12 Oct Absence of Regulations for Aestheticians in BC Makes Training & Consumer Diligence Vital
Non-invasive, non-medical aesthetics treatments – which we’ll refer to as “aesthetics” in this article – are more popular than ever before and yet many consumers in British Columbia don’t realize that there are no regulations for aestheticians in the province. The lack of oversight has resulted in an inconsistent, often inadequate, mish-mash of available private training courses and programs. As a result, the quality of treatment, patient safety and care are wildly variable.
As demand for non-invasive treatments continues to rise, aesthetics certification and training will become even more vital for ensuring the safety and efficacy of treatments. In this blog post, we’ll consider the implications of an unregulated aesthetics industry and describe critical aspects of training that are often absent in training programs and overlooked by the public.
Non-Invasive Aesthetics Market Growth is Increasing
According to Markets and Markets research data, the global aesthetics market (including both invasive and non-invasive treatments) is estimated to increase to $25.9 billion by 2028 – up from 15.4 billion in 2023. MnM research cites the increasing popularity and acceptance of non-invasive aesthetics treatments such as laser treatments, IPL, microneedling, dermaplaning and chemical peels as market growth drivers.
Another factor influencing aesthetics market growth is an aging millennial population. According to the PubMed review “Minimally Invasive Facial Cosmetic Procedures for the Millennial Aesthetic Patient” millennials are “more likely to consider preventative treatments compared to any other age-group”. Millennials are projected to surpass boomers as the largest generation in Canada by 2029.
No Regulations for Aestheticians Reduces Quality & Safety
In 2003, the BC Cosmetologists Act (formerly “Hairdressers Act”) was repealed, leaving the industry entirely unregulated. This lack of oversight results in a wide disparity in the quality and content of training programs, and of course, the quality, safety and efficacy of treatments. Without aesthetics regulations, virtually anyone can provide treatments and those that do take training don’t have to meet standardized requirements.
Concern about the absence of regulations for aestheticians in BC often grows louder after a patient suffers a treatment-related injury. In 2022, RCMP investigated a Kamloops woman who allegedly provided fraudulent cosmetic procedures that resulted in botched results. In an interview with CBC news about the incident, the executive director of the Beauty Council of Western Canada, Greg Robins, called the lack of regulation in BC a “real wild west situation” and urged consumers to know the risks and seek services from trusted providers.
Inadequate Course Content and Duration
The brevity and superficiality of many aesthetics courses is one of the more concerning byproducts of an unregulated aesthetics industry. For example, minimally invasive treatments such as microneedling are often taught in as little as a few hours to a day and frequently don’t include hands-on practice. While microneedling may be a minimally invasive treatment, it involves puncturing the skin and should require comprehensive training in technique, safety, and aftercare. A lack of “practicum” or hands-on experience fails to equip practitioners with the skills and experience required to consistently perform safe and effective procedures.
Lack of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology Education
Aestheticians that provide minimally-invasive procedures should have a thorough understanding of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology, yet in the unregulated training landscape, many courses don’t cover these critical subjects. Without this foundational training, practitioners may not recognize contraindications for treatment, skin disorders or early signs of skin cancer. This knowledge ensures optimal results, and more importantly, client safety.
Importance of Understanding Blood Borne Pathogens and Aseptic Technique
Some non-invasive aesthetic treatments (e.g. microneedling) involve a degree of bleeding. The presence of blood necessitates an understanding of blood borne pathogens and aseptic techniques to avoid cross-contamination and infection. Inadequate training in these areas can lead to serious health risks for both practitioners and clients. Knowledge of proper sterilization procedures, the use of sterile equipment, and the prevention of infection are essential components of a safe and effective practice. Without proper training, practitioners may inadvertently put their clients and workers at risk.
While the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health Safety has published routine practices for infection control, each province oversees its own occupational health and safety regulations. In BC, The Workers Compensation Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation set out the requirements employers must follow. WorkSafe BC enforces the regulations. If there is a risk of infection disease in a workplace, employers have a legal duty to develop and implement exposure control plans, yet having guidelines and plans only increases safety if they are followed. Mandatory training in blood borne pathogens and aseptic technique for aesthetics industry workers would further increase safety for clients and workers.
Training & Expertise Sets Us Apart
Because there are no regulations for aestheticians in BC, it’s imperative that consumers seek practitioners that have comprehensive education that not only includes hands-on practice, but more importantly in-depth knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and an understanding of infection control and aseptic techniques.
At Halcyon Cosmetic & Skin Clinic, we are committed to upholding these standards, providing our clients with safe, effective, and expertly administered treatments. By prioritizing proper training, we can continue to elevate the quality of care in the aesthetics industry, ensuring the health and satisfaction of our clients.
Our clinic is located in Port Moody and conveniently located for people living in Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam.
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