14 mins
Industry News
JCCP updates guidance around premises, education and training courses
The Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) has released three new documents providing updated guidance surrounding premises standards, education, and training courses, as well as a simplified application form for training and education providers who wish to be approved by the JCCP.
The register for non-surgical cosmetic practitioners has worked with multiple stakeholders to update and revise its previous premises standards in preparation for a proposed licencing scheme for non-surgical cosmetics in England. Working alongside key clinicians and members of the JCCP Clinical Advisory Group, these guidelines also align with advice provided by the Chartered Institute for Environmental Health.
In a statement from the JCCP, it was reported that the design of the new licensing scheme continues to be “on track”: “We anticipate that consultation on the procedures to be included in the scope of the new license will commence during the mid-spring of 2023, with the aim of the new license being confirmed for implementation during the early part of 2025.”
The JCCP has also written a good practice guide to support education and training providers in the aesthetics and non-surgical cosmetic sector with their pathways and programmes to educate and train, as well as supporting those seeking to develop their knowledge and skills as part of necessary continuous personal and professional development (CPPD) in the aesthetics and nonsurgical cosmetic sector.
The anticipated Department of Health and Social Care licence for nonsurgical cosmetic practice is reported to include the need for all practitioners who provide procedures that may be included in the scope of the license to demonstrate that they have achieved a minimum standard of education and training (which is yet to be determined following public consultation next year) to ensure patient safety.
This good practice guide supports achieving minimum standards in education and training for providers, and the competence of individuals, and sets out the JCCP’s expectations regarding ethical and accurate advertising of training courses in the sector. It also differentiates between pre-qualifying training courses (designed for practitioners to acquire the requisite knowledge and practice competencies to perform non-surgical procedures both safely and effectively), short courses and CPD courses.
The JCCP Education and Training Committee has also reviewed and revised the JCCP Application Form for Approved Education and Training Providers.
British Association of Sclerotherapists announces new board appointments
The British Association of Sclerotherapists (BAS) has appointed a new chair and three new board members.
Dr Martyn King, the association’s treasurer for the past five years has been appointed as chair.
Dr King is vice-chair of the Joint Council of Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) and founder and medical director of the Aesthetic Complications Expert Group (ACE Group). Consultant vascular surgeons Miss Catharine McGuinness and Mr Alastair Lewis and aesthetic nurse and micro-sclerotherapy trainer Gaynor Hughes have been appointed to the board. All are highly experienced sclerotherapy practitioners, who are eager to help drive the BAS forward in the next stage of its growth.
Dr King said he is looking to raise the profile of sclerotherapy for practitioners, the relevant professional bodies and the general public: “We have worked in an unregulated industry for too long and must take serious steps to upgrade standards of training and practice in the UK. BAS is the best platform for sclerotherapy education, information, guidance and mentoring, and we plan to unveil some exciting developments at the annual conference on May 23, 2023.”
Dedicated to promoting safe and effective treatment for varicose veins and leg telangiectases, BAS is a source of education and advice for practitioners and the public, providing regular CPD events and an informative website.
Sk:n Clinics announces partnership renewal with JCCP
Medical skincare clinic group Sk:n Clinics has renewed its partnership with the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP), the same week as its sister brand, DestinationSkin announced it will be transitioning into Sk:n to become the largest dermatology and aesthetics group in the country.
“Our clinics are centres of medical excellence, delivering the highest standards of ethics, practice and training,” said Darren Grassby, chief executive of Sk:n group.
“All of our aesthetic practitioners are highly qualified and operate within strict Sk:n protocols, as well as all being registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) or the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). We are excited to continue our partnership with the JCCP and continue our ongoing alliance in the fight to implement muchneeded regulation to protect patients, practitioners, and the future of our industry.”
In addition, DestinationSkin’s clinics nationwide will undergo a complete refurbishment with upgraded facilities, with a small number moving into Sk:n’s existing sites. The transformation will see Sk:n Clinics retain DestinationSkin’s entire team, and clients and welcome more clinics into its large portfolio, nationwide.
As DestinationSkin evolves into a CQC-regulated group under the Sk:n brand, clients can continue treatment plans with their existing practitioner or doctor, have access to even more treatments and receive an advanced level of protection and clinical safety through Sk:n’s protocols.
This transition will also open up progression opportunities for DestinationSkin’s doctors and practitioners as they continue delivering the very best care for their clients, with more training, and development opportunities that come with working in a CQC-regulated clinic, offering a wider range of treatments.
“We are incredibly proud to announce this positive step for Sk:n Clinics,” said Grassby. “Opening up rich benefits for our employees and clients, we’re delighted to unlock greater development opportunities for our employees and offer a wider selection of treatments in safe, regulated, excellent environments for our clients.”
