Incidence and need of advanced aesthetic somatology in South Africa

Abstract

Rapid advancements in technology have resulted in a growing trend of aesthetic beauty treatments. Internationally, the beauty profession has adapted to include aesthetic treatments through the offering of non-surgical aesthetic qualifications as an additional career choice for qualified beauty therapists. The merging of beauty and aesthetics treatments has created a skills gap and an opportunity for career development in the beauty industry. Although somatologists in South Africa are currently practicing aesthetic treatments, there is no qualification which focuses solely on this skill. This has created the need for somatology in South Africa to move towards a more medical approach within the skin care sector and align itself with international benchmarks being set by other countries in the industry. The aim of this study was to assess the requirements and needs for the development of advanced aesthetic somatology as an education programme in the South African context. A quantitative research design was implemented with qualitative elements. The mixed method approach gathered qualitative and quantitative data which provided a broader context to respondents’ perceptions on the use of advanced aesthetics within the somatology industry. Three questionnaires were developed, targeting each respondent group: somatology students, qualified somatologists and medical professionals. A non-probability purposive sampling technique was applied for the purpose of the study. Results indicated the need for the development and standardisation of aesthetics education in the field of somatology. Somatology respondents recognised the consumer need for aesthetic treatments and agreed there is a need to keep abreast of new technologies and aesthetic treatments being offered in the industry. A skills gap was further highlighted when somatology respondents confirmed they were currently incorporating advanced skin care treatments into their scope of practice, but required further training and education in aesthetic somatology. A common sentiment among the three respondent groups was the need to revisit the current somatology curricula to include advanced aesthetic modalities. Similarly, somatology students recognised the need to expand somatology education to include aesthetics in order to prepare them for current industry trends. Students displayed great interest in obtaining future employment in medical settings and in performing aesthetical treatments. Similar responses from the three stakeholder groups found dermal science, permanent hair removal techniques, wound care, resurfacing science and pre/post-operative techniques to be important subjects included in the advanced aesthetic somatology curriculum. A generally positive outlook was displayed by all stakeholders with regards to interdisciplinary practices. Both students and somatologists indicated it would be beneficial for the profession and clients to work under the supervision of medical professionals. Likewise, medical professionals agreed they would feel comfortable hiring an advanced aesthetic somatologist to assist in medical practices provided the correct education and training was in place. The South African beauty profession has recognised the benefits of diversifying services in order to meet industry needs. Due to a rapidly evolving beauty industry, the need to develop and standardise aesthetics education in somatology was highlighted. Finally, this study identified the importance for the somatology industry to bridge an imperative training and education deficit.