What to look for in a Platelet Rich Plasma training course

Recently at Cosmetic Courses we have seen an influx of Platelet Rich Plasma training course enquiries. As with anyPlatelet Rich Plasma Training Course with Cosmetic Courses (1) course, it’s important to do your research before booking on especially when it comes to the products the course is using. The world of PRP is vast and should not be seen as a one size fits all treatment. Multiple courses are needed to cover the different areas such as hair, face, and body along with understanding different client needs and managing expectations.

There are also many PRP machines on the marketing, all using different centrifuge methods. In this blog we are going to discuss what to look for when choosing your Platelet Rich Plasma Training Course and the machines to perform your treatments.

What qualifications do I need to do PRP?

At Cosmetic Courses we only train doctors, dentists, and nurses with valid medical registration in our aesthetic courses including Platelet Rich Plasma training. Due to the nature of the treatment, our delegates need to have existing experience in taking blood and managing complications caused by trauma to the body.

Our courses are also taught by our expert faculty with extensive knowledge within their own medical fields, applying it to their aesthetic experience to lead example in safe and ethical practices within aesthetics.

What is PRP training?

Platelet Rich Plasma training is learning the fundamentals and practical elements of this sought-after treatment. PRP involves taking the patients own blood and spinning it within a centrifuge system to separate the good plasma. It is then injected back into the skin causing a slight trauma which urges the bodies own collagen supply to come forward and aid repair, working with the good plasma.

Developed over 40 years ago and used by dental and maxillofacial surgeons for its wound healing abilities, it made the move into aesthetics helping with skin rejuvenation, scarring, pigmentation, hair loss and ageing.

Who can administer PRP treatments?

Due to insurance policies PRP treatments can be administered by medically registered professionals with sufficient training behind them.

Choosing a PRP system

The original PRP machines used a buffy coat system, the same you would see within a laboratory to process blood samples for testing. With continued research and development, it became clear that using this system could cause contamination to PRP with red blood cells.

It later became apparent that by using certain types of tube when producing the PRP could result in some of the good plasma being left behind in the tubes when administering back into the skin, another area needed to be researched and developed further.

Centrifuge speed were monitored next, were they spinning fast enough to evenly split the samples, or were we not seeing the right results from the centrifuge and did it need improving…

Questions to ask when choosing your Platelet Rich Plasma training course:

  • What machines are you going to be trained in, do they have the relevant safety data and CE mark verification?
  • By using this machine how many of the platelets from the blood are delivered?
  • Can you vary the concentration of the machine?
  • Does the machine eliminate any red cell contamination?
  • Is the machine easy to use?
  • What areas will you be covering on your course?
  • Will there be practical experience on live models?
  • What support is available after and before the courses?

Cellenis PRP Centrifuge Systems

We are pleased to partner with Cellenis PRP for our Platelet Rich Plasma training courses, not only will you be taught in their machines and process but the PRP kits are available to purchase from us after your training.

Benefits of Cellenis PRP Centrifuge:

  • Advanced gel separation technology producing optimum prp formula
  • Significant preservation of platelet functionality
  • Platelets and Monocytes rest directly above the gel barrier. They are then re-suspended back into the plasma during the Cellenis preparation process.
  • Inflammatory red blood cells remain trapped beneath the gel barrier.
  • Neutrophils, cells that are harmful to the reparative environment are sequestered beneath the gel barrier.

Why choose Cosmetic Courses for your Platelet Rich Plasma Training Course

  • The UK’s largest aesthetic training provider, led by Plastic Surgeon Mr Adrian Richards
  • Theory led by our expert trainers covering complications through to marketing
  • Courses held in fully functioning clinic environments across 6 locations
  • Unlimited support whether it be clinical or business related
  • Practical on live patients provided by us
  • CPD certificate of attendance after successful completion

Find out more about our Platelet Rich Plasma Training Course here or contact our team on 01844 390110 / [email protected] to find out more.

Learn key information and frequently asked questions on Platelet Rich Plasma Training in our Aesthetics Knowledge Hub.

Choosing Your Lip Filler Course cosmetic courses

There are many different aspects to look out for when booking your lip filler course from trainer experience to aftercare support. In this blog we will highlight some top points to take into mind when embarking on your lip filler training courses.

1. Training Provider Reputation & Experience 

You may of already realised, there are a lot of aesthetic training providers out there! It’s important to do your research and find the best match for you. One way to help you find the perfect fit would be to look at company reviews, see what past delegates have said about their training courses. Check their company social media channels including the trainers mentioned, having a scroll through their socials can show you if they are busy and what their training looks like. Delve in deeper to find out more about who runs the training courses, what is their background and ethos. Looking at accreditations and awards for the company, who are they partnered with and what companies refer them. Also check where they are training you, is it in a clinic setting and what products do they use.

2. Trainers Experience 

It’s important to find out who is going to be taking your course and what their experience is. At Cosmetic Courses we use a handpicked team of medical professionals all chosen by our Medical Director Mr Adrian Richards. Each of our trainers have a vast amount of experience in aesthetics from running their own successful clinics to being key opinion leaders in the industry. You may what to have your lip filler course taught by a medical professional that has a similar background to you or you may want to learn from a trainer who has a different medical field behind them. When you make contact with the training provider take the time to ask about the trainers and which one would suit you the most.

3. Course Layout

To give you a better insight on the day you should check with your training provider on what to expect on the day. What is covered in the theory, will you be looking at complications along with business and marketing advice? Also checking how much practical you will be receiving, will there be enough models to delegates and what techniques will you be covering on the day.

