ASSURE MEDISPA - MEDICAL AESTHETICIAN

The term Medical Aesthetician originates from USA, where there is a state-by-state regulated licensing system in place. Medical Aestheticians are skincare specialists who treat facial skin to maintain and improve its appearance; they can work with clients whose skin or appearance is affected by trauma or medical procedure, such as surgery or burns and often work as part of an integrative-medicine programme.

Assure Medispa’s clients generally spend an hour with a Medical Aesthetician, learning about their own skin and developing a plan designed to help them reach their goal of enhancing their appearance. This is called a Medi-Plan.

In the basics of skincare and makeup application, a Medical Aesthetician’s role is similar to that of a beautician; however, services and treatments undertaken beyond these the basic tasks generally undertaken by a beautician are what differentiates a Beautician from a Medical Aesthetician. Assure Medispa’s Medical Aestheticians must adhere to a comprehensive range of protocols and procedures which have been developed according to medical standards to ensure precision in all treatments performed.

They are trained:

• to apply camouflage makeup to aid in coverage of scars and discolourations;
• to administer medical-grade bio-active peels - Medi-facials - and microdermabrasion;
• to advise on clinical skin treatment before and after surgery;
• to recommend home skin-care maintenance with progressive supervision;
• to apply and instruct clients in the application of post-surgical camouflage makeup to hide bruising;
• to discuss outcomes and risks associated with administering injectables.

A Medical Aesthetician must function as the consummate professional skin-care authority within the plastic surgery environment.

Medical Aestheticians generally work for licensed healthcare providers; in the case of Assure Medispa, the healthcare providers are the six plastic surgeons of the Western Australian Plastic Surgery Centre. This means duties include provision of pre- and post-operative skincare treatment, including some aspects of wound care. Many progressive aesthetic plastic surgeons are choosing to complement their skills by integrating the services of Medical Aestheticians into their practices. The Aestheticians have therefore become valuable assets within plastic surgery practices. They are not only support systems for the surgeons, but also advocates for patients, working to achieve the best possible surgical outcomes for them.

This professional collaboration is becoming an integral part of pre-operative and post-operative care to help prepare the patient for surgery, enhance the healing process, and, in general, ensure a happier patient. In other words, this well-qualified professional reaches beyond the normal realm of skin care to assist the surgeon.

Enhanced service, which leads to greater patient satisfaction, is one of the principal benefits of incorporating a Medical Aesthetician into the surgery environment.

Training, licensing, certification and continuing-education requirements for Medical Aestheticians in Australia are not regulated. At Assure Medispa, we have adopted the title following the lead of the medical spa industry in USA, Canada and UK.

In keeping with those standards, our Medical Aestheticians:

• have completed a program in skincare at an approved school
• undertake continuous ongoing education & on- the-job training
• have successfully undertaken a Radiation Safety Officer’s course
• have completed the only internationally accredited paramedical aesthetics and paramedical camouflage courses available in Australia
• have completed the only medically endorsed advanced skin care course
• have advanced knowledge about a variety of treatments for all types of skin associated with facial rejuvenation;
• are able to effect positive changes in the traumatised skin to encourage healing; and
• are well informed about new techniques in facial-rejuvenation surgery

References:

Heathman, C (2005) The Role of the Medical Aesthetician, Plastic Surgery Practice, September

Green, K (2004) You’re a what? Occupational Outlook Quarterly Spring 2004 Vol 48 No 1.