AESTHETIC PHYSICIANS AND THERAPISTS collaborate to elevate patient care

Aesthetic medicine is one of the fastest-growing fields in healthcare today. With the increasing demand for nonsurgical 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 Listen to the full inteview on YouTube. recently interviewed Dr. Marisa Heyns and therapist Kim van Zyl to gain insights into how this partnership benefits both the practice and their patients.

What is the role of your aesthetic therapists?

“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 patients’s skin care concerns.”

How important is a formal qualification for therapists working alongside medical professionals?

“Just as we believe that our medical team of aesthetic doctors should be qualified and educated in the field of aesthetic and anti-ageing 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 this collaborative relationship benefit patients?

“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 skin’s superficial and deeper layers, we can achieve the most desirable results.”

How does a medical aesthetic practice with advanced aesthetic therapists differ from those without their support?

“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 the supportive structures of the skin. Advanced Aesthetic Therapists fill that crucial gap—the art of creating evenly toned, healthy-looking skin.”

When someone wants to start a career as a therapist in the medical aesthetics industry, where do they start?

“Here, we cannot recommend the Isa Carstens® Advanced Dermal Aesthetics at NQF level 7.” Academy enough. Start with their accredited 3-year Diploma in Somatology at NQF level 6, and if possible, complete the additional 4th year in

What is the demand for advanced aesthetic therapists in medical aesthetic practices?

“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.”

THERAPIST KIM VAN ZYL

Why did you decide to work in medical aesthetics, such as at the Dr. Nerina Wilkinson + Associates Practice?

“I chose to work in medical aesthetics 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 types of treatments do you perform here?

“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 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 ® Advanced Diploma in Dermal Aesthetics NQF Level 7 offers specialised training in advanced treatments, an accredited programme exclusively offered at Isa Carstens® Academy. Academy, renowned for excellence in higher education. The distance learning

To become an advanced aesthetic therapist, start with a three-year Diploma in Somatology at NQF Level 6. Higher education enhances problem-solving and critical thinking abilities essential for medical aesthetics.

It is essential to validate the accreditation status of courses in somatology to enable admission to further studies. A list of registered private higher education institutions, private colleges, and accredited courses can be downloaded from the Department of Higher Education.

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.

APPLICATIONS

Qualified somatologists and those currently in their third year can apply for the Advanced Diploma in Dermal Aesthetics starting from 1 July30 September 2024, for the 2025 academic year.

Qualified therapists can also choose from a selection of Advanced Professional Development Short Courses, in specific modalities such as dermaplaning, microneedling, laser and light theory, and manual lymphatic drainage.

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. Registration Certificate No. 2000/HE07/025.