4. Live Models Provided 

At Cosmetic Courses we believe the only way to really understand a treatment is by hands-on learning. We provide live models for each of our courses for delegates to practice what they have learnt under the close supervision and guidance of our expert trainers. By using live models you are experiencing a real patient and practitioner journey, understanding the patients needs and applying your knowledge and skills gained to achieve optimum, holistic results.

5. Aftercare and Support

When looking to book a lip filler course ask your training provider what support they offer after training. Are they on hand to answer any questions after your training course, can they help you if you need a second opinion on a patient.

Lip Filler Courses with Cosmetic Courses

At Cosmetic Courses we offer a variety of different courses both online and offline in lip filler training:

WHY CHOOSE COSMETIC COURSES FOR YOUR LIP FILLER TRAINING COURSE?

  • We provide all live models for your training to make your learning as hassle-free as possible
  • You will be taught our unique approach to create the perfect pout
  • Our expert trainers have a combined 113 years of experience in the Aesthetics industry
  • Our training programmes have won multiple awards over the past few years which is a testament to the quality of our dermal filler training
  • We provide ongoing support following your masterclass session so if you have a patient who you are unsure how best to treat then contact our clinical team and we can advise you on the best course of treatment
  • We work alongside industry leading partners such as Allergan

Train with Cosmetic Courses:

If you would like to find out more about our lip filler courses you can contact the team on 01844 390110 / [email protected] where one of our friendly course coordinators can discuss your training options.

Find out more about delegate’s most frequently asked questions on Lip Filler Training in our Aesthetics Knowledge Hub.

PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) Therapy and Dermaroller (microneedling) are both popular choices when it comes to skin rejuvenation. The remarkable results of the treatments are often seen throughout the beauty world as well as among ‘A listers’. Not only do these treatments create fantastic results on their own but once combined the results from working together are phenomenal. Here we look at each procedure in PRP vs Dermaroller and the benefits of combining the two into your patients treatment plan.

First things first, lets understand them a bit better…

What is PRP and how does it work?

Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy otherwise known as PRP is a natural treatment used to rejuvenate the skin. The results show a fresher, brighter appearance.

The treatment uses the bodies own growth factors to promote healthier younger skin. Using the Cellenis system, blood is drawn and then spun in the centrifuge machine which separates the platelet-poor plasma and platelet-rich plasma.

The clear (good) plasma is re-injected back into the skin which stimulates soft tissue rejuvenation. This wakes up the bodies own repair process which stimulates new elastin and collagen.

Platelet rich plasma therapy is suitable for all skin types and recovery time is little. Due to the nature of the treatment,  no chemicals are used, only the bodies own repair system to promote healthier skin with long lasting results.

What is Microneedling and how does it work?

Microneedling therapy is a treatment that stimulates the skin to repair itself safely and naturally. The roller contains clinically proven micro needles which when rolled over the skin cause minimally invasive puncturing and pin point bleeding, The body is then alerted and begins it’s healing process by sending collagen to the surface of the skin to repair the ‘damage’.

This influx of collagen begins to fix certain problems in that area;

  • Reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
  • Minimising acne scarring
  • Refreshing the skin

The benefits of combining

Kim Kardashian is a big fan of the benefits of combing treatments

Both of the treatments work wonders on the skin by using a natural approach to skin rejuvenation. Although they may sound similar they work in different ways to achieve maximum results. Combining both therapies allows them to work hand in hand together to achieve maximum effect.

Both treatments work by controlled wounding of the skin which in turn stimulates collagen, elastin and fibroblast activity. The added growth factors from the PRP then intensify when combined with Dermaroller.

Dermaroller and PRP also carry great benefits when combined with other skin therapies. Making them a great component in your skin care regime.

Patients undergoing these treatments can see results such as: 

  • Reduction of fine lines & wrinkles
  • Smoother skin appearance
  • Reduction of scars
  • Skin rejuvenation
  • Even skin tones
  • Lightening of hyper-pigmentation & skin tone
  • Pore appearance reduction
  • Glowing, fresher skin
  • Younger complexion

Training in Microneedling & PRP with Cosmetic Courses

We offer both online and practical training courses in microneedling and practical PRP:

Talk to one of our course coordinators today to find out more about our courses: 01844 390110 / [email protected].

Find out more

The Aesthetics Knowledge Hub is a great place for you to find answers to frequently asked questions. We recommend having a look at both the Platelet Rich Plasma Training and Skin Booster Training areas.

 

APPG Report on Aesthetic Treatments
APPG Report on Aesthetic Treatments

APPG Report on Aesthetic Treatments

Recently the aesthetics industry has been hitting the headlines, with the demand for non-surgical treatments soaring, the push for regulation continues. 

APPG (All-Party Parliamentary Regulation Group) have released their report on what the government can do to help regulate this fast-growing industry where anyone can administer advanced aesthetics.  

The report covers 17 recommendations and is categorised into six topics, Legal Definitions, Standards and Qualifications, Regulation and Enforcement, Ethics and Mental Health, Insurance, Social Media and Advertising.  

