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We’re shortlisted in the Aesthetics Awards!

Cosmetic Courses: Aesthetic Awards Finalists
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.

Cosmetic Courses: Aesthetics Awards Finalist 2015

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 30th October. All the winners, as well as the Highly Commended and Commended finalists, will then be announced at the Aesthetics Awards 2015 ceremony on 5th 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.

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We’re finalists in the My Face My Body Awards!

Cosmetic Courses: Banner showing that we are finalists for the My Face My Body Awards 2015

Our sister company, Aurora Clinics, won ‘Best Aesthetic Clinic’ at the 2013 My Face My Body Awards, and we made the shortlist for our training courses last year.

Now we’re delighted to say that, thanks to the hard work of our team, we’ve both made it through to the finals again.

This year, Aurora has been shortlisted in the category of ‘Best Customer Experience’, while Cosmetic Courses has once again been shortlisted for ‘Best Training Program’.

Both awards are hotly contested, and in our own category nine finalists are in the running to win – so there’s plenty of healthy competition!

Naturally, we’d love to be recognised for the quality of our training as well as our treatments. And we can only be in with a chance of winning with the support of our amazing delegates, friends and colleagues.

It only takes a few seconds to vote in the My Face My Body Awards. So if you’ve trained with us at Cosmetic Courses and would like to lend us your support, we’d really appreciate it!

How you can vote for us

You can cast your vote on the main My Face My Body Awards page. Scroll down to Best Training Program, click in the check box next to Aurora Clinics, then on the green ‘Submit Your Vote’ bar.

Alternatively, you can go to our entry page and leave your comments – this also counts as a vote for us, so either way is fine with us!

The judging team will decide the winner based on comments and votes, as well as the following criteria:

  • Demonstrating advancements in the knowledge base of aesthetic medical professionals.
  • Engaging with delegates, with training being well received.
  • Breadth of knowledge in the subject being taught.
  • Time allocated to practical hands-on assessment.
  • Level of support given after training such as e-learning, videos or mentoring.
  • Offering a full range of training workshops within aesthetics.

We’ve worked hard on our entry, so fingers crossed we’ve managed to show that we fulfil the above credentials – but we’ll have to wait and see…

About the My Face My Body Awards

Cosmetic Courses: Image showing the My Face My Body Awards Finalist LogoThe My Face My Body Awards were launched to better educate a wider audience about the aesthetic industry. They’ve quickly become one of the most high-profile awards in the industry, attended by experts and thought leaders from the fields of dentistry, cosmetic surgery, aesthetics and beauty as well as journalists and celebrities.

This year’s My Face My Body Awards ceremony takes place on Saturday 7th November at the Intercontinental Park Lane, and promises a lavish three course dinner, drinks reception and fantastic entertainment, with dancing until the small hours.

As in previous years, we’ll be well represented on the night by as many of our hardworking team as we can fit on our table. And whether we win, lose or share our award (as awards can be shared between more than one entrant), we’ll be sure to have a fantastic night.

Keep an eye on our website and Facebook page in the coming days. We’ll be putting up some badges soon that will link through to our award entry page. After the awards, we’ll put up some photos from the night too.

In the meantime thanks for your support, and if you can spare a couple of seconds to vote for us, we’d be hugely grateful!

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

Cosmetic Courses at the CCR-EXPO

 

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.

Cosmetic Courses: Photo showing aesthetic trainer Dr Olha Vorodukhina

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].

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Could 8 Point Lift training take your practice to the next level?

As a professional in the aesthetic industry, you want to stay ahead of the game. Many industries move quickly as new technology, theories and practices emerge – but aesthetics is up there with the most dynamic. 

If you’re currently offering Botox and dermal filler treatments to your patients but would like to move your practice on, you’ll want to have your next move in mind.

Start by taking a look at our chart to determine your position in your medical aesthetics journey. How far along are you? If you’re on Step 9, you’re perfectly placed to add some more advanced treatments to your repertoire.

And perhaps the most advanced of all non-surgical treatments is the 8 Point Lift (also known as the ‘non-surgical facelift’ or ‘liquid lift’).

Why train in the 8 Point Lift?

Botox and dermal filler treatments have long been the gold standard when it comes to non-surgical facial rejuvenation, and with good reason. Both treatments, in skilled hands, can offer exceptional anti-ageing results on isolated areas.

But for patients looking for whole-face rejuvenation, a more advanced approach is needed. Traditionally, the go-to option has been facelift surgery. But with the advent of the 8 Point Lift, it’s now possible to produce dramatic anti-ageing results for your patients non-surgically.

Cosmetic Courses were the UK’s first independent training provider to offer advanced training in Allergan’s 8 Point Lift. We believe it is the natural next step for practitioners who have mastered basic Botox and fillers – the perfect opportunity to take your training, and your practice, to the next level.

