In the dynamic and continuously evolving beauty and aesthetics industry, staying ahead of new and popular treatments is a necessity.
Beauty and Aesthetic professionals must continually update their skills and knowledge to keep up with emerging trends, technologies, and client expectations.
Completing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accredited courses is a practical and quick way to achieve this. These courses not only enhance your skills and expertise in beauty and aesthetic treatments but also cement your credibility with an accredited qualification.
Throughout this blog, we will explore what CPD-accredited courses entail and the key benefits they offer for your beauty and aesthetics career whilst addressing frequently asked questions surrounding CPD training.
What is a CPD Accredited Course?
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) refers to the ongoing process of learning and development that professionals throughout various fields take part in to enhance their skills and knowledge. In many careers, such as those in the education sector, individuals must undertake CPD regularly to keep their registration with professional membership bodies.
A CPD-accredited course must have been reviewed by a third-party organisation and found to meet the required benchmarks and criteria to support professionals in career development. For a course to be CPD accredited, it should meet the following requirements:
- clear learning objectives that ensure learners will know what the outcome is
- the course should utilise effective delivery methods such as in-person, online, research, articles and more
- includes relevant and valuable knowledge for the chosen industry.
In the beauty and aesthetic industry, CPD courses are short, intensive, accredited courses that provide learners with the knowledge to carry out a skill or treatment competently. Whilst some beauty or aesthetic CPD courses are marketed towards those with no prior experience, we would not recommend that they be utilised that way.
CPD courses should be a way to supplement prior foundational skills. For example, if you already have a Level 3 beauty qualification with Anatomy and Physiology, you can complete Aesthetic CPD courses to introduce a new treatment to your offerings. Completing a CPD course will also ensure you can be insured to deliver that treatment.
5 Benefits to Completing a CPD Accredited Course as a Beauty Therapist or Aesthetician
1. Up-to-date Knowledge and Skills:
The beauty industry is always evolving and changing based on research, technological advancements, and even social media trends. Completing a CPD-accredited course is a good way to quickly complete theoretical and practical training in a new skill or treatment so that you can stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the industry.
2. Competitive Advantage in the Industry:
The beauty and aesthetics field is very competitive, and standing out as the best or with a unique selling point is crucial. Having a CPD-accredited certificate in the latest treatment is a way to show your clients that you are committed to improvement and excellence, especially if you are among the first to offer the new treatment.
3. Increased Earning Potential:
Not only is completing CPD-accredited courses great for your professional reputation, but they are also a great way to boost your earnings as a beauty or aesthetic professional. The more skills and experience you have under your belt, the more you can charge for your treatments, as clients are paying for your expertise, so completing a CPD-accredited course is an investment.
4. Networking Opportunities:
While completing a CPD course, you are likely to meet like-minded professionals with similar goals and aspirations. As mentioned, the beauty and aesthetic industry is very competitive, so the opportunity to share knowledge, stay informed about industry developments, exchange ideas and even plan future collaborations shouldn’t be taken lightly. Another networking opportunity when completing a CPD course is connecting with industry leaders. Tutors or guest speakers delivering these courses will have many years of experience in the industry. They can give you advice, tips and tricks to succeed without viewing you as a competition.
5. Enhanced Credibility with Clients and Employers:
By completing a CPD course, you demonstrate that you are striving to maintain high professional standards for your future clients and employers. It will also show that you deliver high-quality treatment after completing training that meets rigorous standards. Employers and clients are more likely to use your services as the CPD course will make you more trustworthy.
How to Choose a Good Beauty or Aesthetic Course
There are so many CPD-accredited aesthetic and beauty courses on the market, so selecting the right one is important to ensure you receive the high-quality training your career deserves.
Below are some key factors for you to consider when choosing the best beauty aesthetic CPD course.
1. Check the Accreditation and Credibility
The most important factor to research when choosing your CPD course is to make sure that it is correctly accredited by a recognised CPD body.
Correct accreditation is what ensures that the course has met the high standards and rigorous assessment of the industry standards, providing you with relevant knowledge and skills.
Unfortunately, many short beauty/aesthetic courses are marketed as being CPD-compliant, but they aren’t.
Always make sure to verify the accreditation status before enrolling in a course. You can do this by checking the details on the provider’s website or directly with the accrediting organisation.
