The pandemic has made us even more conscious of our appearance and the appointment books of hairdressers, beauty salons and even Botox specialists were reported to have filled incredibly quickly after the last lockdown was lifted in the UK.
Our obsession with looking good isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, meaning those working in the beauty industry will continue to be in high demand. If you’re a people person and looking for a creative, hands-on role, becoming a beauty therapist could be the ideal career path for you.
A beauty therapist, also known as a beautician, is an individual who has undertaken professional training to become an expert in face and body care. A beauty therapist can train to be able to provide a range of services, or they can choose an area to specialise in like massage or waxing.
Read on to find out what qualifications are required to become a beauty therapist.
What diplomas are required?
To become a fully qualified beauty therapist in the UK you’ll need to complete an NVQ Level 2 and 3 in Beauty Therapy. You will also need to gain some experience working in a salon to make you more employable to salon owners when you qualify and look for your first job.
How can I study for these qualifications?
The Level 2 certificate will have to be completed by going to college or studying a course. These are usually full-time, although you may be able to find a part-time course if you’re balancing other commitments too.
Once you’ve gained your Level 2, you may be able to find a salon that will take you on as a junior therapist and allow you to complete your qualification through an apprenticeship. This would enable you to work as a trainee and gain the experience you need to pass the Level 3 certification.
If you’re not able to find an apprenticeship opportunity, you can complete your Level 3 through a course or training college.
What to consider when opening your own beauty salon
Once you’ve got qualified and gained enough skills and confidence in the beauty field, you may want to open your own salon. If you choose to take this route, it’s important to ensure your business meets health and safety requirements, as well as any legal obligations you have as a company owner.
Beauty salons must adhere to strict hygiene standards to maintain the health, safety and welfare of their clients. Treatments such as waxing, eyebrow threading and pedicures can easily spread infections if the proper precautions are not taken.
If you choose to employ staff, you must ensure you meet the health and safety requirements expected of you as an employer. Not only will this prevent accidents, injuries and health risks in the workplace, but you will be in breach of UK law if you fail to comply with the necessary regulations.
As with any company, it’s essential to be prepared for the unexpected and take precautions to protect your business from theft or damage by taking out beauty salon insurance. This could cover the theft of the equipment used in your salon or damage to the building itself.
If you have any employees in your salon, you will also need to obtain employers’ liability insurance to cover you financially if a worker is injured or falls ill as a result of their job or the work environment.