ABIC: Karen, what initially drew you to the aesthetics and beauty industry?
Karen: I had no idea what I wanted to do initially. Psychology was my first interest, but I was unsure if I would enjoy sitting in one space all day and the emotional toll it would take over time. To find some direction, I took part in a career guidance program at our local university that included aptitude tests and personality profiling. Surprisingly, Beauty Therapy came up very strong as it matched my interests and personality needs.
Curious and open-minded, I attended an open day at the world-renowned Isa Carstens Academy in South Africa. I was immediately intrigued by all the different aspects of the course. I was particularly fascinated by reflexology, electrology, and cosmetic chemistry.
The academy’s comprehensive program and its offering of three advanced international cosmetology diplomas impressed me greatly, as it provided the opportunity to work abroad if I chose to. There were so many areas I could specialise in, and honestly, I have never looked back. I have loved every aspect of my career and still do.
Over time, my passion for skin care grew stronger, and I specialised in this field while I was still a hands-on therapist. This journey eventually led to the establishment of Skin Correctives, where we noe specialise in all things skin. My career has given me numerous travel opportunities and allowed me to establish myself here in Australia with my family.
Now, I lead my team to also fulfil their passion in changing lives through greater skin confidence. This path allowed me to blend my passion for helping others with a dynamic and evolving industry that keeps me engaged and inspired.
ABIC: What motivated you to seek out this specific certification?
Karen: When I arrived in Australia, I was eager to find an organisation that could endorse Skin Correctives as a clinic of high standards. In South Africa, I was a member of the South African Association of Health and Skin Care Professionals (SAAHSP), a professional body dedicated to maintaining high standards through professional designations and continuous professional development. At the Isa Carstens Academy, SAAHSP membership was part of the education package, reinforcing the importance of being part of an association that sets high standards and promotes ongoing education.
With this background, I have always valued a regulated environment. So, in my search for a similar organisation in Australia, I was horrified to discover that the industry was largely unregulated. However, I was excited to come across APAN and learn about the commendable work Tina Viney was doing. Joining APAN allowed me to be part of a passionate industry network and stay up to date with important industry matters.
Prior to SafeSkin™ Clinics Certification, the only way I felt we could provide some kind of endorsement for our clients to know that we are a business with high ethics was to enter and win awards. This was our way of demonstrating our commitment to excellence and high standards to our clients.
When I heard from some industry leaders that they were forming ABIC, I got so excited. I remember receiving an email about membership and signing up within two minutes, becoming the first ABIC Clinic member. The next day, I received a call welcoming me as the first clinic member and asking why I joined and what I was hoping to get out of being an ABIC member. I had two main agendas: setting standards and benchmarks for regulation, and protecting our profession as beauty skin therapists.
The Skin Correctives team is very proud to have been part of the initial beta testing of the ABIC SafeSkin™ Certification. This involvement allowed us to contribute to the process and help set benchmarks for the industry. The ABIC SafeSkin™ Certification perfectly aligned with our goals, ensuring that our clinic operates at the highest level while contributing to broader industry standards.
ABIC: Why do you think this type of benchmark SafeSkin™ Certification is important for our whole industry?
Karen: SafeSkin™ Certification is incredibly important for the beauty therapy industry because it paves the way for essential self-regulation and protection from potentially harmful Government intervention. Here’s why: Firstly, SafeSkin™ Certification sets rigorous standards for safety, quality, and professionalistm. This not only builds trust and credibility with our clients but also ensures that we are consistently delivering high-quality care. When clients know that a clinic is SafeSkin™ Certified, they can feel confident in the level of service and safety they will receive.
Secondly, effective self-regulation through SafeSkin™ Certification reduced the need for Government regulations. It demonstrates that our industry is capable of managing itself and maintaining high standards without the need for external control. This is crucial because Government regulations can sometimes be overly restrictive, often due to not fully understanding the intricacies of our field.
