A beautiful future for therapists with flair.Byline: EMMA THOMPSON What does a career as a beauty therapist involve? Beauty therapists, also known as beauticians, carry out facial and body treatments to enhance their clients'' appearance and improve their sense of well-being. As a beauty therapist, you could provide a range of treatments, including: facials, application and advice on cosmetics, manicures and pedicures, non-surgical skin rejuvenation, plus the removal of unwanted facial and body hair. You may offer other specialist treatments, such as massage, aromatherapy, hydrotherapy hydrotherapy, use of water in the treatment of illness or injury. Although the medicinal and hygienic value of water was recognized by the early Greeks, hydrotherapy attained its widest use in the 18th and 19th cent. and reflexology Reflexology Definition Reflexology is a therapeutic method of relieving pain by stimulating predefined pressure points on the feet and hands. This controlled pressure alleviates the source of the discomfort. . As well as carrying out treatments, your day-to-day tasks would include: answering calls, booking appointments and checking and ordering supplies. What personal skills are needed? You need a friendly and welcoming manner and the ability to put clients at ease, as well as tact and the ability to listen and communicate well. A high standard of personal hygiene and grooming is essential. An artistic flair for applying nail art and make-up is also needed. What training do you need? To start work as a qualified beauty therapist you would need at least a level 3 qualification. These include: City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy; Edexcel National Certificate and Diploma in Beauty Therapy Sciences; VTCT VTCT Vocational Training Charitable Trust Advanced Diploma in Beauty Therapy; and NVQ Level 3 in Beauty Therapy. You can also complete CIBTAC CIBTAC Confederation of International Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (UK) and CIDESCO CIDESCO Comité International d'Esthétique et de Cosmétologie qualifications, which are internationally recognised. You can train through college courses or at private beauty schools. However, private courses are likely to be expensive, so it is important to check carefully that you will receive recognised qualifications. As an alternative, you could start as an assistant or junior therapist by completing qualifications such as NVQ levels 1 and 2 Beauty Therapy, before progressing to a higher level. Apprenticeships may be available. What are the opportunities for career progression? You can add to your skills by completing courses in specialist areas such as epilation epilation /ep·i·la·tion/ (-la´shun) depilation. ep·i·la·tion n. The act or result of removing hair, as by mechanical or chemical means. Also called depilation. , ear piercing, waxing techniques and UV tanning. Courses leading to qualifications from awarding bodies such as ITEC, VTCT, City & Guilds and Edexcel are run at colleges and beauty schools. You can also take higher level qualifications, which would be useful for salon management, such as City & Guilds Higher Professional Certificate/Diploma in Technical Salon Management or BTEC HNDs and foundation degrees in subjects such as beauty therapy management and salon and spa management. What is the salary? (Guideline only) Between pounds 12,000 and pounds 17,000, salon managers can earn over pounds 20,000. . Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Authority (HABIA) -www.habia. org. Edexcel -www.edexcel. com. www.careersadvice. direct. gov. uk. Details provided for information only. Jobs are not necessarily available. CAPTION(S): Beauty therapists need a friendly and welcoming manner as well as the skills to carry out a wide range of treatments |
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