Guest Blog by Claire Shaw
Butterfly Aesthetics
In the last of our series of guest blogs from paramedics who’ve entered the world of aesthetic treatments, Claire Shaw of Butterfly Aesthetics answers FAQ about .
Steve provides lots of useful advice for paramedics and other health professionals seeking to expand their skills into this area.
Paramedics in Aesthetics
How easy is it to find training companies for paramedics?
“This wasn’t as difficult as I imagined. I would probably say out of the handful that I tried when researching, probably 4 out of the 7 accepted paramedics to train.”
What options have you had for getting insurance?
“I tried getting quotes from several companies. The most recognised company Hamilton Fraser point blank refused insurance despite being a registered hcp and being able to prove I had been trained by a reputable company. Cosmetic Insure were the best company and the most realistically priced.”
Why are paramedics suitable to be aesthetic practitioners?
“In a word calm. That is what we are in a crisis, in an emergency and in any environment. We have been trained to think the worst, consider the worst. I personally have placed a needle in most parts of people’s bodies except for the face and I am comfortable with a needle in my hand.
“I think we can look confident even when inside we might be trembling. In the event of an allergic reaction, people fainting or necrosis, I think we just switch to acting calming and straight away as it has always been the bread and butter of our work. I do not wish to sound patronising here to any other medical professional.
“We also have sound knowledge of anatomy and physiology and pharmacology.”
What obstacles have you come across in relation to getting started?
“I could go on forever with this question but the biggest hurdle is prescriber. I have not only struggled to find a prescriber that can help (as often their insurance does not allow prescribing for paramedics) but also the logistics around organising the face to face consultation. Most prescribers either have their own Aesthetics business or work in gp practices or hospitals and simply don’t want to be running backwards and forwards to do consultations unless I have at least 5 or 6 in one go which is a logistical nightmare. I have spent more hours of my time attached to my phone organising such things and I can honestly say I don’t always feel like it’s worth the hassle when patients can rock up to a clinic and get it all done and dusted in one appointment. I find it puts people off and I have considered not offering Botox.
“The other issue is prescribing hyalase when doing fillers. I was led into believing I could carry a vial for emergency use but have since found I should really have it prescribed for each individual, yet most of my income in aesthetics comes from fillers as I can buy it from stock and don’t need to involve a prescriber. If I have to carry hyalase prescribed per client having a dermal filler I then have to involve a prescriber.
“On a positive, I feel clients are reassured they are in good hands and whilst they are unaware of the difficulties we have behind the scenes, i have had a lot of compliments and nice reviews stating they felt reassured I was a health care professional.”
What success have you had since completely training?
“I have had a good handful of clients for Botox which despite the prescribing issue and hassle I did manage. Whether I will continue is another issue? I’d like to think that I will. I have really come into my own doing lips. I get pleasure out of the wow factor when I hand people the mirror. I enjoy it when they say “you do what you think” because they are entrusting their face in my care. That is an absolute honour and I feel privileged to get that opportunity. I still worry when they leave my home. I ask for regular updates but I like to think that shows I care. I just have to try not to appear like I’m a stalker!!”
Hope that helps
Claire Shaw
xx
SkinViva Training Academy Manchester
SkinViva Training Ltd offer a range of professional training courses for cosmetic and medical skin treatments.
Their courses in cosmetic treatments directed at suitably qualified and registered medical professionals who wish to learn and build on their skills in delivering these procedures.
See our full list of forthcoming training course dates.
SkinViva Training Academy was established in 2013 by Dr Tim Pearce MBChB BSc (Hons) MRCGP – learn more about us. The SkinViva Training Academy team upholds high standards of clinical training providing a combination of fully-supervised practical experience together with essential theory.
For further information, to discuss which course is right for you, to enquire about availability or to book a training course please call 0161 850 2491, or email info@skinvivatraining.com.