The treatment uses Allergan’s 2nd generation VYCROSS™ range of advanced dermal fillers, and takes a more holistic approach. Instead of targeting one or two localised areas, as with traditional methods, the 8 Point Lift involves injecting filler into multiple key points on each side of the face.

This is an important difference. Taking a more comprehensive approach means we are treating not just the symptoms of volume loss (thin lips, nasolabial folds, etc), but actively addressing the root cause – a loss of volume throughout the mid-lower face.

The treatment will give your patients a natural but noticeable lift that can last for up to 18 months. Great for them, and great for building your reputation as a skilled, forward-thinking practitioner.

Find out more about 8 Point Lift Training

If you’d like to find out more about our 8 Point Lift training, how it could benefit your patients and help your practice grow, click here to see our 8 Point Lift course programme.

For more information on any of our training courses, please don’t hesitate to contact the team on 01844 318317 or email [email protected].

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Refer a friend – receive a discount on our aesthetic courses

If you’ve trained with Cosmetic Courses and are considering pursuing further training – did you know you can get a discount by referring a friend?

Read on to find out more about our referral scheme…

Discount aesthetic courses

We’re very proud to say that most medical professionals who train with us at Cosmetic Courses choose to return for further training.

To date, we’ve trained over 3,000 doctors, dentists and nurses from around the globe. Of those, 72% have decided to come back and supplement their learning with additional aesthetic courses.

Because we know that training can be a costly business (especially if you want to learn a wide range of treatments), and also to thank our delegates for their loyalty, we run our own referral scheme.

Aesthetic courses at Cosmetic Courses

If you’d like to receive a discount on a further training course, just refer a suitably qualified friend or colleague to Cosmetic Courses and you’ll both receive a discount on your courses.

The perfect opportunity to build on your skills and help kick-start a friend’s aesthetic career.

How does the discount work?

It’s very simple. Everybody who completes a course with us will receive a refer a friend voucher to take away. When one of your friends books and pays for a course with us, they’ll receive a 10% discount.

In addition, when you book your next course with us you will also receive 10% off your course.

Conditions of use

Needless to say, any friend you refer must be a qualified dentist, doctor, nurse, surgeon or other medical professional. If you’re at all unsure whether they may qualify, contact us and we’ll be happy to advise.

The voucher is redeemable against any of our programme of aesthetic courses, so whether you’ve trained in basic Botox and fillers and would like to progress onto our advanced course, or would like to boost your practice with some new rejuvenating treatments, the voucher is your friend.

** Please note – the voucher can only be used once and must be brought along to your course when you attend. It cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Cosmetic Courses may cancel or vary the scheme at any time.**

Cosmetic Courses, established in 2002, is the UK’s most established aesthetic training provider. To find out more about our refer a friend scheme, or any of our aesthetic courses, call the team on 01844 318317 or email [email protected].

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An Aesthetics Training success story: Dr Sophie Shotter

If you’re a medical professional thinking about a change of career, it can be encouraging to hear from people who have been in your shoes.

Dr Sophie Shotter took a comprehensive range of aesthetics training courses with us.

She now runs her own cosmetic clinic, Illuminate Skin Clinics in Kent, and recently joined our team of trainers at Cosmetic Courses.

Here she talks about her career, her training and her new life in aesthetics.

My background

I’m a medically qualified doctor with a background in anaesthetics in the NHS. When I first thought about aesthetics training, I spoke to a friend who was already qualified, and he recommended Cosmetic Courses.

Why Cosmetic Courses?

It’s the only course run by a Plastic Surgeon, and has a brilliant reputation. In an industry where training is notoriously variable, that assured me I’d be in the best place.

Which courses did you take?

I started off with Foundation Botox and Fillers, and walked away feeling confident about Botox, but wanting to learn a little more about fillers. I booked some more one-to-one training to learn more advanced procedures – lip fillers, cheek fillers, and advanced Botox.

I then trained up in microsclerotherapy, Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy, Dermaroller, and microdermabrasion and peels as well.

I think I’ve probably done just about every course they offer!

What did you think of your training?

I’ve trained with most members of the team and found everyone so friendly, helpful and supportive. The quality of the training was second to none. The personalised advice I got and also bits and bobs about business advice were really helpful.

Would you recommend Cosmetic Courses to others?

I’ve already done so to several colleagues and friends. I wouldn’t send them anywhere else. The quality of training I’ve received I don’t think is matched elsewhere in the industry.

What advice would you give to others thinking about aesthetics training?

When it comes to choosing your provider, look at who has designed the training programme. How well established are they? Who are their trainers, and what’s their reputation?

What are the main benefits you’ve found from moving into aesthetics?

