Advanced Aesthetics

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS GAINED

PROGRAM OUTLINE

Spa Management and Building a Business

Introduction to Aesthetics: This course introduces students to the history and transformation of aesthetics, as well as career opportunities for graduates from the program. Students also learn life skills, long-term and short-term goal setting, and time management, which are successful learning tools to help them throughout the Advanced Aesthetics program. Students learn to create a mission statement and about the ethics required to be a successful aesthetician.

Client Communication and Sales: This course begins with teaching customer service, professional image and attitude for the spa. Students learn cultural awareness, and both verbal and non-verbal communication techniques. Topics include sales training and techniques for treatments and products, as well as understanding WIIFMs, and DISC theory for selling. Students learn the steps of client consultation, and for their final assignment, students create a personal portfolio to use in their career to gain new clients.

Infection Control: This course introduces students to infection control and government agencies like Public Health, the CEPA, MSDS, and WHMIS. Students learn about the principles of infection, modes of transmission, different types of pathogens, and principles of prevention using disinfectants and standard precautions and treatments. Students have two practical lab days for cleaning and disinfecting, autoclave, product label reading, eye flush, hazardous materials and sharps, and exposure incidents.

Computer Fundamentals and Internet: Introduces to computing fundamentals, internet and windows operating system.

Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint: Introduces to the skills, training and assessment of computing concepts and techniques to gain proficiency in word processing, spread sheet functions and impact of computing on the present day society.

Professional Skills: Prepares students with every aspect of their transition into their new career by identifying and teaching essential business and interpersonal skills. Students receive in class lectures, as well as a private one-on-one appointment with a Career Services specialist to perfect their resume package and interviewing skills.

Opening and Managing a Spa: There are lots of opportunities for employment for energetic, skilled, professional, and hard-working aestheticians. This course prepares students for transitioning from school to a new career, as well as what to expect on the job, and how to succeed once you get there. Students learn how to hunt for a suitable spa that will appeal to their personal interests, or how to open their own home based or booth business, including marketing, HR, business, and financial considerations.

Body Care

Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology: This course introduces students to human anatomy and physiology as it applies to the field of aesthetics. Students learn about cells, tissues and membranes, body systems and their functions, and learn to identify body parts, muscles, and bones of the human body.

Nutrition for Aesthetics: This course introduces students to nutrition specifically for the field of aesthetics and in a beauty context. Students learn about hydration, glucose, fats, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and Kcalories, as well as how to read nutrition labels and use dietary food guides to make healthful food choices. Students learn about the role of exercise and body mechanics and how to use ergonomics in the spa.

Spa Massage and Body Treatments: This course introduces students to the benefits and contraindications of massage, as well as exfoliation, aromatherapy, oils, lotions, and gels. Students practice several massage techniques including hot stones, four hand massage, couples massage, acupressure massage, and abdominal massage. Students also practice specialty body wrap treatments like seaweed wrap, body slimming wrap, body mask for bust and back, full body mud wrap, pelotherapy hot clay, sea salt body scrub, and paraffin body wrap.

Skin Care

Skin Structure and Disorders: Aestheticians must understand cells, skin diseases, and skin disorders in order to recommend products and treatments. This course introduces students to the skin’s three major layers and the skin’s six functions. Students learn about sun exposure, skin cancer, and how to assess the impact of general health, age, gender, nutrition, and diet, stress, and external environmental factors on the skin and determine appropriate skin care treatments.

Chemistry and Cosmetics: This course teaches students about the basics of chemistry and its branches, along with properties of matter, and the difference among solutions, suspensions, and emulsions. Students learn about chemical safety in the spa, and the safe use, storage, transportation, and disposal of chemicals. Students learn to select and recommend the use of aesthetic products, product lines, and product ingredients to clients.

Facials: Proper skin care can make a huge difference in the way the skin looks, and the client feels. Students learn to analyze skin and recommend the correct products and procedures. Students receive hands on training in various types of basic facials, including the classic facial, mini facial, and facial massage. Students also learn variations of the basic facial, including collagen facial, chemical peel, aromatherapy facial, deep pore cleansing facial, facial for dry skin or oily skin, anti-acne facial, sensitive skin facial, and more.

Lashes, Brows, and Makeup Artistry: In this course students learn both the theory and the practical components of makeup, brows, and lashes. Students learn colour theory to choose the correct shades based on skin, eye, and hair colour. Students conduct multiple makeup applications for daytime, evening and smoky eyes, and special occasions like holiday and bridal wedding makeup. Students learn eyebrow tinting and eyelash perming, as well as lash extension.

