SkinViva Training Survey Feedback
Last month we initiated a survey to get people’s views on the world of aesthetic medicine.
This is a very timely look at what those working in the industry believe are the real issues of the day and how the industry needs to evolve going forward.
Over 250 people have completed the survey and we’re now ready to share some of the first results…
Anonymous Survey
The survey was completed anonymously by an audience recruited via SkinViva Training’s own contacts, including social media, as well as industry body PIAPA (Private Independent Aesthetic Practices Association)
The calibre of respondent was impressive with 95% already being trained to carry out cosmetic treatments and nearly 90% having some level of experience in carrying out treatments. The majority – 63% – had been carrying out treatments for over a year at the time they completed the questionnaire and therefore had a good level of knowledge and understanding of the key issues.
What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the aesthetics industry overall today?
One of the most important questions for understanding respondents’ views on medical aesthetics industry was the perceived challenges and threats. Respondents were allowed to choose up to 3 answers from a selection. The answers in order of priority were:
| Answer Choices | Responses |
|---|---|
| Non-medical people carrying out injectable treatments | 66.80% |
| Unscrupulous practitioners | 46.33% |
| Lack of statutory regulation by government | 44.02% |
| Anyone can do the procedures | 35.52% |
| Poor public awareness of the dangers involved | 30.12% |
| Confusion about rules and regulations | 18.53% |
| Too much competition | 15.83% |
| Inadequate training provision | 10.81% |
| Negative press / media coverage | 7.72% |
| Social stigma associated with aesthetic treatments | 5.41% |
| Inadequate support from manufacturers | 3.09% |
One respondent explained:
“I feel that having given up a hair and beauty business to go to university to gain NMC registration to allow me to practice aesthetics, it’s not right that beauty therapists feel that they can carry out toxins and filler injections as they have no regulation and are not adhered to a governing body.
“I feel that medical professionals have put a lot of time, study, and challenges in to their careers to gain registration, that it should only be medical professionals that should be carrying out toxins and filler injections.”
This view was shared by many of the respondents and echoed in a subsequent question:
Choose up to TWO answers which BEST complete the sentence in your own opinion: “I think regulated aesthetics qualifications are useful for…”
| Answer Choices | Responses |
|---|---|
| …ensuring all practitioners operate at a consistent and recognised standard | 81.25% |
| …protecting the public by raising standards | 80.86% |
| …giving me better confidence in the treatments I offer | 10.94% |
| …setting yourself apart from competitors | 8.98% |
| …practitioners who have little or no experience (but less so for experienced practitioners) | 6.25% |
| …attracting more customers to my business | 2.34% |
One commented in support of non-medical practitioners, saying:
“I have no medical qualifications but have been training and carrying out beauty and aesthetic treatments for 15 years now only doing the VCTC NVQs and accredited courses. Yet a nurse can have no background in aesthetics or beauty therapy and can do a one day course yet not get slated for carrying out the same treatments as myself who has 15 years experience.”
However, many more were against non-medical practitioners injecting, for example:
“There are too many people carrying out treatments they are not trained for or have experience with using equipment or the techniques when handling needles for example. If they are and have qualifications in first aid then yes but unfortunately this isn’t the case and people need to be protected the products used are dangerous in the wrong hands.”
One gave a view respecting both sides:
“As in all professions there are “good” and “bad” practitioners. I think if you have the right qualifications , have undertaken training and met all the criteria advocated by the governing body when it comes into being to deliver aesthetics this must not be restricted to medical professionals to be performed. If you are a qualified Doctor, Dentist or Nurse with a proven work history in healthcare practitioners should be able to develop and work in this field.”
The survey is still open so to add your views, please visit Survey – Is Change Needed In Medical Aesthetics? on our website – it only takes a few minutes and your answers are completely anonymous.
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.