TRAINING

RED AND GREEN FLAGS in aesthetic training

The signs you should look out for when selecting or swiping on a training course…

Choosing a training course can be tough, especially when the market is flooded with academies, brands and individuals offering them. Kezia Parkins consulted with expert educators in the aesthetic sector to learn some of the green and red flags to watch out for when investing precious pounds into education and personal development.

RED FLAG: ONE-DAY COURSES THAT OVERPROMISE

Big promises like ‘become an expert in one day’ or ‘earn £10k next month’ are one of the biggest red flags to look out for when choosing to invest in training, says Dr Olha Vorodyukhina, founder of Angels Twelve and trainer for Cosmetic Courses .

“These are marketing gimmicks. No ethical training provider promises instant mastery or unrealistic income goals. Competence takes time, mentorship, and practice.”

“‘One-day wonders’ or ‘fast-track’ courses with promises of becoming fully proficient in complex procedures in an unusually short timeframe? These are highly suspect.” agrees Dr Thuha Jabbar, founder of Almás Dentistry and Aesthetics and national KOL for Vivacy.

Courses like these often employ overly aggressive sales tactics - another no-no to watch out for. “Pressure to sign up immediately or promises of unrealistic income potential without proper training, is a red flag.” adds Dr Jabbar.

GREEN FLAG: HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE ON REAL PATIENTS, NOT JUST MANNEQUINS

All of our trainers stress the importance of experience on live models when learning a new skill in aesthetic medicine…

“Clinical courses that are taught using human models and anatomy courses using cadavers with ongoing clinical support as part of their offering are a green flag,” says Dr Catharine Denning, medical director of Marylebone Skin & Medical Aesthetics. “Getting haptic clinical feedback from practising supervised procedures is the safest and most clinically relevant way to learn any practical skill, and so is especially important in a medical setting.”

“Injecting real patients under supervision is critical,” emphasises Dr Vorodyukhina. “Learning on mannequins or watching demos alone won’t prepare you for the complexity of facial anatomy or patient expectations.”

“There’s huge value in learning from each other, so while 1-to-1 training has its place, a well-structured group of four to six delegates often provides the best of both worlds,” advises Tanya Khan, aesthetic nurse and Fillmed UK lead clinical trainer for Northern Ireland.

“You get solid hands-on time, expert feedback, and the chance to observe and learn from your peers. It creates a much richer learning environment and boosts your confidence when it matters most, on real patients.”

RED FLAG: NO PRE-REQUISITES OR ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

“A course open to anyone regardless of their medical background is a serious red flag, as facial aesthetics requires a strong understanding of anatomy and clinical judgment,” says Dr Jabbar.

“A reputable training provider will always verify that delegates have the appropriate medical qualifications and registration,” states Khan. “If no checks are in place, it’s a cause for concern, not just legally, but ethically. This kind of oversight reflects a lack of professionalism and can compromise the safety and integrity of the training environment.”

“Courses open to and/or delivered by non-medics are likely to be lower quality and could deliver inaccurate or false information. They are unlikely to be registered for CPD or an education body accreditation and therefore there will be no regulatory process to hold their teaching quality and accuracy to account,” warns Dr Denning.

“If a course is open to non-medics or doesn’t ask about your qualifications, it’s not putting patient safety first,” adds Vorodyukhina.

GREEN FLAG: COURSES ONLY USING CERTIFIED PRODUCTS

Something else to look out for when choosing a training provider is that the course only uses EU-certified/FDA products from authorised pharmacies.

“This is vital for patient safety, and for you and your insurance. There are many black market products available to practitioners, which can put lives and health at risk. Most gold-standard products will only supply to a handful of reputable pharmacies for distribution. Any products supplied outside of these are unlikely to be verified and so maybe unsafe for use,” explains Denning. “There is an added risk that if a complication were to occur using one of these, your insurance won’t cover you for that procedure.”

RED FLAG: TRAINING HELD IN NON-CLINICAL ENVIRONMENTS

“Training held in non-clinical spaces, e.g. someone’s house or public space - red flag! It makes cleanliness harder to enforce and safety processes are far less likely to be in place,” says Dr Denning. “Clinical training should take place in a clinically safe environment designed for medical interventions and teaching to optimise patient and delegate safety.”

“Learning in a hotel conference room isn’t safe or professional,” adds Dr Vorodyukhina.

“Clinical skills must be taught in a clinical environment with emergency protocols and medical oversight in place.”

GREEN FLAG: POST-COURSE SUPPORT AND CPD ACCREDITATION

“A good training course is the beginning of a professional relationship, not just a one-off event,” says Khan. “Whether it’s through email follow-up, peer support groups, or direct access to your trainer, ongoing guidance is essential for your growth and patient safety. CPD accreditation is another marker of a quality provider, ensuring the content meets established learning and development standards.”

GREEN FLAG: ESTABLISHED TRAINING PROVIDERS WITH MULTI-DISCIPLINARY FACULTY

A course is only as good as its trainers…“Look for training academies with a long-standing reputation and a diverse teaching faculty of doctors, dentists and nurses,” says Dr Vorodyukhina. “This ensures you’re learning from real experts with varied clinical insights and years of experience.”

“This level of regulated practitioner is important as it has a knock on effect to every part of the supply chain, from where they source their products, to having their content checked and validated to ensure quality and accuracy of information delivered,” agrees Denning. “They can be held accountable if things aren’t in line with standard procedure.”

“Your trainer should be someone who not only teaches, but also actively treats patients in clinic,” adds Khan. “A strong clinical background combined with current hands-on experience allows for more relevant, nuanced guidance. Look for trainers with solid qualifications, years of aesthetic practice, and a proven track record of success in the field. They’ll bring valuable insight that goes beyond textbook theory.”

MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE

Choosing the right training provider is crucial for your personal development journey. Take the time to research, ask questions, and consult peers for recommendations. Don’t hesitate to call the provider to discuss your options. They should be happy to answer your questions and help you decide – and if they’re not? Well, that’s a major red flag.