Beauty Therapist
Introduction
Beauty therapists carry out beauty treatments on people to improve their
appearance, and to help them relax. These include hair removal, facials,
make-up and massage.
Also known as
Masseur/Masseuse
Aesthetician
Beautician
Work Activities
Beauty therapists carry out all sorts of beauty treatments, such as facials, massage, hair removal, makeovers and eye
treatments. They also do massage and treatment on the hands (manicures) and on the feet (pedicures).
The beauty therapist first talks to their client to find out what kind of treatment they want, and explains what it
involves (if it's their first visit). This is called a consultation.
The therapist uses the information the client has given them, and their knowledge of the different types of treatment
available, to decide which is the best treatment to use. They also look at the client's skin type to decide which are the
most suitable products to use on it.
Facials
Beauty therapists carefully prepare the creams and equipment needed to do a facial. They use a range of products
such as cleansers, toners, masks, moisturisers and gels with active ingredients to help the skin. Often, electrical
steamers are also used to help open the pores in the skin.
Electrical equipment can be used for non-surgical facelifts - electric currents are used to stimulate the face muscles
and improve skin tone.
Beauty therapists might also offer eyelash and eyebrow tinting.
Massage
Beauty therapists also do facial and full- or part-body massages, to stimulate blood circulation and promote
relaxation. A full-body massage includes the back, the legs and feet, the abdomen, the arms and hands, and the
shoulders. They carry out the massage using either their hands or special massage equipment.
Some beauty therapists are trained to give special body treatments for conditions such as cellulite, which is a
dimpled effect on the skin, or sports massage for sports-related injuries.
Aromatherapy can also be used with specially blended oils to target specific problems such as headaches.
Hair removal
Sometimes a client will ask for unwanted hair to be removed. The beauty therapist is trained to do this using warm
wax or sugar, or electrolysis.
Waxing and sugaring consist of applying wax or sugar to the prepared area, and then removing it, usually with a strip.
Electrolysis is a method of removing hair permanently - the therapist inserts a fine needle into each hair follicle (root)
and applies a low electric current. This weakens the hair root and, over several sessions, prevents further growth.
Electrical treatments
© CASCAID 2016
1
Beauty therapists might specialise in the advanced use of electrical treatments, which can remove thread veins (small
veins which form beneath the skin), skin blemishes, moles and skin tags (small growths of hanging skin).
Beauty therapists also do electrical treatments for slimming and toning, and give advice on exercise.
If beauty therapists work in a salon, they might have to answer the telephone and take bookings, deal with payments
and re-order stocks, as well as keep the salon clean and tidy. They usually wear a uniform.
They need to create a relaxing and stress-free environment, for example, by playing gentle music or lighting candles.
Beauty therapists are not qualified to do botox, collagen or derma fillers. These are used to reduce the appearance of
wrinkles and to improve the texture and firmness of skin.
In order to inject these (currently under a doctor's supervision as they are a doctor must prescribe them), you need to
be a registered nurse.
Many beauty therapists are also trained and qualified to offer other services and therapies, such as holistic
treatments, reflexology, reiki, nutrition advice, aromatherapy, tanning and, in some cases, laser hair removal.
Being able to read, write and speak Welsh may be an advantage when you’re looking for work in Wales.
Personal Qualities and Skills
As a beauty therapist, you need:
Stamina; you could be on your feet a lot.
To enjoy working with a wide range of people.
Good interpersonal skills.
To be good at taking details from clients and giving advice.
The ability to put clients at ease if they feel nervous about any treatments.
An outgoing and friendly personality, to build up a good base of clients.
The ability to create a relaxing and stress-free environment.
A clean and well-groomed appearance.
To pay attention to detail.
To keep up to date with your skills and knowledge of new products and techniques.
A good business sense is useful.
Pay and Opportunities
Pay
The pay rates given below are approximate.
Beauty therapists earn in the range of £220 - £250 a week, rising to £300 - £350 with experience. Hourly rates range
from the national minimum wage up to around £10 an hour.
In addition to these figures, beauty therapists might receive commission on any retail beauty product sales they
make. Meals and uniforms might also be provided.
Hours of work
Beauty therapists usually work a 35-hour week, which often includes working on Saturday. Late finishes on one or
two evenings a week might also be required. Opportunities for part-time work are usually available.
Where could I work?
Employers include high-street beauty salons (which could be one-person businesses or might employ several people),
hairdressing establishments, luxury hotels, day spas, health hydros and cruise ships.
Beauty therapists could also take on lecturing roles in, for example, further education (FE) colleges.
© CASCAID 2016
2
Opportunities for beauty therapists occur in towns and cities throughout the UK.
Self-employment
Opportunities occur for experienced beauty therapists to become self-employed; either as a 'mobile' beauty therapist
- visiting clients in their homes, by renting space in a large salon, or by working from a room in their own home.
Where are vacancies advertised?
Vacancies are advertised in local newspapers, in specialist magazines, on Universal Jobmatch and at Jobcentre Plus.
Vacancies can also be found on job boards and on the websites of spas, and health, leisure and fitness organisations.
Entry Routes and Training
Entry routes
The most common entry route is through a relevant course at a college of further education (FE) or a private,
fee-paying college specialising in beauty courses.
An Intermediate Level Apprenticeship or Advanced Level Apprenticeship is a great place to start.
Training
Practical training in a salon is combined with study of anatomy, physiology/biology, nutrition, and the chemistry and
biochemistry of skin care and cosmetics.
FE colleges run a variety of courses leading to NVQ Certificates/Diplomas in Beauty Therapy, at levels 1-3, as well as
Edexcel (BTEC) National qualifications in Beauty Therapy, Beauty Therapy (Sciences) and Beauty Therapy Techniques.