2. Evaluate the Course Content and Curriculum
The course content should be well-structured and comprehensive since CPD courses are usually very short and taught over a day to a week. You need to make sure that in the short time frame, you will become competent in the knowledge or skill you’re being trained in.
When it comes to beauty and aesthetic CPD courses, look for training that includes:
- Theoretical knowledge – this unit should cover anatomy, contraindications, client consultation etiquette and more.
- Practical hands-on training – even if the course is just one day, you should have access to live models or classmates to practice the treatment so the tutor can assess and correct your techniques if necessary.
- Business and marketing guidance – a good CPD course will provide tips and tricks for promoting your new treatment to ensure you are getting the most out of your investment.
3. Research the Training Provider’s Qualifications and Experience
Choosing the right training provider and teacher for your CPD training is very important as it will determine the quality of training you receive.
Look for a training provider with extensive experience in the beauty and aesthetic industry, as this will provide a history of training and mentoring other beauty and aesthetic professionals.
A popular and renowned beauty and aesthetics trainer should have industry recognition. Before committing to the course, check the training provider’s reviews, testimonials and feedback. These insights will let you know the quality of the course materials and the overall satisfaction of previous participants.
4. Assess the Cost vs. Value for Money
When choosing a good CPD course, you should look for one that balances affordability with value for money. The cheapest option on the market might not be the best option, but it also might not be the worst. To understand if the course you are interested in is worth the cost, look out for:
- What is included in the price – does the course come with training materials, kits, and aftercare support?
- The return on investment – A very important factor to consider, as you want to make back your training cost at the end of the day. For example, if the course costs £1,500 and you can charge clients £250-£350 per treatment, it would only take 4-6 treatments to recuperate your investment. Those ROI figures make it very worth the course costs!
Choosing the right CPD-accredited beauty aesthetic course is essential for your professional growth. By carefully evaluating the accreditation legitimacy, course content, provider expertise, and return on investment, you can invest in a program that will genuinely benefit your career.
What Beauty/Aesthetic CPD Courses are Available at Ray Cochrane Academy
At Ray Cochrane Beauty Aesthetic Academy, one of our standout CPD offerings is our one-day Mesotherapy training course.
Our experienced tutors and industry leaders have meticulously designed the course for qualified beauty therapists and medical practitioners looking to expand their skill set with an advanced, non-invasive aesthetic treatment.
One-Day Mesotherapy Course Overview
Mesotherapy is a non-surgical and minimally invasive aesthetic procedure that involves the microinjection of a bespoke blend of vitamins, enzymes, and plant extracts into the skin’s mesodermal layer. The treatment is used for skin rejuvenation, cellulite reduction, and even reversing the signs of ageing.
You can read more about the Mesotherapy treatment in our blog, which breaks down everything about the popular treatment.
Our intensive one-day course offers a comprehensive blend of theoretical and practical knowledge and experience, enabling learners to confidently administer Mesotherapy treatments upon completion.
What you will learn:
The mesotherapy CPD course curriculum covers the following key areas in ensuring competency:
- Anatomy and Physiology Revision
- History of Mesotherapy
- Mesotherapy Techniques for Skin Rejuvenation
- Mesotherapy for Hair Loss Treatment
- Treatable Skin Conditions
- Products and Ingredients
- Client Consultation Process
- Contraindications
- Treatment Aftercare
- Hands-on Practice
Upon completing our CPD course, you will be fully qualified and insurable to offer Mesotherapy treatments professionally.
Ray Cochrane Academy ensures that all of our courses, CPD or OFQUAL accredited, are delivered by seasoned professionals dedicated to our student’s success. Our Mesotherapy training is no exception, providing participants with the skills and confidence to excel in this advanced treatment and stand out in a competitive industry.
Please visit our one-day mesotherapy course page for more detailed information about our CPD training course, including upcoming dates and the enrolment procedure. Alternatively, if you have any further questions about CPD training in the beauty and aesthetic industry, you can contact us on 0203 856 8886; we are open Monday – Friday between the hours of 9-5.
Investing in CPD-accredited courses is a strategic move for any beauty and aesthetics professional aiming to excel in their career. These courses offer numerous benefits, including enhanced credibility, up-to-date knowledge, a competitive edge, and valuable networking opportunities.
By selecting the right course and committing to continuous professional development, you position yourself for ongoing success in the rewarding beauty and aesthetics industry.