In summary the APPG (All-Party Parliamentary Regulation Group) report covers the following: 

  1. The government to define a “medical-related service”; self-elected or diagnosed 
  2. Annual data on who is practicing within the industry and their treatment offerings 
  3. Setting standards for training courses 
  4. Qualification bodies such as Ofqual to regulate training 
  5. Medical oversight mandatory for prescription only medicines 
  6. Introduce national licensing scheme to govern the oversight of advanced aesthetics 
  7. Supporting the national licensing scheme with framework mandating the standards of safety and training  
  8. The national license scheme should work on the same basis as existing tattoo and piercing guidance  
  9. Dermal filler to be a prescription drug 
  10. Mandatory psychological pre-screening tests 
  11. Education on spotting at risk patients 
  12. Extending the ban of botulinum toxin and dermal fillers illegal for under 18’s to all advanced procedures such as PDO threads 
  13. Practitioners must have adequate and robust insurance  
  14. Practitioners must has regulated qualifications  
  15. Social platforms must take responsibility in censoring misleading content by publishing guidelines and removing any content that does not comply 
  16. Advertising restrictions to be placed on dermal filler and PDO threads like they are to Botox 
  17. To consult the Online Advertising Programme, highlighting training and treatments promotions 

At Cosmetic Courses we welcome the APPG (All-Party Parliamentary Regulation Group) report of recommendations presented to Minister of Health Nadine Dorries. As a company we have campaigned and supported such initiatives to help bring regulation to the industry.  

“We support the APPG in their recommendations as we continue to campaign for a safer, regulated future in aesthetics. Aesthetic medicine should be recogonised as a medical specialty just as any other and have the regulation in place to aid patient safety. Within our training courses and clinics we regularly see patients come to us with complications from under trained practitioners. By enforcing regulation for training and facilities we should see a safer future.” – Mr Adrian Richards, Clinical Director of Cosmetic Courses  

Cosmetic Courses Standard of Training 

Our team are passionate about safety within aesthetics and work hard to ensure each of our courses and the clinics we train in reach the highest of standards along with our training faculty and support staff.  

 Our clinics are CQC registered, we only ever train inside clinics with the highest level of hygiene 

 Our qualifications are Ofqual regulated 

 Our patients go through mental health screenings before their appointment  

 Our courses cover all areas of the industry including hygiene, safe practice, advertising, and patient psychology 

Our team are on hand to offer ongoing support throughout your aesthetic career 

Find out more about our training courses here or speak to the team on 01844 390110 / [email protected] 

 

TOP 10 MOST INSTAGRAMMED TREATMENTS

Like it or not, Instagram is taking over. For us in aesthetics it’s a great place to showcase clinic offerings through before and afters, obtaining patient interest. It’s important to stay on trend whilst being true to your brand. We researched the top 10 most instagrammed treatments to show you whats trending aiding you in your social planning and possible future training!

1. #Microneedling – 2.4m

A surprising number 1 place, search microneedling and you will find millions (2.4 exactly) posts on this skin rejuvenation treatment. In clinic you can offer this as manual or mechanical, both devices use the same technique – puncturing small holes in the skin to cause a trauma. This trauma will kick-start the body to use its own collagen and protect the outer layers thus creating an end goal of glowing, rejuvenated skin. Suitable for anti-ageing, fine lines, scarring such as acne and stretch marks.

Want to learn a more about microneedling and add this number 1 # to your clinics page? We have two options to learn, our online Microneedling course or our in clinic Microneedling Training Course!

2. #Lipfiller – 1.8mLIP TOP 10

This one comes as no surprise, when you think of aesthetics, you think lip fillers. The popular hashtag contains plump lips from around the world including plenty of famous pouts. Lip filler is a number one course for us at Cosmetic Courses and a go to treatment for our patients. Although it might be a trending topic, its important to assess each patient individually – as with all aesthetics, its no one size fits all! Take the time to understand your patients face and their ideals, then complete the procedure with a holistic approach.

Our one day lip filler training course in clinic covers all areas of treatment from consultation, treatment to aftercare and complications, you can find out more here or you can enroll on our online lip filler training course to dip your toes into the world of lips!

3. #Dermalfillers – 1.5m

Dermal filler is a versatile product which when trained in correctly you could redefine almost anything! The dermal fillers tag shows images and videos of just how amazing it can be, from lips to lines. A fantastic approach to redefine the face adding contour and definition, dermal fillers are a great alternative for surgery with little down time and fast results!

We offer a variety of dermal filler courses at our training centres, some are categorized into areas such as tear trough, lip filler and the more advanced specialties. We also have course that cover multiple treatment areas in dermal fillers such as our Foundation course, Advanced and Dermal Filler Contouring Course. There is also a whole host of online dermal filler courses on our academy.

4. #Laserhairremoval – 1.4m

Number 4 in our top 10 most instagrammed treatments is the firm favorite, laser hair removal! Popular with many patients offering them the chance to be silky smooth without a hair insight. In 2021 laser and aesthetic machinery are coming into their own, no longer are they clinic add-ons but they are starting to hold their own with some clinics only specializing in the art of laser.

If laser is something you would be interested in training in we offer our Level 4 in Skin Rejuvenation which covers laser treatment amongst a whole host of skin rejuvenation treatments.

5. #Rhinoplasty – 1.4mTOP 10 MOST INSTAGRAMMED TREATMENTS NON SURGICAL RHINOPLASTY

Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty is one of our personal favourite, the life changing results this treatment can give with little to no downtime are outstanding. Although the hashtag is Rhinoplasty so we may see some surgical results in the mix, it is still used for non-surgical too. Once you take a scroll through you’ll find it hard to know what is surgery and what is non-surgical!

We offer our popular Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty Training Course in our training clinics across the UK along with an online Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty theory available to purchase with the option to complete the practical element when you feel confident to do so.

