Beauty therapist

Beauty therapists carry out beauty treatments on people to improve their appearance, and to help them relax. These include hair removal, facials, makeup and massage.

Also known as:

Aesthetician
Beautician
Masseur/masseuse

Work activities

Beauty therapists carry out all sorts of beauty treatments, such as facials, massage, hair removal, makeovers and eye treatments. They also do massage and treatment on the hands (manicures) and on the feet (pedicures). The beauty therapist first talks to their client to find out what kind of treatment they want and explains what it involves (if it’s their first visit). This is called a consultation. The therapist uses the information the client has given them, and their knowledge of the different types of treatment available, to decide which is the best treatment to use. They also look at the client’s skin type to decide which are the most suitable products to use on it.

Facials: Beauty therapists carefully prepare the creams and equipment needed to do a facial. They use a range of products such as cleansers, toners, masks, moisturisers and gels with active ingredients to help the skin. Often, electrical steamers are also used to help open the pores in the skin. Electrical equipment can be used for non-surgical facelifts – electric currents are used to stimulate the face muscles and improve skin tone. Beauty therapists might also offer eyelash and eyebrow tinting.

Massage: Beauty therapists also do facial and full- or part-body massages, to stimulate blood circulation and promote relaxation. A full-body massage includes the back, the legs and feet, the abdomen, the arms and hands, and the shoulders. They carry out the massage using either their hands or special massage equipment. Some beauty therapists are trained to give special body treatments for conditions such as cellulite, which is a dimpled effect on the skin, or sports massage for sports-related injuries. Aromatherapy can also be used with specially blended oils to target specific problems such as headaches.

Hair removal: Sometimes a client will ask for unwanted hair to be removed. The beauty therapist is trained to do this using warm wax or sugar, or electrolysis. Waxing and sugaring consist of applying wax or sugar to the prepared area, and then removing it, usually with a strip. Electrolysis is a method of removing hair permanently – the therapist inserts a fine needle into each hair follicle (root) and applies a low electric current. This weakens the hair root and, over several sessions, prevents further growth.

Electrical treatments: Beauty therapists might specialise in the advanced use of electrical treatments, which can remove thread veins (small veins which form beneath the skin), skin blemishes, moles and skin tags (small growths of hanging skin). Beauty therapists also do electrical treatments for slimming and toning and give advice on exercise.

If beauty therapists work in a salon, they might have to answer the telephone and take bookings, deal with payments and re-order stocks, as well as keep the salon clean and tidy. They usually wear a uniform. They need to create a relaxing and stress-free environment, for example, by playing gentle music or lighting candles. Beauty therapists are not qualified to do Botox, collagen or derma fillers. These are used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and to improve the texture and firmness of skin. In order to inject these (currently under a doctor’s supervision as a doctor must prescribe them), you need to be a registered nurse. Many beauty therapists are also trained and qualified to offer other services and therapies, such as holistic treatments, reflexology, reiki, nutrition advice, aromatherapy, tanning and, in some cases, laser hair removal.

Personal qualities and skills

As a beauty therapist, you need:

Stamina: you could be on your feet a lot.
To enjoy working with a wide range of people.
Good interpersonal skills.
To be good at taking details from clients and giving advice.
The ability to put clients at ease if they feel nervous about any treatments.
An outgoing and friendly personality, to build up a good base of clients.
The ability to create a relaxing and stress-free environment.
A clean and well-groomed appearance.
To pay attention to detail.
To keep up to date with your skills and knowledge of new products and techniques.

A good business sense is useful.

Pay and opportunities

The pay rates given are approximate. Beauty therapists earn in the range of £16,000 to £25,000 a year, depending on experience. In addition to these figures, beauty therapists may receive commission on any retail beauty product sales they make. Meals and uniforms may also be provided.

Beauty therapists usually work a 37-40-hour week, which often includes working on Saturday. Late finishes on one or two evenings a week might also be required. Opportunities for part-time work are usually available.

Employers include high-street beauty salons (which could be one-person businesses or might employ several people), hairdressing establishments, luxury hotels, day spas, health hydros and cruise ships. Beauty therapists could also take on lecturing roles in, for example, further education (FE) colleges. Opportunities for beauty therapists occur in towns and cities throughout the UK.

Opportunities occur for experienced beauty therapists to become self-employed; either as a mobile beauty therapist – visiting clients in their homes, by renting space in a large salon, or by working from a room in their own home.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in local newspapers, in specialist magazines, and on the Government’s Find a Job service. Vacancies can also be found on job boards and on the websites of spas, and health, leisure and fitness organisations.

Entry routes and training

The most common entry route is through a relevant course at a college of further education (FE) or a private, fee-paying college specialising in beauty courses. Apprenticeships are also available, including the following:

Beauty therapist (level 2 / intermediate)
Advanced beauty therapist (level 3 / advanced)

Practical training in a salon is combined with study of anatomy, physiology/biology, nutrition, and the chemistry and biochemistry of skin care and cosmetics.

FE colleges run a variety of courses leading to certificates/diplomas in beauty therapy, as well as Edexcel (BTEC) National qualifications in beauty therapy, beauty therapy (sciences) and beauty therapy techniques. Some courses lead to diplomas or certificates from other awarding bodies such as:

City & Guilds.
Confederation of International Beauty Therapy & Cosmetology (CIBTAC).
ITEC (formerly known as the International Therapy Examination Council).
Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT).

Alternatively, there are a number of courses at private fee-paying colleges. Courses vary in length from short, intensive study of one aspect of beauty therapy to longer, comprehensive courses that cover all forms of treatment. You should check the costs and the degree of recognition given to the qualifications.

Foundation degrees, HNCs and HNDs in beauty therapy, and hair and beauty management, are available at a number of universities and colleges. With training and experience, it might be possible to move into supervisory or management positions. Many therapists become self-employed. Others might become beauty therapy lecturers or might specialise in one or more complementary therapies and treatments.

Qualifications

Entry requirements for beauty therapy courses vary considerably. Courses leading to certificates/diplomas in beauty therapy might not require any formal qualifications, but applicants are usually interviewed.

If you wish to enter this career through an apprenticeship, you will need GCSEs in English and maths, although you may be able to complete these alongside your programme.

For entry to an Edexcel (BTEC) National diploma in beauty therapy (sciences), the usual requirement is five GCSEs at grades 9-4, including science (or equivalent qualifications).

For entry to a foundation degree or an Edexcel (BTEC) Higher National Diploma (HND), the usual requirement is:

One to two A-levels.
GCSEs at grades 9-4 in four subjects.

Alternatives to A-levels include:

Edexcel (BTEC) National diploma in beauty therapy (sciences).
International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.

However, course requirements, vary so check prospectuses carefully. Science subjects are preferred for entry to all courses, along with English and maths at GCSE.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Colleges will usually consider applications from candidates who don’t meet their usual entry requirements. You should check the admissions policy of individual colleges. Relevant short courses are also available from various centres and schools.

Related careers

Aromatherapist
Beauty consultant
Body piercer
Hairdresser
Image consultant
Make-up artist
Nail technician
Reflexologist
Spa therapist
Tattooist