An Aesthetic Nurse is a trained skin care professional, sometimes called an expert facialist. They are not general beauty therapists but have a thorough knowledge of skin concerns and issues like uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation, dry or oily skin, melasma, acne, contact dermatitis, whitehead & blackhead removals, wrinkles and ageing.
One can be a non-medical aesthetician who becomes an aesthetician by getting an appropriate level 2 and Level 3 and Advanced Level 4 beauty qualification, where level 2 covers the facial aspects and Level 3 is for advanced learners who become a facialist after doing the course.
To become an aesthetic nurse, you must be qualified to provide certain specialised medical procedures and prescriptions. For example – the Botulinum toxin can be prescribed by a qualified medical practitioner in a face-to-face meeting, like a doctor, dentist, pharmacist, prescriber and nurse prescriber. The person prescribing botulinum toxin ensures the safety of the cure to the other person.
An aesthetic nurse is trained academically to work as a doctor or nurse, and the training provides them with in-depth knowledge of the human body anatomy, skin cells, nerves and tissues. A nurse trained in cosmetic procedures can assist plastic surgeons and dermatologists who treat patients seeking cosmetic and other body treatments like rhinoplasty, weight loss, and other cosmetic treatments.
Nurses are medical professionals who can work on complex, life-changing procedures and easily handle medical concerns like skin trauma and plastic surgery.
Most popular aesthetic treatments do not involve life-changing therapies. Hence, a non-medical aesthetician is considered trained and qualified for the job. Still, for level 4, you must xknow the anatomy and physiology of the patient and have a thorough understanding of the human body.
How To Become An Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner?
To become an aesthetic nurse and practice as a nurse in the private or public sector in the UK, you must complete the foundation course. You must attend an accredited nursing program, undertake training and education, and pass the exams to get the license to practice as a nurse.
Nursing diplomas are offered as recognised training courses for nurses who have been phased out in the last few years. To become a fully qualified registered nurse, you can choose a nursing degree or join a diploma course, and then you need one year of nursing experience and a registered nurse license is required to practice independently.
The course to become an aesthetic nurse practitioner is offered at universities across the UK, and the university websites have online tools that you can use to find a course near your location. Each university has a specific entry procedure and a course pattern.
You can check the course type on the university website. Degree courses are offered for three years and involve theoretical and practical learning.
You must prove your English language skills by clearing the IELTS with 6.5 in writing and 7 in other areas, and OET with C+ in writing and B in other areas. Nurse interviews are held online, and one has to complete the online self-assessment to apply for NMC registration.
As part of the nursing assessment test, you may be asked to confirm you meet the criteria for good health, English language and good character. All nurses need to be registered with NMC to practice in the UK, and registration of NMC is done through computer-based tests, which are held at multiple centres. Also, you must submit a few documents to the NMC, and a team of experts assesses your application before approval.
You must try to get post-qualification nursing experience, as the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses recommend you have at least three years of general nursing experience to practice. It has been observed that more employers in the aesthetic sector seek nurses with post-qualification experience, especially those equipped with the skills to look after patients and perform clinical tasks adeptly.
Nurses have different roles in the cosmetic surgery and aesthetic medicine sectors. They can work independently as freelancers, at private clinics, or with established businesses offering treatment to local and overseas patients. They can even join teams of surgeons offering cosmetic surgeries and care.
How To Become An Aesthetic Nurse UK?
Cosmetic nursing roles are offered by private hospitals, pre and post-operative care wards and in theatre, and depending on the specialisation, one can assist in various cosmetic and aesthetic procedures. Some nurses get training on aesthetics at their workplace; they need to be more responsible for working as injectors immediately as the procedure takes time to be trained.
How to Become an aesthetic nurse the UK? An aesthetic nurse often works as part of a team and has varying roles. They may be responsible for holding patient consultations. They may perform aesthetic treatment and deal with general nursing duties for the clinics.
Those who are not qualified prescribers may not perform the injectable procedures, and some general nurses may not perform the treatment; instead, they work as part of a team of medical care providers.
How Long Does It Take To Become An Aesthetic Nurse?
You can become an aspiring aesthetic nurse after completing the 2-3 years of general nursing course, and then you can join another course for the aesthetic sector. You can start at a research entry-level aesthetic nursing position. Many employers seek candidates with similar roles and offer in-office training that prepares them to perform different procedures like skincare and wrinkle treatment.