6. #Chemicalpeel – 763k

Another viral skin rejuvenation treatment hitting the popular page. Chemical peels are a go-to for all types of clients with a large suitability list, peels can be adjusted in strength to suit each patient and their ideals. Most peels are recommended to have in a course of 3-6 over a period of time for optimum results, so in terms of before and afters its one you have to wait for but we suggest documenting every after from each treatment to see the full affect.

Our Chemical Peel Training Courses are split between a morning of theory, understanding the skin and the products needed followed by an afternoon of practical on live models, we also stock the products used so you are ready to go out and start transforming the world, one glowing face at a time. Our academy chemical peel training course is also a handy resource to refer back anytime, anywhere.

7. #Cheekfillers – 440k

In our opinion an understated treatment, not only does a bit of filler in the cheeks adds specific volume but by just treating the cheeks you will see results across the rest of the face. This contouring treatment can lift and define the face from just one point. If you want to find out more about the possibilities of cheek filler we have created an online course all about it which you can access anytime, anywhere!

8. #Chinfiller – 259k

Next up in our top 10 most instagrammed treatments is another underdog of aesthetics, chin filler. Scroll through the thousands of posts and you will impressed with how just adding filler to the chin can transform the lower face and add definition. By adding volume to the chin you are also changing the side profile with life changing results, this non-surgical treatment is a savior for those who don’t want to go through with corrective surgery.

We cover chin filler on our dermal filler contouring course. By looking at the face holistically it may mean that in some patients they would benefit with a little chin filler and some other tweaks to improve the face as a whole, something we go in to detail on in this course.

9. #Nonsurgicalfacelift – 225k

The treatment which put aesthetics on the map by showcasing just how amazing and life changing a non-surgical treatment can be. Non-Surgical Facelifts work by using a variety of dermal filler and in some cases botulinum toxin to assess the whole face whether that be a trusted 8-point technique of the newer Z lift techniques. The combination of products and technique can redifine the whole face with no surgery and little down time. Take a look at the hashtags yourself to see how amazing it is!

At Cosmetic Courses we offer our popular Non-Surgical Facelift Training Day for medical professionals available in our training clinics with live models.

10. #PDOthreads – 187k

Last but by no means least on our top 10 instagrammed treatments is the ground-breaking PDO thread lifts. More invasive than the standard aesthetic treatment but longer lasting results and still less invasive than a surgical facelift. Thread lifts work by inserting threads into the face from specific entry points and lift the skin from underneath.

We offer training in this world wide phenomenon, PDO Thread Lifting in our CQC registered clinics across the UK using market leading N-Finder threads.

There we have it, the top 10 most popular treatments on instagram. Aesthetics is a fast paced industry and we are sure to see a change in the top 10 as new treatments and techniques take the limelight. Social media is a powerful tool for any business, we recommend for your to do your own research, see whats trending and see what your customers want. This can help you to make important decisions in clinic offerings and potential training. 

Looking to take your content creating to the next level? Read our blog on creating instagram reels and see if you can get one of your post ranking high!  

YOU CAN FOLLOW US ON ALL SOCIAL MEDIA @COSMETICCOURSES 

Learn more about delegate’s most frequently asked questions on Business and Marketing in our Aesthetics Knowledge Hub.

The aesthetic industry has hit the news recently highlighting the lack of regulation and how anybody can train in aesthetics. We have always made it known to those who train with us and industry peers that at Cosmetic Courses we will continue to strive for regulation. Offering our Botox and Dermal Filler Training to medical professionals and giving them as much education, ongoing support and experience to lead the way for a safer future within aesthetics.

Botox and Dermal Fillers Practical Training

Botox and Dermal Filler Training

Botox and Dermal Filler Training – Cosmetic Courses

Cosmetic Courses offers practical training within all of our courses. The hands-on training allows our delegates to apply the theory and techniques they have learnt from the lectures into their practice following the courses.

These treatments are carried out on live models under close supervision from our aesthetic trainers, which also gives our delegates the chance to ask any questions or queries that they may have. At Cosmetic Courses we train doctors, dentists and nurses.  Practical training sessions are an essential part in our course content as we feel it is a valuable asset for the delegates that train with us.

Our practical training allows doctors, nurses and dentists to inject models with Botox and Dermal Fillers which enables them to get a better understanding of the treatment process and injection techniques. Cosmetic Courses’ expert trainers are present throughout the session to talk each delegate through the process enabling them to feel comfortable with the Botox and Dermal Filler techniques.

Once delegates have completed the practical training it allows them to leave the course with a higher level of competency when administering Botox and Dermal Fillers. This gives them a distinct advantage when going to practise themselves.

All of our Cosmetic Courses are tailored so there is practical training in each course. This is included whether it is a foundation or advanced course, bespoke, dermaroller or chemical peel course. At Cosmetic Courses we feel that through offering practical training to doctors, nurses and dentists they become more confident with the injections of Botox and Dermal Fillers.

The practical aspect with us at Cosmetic Courses is arranged similarly to a real life clinic environment enabling our delegates to receive first hand experience of how an aesthetic clinic functions. At Cosmetic Courses we also find suitable candidates for the delegates to inject with the Botox and Dermal Fillers so they have a wide variety of models to see, allowing the delegates to experience the differences between each individual.

Our practical training at Cosmetic Courses provides everything for our delegates from the real models to the Botox or Dermal Filler products used in the practice session. This provides a full practical hands-on training experience enabling our delegates to learn and improve their skills and knowledge.

Why is it important to receive hands-on experience with live models?

In the simplest of terms, if you have never ridden a bike but you regularly use stationery bikes for exercise, do you think you will easily pick it up?

The answer is no. The stationery bike may prepare your body and muscles for the movement but it will not prepare you for the balance needed, the conditions you may be riding in and confidence to get on the bike.