For me, the benefits have been enormous. My work-life balance is much healthier. I work the hours I choose to work, I have time for family and friends, and if I have to make an appointment to see my GP, I don’t struggle to do that any more. I’m a much happier person as a result.

The earning potential within aesthetics is massive – much better than within the NHS for me. Although I’m still in the early stages of my business development, that is really, really exciting.

I love my job – I don’t dread Monday mornings any more, and that’s an amazing feeling!

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Cosmetic Courses offers a wide range of courses for medical professionals looking to enter the aesthetic industry. For information on any of our aesthetics training courses, please don’t hesitate to contact the team on 01844 318317 or email [email protected].

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Frequently asked questions about our Botox and fillers course

We often receive enquiries asking about particular aspects of our training courses – most commonly our Foundation and Advanced Botox and fillers courses.

With that in mind, we thought it’d be a good idea to answer some of the questions we are often asked here on our blog.

Am I eligible to attend a Botox and fillers course?

Our Botox courses are open to qualified medical professionals, which includes (but is not limited to) Doctors, Dentists, Registered Nurses, Surgeons, Trainee Surgeons, Dermatologists and Opthalmologists. If you belong to another medical profession and would like to check your eligibility, please contact us on 01844 390110 and we’ll be happy to advise.

Do I need to be UK registered to offer Botox treatment in the UK?

Yes. If you’re looking to offer Botox treatments to patients in the United Kingdom, you must have a current active UK registration.

Do I need to bring my own models?

No. We’ve built up a large database of models and will provide an appropriate model for your training needs. However, if you’d prefer to bring your own model, you’re more than welcome to do so. Many delegates choose to bring along a friend or colleague so they can see how their treatment progresses over time. Just let us know when you book your Botox and fillers course and we’ll be happy to accommodate.

What should I wear to my Botox and fillers course?

You should come in what you feel comfortable in. You will be treating real patients, so we’d encourage you to look relatively smart and professional. But the most important thing is that you feel confident and able to focus on what you are learning.

How much hands-on practice will I get?

The Botox and fillers course is practical in nature. After a morning of theory, it’s straight into hands-on practice in the afternoon.  You will mark up your model, choose the treatment you’re going to use and perform the treatment, supervised closely by your trainer. You’ll also watch other people in your group as they treat their models.

If you opt for one of our one-to-one courses, these are completely tailored to you, so you can choose your own balance of theory and practical.

How many people will be in the practical session?

We like to keep the training groups as small and informal as we can. We’ve found that 4 or 5 is the best group size to give you the best possible training.

Will I receive any information on business and marketing?

Running a successful aesthetic business requires more than clinical skills. To help you with the business aspects of practice, we will offer guidance about setting up your website and publicising your business.

We also have other resources to help you on an ongoing basis, including podcasts available to download from iTunes. In these, our Surgical Director Adrian Richards speaks about all aspects of aesthetic marketing with Ron Myers from Consulting Room.

Will I receive any support after completing my Botox and fillers course?

We pride ourselves on our comprehensive ongoing support. If you have any questions at all after completing your training, whether clinical or business related, you are always welcome to contact us for guidance.

With our delegates’ permission, we often answer some of the questions we receive in videos or other training materials so other people can benefit from the advice.

Cosmetic Courses offers aesthetic training in Buckinghamshire, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Essex and Kent. For more information about what to expect from our Botox and fillers course, please contact the team on 01844 390110 or email [email protected].

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With PRP Therapy in the media, now’s a great time to train

We’ve seen increased interest in our PRP Therapy training over the last couple of weeks thanks to a certain reality show.

The treatment, also known as the Vampire Facelift, was recently featured on ITVBe’s ‘The Real Housewives of Cheshire’.

In the show, which aired last Monday, life coach Tanya Bardsley was seen inviting friends Ampika Pickston and Leanne Brown along when she went for the treatment.

With admirable candour, she confessed that she would “eat donkey poo” if it meant looking younger.

PRP on the TV

And it’s not the first reality show to feature the treatment. PRP Therapy first received widespread attention thanks to ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’, where Kim was famously filmed undergoing treatment.

You may have seen the dramatic photos that circulated in several magazines afterwards, showing Kim’s face dotted with blood.

With such an increase in prominence for the treatment, you may find your own patients start to ask you about PRP Therapy – if they haven’t already. Which makes now a great time to train.

About Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

The PRP Therapy technique has been used in medicine for many years, in such varied fields as orthopaedics, dentistry, neurosurgery and ophthalmology.

This system uses the Tropocells technique to obtain a concentrated dose of clear plasma from a sample of the patient’s blood. Dense with blood platelets, this plasma is injected back into the body (in the case of aesthetics, into the skin), where a huge ‘hit’ of growth factors is released to stimulate repair and rejuvenation.