Some courses lead to diplomas or certificates from other awarding bodies such as:
City & Guilds.
Confederation of International Beauty Therapy & Cosmetology (CIBTAC).
Comite International de Esthetique et de Cosmetologie (CIDESCO).
ITEC (formerly known as the International Therapy Examination Council).
Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT).
Alternatively, there are a number of courses at private fee-paying colleges. Courses vary in length from short,
intensive study of one aspect of beauty therapy to longer, comprehensive courses that cover all forms of treatment.
You should check the costs and the degree of recognition given to the qualifications.
Progression
Foundation degrees, HNCs and HNDs in beauty therapy, and hair and beauty management, are available at a number
of universities and colleges.
With training and experience, it might be possible to move into supervisory or management positions. Many
therapists become self-employed.
Others might become beauty therapy lecturers, or might specialise in one or more complementary therapies and
treatments.
Qualifications
Entry requirements for beauty therapy courses vary considerably. Courses leading to NVQ Certificates/Diplomas in
Beauty Therapy might not require any formal qualifications, but applicants are usually interviewed.
To get onto an Intermediate or Advanced Level Apprenticeship, you’l l usually need five GCSEs at grade C or above,
possibly including English and Maths.
© CASCAID 2016
3
For entry to an Edexcel (BTEC) National Diploma in Beauty Therapy (Sciences), the usual requirement is:
5 GCSEs at grade C or above, including science (or equivalent qualifications).
For entry to a foundation degree or an Edexcel (BTEC) Higher National Diploma (HND), the usual requirement is:
1/2 A levels
GCSEs at grade C or above in 4 subjects.
Alternatives to A levels include:
the Edexcel (BTEC) National Diploma in Beauty Therapy (Sciences)
the International Baccalaureate Diploma.
However, course requirements, vary so check prospectuses carefully.
Science subjects are preferred for entry to all courses, along with English and Maths at GCSE.
Some universities accept the Welsh Baccalaureate as equivalent to 1 A-level.
Adult Opportunities
Age limits
It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show
there is a real need to have these limits.
Entry
Intermediate Level Apprenticeships and Advanced Level Apprenticeships in Beauty Therapy might be available in
your area.
Courses
Colleges will usually consider applications from candidates who don't meet their usual entry requirements. You
should check the admissions policy of individual colleges.
Relevant short courses are also available from various centres and schools.
Statistics
52% of beauty therapists are self-employed.
46% work part-time.
5% have flexible hours.
Further Information
Contacts
Apprenticeships: Get In. Go Far
National Apprenticeship Service (NAS)
Website: www.apprenticeships.org.uk
Skills Development Scotland - Modern Apprenticeships
Tel: 0800 9178000
© CASCAID 2016
4
Email: info@skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk
Website: www.myworldofwork.co.uk/modernapprenticeships
City & Guilds
Address: 1 Giltspur Street, London EC1A 9DD
Tel: 020 7294 2468
Website: www.cityandguilds.com
Confederation of International Beauty Therapy & Cosmetology (CIBTAC)
Address: Unit 1, Ambrose House, Meteor Court, Barnett Way, Gloucester GL4 3GG
Tel: 01452 623114
Email: enquiries@cibtac.com
Website: www.cibtac.com
VTCT
Awarding organisation for hairdressing and beauty
Address: Prysmian House, Dew Lane, Eastleigh, Hampshire SO50 9PX
Tel: 02380 684500
Email: customerservice@vtct.org.uk
Website: www.vtct.org.uk
Guild of Professional Beauty Therapists
Address: Guild House, 320 Burton Road, Derby DE23 6AF
Tel: 0845 2177383
Website: www.beautyguild.com
ITEC
Tel: 020 8994 4141
Email: info@itecworld.co.uk
Website: www.itecworld.co.uk
Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Authority (Habia)
Address: Oxford House, Sixth Avenue, Sky Business Park, Robin Hood Airport, Doncaster DN9 3GG
Tel: 0845 6123555
Website: www.habia.org
British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (BABTAC)
Address: Ambrose House, Meteor Court, Barnett Way, Barnwood, Gloucester GL4 3GG
Tel: 0845 2507277
Email: info@babtac.com
Website: www.babtac.com
Connect2Beauty
Tel: 07981 356730
Email: info@connect2beauty.co.uk
Website: www.connect2beauty.co.uk
Roberta Mechan International College of Beauty
Irish enquiries
Address: 115-119 Royal Avenue, Belfast BT1 1FF
Tel: 028 9024 6999
Website: www.robertamechan.com/college/about.html
Bronwyn Conroy Beauty School
Irish enquiries
Address: 329 Antrim Road, Belfast BT15 2HF
Tel: 028 9035 2662
Email: info@beautytraining.com
Website: www.bronwynconroy.com
Complementary Therapists Association (CThA)
© CASCAID 2016
5
Tel: 0845 2022941
Email: info@ctha.com
Website: www.ctha.com
Belfast Metropolitan College
Irish enquiries
Tel: 028 9026 5265
Email: admissions@belfastmet.ac.uk
Website: www.belfastmet.ac.uk
Careers Wales - Welsh Apprenticeships
Tel: 0800 028 4844
Website: ams.careerswales.com/
Skills Active
Address: 2nd Floor, 8 Grosvenor Place, Belgravia, London, SW1X 7SH
Tel: 0330004 0005
Website: www.skillsactive.com
Register of Beauty Professionals
Address: 2nd Floor, 8 Grosvenor Place, Belgravia, London, SW1X 7SH
Tel: 0330 004 0004
Website: www.registerofbeautyprofessionals.co.uk
Related Careers
Wigmaker
Hairdresser
Tattooist
Beauty Consultant
Nail Technician
Body Piercer
Spa Therapist
© CASCAID 2016
6