You can work independently as a self-employed aesthetic nurse, for which you need training in toxin and filler procedures, and you must complete the V300 non-medical prescribing course. Toxins like Botox are prescription only, and if you work independently, you need to be a qualified prescriber.
How To Become A Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist In The UK?
Those who want to become certified aesthetic nurse specialists in the UK need training in Botox and Dermal Fillers foundation courses for doctors, dentists and nurses who want certification to start practising as injecting aestheticians.
Firstly you need a degree in nursing and then get certified as an aesthetics nurse. You can work as a prescriber, a cosmetic surgery nurse, an electrologist, or in a non-clinical role like management, business operations or sales. As an aesthetic nurse, you must attend as many courses, masterclasses and conferences accessible through the cosmetic industry to gain more and more experience in the sector. You can join courses in skin resurfacing and cosmeceuticals to become an expert in such treatments.
Most beauty therapies NVQs require the therapist to have basic anatomy and skin structure information. In contrast, non-medical aesthetics may need practical lessons on medical procedures and how to handle complications.
Aesthetic nurses are taught how to use needles and cannulas safely and deal with other risks like allergic reactions, infections and errors caused by the injectors. To become an aesthetic nurse or injector, or independent prescriber in the UK, you will need training in the specific field for injectable treatment to private clients. You must have training in toxin and filler procedures. You must complete the V300 non-medical prescribing course.
If you are an aesthetician, most clients will request a combination of Botulinum Toxin and dermal filler treatment. There are separate sources for training on both, and the combined course provides better value for money. Trainers in the field are qualified surgeons working in plastic and maxillofacial surgery.
You can get training from those who are experienced in clinical procedures, have an advanced understanding of facial tissues, and know facial anatomy.
If you plan to join any training course to become an aesthetic nurse, attend CPD-certified and fully insured courses. CPD certification guarantees a high standard of teaching, and the CPD points are used towards appraisals and revalidation.
Aesthetic nursing job vacancies are advertised online via recruitment agencies on social networking sites or at individual clinics.
Either you gain experience as an aesthetic nurse practitioner by working independently or networking with other professionals; alternatively, you can create a professional network with aesthetic training providers who provide support, guidance and mentoring on such jobs.
How To Become A Cosmetic Injector Without Being A Nurse?
To become an aesthetic nurse, you gain training in injectables for aesthetic medicines, and you must gain the Level 7 qualification. It represents the most reputable and highest qualification course available in aesthetics.
So, how to become a non-medical cosmetic injector? Some cosmetic treatments like Botox and other branded muscle-freezing toxins like Azzulure and Bocouture are prescription-only medicines in the UK, and they can be prescribed only and given to a patient by a qualified aesthetic nurse practitioner.
A therapist can perform the Botox injection alongside a prescribing clinician, and they cannot dispense the toxin remotely without a consultant. The prescriber is responsible for the outcome of the procedure.
Injectable treatments are non-surgical, but they involve medical procedures. Dermal fillers are not superficial; they require needle injections that penetrate the skin to a depth, increasing the risk of complications.
Suppose you are not an aesthetic nurse prescriber. In that case, you must complete the V300 course, which provides you with autonomy and flexibility, as once you complete the course, you can prescribe Botulinum Toxin. Before offering the Botulinum Toxin treatment, you can arrange for a doctor, dentist, or nurse to prescribe it if you plan to work through established aesthetic techniques.
Even after completing the foundation Botulinum Toxin and Dermal filler training, you must get indemnity insurance to practice. You will have to determine where you would source your products from. If you are working as an independent prescriber, you can get it through an online pharmacy.
Doctors, nurses and dentists often learn how to safely administer dermal injections as part of their medical training. To become a recognised non-medical aesthetics practitioner, you must clear Level 2 and Level 3 and Advanced Level 4 Beauty qualifications, where the basic levels 2 and 3 cover facials.
The VTCT Level 2 Facial and Skin care course covers nails, waxing, brows and massages. At level 3, students learn dermatology and microbiology. At level 3, microdermabrasion treatments for skin brightening are studied. Microcurrent facials work by stimulating the facial muscles, which are based on low-voltage electricity.
At level 4, the aesthetic nurse specialist learns about the safety features of the chosen treatments. They learn lasers, chemicals, needles and other procedures, and it is essential to learn the Level 4 qualification at a professional establishment to become a non-medical aesthetician.