Electrotherapy: In this course, students learn the basics of electricity and electrical safety guidelines. Students then learn to use, clean, and maintain various pieces of electrotherapy equipment, such as magnifying lamp, hot towel cabinet, Wood’s lamp, rotary brush, steamer, vacuum machine, galvanic machine, iontophoresis machine, high-frequency machine, microdermabrasion, paraffin wax heater, ultrasound machine, and spray machine. Students also learn to recommend appropriate electrotherapy treatments for various skin types, like normal skin, dry skin, aging skin, oily skin, combination skin, sensitive/couperose skin, and facial acne.

Hair Removal and Waxing: This course teaches students various methods of waxing for both face and body. Students learn about using hard wax, soft wax, bikini wax, sugaring, and threading. Students also learn about room preparation and supplies and infection control required with hair removal. Practical labs provide hands on training for various body regions and methods of hair removal, as well as contraindications to procedures.

Nail Care

Nail Structure and Disorders: This course introduces nail structure and growth, as well as nail health and malformed nails. Students learn about nail disorders and diseases, as well as nail infections, and safe work practices to take to remain safe with correct infection control and disinfection. Students learn how to perform a proper hand, nail, and skin analysis.

Manicures and Pedicures: In this very hands-on course, students start with the theory of manicures and pedicures and how to ensure everyone’s health and safety through proper infection control and cleaning and disinfecting basic footbaths. Students begin with basic manicuring and pedicuring, but quickly move up to paraffin wax treatments and nail art including simple flower, colour blocking, colour fading, marbleizing, stencils, stamping, and French manicures and pedicures. Students also learn more about upselling through consultation with clients for home care products and treatment services.

Artificial Nail Enhancements: In this course, students explore various types of artificial nail enhancements, including nail extensions and resin systems, liquid and powder nail enhancements, and light-cured gel. Over 70% of the course is lab hours where students get hands on training in different nail tip types, nail forms, nail wraps, dip system, UV and LED light used to cure gels.

Field Experience

Practicum, Job Shadow: Students will job shadow one or more professional aestheticians to gain an understanding of the spa business and working with clientele. Students will be responsible for shadowing a variety of procedures as the Aestheticians services clients, performs skin analysis, applies make up, conducts facials, pedicures, cosmetic massages, and/or other treatments, depending on the placement.

WHY THIS PROGRAM?

Aesthetics is a program that opens the doors to employment in an ever-growing industry. Students who are skilled in treatments and in customer service will be hired quickly to join the workforce at Spas, Nail Salons, Hair Salons, or many will decide to open their own small home-based business. The program offers you the opportunity to work flexible hours with full time or part time positions. Students can double their base salary with tips and commissions.

ASSOCIATED NATIONAL OCCUPATION CLASSIFICATION (NOC) CODES

After earning a Diploma in Advanced Aesthetics, you are eligible for positions falling under the following NOC Codes:

NOC - 63211 - Aestheticians, electrologists and related occupations

Common Job Titles which you can apply for include – beautician, beauty care specialist, cosmetician, cosmetologist, dermal therapist, electrologist, aesthetician, facial treatment operator, hair removal specialist, manicurist, nail care technician, nails and lashes applicator, pedicurist, skin care consultant, and skin care specialist.

JOB FUNCTIONS

Aestheticians perform some or all of the following duties:

• Perform skin analysis, retail, professional product selection and client consultation
• Analyze facial skin tones and apply make-up, day, night, bridal, specialty, corrective and camouflage
• Perform facial treatments with or without machines on a variety of skin types and conditions
• Perform basic and specialized manicures, pedicures and nail enhancements including artificial nails
• Remove superfluous hair from the body of any person by means of temporary hair removal methods
• Perform spa body treatments and various types of cosmetic massage
• Practice and uphold the standards of appropriate infection prevention and sanitary control practices in order to prevent the transmission of contamination
• Practice appropriate scope of practice and know limitations when performing all treatments
• Schedule and confirm treatment appointments, receive and communicate messages for co-workers
• Have working knowledge and understanding of all services and products while educating and informing clients in these areas
• Actively promote treatments, services, sessions, retail, and promotions
• Perform prep work, properly clean and restock rooms, dispensaries as required

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Job openings in the field of Aesthetics usually seek a person who has completed college or other equivalent diplomas. Employers are looking for language skills, including the ability to follow written and verbal directions, speak and listen effectively. Students should have planning and organizing skills and be able to work well with others. Graduates must have knowledge of beauty products and the ability to communicate information to customers as well as provide skin care advice, body care and treatments, exfoliation treatments, facials, foot massages, manicures, pedicures, skin care, skin peels, waxing, relaxation massages, and wraps, using various machines commonly found in beauty salons and spas.

EMPLOYMENT AREAS & PROSPECTS

The Aesthetics program develops skills which provide you with the opportunity of employment in any spa or salon setting. The most common employment opportunities arise in Spas, Nail Salons, and Hair Salons. Many graduates will decide to open their own small home-based spa business.