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Pharmacists working in aesthetics

Welcome back everyone to our monthly blog!


In this post we wanted to explore the role of a cosmetic pharmacist as a potential career path. In the last couple of years, there has been a growing demand for the non-surgical cosmetic procedures in order to enhance one’s aesthetic features. These would typically involve dermal fillers, Botulinum toxin injections or use of laser (1). This led to an opportunity for pharmacists to step in, use their clinical expertise in order to promote safe, ethical and evidence-based practice. However, it is important to note that becoming a cosmetic pharmacist requires a genuine interest in the subject, skill as well as appropriate levels of training, standardised by the Health Education England (2).


In the past, there have been concerns

about the patient safety when it came to cosmetic interventions. It is essential that the practitioners have the right skills, the products and equipment that they are using is safe, and the patients obtain accurate information before agreeing to the procedure. Hence, The Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) was set up in 2016, which is a self-regulating body made up of different healthcare professionals delivering their services in aesthetics, while ensuring patient safety (3).


So, you might be asking how does one start a successful career as a cosmetic pharmacist? We have put together 3 simple points that will help you get on the right path and reach your dream job.


  1. Find your passion for dermatology It is only going to help you if you already have a passion for learning about the skin, its physiology but also helping others feel good and confident about themselves. The CPPE e-learning module on dermatology is a useful way to start expanding your current understanding about the common skin problems that people struggle with. Also, The Cosmetics Pharmacist Group UK is another great organisation aiming to support pharmacists practicing within the area of non-surgical cosmetic procedures. By joining their group, you will be able to network with other pharmacists and learn more from their clinical experiences (4).

  2. Get the right qualifications First of all, get your clinical experience beforehand! This will include your pre-registration training and few years afterwards, just so you feel confident in your general knowledge and skills. Although, you are only required to attend a half-day training course to administer Botox or a dermal filler, the Health Education England recommends also completing an independent prescribing course (1). This is only going to benefit you as you will be able to manage any possible complications after a procedure straight away. Additionally, finding yourself an experienced supervisor who is going to train you and offer you hands-on experience would be a great way to gain practice and confidence. Other useful courses for aesthetic practitioners include insights into the facial anatomy to minimize the risks associated with injectable aesthetics. In conclusion, good continuous training and appropriate supervision are essential for becoming a competent cosmetic pharmacist while ensuring patient-centred care alongside their safety (1).

  3. Work on your communication skills It is essential that as a cosmetic pharmacist you communicate effectively with the client, especially when explaining a cosmetic procedure or the risks associated with it. It is important that the client has all the information available and is aware of the risks and after-effects before making and informed decision. Additionally, showing compassion and understanding is required for building rapport with patients and understanding their reasons for undergoing the procedure. This might be a highly sensitive topic and hence, developing your communication skills is only going to help. Since some of the procedures can be highly addictive, it is essential that the psychological wellbeing of every patient is assessed beforehand and if there are any doubts, the treatment shouldn’t be initiated. If this is the case, the patient should be referred to their GP or a cosmetic counsellor (5).


Hopefully, this blog post gave you bit of an insight into the role of a cosmetic pharmacist, the training associated with it and the regulation of the industry. We have also added some interesting resources to the reference section which include interviews with successful pharmacists and how they transitioned from conventional career paths into the world of aesthetics.

References:

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