers have been there themselves.

So we’ve put together some plans and packages to make your transition into aesthetics as affordable and cost-effective as possible.

1. Our course packages

If you’re planning on taking several courses, our course packages are a great way to save while you learn.

2. Our 0% finance option

And if you’d rather not pay a lump sum for your training at the outset, we offer interest-free finance to help you spread the cost.

Our 0% direct debit options are available on all the packages outlined above, as well as a select number of our individual bespoke, advanced and skin rejuvenation courses.

Because we know everyone’s circumstances are different, our direct debit plans are flexible. You can choose to divide the cost into affordable monthly payments over a fixed 6 or 12-month period, or together we can create a tailored plan to suit you.

All you have to pay in advance is a small fee to secure your place. Then once it’s set up, you can forget about paying and get on with learning.

Kickstart your career in aesthetics

If you’d like help in starting your career in aesthetics, our team will be more than happy to advise. Please give us a call on 01844 390110 or email [email protected] to find out more about our finance plans and training courses.

August 20, 2015/by Dr Fiona Durban

Aesthetic Industry News, General Training

Visiting the CCR Expo? Come and see Mr Richards discuss the Aurora Lift

One of the highlights of the aesthetic industry calendar, the CCR Expo, is fast approaching. It takes place this year on 8th-9th October at London Olympia – and we’re delighted to say we’re exhibiting.

Whatever stage you’re at in your aesthetic career, the CCR Expo (Clinical Cosmetic and Reconstructive Expo) is sure to have something of interest for you.

If you’ve been before, you’ll know it’s one of the most respected events of its kind in the industry, comprising two days of surgical and non-surgical conferences, workshops, Continuing Professional Development content and live demonstrations – with the vast majority being free to attend as well as CPD accredited.

If you’ve never been to the CCR Expo, or are new to the industry, we’d really recommend a visit. You’ll access valuable information and resources that will enhance your knowledge, sharpen your skills and help develop your career.

What can you expect at the CCR Expo?

This year, for the first time, the CCR Expo programme includes a useful new educational stream specifically for those who are planning on making the move into aesthetics.

“Getting Started in Aesthetics” runs on both the Thursday and Friday, and aims to guide you through the whole process of making the transition to facial aesthetics.

The masterclass will cover both how and why to make the move into aesthetics, as well as filling you in on the specific regulations and legal complications you need to be aware of.

But there’s plenty that will be of interest if you’re already established in the industry too.

A varied programme of free lectures, seminars, meetings and demos includes a Surgical & Non-Surgical Workshop, Non-Surgical Conference and an Allergan Injectables Masterclass.

Additional paid-for events include the BAAPS Annual Scientific Meeting and the Journal of Aesthetic Nursing Conference, as well as the application-only British Cosmetic Dermatology Group Expert Session.

Meet Cosmetic Courses at the CCR Expo

If you do decide to come along, be sure to swing by our stand and say hello. You’ll find us in the BAAPS area on Stand G50.

Our Medical Director Mr Adrian Richards and our trainer, qualified dentist Dr Olha Vorodukhina (pictured), will both be there, and will be happy to help if you’d like any advice on training courses, treatment techniques or the practicalities of getting started in aesthetics and setting up your business.

Adrian will also be talking about his ‘Aurora Lift’ on both days. You can catch him on Thursday 8th at 12.40pm and again on Friday 9th at 2.30pm.

The Aurora Lift is the Botulinum toxin and filler technique we use in our advanced facial rejuvenation training at Cosmetic Courses, as well as with patients at our sister company Aurora Skin Clinics.

It’s based on the concept of an A-frame, and involves treating the ageing face by injecting Botox and facial fillers at strategic points on an imaginary ‘A’.

Treating several areas along this ‘A’ – the Glabella, Cheeks, Nasolabial Folds, Marionette Lines and Pre Jowl Salcus – allows us to more effectively counter the downward migration of facial volume to restore the youthful ‘inverted triangle’. (Find out more about the Aurora Lift.)

If you know the basic Botox and filler techniques but are interested in learning more advanced applications, Adrian’s talk will be well worth a visit. So we hope to see lots of you there!

If you’d like to come along to the CCR Expo, registration is still open and you can book. For more information on the Aurora Lift or Cosmetic Courses’ programme of aesthetic training courses, please feel free to contact the team on 01844 318745 or email [email protected].

July 31, 2015/by Mr Adrian Richards