Taneesa Williamson A bold move from the leading cosmetic-store brand.
Leading retail giant MECCA has created a controversy amongst industry professionals in their recent advertisement for a Dermal Therapist for their upcoming skin concepts in stores. The aim to reach more into the skin & aesthetics sector has industry professionals worried that this integration will impact the value of the qualifications of Dermal Therapists, whilst others welcome the new concept, with hopes it will further expand the industry to provide high quality skincare services.
So, what has made this so controversial?
In Australia, there are multiple qualifications within the beauty, skin and aesthetics industry. Typically, MECCA employs those with a Diploma or Certificate in Beauty Therapy or Specialist Makeup to utilise their skills within their stores for both high and low touch services and retail customer service.
A Dermal Therapist will typically possess a Beauty qualification and also an Associates Diploma or Bachelor Degree in Applied Health Science (Dermal Therapy), which enables them to assist with managing common dermatological disorders and skin problems associated with other conditions that can effect skin health. This further 2-4 years of education gives Dermal Therapists a leading qualification which makes them well sought after within the industry.
The study within these dermal qualifications is comprehensive, with topics on skin and wound biology, dermatological conditions and management strategies, alongside studies in sciences including physics, chemistry, psychology and general anatomy and physiology.
The feedback from industry professionals such as Dermal Therapists is heavily mixed, with some welcoming the idea, stipulating that it may provide a bridging gap for consumers that may be seeking simple budget friendly advice and reasonably timed treatments, and that MECCA is aiming to provide higher quality services by seeking out those who specialise in skin.
Others have ridiculed the changes, with discussion that it devalues the qualifications of Dermal Therapists, as fears of target-based retail KPI’s and brand endorsements will discredit professional skin services and lead to confusion amongst consumers.
In Australia, there is no set standardised award for Dermal Therapists, therefore they are often placed under the Hair & Beauty Award despite their further efforts of study. This also created scrutiny as changes have been called to be made for further regulation and standardisation in the industry, with fears of this creating a setback.
Whilst this will be a huge shift within the skin & aesthetics industry, there are concerns for consumers with chronic skin disorders. Often, skin disorders like acne vulgaris, pigmentation disorders like melasma, or scarring can be successfully treated with a Dermal Therapist without having to step immediately to a Dermatologist, and typically will comprise of multiple follow-up visits within a private environment. There are hopes that MECCA will adopt these concepts within their stores, and offer private treatment rooms with confidentiality and correct record keeping practices.
With this integration of Dermal Therapists at MECCA, will consumer demands and expectations fail to be managed, or be a welcomed industry success?
Read SPA+CLINIC’s latest issue here:
There are 5 ways you can catch up with SPA+CLINIC
- Our quarterly print magazine, delivered to your door. Subscribe here.
- Our website, which is updated daily with its own completely unique content and breaking news.
- Our weekly newsletter – free to your inbox! Subscribe here.
- Our digital magazine – click here to view previous issues.
- Our social media – see daily updates on our Instagram, Facebook & Linkedin
