If you are moving into aesthetics (or even just thinking about it) congratulations – it’s an exciting time for you.
At SkinViva Training Academy, we’ve helped thousands of delegates to launch and develop their careers in non-surgical treatments.
Delegates come to us for professional training in injectables – BOTOX® and/or dermal fillers. They’re keen to develop great skills so that they can safely inject and also provide great results and high client satisfaction.
But over the years, we’ve been able to help many of or delegate on another level too. As injecting and patient care are only part of the story. In fact, there is another surprising, yet more challenging side of moving into aesthetics. We’re here to share and give our advice on the more unexpected things that could crop up or need your consideration.
5 Challenges Of Becoming An Aesthetics Practitioner
1. Business & Marketing
This is possibly one of the main areas discussed on our Facebook closed group network of trainees. Building up a client base and reputation is key to a successful business but where do you start?
If you’ve come from an NHS background, things like marketing, social media, business and finance can all seem very new and scary. There are legal issues too.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for advice wherever you can get it – banks, accountants, friends and relatives. SkinViva Training give good advice on the business side and delegates can take advantage of ongoing support, particularly on Facebook where peers actively help each other on such issues.
- Being aware of your lack of knowledge is a good thing, as that means you are aware of what you need to either learn, or delegate although even if you do outsource to a more expert provider, it helps to have an interest and knowledge about what they’re doing so that you can get the most out of them.
- At the end of the day, your business is built on yourself – your skill and reputation. So spend some time thinking about what kind of business and service you want to develop. You are your own brand!
2. Being On Your Own
Coming from a massive organisation such as the NHS to being a single employee startup business is really one extreme to the other. The buck stops with you (see above) but there’s a softer side too. You might find you miss the team ethic and support of your colleagues.
- Many people move into aesthetics gradually, relinquishing the ‘day job’ a bit at a time, so that both are a part time commitment.
- Try to network with some peers. Attending training courses and conferences is a good way of meeting others in the industry who are like-minded.
- Build up a new social network so that you have good support for you too. If that means joining a club or taking up a new hobby, do it!
3. Juggling 2 Roles
If you are carrying with other commitments alongside aesthetics, then that will be a mixed blessing with advantages and disadvantages.
- Be strict with your time management – if you ‘overservice’ both roles, you’ll be tired and frazzled.
- Be proud of both roles – your aesthetics career should not undermine your medical credentials and your medical commitments don’t mean you’re any less of an aesthetician.
- Properly managed, your 2 roles can enhance each other and make for a vibrant and diverse working week.
4. Managing Expectations
Coming from a medical background, you’re more used to dealing with ill people who just want an illness or problem resolved. In aesthetics, your clients will be well and looking for enhancements. So expectations can be higher.
- Spend time thinking about your client’s mindset. Understanding what they’re trying to achieve and why is key to the way you deliver treatment, but also to how you manage expectations.
- Be open and honest about what kind of results they should expect. You want to be able to overdeliver, not disappoint them.
- Communication skills are key to building the client’s confidence in you – both what you say and the way you say it.
5. Pricing and Value
Compared to an NHS setting, your clients are paying for a service. That in itself sets a nervousness for new practitioners, who realise that the patient’s level of hope and expectation are likely to be influenced by the cost element.
- Don’t be tempted to undersell your services, even if the market is competitive, including low prices from unqualified providers. You need to ensure you have pricing high enough to make it worth your time and give you the potential to build a viable business for the future.
- Equally, you don’t want to be perceived as expensive.
- Find out what other people are charging locally.
- Take time to explain the extra value of a medical provider including the safety factor involved. Delivering value is about creating an experience that feels right, so the consultation process can be just as important as getting the aesthetic result.
Food for thought…
There’s lots to think about, but help is available. Firstly, many of our courses include discussion on the reality of working in aesthetics, especially the initial Foundation BOTOX® & Dermal Fillers course which is aimed at those starting out in the business. They’re also a great opportunity for networking and we have numerous delegates who have become close friends and even business partners after meeting on one of our courses.
Free Downloads
SkinViva Training have prepared a series of useful documents to help new practitioners.
- Business Building Guide
- Business Setup Checklist
- Free 20 Point Business Plan
- Profitability Calculator Tool
- Dermal Filler Reversal
- Free Videos: Complications
- Guide to Level 7 (L7 Cert)
In addition, delegates can access:
Delegate Support
SkinViva Training Academy offers delegate support in a number of ways:
- Complications Advice Line – you can call or email us with any complications or side effects that you want additional advice on by calling 0161 850 2491 or emailing info@skinvivatraining.com . We aim to respond to all enquiries within 24 hours with a professional medical opinion.
- 121 session – with one of SkinViva’s Aesthetic Clinicians
- eLearning – online courses for refresher learning and ongoing reference/support
- Facebook closed group/forum – the invaluable destination for discussion and networking with other practitioners
Recognising this is new and feeling nervous is normal, so don’t be overwhelmed – instead be excited about the new direction you’re going in and make sure you’re building up the knowledge and/or support to go for it!
BOTOX® and Dermal Filler Training
SkinViva Training Academy Manchester
SkinViva Training Academy is one of the UK’s premier training schools for cosmetic injections. The company only offer training for medical professionals who meet their entry criteria which includes degree-level medical qualifications, working in a clinical role with proficiency in injections/cannula and membership of a regulatory body.
The company offers a range of professional training courses for cosmetic and medical skin treatments. See list of forthcoming training course dates.
SkinViva Training Academy was established in 2013 by Dr Tim Pearce MBChB BSc (Hons) MRCGP. 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.