If you train on prosthetic heads in your Botox and Dermal Filler Training, would you feel confident to go out and start treating real life patients?

We hope that answer is no!

The importance of live models on Botox and Dermal Filler Training

Don’t be a dummy

We regularly have delegates attending our follow on courses who have had basic level training on ‘heads’ with other training providers. They book with us to gain valuable hands on experience but on attendance of our courses they feel their practical skills are inferior to those delegates who have completed training with us previously. Unfortunately they often end up revisiting the basic foundation techniques on live models so that they feel confident to progress.

No two people in this world are made the same (even identical twins) each individual has its own qualities, differences and expectations (no living being in this world can relate to a plastic head). The same goes for patients, in your practice you will never find two  patients who are similar. You may find patients are interested in the same treatment but you may also find that you need more product for one than the other, you may also need to recommend other treatments to achieve the end goal for one and both will have their own expectations.

By training with live models and receiving this vital experience under the supervision and guidance of our expert training faculty you are experiencing real life situations that will leave you confident to start treating your own patients.

You will experience key patient and practitioner interaction with the consultation process, how to correctly complete the consent process with before & after photos,  assessing and working with patient expectations, discussing aftercare and most importantly administrating the procedure.

The hands on knowledge you will receive will help you to feel confident in your practice and give you something to relate back to, ensuring your patient and practitioner process post training is off to the highest quality.

Prosthetic heads can be a great starting point for a nervous injector or those wanting to practice new techniques but it is important to also gain real life experience with live models whilst in the training environment too.

Botox and Dermal Filler Training for Non-Medical Professionals

Non-medical professionals often enquire to Cosmetic Courses about whether they are able to train and carry out Botox or Dermal Filler treatments. At Cosmetic Courses, we only able to offer our Botox and Dermal Filler training to medically qualified professionals such as doctors, dentists or nurses. However, if you are a Level 3 qualified Beauty Therapist or equivalent there are a range of other non-surgical aesthetic treatments we are able to provide you training in.

There are often debates about who can and cannot administer Botox and Dermal Filler treatments, but like many other industry professionals we feel only those who are medically qualified have the necessary knowledge and practical skills to inject.

Botulinum Toxin is a prescription only medicine so can only be purchased by medical professionals who have the relevant qualifications to be able to prescribe the drug. Similarly it is medical professionals who are able to obtain the correct insurance in order to practice.

If you are a Beauty Therapist and considering a career in aesthetics find out why we believe extending your skills to include treatments such as microneedling and chemical skin peels or our Level 4 in Skin Rejuvenation will offer you that edge over your competitors.

The Importance of Continuing Professional Development After Your Botox and Dermal Filler Training

We are all guilty of completing a one off course and praising ourselves for ticking the box of ‘attend training’. But is attending one course a few months ago really enough when specialising in a new profession? Keeping yourself up to date by attending additional courses, refresher sessions, industry conferences or reading relevant journals are all valuable parts of your journey to become a successful practitioner.  This ongoing learning also forms vital parts of your continued professional development. 

Clinical director of Cosmetic Course, Mr Adrian Richards shares his view on this hot topic …

“Training is never finished for anyone. If you think your training is finished, then you will become a dinosaur and as we know, dinosaurs become extinct! Even as an experienced plastic surgeon I need to stay updated with the latest techniques – the best practitioners in my experience are the people who focus on continued lifelong learning.”

Why do you need to continue your professional development?

The cosmetic market is amongst the fastest growing industries across the world. New treatments and clinics are regularly emerging bringing new practitioners and creating an increasing awareness for non surgical procedures. Patients are becoming more aware of what to look for, delving into their own research on who to go to for treatments or opting to follow celebrity trends. Due to this growing awareness of different treatments and new trends, as a practitioner it is important that you remain knowledgeable and up to date with the latest treatments and products available. Offering the highest standard of treatment, using the safest techniques is crucial in order to stay ahead of your competition in this ever-growing market.

Revalidation of your medical registration is an extremely important part of practice. The NMC, GDC and GMC have their own structures of revalidation and all have one thing in common, CPD (continuing professional development).

As a medical practitioner you will be aware of the number of CPD hours that you need to reach each year. These should be relatable to your practice and something you should be able to discuss if mentioned. This process works in the same way once you practice in aesthetic medicine.

Expanding your knowledge will earn  you valuable CPD hours. Exploring new treatments, reading up on articles and attending conferences are all proof of your continued professional development and your passion for the industry.

How do I continue my professional development? 

Did you know… All of the above qualify for CPD points! 

Training with Cosmetic Courses

Cosmetic Courses is an internationally recognised training provider teaching medical professionals in aesthetics. We offer over 26 courses over 6 locations and an online learning academy. Our ethos is experience, quality and success which shines on to our training and support given throughout our delegates journeys!

If you would like to find out more about training with us then please speak to a member of the team today on 01844 390110 or email us at [email protected].  

Find out more

The Aesthetics Knowledge Hub is a great place for you to find answers to frequently asked questions. We recommend having a look at both the Botox Training and Dermal Filler Training areas.

How Can You Increase Your Botulinum Toxin Safety

It’s become a favourite within the world of aesthetic tweakments and even used to treat such concerns such as migraines and jaw grinding. How safe is Botox, how long does it actually last for, whats the best age for Botox and can you become immune to Botox? We answer all in the following blog.

How Can it Be Safe?