Why train in PRP Therapy 

Training in the treatment will give you an excellent add-on to your practice. It’s particularly useful for the delicate areas around the eyes, which are usually difficult to treat with Botox and dermal fillers. As such, it can be used in conjunction with other injectable and rejuvenating treatments as part of a wider treatment regime.

As an autologous system, patients who are not keen on using artificial products may be happier to try PRP Therapy as it is completely natural – and therefore reassuringly safe.

It can be used on all skin types, involves very little downtime for your patients, and has long-lasting results. And as an added advantage for your practice, the treatment is very cost-effective as it incurs very little outlays.

Finding out more

At Cosmetic Courses we offer PRP Therapy training at the Paddocks Clinic in Buckinghamshire. Training takes one day and courses are held monthly. Our next available course date is 18th February 2015.

To find out more or book your place, please contact the team on 01844 390110 or email [email protected].

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Interview with Dr Agata Smolen: Botox training for dentists

Are you a dentist thinking about moving into facial aesthetics? Our courses have been helping dentists launch aesthetic careers since 2002. One of those dentists, Dr Agata Smolen, now works with our sister company Aurora Skin Clinics in Northampton.

Here Dr Agata Smolen talks about the benefits of Botox training for dentists.

Tell us about your background

I graduated in dentistry in Poland in 2009, and worked as a dental associate for 4 years before moving to England. I went to Bristol first, then settled in Oxford. I now work full-time as a dentist, splitting my week between Oxford and Lechlade. Two Saturdays a month I offer aesthetic treatments at Aurora in Northampton.

Why did you decide to train in aesthetics?

Largely because of my work with cosmetic dentistry. Seeing the joy it brought when I improved areas people were concerned about made me think of other ways I could help.

How did you hear about Cosmetic Courses?

I found them online. I Googled ‘Botox training for dentists’ and they were one of the first pages. After exploring the website, I knew they were right for me. They had fantastic feedback from delegates, a great team, convenient location and a good variety of courses and dates.

Which courses did you take?

I started with foundation Botox and Fillers, then added the Lip Specialist day. I came back for advanced Botox and Fillers, which is when Adrian offered me a position with Aurora.

What was your training like?

I really enjoyed my courses, learned lots and met some amazing people. I had all the time I needed and could ask the trainers anything. The whole team were always willing to help. Patient and professional with both patients and students.

What do you enjoy most about aesthetics?

Aesthetic work has lots in common with dentistry. It feels great to boost someone’s confidence by improving something they’re unhappy with. Our face is our first impression, and changing one detail can make a huge difference. For me it’s a privilege to help make that happen.

Would you recommend Botox training for dentists?

Aesthetic medicine complements dentistry perfectly. When dentists look at someone, teeth aren’t all we see. It’s the face as a whole. The beauty of Botox training for dentists is that it helps us treat patients holistically, improving the entire face. You already have the necessary manual skills (working with injections every day), and a good aesthetic eye. Aesthetic medicine is the logical next step!

For more information on Botox training for dentists, please feel free to contact the team.

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See our latest articles in Aesthetics Journal

Our Clinical Director Adrian Richards recently joined the editorial board of Aesthetics Journal, the specialist monthly publication for medical aesthetics professionals.

As part of his work with the magazine, he’ll regularly be contributing expert articles on a variety of subjects. If you don’t subscribe to the magazine, or didn’t catch the latest couple of issues, you can read Adrian’s latest contributions here.

In this article, Adrian offers advice on the most appropriate treatments for each area of the face, based on what your patients are looking to achieve. He covers each area of the face in turn, from the forehead down to the neck, giving his thoughts on whether surgical or non-surgical treatments would produce the best aesthetic results. Click on the link above to read the full article.

Adrian wrote this article in collaboration with Cosmetic Courses trainer and Aurora Skin Clinics Clinical Lead Mel Recchia. They discuss two recent cases treated at Aurora. Both female patients had received dermal fillers to the upper face region at other clinics, and experienced significant late-onset peri-orbital swelling some time afterwards. Both were successfully treated with Hyaluronidase. The article looks at both the causes of Hyaluronic Acid dermal filler associated peri-orbital swelling, and its management. Click on the link above to read the full article.

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Are you a medical professional considering a move into the aesthetics industry? Or do you already have an aesthetic practice and would like to broaden your repertoire of treatments?

Cosmetic Courses offer a wide range of medical aesthetic training courses to help equip you with all the skills you need to build a successful aesthetic business. As the industry develops and new treatments become available, we are regularly adding new training courses to our programme.

Our newly launched Cosmetic Courses website includes plenty of support to help you carve out your new career, from podcasts and videos to downloadable materials and a jobs board.

For more information on any of our aesthetic training courses, our trainers or our training venues, please contact the team on 01844 390110 or email [email protected].

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