My Way Or The Highway

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Whilst many think that the beauty industry has changed little over the years, there have in fact been some massive shifts and developments. So, does this change how people practise?

Once upon a time beauty was seen as a subject for those girls not expected to excel academically. If you could paint a nail neatly then you passed, and even in the salon, clients expected little more. These days, science plays a huge role in beauty, and a lot more knowledge is required.

Having written an Anatomy & Physiology course myself, I understand exactly how wide the learning for a beauty therapist is. You need to understand all the possible effects and implications of your treatment on all areas of the body. Beauty therapists now offer treatments that can affect the health of the body, so it is vital that this is understood.

Insurance is also in place to try and uphold the standards of the industry. Each policy holder is checked to ensure they are fully qualified and that the training you have undertaken is of a good standard.

However, for all this training and checking there is still one major pitfall to the industry: the lack of regulation. This means if you choose not to get proper training, follow guidelines or adhere to manufacturers instructions then nothing will happen to you unless a treatment goes wrong and the client decides to sue. This is when you will discover that there is no insurance to protect you and your business or even your home could be at risk from the claim.

So why then do therapists continue to go against the grain? The claim that it is for better product flexibility is flimsy at best because there is usually a brand out there that offers what you want if you are prepared to do the research.

Your creativity is also not hindered in any way, as most brands offer plenty of freedom on how to put together your treatments.

The attitude that it is your prerogative to offer treatments in any way you like is, at best, misguided, and at worst, dangerous. Using a product in the wrong way may mean it is not as successful, but it can also cause real harm to your client, and sometimes it is harm that you cannot see straight away.

Your trainers, manufacturers and insurers have all studied these treatments in great depth and know what the risks are. They put rules in place to protect you and your clients, but the minute you flout those rules you leave yourself, your business, your clients and your reputation at risk.

Is it really worth it?

 

 

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