Lastly, having a significant number of certified clinics creates a unified voice that can influence favourable regulations. When we come together as a certified body, we can push the entire industry towards higher standards and ethical practices. This collective strength helps us advocate for our profession and ensures that any regulations put in place are fair and beneficial to both skin therapists and clients.
ABIC: What are some of the certification areas that SafeSkin™ focuses on? And has it helped you refine your processes and identify areas of improvement?
Karen: SafeSkin™ Certification covers a wide range of essential areas, ensuring that clinics operate at the highest standards. These areas include:
- Business Practices: SafeSkin™ Cerification emphasises implementing ethical marketing strategies and ensuring financial transparency, which helps build trust with clients and stakeholders.
- Team Management: The certification process involves conducting regular performance reviews and fostering a supportive team culture. This ensures that every team member is aligned with the clinic’s goals and values.
- Regulatory Requirements: SafeSkin™ ensures compliance with local health regulations and maintaining proper licensure, which is crucial for operating legally and safely.
- Employment Obligations: Providing fair employment contracts and ensuring workers’ rights are upheld is another critical focus area, promoting a fair and ethical workplace.
- Workplace Obligations: The certification requires maintaining a safe and healthy working environment, adhering to occupational health and safety standards, and ensuring that both staff and clients are protected.
- Safety Obligations: Implementing infection control protocols and ensuring proper sanitation practices are paramount, especially in our industry where client safety is a top priority.
- Training and Skill Requirements: SafeSkin™ emphasises continuous education opportunities and ensuring all staff are certified in their respective areas of expertise. This keeps the team updated with the latest industry standards and practices.
The certification process has been instrumental in helping us refine our processes and identify areas of improvement. For instance, while we have always prioritised treatment safety and infection control, we realised we needed to pay more attention to our Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) protocols. Although we had comprehensive WHS documents, they were outdated and not at the forefront of our minds. SafeSkin™ Certification prompted us to update and integrate WHS standards into our daily operations, ensuring that our clinic is a safe environment for both clients and staff.
Overall, SafeSkin™ Certification has reinforced our commitment to excellence and continuous improvement, helping us maintain the highest standards and providing the best care for our clients.
ABIC: Where do you see the future of our industry? What are the new trends and challenges you foresee?
Karen: I see the future of our industry focusing on high-quality care, as clients become more selective with their spending. They will demand effective results while also wanting to feel nurtured.
Quality skincare services will always have a place, and as clients become more informed, it’s crucial for us to stay educated and at the forefront of industry developments.
Marketing often rebrands the same technologies as new trends, creating hype and confusion. Clients will increasingly seek out trusted clinics and clinicians to help navigate through this hype and provide reliable guidance, making it essential to build trust within our local communities.
We must stand together, unite, and take action before it’s too late. Setting benchmarks and working towards regulation is vital to protect our right to continue providing exceptional care. We need to week out those who are not qualified to highlight those who are.
I believe SafeSkin™ Certification is the way forward. Despite scepticism, I’ve seen firsthand how effective this approach has been for over 50 years in South Africa. Now is the time for us to unite and ensure our industry maintains the highest standards for the benefit of all.
ABIC: After going through the SafeSkin™ certification process, do you recommend it and why?
Karen: Absolutely, I wholeheartedly recommend the SafeSkin™ certification. Our industry is facing significant threats, and this has been a concern of mine for quite some time. It’s crucial for us all to unite and support this certification.
These standards are what we should already have in place, and many of us do! SafeSkin™ certification sets you apart and shows a commitment to excellence. We need to come together, take this seriously, and act now.
Do it for your business, your team, and your beloved industry. This certification helps us build a framework that ears us respect and credibility with the Government. By showing a consistent track record of ABIC certification and regulation, we pave the way for the possibility of being self-regulated. This unity and commitment can safeguard our profession and maintain the high level of care our clients deserve, so that we can continue to do the work we love.
Become a SafeSkin™ Certified Clinic today!
This interview was originally published in the ABIC Journal Digital Magazine – Issue 7, August 2024.
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