“It goes without saying that we are thrilled to welcome DestinationSkin teams, clients and clinics into the Sk:n Clinics network. It’s exciting to be able to build an even stronger network of highly skilled, passionate people who share our mission: to improve the health and wellbeing of the nation through improved confidence.”
“For more than 30 years, Sk:n has delivered unrivalled dermatology, aesthetic and laser treatment services. The award-winning business has more than 450 consultants, doctors, surgeons and medical experts in dermatology, as well as more than 200 clinically proven, innovative and affordable treatments. Regulated by the Care Quality Commission, all treatments are administered by Sk:n’s highly skilled team of qualified medical professionals and practitioners.”
Surgical college’s new president plans to tackle workforce challenges
Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh’s new president, Professor Rowan Parks, has outlined his priorities, including a major drive to tackle the ongoing challenges facing the NHS workforce.
In his inaugural address to members and fellows at the organisation’s AGM, Prof Parks said he was proud and excited about his new role: “While there are undoubtedly challenges ahead for healthcare professionals, I am looking forward to working with our members and fellows to make improvements.”
“I am passionate about the education and training of the next generation of surgeons and dentists, and this will be a major focus of our endeavours over the next few years,” he added. “We must ensure their training is prioritised as we recover from the impact of the pandemic, but also manage a huge backlog of elective surgical workloads.
“We must also rekindle in them, the excitement, the satisfaction, and the joy of looking after, caring for and curing patients with our surgical expertise. During the next three years, I wish to work closely with our regional and international surgical ambassadors to engage with students, trainees, and younger fellows.”
Prof Parks was elected in June 2022 and takes over from Professor Michael Griffin OBE who has held the role of president since 2018. He is the first Northern Ireland-born president of the Edinburgh-based college; his father, Professor George Parks, who was also present at the address, was formerly president of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
Dr Shirin Lakhani and Dr Mayoni Gooneratne to chair inaugural Menopause in Aesthetics event
A first-of-its-kind event focussing on the synergy between menopause and aesthetics will take place at the Waldorf Hotel, London, on Friday, February 10. Menopause in Aesthetics (MIA) will unite professionals from a broad spectrum of specialities with one common aim – to better serve women on their journey through menopause. The one-day event is being spearheaded by Aesthetic Medicine’s consulting editor Vicky Eldridge, along with Charlotte Body and Danny Large, and will be chaired by Dr Shirin Lakhani, intimate health specialist and founder of Elite Aesthetics and Dr Mayoni Gooneratne, founder of Human Health and vice president of the British College of Functional Medicine, both leaders in bringing women’s health into the world of aesthetics and championing the needs of menopausal patients.
Non-prescribing medical practitioners in Scotland face new regulation
Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) has announced that non-prescribing medical practitioners are no longer able to perform dermal filler injections without a prescriber present on site.
The announcement on December 6 by the regulator for independent healthcare services in Scotland stated that the decision was made following increased applications for new aesthetics clinics by people with limited healthcare experience, as well as increasing numbers of training providers accepting non-medic applicants and remote prescribing of prescription-only medications. Beauty therapists and other nonmedics are not required to register with HIS, so will not be affected.
A statement from HIS continued: “Any providers that lodge a new application to register will be asked to show that they have adequate numbers of skilled and competent staff as a part of the registration process.”
85% of people experience skin changes during the menopause
A survey by the British Skin Foundation has found that nearly a quarter of those who have gone through menopause felt embarrassed or ashamed to talk about their experience.
Although skin symptoms are very common, with 85% of people experiencing some skin changes during menopause, 24% of survey respondents felt embarrassed to discuss it. 87% of dermatologists agreed that most people who go through menopause will experience changes in their skin, highlighting how prevalent menopausal skin changes are. The most common skin symptom reported was excessive dryness (21%), followed by the laxity of the skin (18%), excessive signs of ageing (15%), alterations in pigment (12%), rosacea or broken blood vessels (8%) and late-onset acne (6%). Only 15% of survey respondents reported no changes to their skin.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Merz Aesthetics® Events has a fresh look, handy new features, and brandnew content. It’s now easier than ever to access face-to-face training and online webinars, with the new events calendar. Events is designed to advance clinical practice and to bring practitioners up to speed on topics such as business, marketing, aesthetic insurance and much more with on-demand education delivered by industry experts.
Aesthetic Response has revealed a new look to reflect its evolution as a trusted clinic partner in the everchanging industry landscape. The company, which supports clinics through call handling, lead response, diary bookings and building patient relationships, underwent the rebrand to show that the human touch is more important now than ever.
An in-clinic sales training course by Vanessa Bird, aka The Aesthetic Consultant®, is now CPD accredited. The one-day course is designed to meet the needs of clinics that want to invest in their staff training and increase revenue through up-selling and cross-selling. The course provides ethical yet effective selling techniques and has been tailored to suit nonsurgical and surgical aesthetic clinics. Details can be found on the CPD website.
