Aesthetic Medicine is one of the fastest-growing fields in healthcare today. With the increasing demand for non-surgical facial rejuvenation treatments, the collaborative partnership between Aesthetic Physicians and Advanced Aesthetic Therapists emerges as the cornerstone for delivering safe, effective, scientifically proven treatments and care. A perfect example of successful collaboration can be seen at the Dr. Nerina Wilkinson + Associates practice.
The Isa Carstens® Academy recently interviewed Dr. Marisa Heyns and Therapist Kim van Zyl to gain insights into how this partnership benefits both the practice and its patients.
Dr Marisa Heyns
What is the role of the Aesthetic Therapist within the Dr Nerina Wilkinson + Associates establishment?
“At Dr Nerina Wilkinson + Associates we believe in comprehensive management of ageing and skin concerns. This requires a multidisciplinary team approach in which Somatologists play a crucial role when it comes to assessing and managing our patient’s skin care concerns.”
How important is a formal qualification in therapists working alongside Medical Professionals in Medical Aesthetic Practices?
“Just as we believe that our medical team of aesthetic doctors should be qualified and educated in the field of aesthetic and antiageing medicine, so too do we require our aesthetic therapists to be qualified as somatologists. The basis of understanding the anatomy, physiology, and pathologies, which include ageing, is crucial to successful management of the skin.”
How does the patient benefit when Medical Aesthetic Physicians and Advanced Aesthetic Therapists collaborate in the treatment process?
“A healthy glowing skin is now more important than ever before. Where aesthetic doctors mainly focus on what happens underneath the skin, Advanced Aesthetic Therapists ensure that the skin itself is in tip-top shape. By working together on the superficial and deeper layers of the skin, we can truly achieve the most desirable results.”
What makes a Medical Aesthetic Practice, where Advanced Aesthetic Therapists make up part of the team, different compared to Medical Aesthetic Practices without Therapists on board?
“The difference ultimately lies in the results we can achieve. Doctors in their medical training have very little exposure to the skin which means that skin health is often overlooked due to their focus being more on volumizing or tightening of the supportive structures of the skin. Advanced Aesthetic Therapists fill that crucial gap – the art of creating evenly-toned, healthy-looking skin.”
Why is the continuous professional development of practitioners important when working in this industry?
“Aesthetic medicine is an ever-growing and expanding field of medicine. To keep abreast of the latest updates in the understanding of aesthetic conditions or skin concerns, as well as the latest technologies – it requires us to keep on learning if we want to continue providing the best results and experiences to our patients. One way of doing so is by following the CPD system which is designed is to assist health practitioners to maintain and acquire new and updated levels of knowledge, skills and ethical attitudes that will be of measurable benefit in professional practice.”
When someone wants to start a career in the Medical Aesthetics Industry as a therapist (vs a Doctor), where do they start?
“Here we cannot recommend the Isa Carstens Academy enough. Start with their accredited 3-year Diploma in Somatology at NQF level 6, and if possible complete the additional 4th year in Advanced Dermal Aesthetics at an NQF level 7.”
What is the demand for Advanced Aesthetic Therapists in Medical Aesthetic Practices within South Africa or even abroad?
“From previous experience with appointing qualified specialists at our clinic, I feel there is a huge demand for Advanced Aesthetic Therapists who are qualified with experience. At Dr Nerina Wilkinson + Associates, I have been lucky enough to work with Advanced Aesthetic Therapists who truly are specialists in their field.”
How do you predict the future role and demand of Advanced Aesthetic Therapists will look like?
“I’m hoping that the future role of Advanced Aesthetic Therapists would be a natural integration into a multidisciplinary aesthetic team, where the expertise of each aesthetic discipline is respected and safeguarded especially when it comes to scope of practice. When we work together, we can achieve much more effective results in a safe manner while also maintaining the highest level of patient satisfaction.
Dr. Nerina Wilkinson + Associates believes that the industry needs world-class skin care therapists. Therefore, they offer a scholarship program for accomplished Somatologists who have graduated from the Isa Carstens® Academy, but who may not have the funds available to perform further to continue with their 4th year in Advanced Dermal Aesthetics.”
Therapist Kim van Zyl
What is your role as an Advanced Aesthetic Therapist at the Dr Nerina Wilkinson + Associates establishment?
