Taking the first step working with beauty treatments

Working with beauty treatments is an exciting prospect for many. The range and variety are vast, and new trends constantly emerge. There are several ways to work and specialize within the industry, and it’s not uncommon to have more than one certification as a practitioner.

What can one work with in the field of beauty?

There are many established courses and training programs in the field of beauty, and new ones are added as trends come and go. Some common areas of specialization include skincare therapy, manicures and pedicures, hair removal, lashes, and eyebrows, to name a few. If we broaden the scope, we can also include training for spa therapists, massage therapists, and hairstylists.

To pursue education in the beauty field, you can choose to pay for private courses or go through adult education (Komvux) and receive financial aid via CSN (Swedish Student Aid agency). Education programs are available in different parts of Sweden as well as abroad and online, where you are responsible for materials and models.

Beauty is a very broad field, offering many different professions and beauty treatments to the market. Building trust and establishing long-lasting relationships with customers is crucial. This can be achieved through extensive experience and staying up-to-date with new trends to retain those who want to try something new.

So, what do different professional groups in the beauty industry do?

• Cosmetologist: Performs and plans treatments for the face, feet, and hands, guides customers on products and makeup.
• Skincare Therapist: Carries out facial treatments using various devices and helps customers find the right products for continued treatment at home.
• Injection Practitioner: Guides patients, maintains patient records, and performs treatments to counteract issues such as wrinkles.
• Stylist: Works with fashion/clothing, hair, or makeup.
• Spa Therapist: Offers treatments for the entire body or specific areas like the face, feet, hands, and back, aiming to help customers relax.
• Manicurist/Nail Therapist: Takes care of the customer’s hands and nails, filing, painting, repairing, strengthening, and extending nails, caring for cuticles, and providing arm and hand massages.

What education is required to perform injection treatments?

When it comes to injection treatments, the requirement is that you are already a trained doctor, dentist, or nurse to further educate yourself as an injection practitioner. This competence requirement was introduced with the law in Sweden for aesthetic treatments that came into effect on July 1, 2021. The goal of this law is to ensure quality in the industry and create safer patient care.

In what ways can one work with beauty treatments?

When you have just finished your education and need experience, you might start by seeking a job at a clinic or salon that is hiring practitioners. You can also find employment at places like spas or hotels. Here, you can try working in the field you were trained in, assess how well you fit in, and perhaps gain inspiration for what you’d like to continue with in the future.

Another option is to rent a chair at an established salon, which many hairstylists, nail therapists, and massage therapists do. Renting a chair is not the same as being employed. When you rent a chair, you work for yourself, and you have the right to use the premises according to the agreement you establish with your landlord. It is common for beauty practitioners to build their own customer base, and clients often follow when they switch salons, especially if a strong relationship of trust has been established over time.

If you are considering starting your own salon or clinic, franchising is an option. As a franchisee, you have the opportunity to use an established brand, concept, or product. If you believe this could be the way forward for you, assess the survival rate of the franchise chain you are interested in. By looking at how many newly established franchises have opened and still exist after five years, you can get an idea of whether it appears to be a credible and sustainable concept. Conduct thorough research in the industry to ensure you’re not investing in a trend or area where the market is shrinking over time.

If you prefer to start your own salon or clinic to offer beauty treatments, you’ll have to create your brand from scratch. You’ll be responsible for marketing and managing everything related to your patients/customers, and you need to ensure that laws and regulations are followed. For instance, you must handle patient data properly and ensure that practitioners and professionals have the right qualifications.