Practitioners inject the popular treatment for reducing wrinkles, Botox, that contains botulinum toxin, directly into the facial area of their patients. You may wonder how this can possibly be safe. The secret is that manufacturers of Botox use purified, extremely small quantities of the toxin.
How Does it Smooth Wrinkles?

Botox works beneath the skin, targeting the muscles that underlie wrinkled facial areas. While it cannot erase existing lines or eliminate sagging, it temporarily immobilizes the muscles of the face where injected by blocking communication between nerve endings and the brain. By forestalling the normal contractions that take place during facial expressions, Botox makes wrinkled skin appear smoother and immobilizes its tendency to sag.

Botox is especially effective in the upper facial area, around the eyes and forehead where it can reduce crows’ feet, creases, and other wrinkles. Depending on the patient, the effects of a Botox injection last three to six months.

History of Botox Use

First utilized for facial applications by medical professionals in the 1970s to treat squinting in young children, British dermatologist Nick Lowe studied and developed Botox in the 1980s for treating frown lines.

The product received its licensing for general use in 1994, and since that time nearly 500,000 British citizens have undergone injection treatments.

While the best administrator for treatments is unquestionably a qualified professional, the rapid spread of Botox use has occasioned a similar growth in the sphere of application choices. After being approved for cosmetic use in the UK in the mid 2000s, beauticians, dentists, or the barber down the street may offer Botox treatments. If you are the practical sort, you can even purchase a do it yourself kit online.

How long does Botox last for?

The Allergan product Botox used in the suggested dose range is usually thought to last about twelve before having no clinical effect.

The action of Botox means that it is possible to see some return of movement from the six week stage as the therapeutic effect of the product starts to diminish and the nerve end plates start to reconnect with the muscles.

If you are finding that your patients are not seeing this duration of treatment there may be a few things to consider:

  • Is your patients expectation of treatment realistic?
  • Have you considered the appropriate dose for muscle mass, surface area, gender and ethnicity?
  • Does your patient have a swift metabolism
  • Are they taking any medicines including vitamins and herbal preparations that could speed metabolism?
  • Has your patient had any illnesses or events to cause a steep change in their recent aging process?
  • Is your patient a smoker?
  • Have you compromised your product by using alcohol to clean the skin or swab the vial top?
  • Have you denatured the product by inconsistent storage, excessive movement or too speedy a reconstitution?
  • Has your placement site and depth of injection been appropriate for the area being treated?
  • Did you advise your patient on aftercare?

The results are generally predictable but each treatment with toxin will produce a slightly different result. Any of the above factors could influence the outcome.

What is the best age for Botox?

Is there really an “Optimum Age” for Botox treatment? Or is this some kind of myth

Similarly…what is “too young” or “past the point of help”?

Up to a point, “Too Young” is obvious. We’ve all heard the recent controversy over the San Francisco Mom who gave Botox treatments to her Pageant-queen 8 year old daughter. There has been a media frenzy of similarly ridiculous stories. And any medically qualified Aesthetic Practitioner worth their weight in botulinum toxin knows that there is simply no question about the right or wrong in these cases. But over the age of about 18? 20? 25? Where does it begin… And where does it, or should it end?

Perhaps the debate can be split into two: the perspective of the Practitioner, and the Perspective of the Patient (note we say Patient, not Client: at Cosmetic Courses, we feel it is so important to remember that Botox is still a medically prescribed drug not just a beauty treatment…ethical decisions need to be made around this topic as with other medical procedures).

The Patient’s Perspective:

Botox provides a safe and effective means of looking more youthful and banishing wrinkles like no other treatment, for up to 4-6 months at a time. Robert Kotler (Md, FACS) makes the valuable point that, to the Patient, the best age at which to begin Botox treatment is largely based on their personal interpretation – on “what you see when you look in the mirror”.

In other words: no matter how many hundreds of times friends, family and surgeons try to persuade a 20-something patient that they have beautiful skin, if all they see when they look in the mirror is one huge wrinkle, they will fixate on it. It can make them genuinely very unhappy, however silly this may seem to other, possibly older, patients. But does this make them any less “eligible” for treatment?

Of course, the highly image-conscious environment of the Western world plays a large part in this. Women and men alike are bombarded by airbrushed images of silk-skinned celebrities. Many feel retaining youthful looks is integral to keeping ahead in their careers.

As a Practitioner, when judging the need of the Patient, it is therefore hugely important to be able to empathise: to think, why is this important to this Patient, is there some way that I can work with the area concerning them to improve it (even if it is not as pronnounced as in other Patients) and not merely to dismiss them as “not needing it” until you have tried to get inside their shoes and seen their reflection in the mirror through their eyes.

In some cases it may be a lot easier…patients who have had a lot of sun exposure, for example, often do have genuine significant forehead wrinkling, squint and glabellar lines even at a very early age.

The attitude towards patients of 65+ wanting Botox tends to be much more liberal, i.e. “Well, if they want to pay for it!” . Many people are going on working to a much older age nowadays so increasingly defending this choice through preserving their youthful looks is important. Plus the generations of highly glamorous older celebrities are making the trend for much older Botox requests just as likely as unusually young Botox patients.

The Practitioner’s Perspective:

Of course, regardless of ability to Empathise and weigh up the emotional implications for your patients (i.e. do they really need this treatment to make them feel better about themselves?) there are still practical implications for the Aesthetic Practitioner, such as the health considerations caused by age.

“Too Young” and a patient is still developing – both physically and emotionally. With the 18’s – early 20’s age group, if you strongly believe that your Patient does not have any lines to treat and is simply feeling the pressure to live up to celebrity airbrushed distortions of  reality, then perhaps it is your ethical duty to explain this. At Cosmetic Courses we believe you should never, ever perform an Aesthetic Procedure purely for the money if the patient does not need it: this will not build up trust and is abusing your medical position.