My role is to support the doctors and provide patients with a holistic approach to overall skin health and radiance. At the skin clinic, the focus is mainly on addressing skin concerns and conditions. I believe in guiding patients through a journey where all aspects, including skin treatments, home care and overall health play a vital role.”
Out of the many career choices available to you as a qualified therapist, why did you decide to work in Medical Aesthetics, such as the Dr Nerina Wilkinson + Associates Practice?
“I chose to work in Medical Aesthetics at Dr. Nerina Wilkinson + Associates Practice due to my curiosity and passion for continuous learning. The complexity of the human skin offers endless opportunities for deepening my understanding and enhancing my expertise. This field provides valuable insights with each patient encounter, helping me to improve and better serve my patients continuously.”
Which type of treatments do you perform here?
“At the clinic, we offer a range of treatments that go beyond traditional methods. In addition to medical peels, needling, and laser treatments (to name just a few), we work closely with our doctors to create signature combination treatments that combine different modalities within a single treatment session. This approach allows us to address various skin concerns on multiple levels within just one treatment.”
What characteristics do you believe contribute to creating an excellent Advanced Aesthetic Therapist?
“Hard work, patience, and passion are crucial to creating an excellent Advanced Aesthetic Therapist. These attributes drive continuous improvement and innovation while ensuring a thorough and effective approach to patient care. An eagerness to learn and evolve further enhances the therapist’s ability to stay updated with the latest techniques and advancements in the skincare field.”
How do you ensure that you keep up to date with new technologies and changes within the industry?
“By working closely with my fellow Doctors and Advanced Aesthetic Therapists, who are walking books of knowledge. I also make a point of reading industry journals regularly and attending relative courses offered by our suppliers and other external specialists.”
What industry changes have you witnessed over the years?
“ With more advanced and improved technologies available today, as well as our ability to combine treatment modalities within single treatment sessions, we are able to achieve even better results than before. With these advancements however, there is also an increase in risks, which is why excellent and ongoing education and team support have become more critical than ever before.”
Formal Qualifications in Aesthetics: The Isa Carstens® Academy Advantage
At the forefront of this partnership is the Isa Carstens Academy, renowned for its commitment to excellence in education. The distance learning programme, Advanced Diploma in Dermal Aesthetics NQF Level 7, serves as a beacon for those aspiring to specialise in advanced skin and body care treatments, offering comprehensive theoretical and practical modules essential for success in this specialised field.
The journey to becoming an Advanced Aesthetic Therapist starts with a three-year NQF Level 6 Diploma in Somatology, which focuses on the scientific study of the skin and body. This rigorous foundation prepares graduates for the Advanced Diploma in Dermal Aesthetics, both of which are registered in Higher Education rather than skills-based training.
Aspiring therapists should validate the Accreditation status of Courses and the Registration status of Training Institutions to ensure further study opportunities, especially for a career as an Advanced Aesthetic Therapist. A list of registered Private Higher Education Institutions and Private Colleges and accredited courses can be downloaded from the Department of Higher Education: https://www.dhet.gov.za/sitepages/docregisters.aspx
In conclusion, the dynamic collaboration between Aesthetic Physicians and Advanced Aesthetic Therapists, exemplified by Dr Nerina Wilkinson + Associates’ practice, underscores the importance of comprehensive, science-based education and continuous professional development in aesthetic medicine. The Isa Carstens® Academy plays a pivotal role in this journey, providing aspiring therapists with the necessary qualifications and skills to excel in the field. As the demand for advanced aesthetic treatments continues to grow, the partnership between well-trained therapists and medical professionals will remain essential in delivering safe, effective, and innovative patient care. This synergy not only enhances patient outcomes but also advances the standards of the aesthetic industry as a whole.
Applications
Qualified Somatologists, and those currently in their 3rd year, can apply for the Advanced Diploma in Dermal Aesthetics from August 2024, for the 2025 academic year.
Qualified therapists can also choose from a selection of Advanced Professional Development Short Courses, to elevate in specific modalities such as Dermaplaning, Microneedling, Laser & Light Theory and Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD).
Based on two campuses with accommodation in Stellenbosch and Pretoria, Isa Carstens® Academy offers contact-, blended- and distance learning programmes.
(Disclaimer)
The Isa Carstens® Academy is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training as a Private Higher Education Institution under the Higher Education Act, 1997. Registrations Certificate No. 2000/HE07/025.