Skincare and facial aesthetic expert Dr Olha Vorodyukhina and clinic manager Jean Bertram have written a book designed to offer an in-depth understanding of how the industry has evolved. In Beyond the Mirror, Vorodyunkhina draws on her years of experience to show women of all ages what can be achieved, what is safe and how to avoid procedures they may later regret.
Merz Aesthetics® relaunches Events platform with new features and content
Aesthetic Response undergoes rebrand
Soft-Selling: The Consultative Way
New book looks at client experience
Healthxchange helps UK clinics create online skincare storefront
A new web-based shopping experience allowing clinics to sell products to UK customers online has been launched by Healthxchange. Free online store Clever Patients will be pre-populated with skin health products and can be customised to fit a clinic’s brand. “This latest innovation for our customers makes it possible for clinics to set up their own online shop in minutes and sell skincare to their patients 24/7,” said Steve Joyce, marketing and technology director at Healthxchange Group.
Clinics are given an exclusive personalised URL when they sign up. They can then dress their ‘storefront’ with their clinic logo, colours, clinic images and contact details. For clinics that don’t have the time or technical knowhow, Healthxchange also offers a managed set-up/onboarding service. The site provides each clinic with a unique administrative interface where they can monitor orders, manage products, change prices, add blogs and instigate marketing initiatives. Products are delivered direct to the customers, and prescription products can be ordered but need approval from the clinic before the transaction. Account holders of the free Clever Clinic patient management system, which manages patient records and clinic bookings, can also integrate with Clever Patients.
Liz McKeon launches new business tools
Salon business expert, Liz McKeon, has launched two new business tools to help clinic and salon owners discover their potential and work on creating a strong work-life balance, while futureproofing their business. An app which allows salon professionals to access information to help build their business and lead it towards success was launched in November 2022. Users can connect with McKeon, as well as book courses and programmes, view videos and read testimonials from previous course attendees through the platform. She has also started holding motivational daily Instagram sessions, called Live with Liz, at 9.30 am on her channel @lizmckeonbizliz.
Melanoma Fund appoints Dr Sophie Shotter as ‘skin aesthetic expert’
The only charity in the UK focused on raising awareness of sun protection in sport and outdoor recreation, Melanoma Fund, has launched a new ‘active’ ambassador programme and onboarded its newest recruit – award-winning skin aesthetic expert, Dr Sophie Shotter.
With more than a decade of medical experience, Dr Shotter is regularly featured in the media as an expert voice in all things skin health. As a specialist in sun damage, she is well-placed to support Melanoma Fund on its mission to increase awareness around the cause and effects of sun exposure as well as the psychology of sun protection, to help create better habits.
In addition to acting as an ambassador, Dr Shotter will also take on the role ofa consultant, utilising her wealth of expertise to help push the charity forward, providing new and relevant content to help make sun protection ‘famous in sport’.
“There is a lot of misinformation and misconceptions around sun protection that impact both skin cancer and sun damage, so it’s important to me that the risks and prevention measures are accurately communicated,” said Dr Shotter. “Working with Melanoma Fund provides a great opportunity to do this.”
NEWS IN BRIEF
Vivace Ultra has cleared the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) intended for use in dermatologic and general surgical procedures for electrocoagulation and hemostasis. An update of the Vivace Microneedle radiofrequency device, the Vivace Ultra™ combines two unique modalities into one compact device – new exclusive uniform radiofrequency microneedling and industry-first, ultrasound imaging and mapping designed to elevate performance with personalisation to meet any individual skin needs.
On Saturday, February 25, 2023, Dr Sophie Shotter and herfaculty of peers will run a CPDaccredited training day in London for NHS staff to help them learn how to deal with aesthetic complications and how to refer severe cases, at no cost to them. British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM) trustee Dr Shotter has called upon her peers to support, in the hope that this will help provide better treatment for those distressed, in pain and disfigured by unregulated aesthetic treatments.
Board-certified American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery (ASLMS) physicians across the USA have volunteered to remove branding tattoos free of charge for survivors of trafficking. This pro bono service, known as the New Beginnings Tattoo Removal Program, has been created in partnership with the National Trafficking Sheltered Alliance (NTSA) and is open to all survivors with branding tattoos.
Ouronyx is hosting leading plastic surgeon Dr Mauricio De Maio in a two-day “Path to Expertise” program on January 14-15, 2023. The event is designed to bring together medical professionals looking to master the language of facial anatomy, expand their injecting techniques and find inspiration around reimagining ageing. Program attendees will discuss complex cases with Dr de Maio across genders, ethnicities, and age groups, and will be challenged to expand their thinking. Email academy@ouronyx.com for more info.
FDA clearance for first personalised radiofrequency micro-needling technology
Dr Sophie Shotter creates first ever CPD accredited complications course for NHS staff
Survivors of trafficking connected with pro bono laser tattoo removal
Dr Mauricio de Maio runs first London event open to all medical professionals