On the opposite scale, whilst there is technically no reason why Botox treatment is unsafe for patients aged 65+, such treatment is considered “off label” i.e. not the norm. You may need to check out the patient’s skin elasticity, check extra carefully that they are in good medical health with no contraindications (watch out for blood thinning medications or neurological diseases). If all this is fine, then they are as good to go as any other patient!

With all patients who fall outside the “typical” age bracket for Botox treatments (i.e. those who could obviously and easily benefit from it), it is best for both the Patient and the Practitioner if the Consultation process involves a clear explanation of the results that may be achieved and the Patient’s expectations. This will ensure that the patient is not disappointed, and the Practitioner is not expected to perform impossible miracles!

Can you become immune to Botox?

The answer to this is yes you can become immune to Botox! But it is extremely uncommon.

There are a number of different types of botulinum toxins available currently in the United Kingdom.

These include Botox, Xeomin and Azzalure.

If your patient becomes allergic/immune to one of these types of toxin it is likely one of the others will work satisfactorily for them.

Botox is normally associated with botulinum toxin as hoover is to vacuum cleaners. However not all vacuum cleaners are hoovers and not all botulinum toxins are botox.

If your patient does feel their botox treatment is becoming less effective, you need to offer them a full consultation during which you may suggest using an alternative type of botulinum toxin.

Botox Training

If you would like to advance your Botox training options we have a variety of routes for you:

Lip Filler TreatmentAngelina-Jolie-lip filler treatment - cosmetic courses

Celebrities have always been the gold standard to what we perceive as being “beautiful.” So when women such as Angelina Jolie, Julia Roberts, and Keira Knightley, grace the red carpet with big smiles and plump full lips, having this feature becomes the desire of women and men alike everywhere. However, not everyone is born with full lips and some may need the help of lip filler treatment. Lip augmentation is a procedure that is used to both enlarge and reshape the appearance of one’s lips.

Why do we have lip filler treatment?

This procedure is not only used for cosmetic purposes, either. Some suffer from lip anomalies, such as a cleft palate, and need the procedure to live a more comfortable and full life. A person with this type of condition may have speech problems, many ear infections, and even hearing problems. By using lip filler treatment to help correct the anomaly, one can finally enjoy day-to-day life without any discomfort. There are several different ways for one to manipulate their lips through surgery. Some are more invasive than others, but in the end, it is all about one’s personal preference. The most common ways to perform lip augmentation are through lip fillers, implants, and manipulation of the appearance through surgery.

The most frequent procedure that people choose for lip augmentation is to use fillers that are injected into one’s lips. The healing process after any of these procedures should only last four to six weeks. However, the swelling should go down after a maximum of 10 days. These procedures offer the celebrity look that everyone is trying to achieve without drastically altering one’s appearance.

Lips Tell the Story of Your Age

If the eyes are a window to the soul, the lips tell the story of a woman’s age. Lips of both sexes reach the fullness of maturity in early adulthood, and then between the ages of 30 and 40 begin to lose volume and experience the shrinkage that is part of the normal aging process.

A recent scientific study concludes that fuller lips, however, more than any other facial feature, belie the telltale signs of aging to make a woman appear more youthful than her age. People notice graying hair and wrinkles less in a face with a full, young-looking mouth.

Not only do a set of plump, pouting lips communicate youthful verve, they also exude a strong sexual allure tor the opposite sex.

The Genetic Factor

Researcher David Gunn at Unilever, the firm that sponsored the study at 11 universities on a global level including St. Andrews, says that the way lips age is largely determined by genetics. While sun damage augments the signs of aging, DNA has the greater influence over lip shrinkage.

Upon analysis of a Caucasian test group of more than 100 pairs of Dutch twins as well as 162 British females between the ages of 45-75, researchers concluded that wrinkles, liver spots, and sun damage to skin resulted from both genetic and environmental influences. However, the progression of receding hairlines, grayness, and lip shrinkage are the direct result of heredity.

Improving on Heredity

Lip shrinkage may be more difficult to address than other genetic factors. While a quick trip to the beauty shop can effectively conceal the gray, you need to address lip shrinkage before it shows.

London cosmetic surgeon Barry Jones believes that subtle lip treatment at an early age can preserve lip fullness in women and thus enhance their youthful appearance longer. While a young woman does not require a complete face lift, addressing lip shrinkage before it has progressed significantly is the best course of action.

Such techniques as collagen injections or silicone implants can enhance lips and keep lips attractive for years. Jones does not normally use these procedures for women over the age of 60 because lip thinning is already advanced and such cosmetic remedies are largely ineffective.

Professional cosmetic advice can also help you keep your lips looking youthful. Artfully applied lip liner, gloss, color and powder can be wonderful aid in sprucing up even the most youthful pout.

Advances in Lip Augmentation

Even tribal cultures associate full lips with youthful beauty. Since the Stone Age, women of all ethnic background have undergone procedures, simple or complicated, to enhance lip size and create a fuller, more defined appearance. Women have come a long way since the Stone Age, but the quest for fuller lips continues. Young girls today look to the lips of Kylie Jenner and Angelina Jolie as definitive models of the way the lips of women should look.

The two main components of beautiful lips are fullness and youthfulness. As women age, fissures and crevices develop, eclipsing the youthfulness required to maintain beautiful lips. Cosmetic surgeons have developed a vast selection of substances that reverse fissures and crevices, temporarily.

Lip filler treatment to achieve the perfect pout

A main aspect in lip fillers rise to popularity is how fast it can be done. Treatment times can be less than half an hour with plump results showing immediately. Longevity of treatment can last up to 6 months, achieving a constant perfect pout.

Before and afters of lip filler treatment: 

Lip filler training

At Cosmetic Courses we offer three options for your lip filler training:

  1. Introduction to Lip Filler Training Course: this one day course is the perfect follow on for our Foundation course, for those eager to learn the art of lip filler. The course covers basic techniques, anatomy, patient suitability and product selection whilst using live models provided by us.
  2. Lip Filler Masterclass Training Course: delving deeper into lip filler treatment whilst incorporating use of cannula and its benefits with a more advanced approach.
  3. Lip Filler Online Courses: we also offer online course for lip filler training, these act as the theory part of your learning and can be referred back to at anytime within our online portal. After successful completion you will then be invited to attend a practical session on the treatment with live models and expert supervision.

Lip filler treatment

We offer lip filler treatment at our clinics across the UK within a training environment for a reduced cost of performed in clinic with our practitioners, both using quality products and care.

To find out more about our lip filler treatment you can click here. 

If you would like to speak to our team further about lip filler treatment or training please contact us on 01844 390110 or [email protected]. Don’t forget to follow us at @cosmeticcourses on social media to keep up with the latest! 

The Aesthetics Knowledge Hub is a great place for you to find answers to frequently asked questions. We recommend having a look at the Lip Filler Training Knowledge Hub.

Using Instagram Reels For Your Clinic

Instagram is proven to be one the leading forms of marketing for any business, with high social engagement and brand awareness. As the app becomes more and more popular, the team behind our much loved visual sharing platform are adding new additions to what we can do. One of them being Instagram Reels! 

You may have seen these pop up on your timeline (we’ve been using them on @cosmeticcourses), short videos used to explain treatments or a behind the scenes glance of your clinic.

Reels are versatile and if used correctly can be a great source of engagement for your page and deliver wider exposure.

How do I make a reel?instagram reels cosmetic courses

Instagram reels can be made on your clinic/business Instagram page:

  1. Open your page up and click the plus button at the top right of the screen, from here you will see a drop down, click “Reel”
  2. Your camera will open up, you can either record straight on to your reel or use an existing recording by clicking the bottom left icon to access your phone album
  3. Once you have your content you can either crop to make it shorter, or add other clips. Making sure it stays within the time limit
  4. When you have finished adding your clips, you will then be able to proceed to the next screen where you can add text and sound
  5. You can click the speaker button at the top to adjust your sound, either turn the background sound down or off and you can add music available on Instagram for a backing track
  6. If you wish to do a voice over on the video you can click the microphone at the top of the screen and press record to voice over your video (you don’t need to adjust any sound or add a voice over if you don’t want to)
  7. By clicking the text button you can add captions and titles, using the below video timeline to crop each caption to fit the right clip, you can also do this for stickers, emojis and drawings
  8. When you are finished you can press share and it will take you to the caption screen, here you can write the caption for the video, add hashtags (very important to get noticed!) and tag anyone involved
  9. Turn on the “also share to feed” toggle so it appears on your main feed too for more exposure, you can use the crop profile image button to preview what it will look like sitting on your main page
  10. Click share and watch the views come in! It is also worth sharing this on to your story letting your followers know you have a new reel to watch.

Have fun!

You’re first reel may not be the best, but keep going and looking at what other similar pages are doing to gain inspiration. The best way to use Instagram is to show your personality through your page, it can be quite daunting to show more of who is behind the page but figures have shown that by doing this you will see an increase in followers and engagement which in turn should convert to bookings.

Find out more

The Aesthetics Knowledge Hub is a great place for you to find answers to frequently asked questions. We recommend having a look at the Business and Marketing Knowledge Hub.

Saying NO to a Patient cosmetic courses

Recently we held a poll on our Instagram where we asked our followers (aesthetic practitioners) if they have ever said no to patient, with over 300 votes, 95% said they have said “no” before. 

The phrase “the customer is always right” has been one we have heard throughout our lives but when is the customer wrong and when can we say no?

The Importance of Saying NO

We can relate aesthetics to other beauty needs, lip filler becoming as common as getting your nails done. Although there are many things that differentiate the industries, one thing that stands out is patient and practitioner rapport – an aesthetic clinicians can say no.

You can ask your nail technician for fluorescent long nails and they will nod willingly but if you ask your aesthetic practitioner for 3ml of lip filler in already plump lips, they need to share their advice and look at alternative options.

When you take on new patients you are also taking on a duty of care to them, you need to utilise your knowledge and expertise to explain and to develop a treatment plan, working together to achieve their ideals but also working holistically because at the end of the day, their face is your walking advert.

Why you can say no…

Aesthetics can be a daunting world for new patients, they are coming to you because they might be unhappy about something or they have been referred either by social media influence or a friend. Most of the time they are coming to you with little knowledge or research, they may think they know what they want but you could actually offer other more suitable treatments.

This is where you need to use your expertise, utilise your training knowledge and enhance your patient and practitioner relationship by listening to their needs, sharing your advice and working together. Your patients want to leave feeling happy and if you know that you could offer them a longer-lasting feeling of happiness by implementing skincare and treatment plans, not just nodding and overfilling their lips you will both reap the rewards.

You are a skilled injector, you have put a lot of time, money and effort into your training, you have a vast amount of knowledge within aesthetics – you can say no.