Babtac launches initiative to increase awareness of safe beauty treatments
Yesterday (January 26), the British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (Babtac) launched its "TIME" initiative to help consumers recognise whether the training that their therapist has received is fit for purpose.
A regulatory checklist, TIME will provide the framework necessary to ensure that consumers are aware of what to be mindful of when booking a service with a beauty therapist.
TIME stands for:
- Training - What training and qualifications, including continual professional development (CPD) do you and all your staff have?
- Insurance – Are you insured and who by?
- Monitoring – Do you carry out important pre and post appointment processes such as patch tests, consultations and aftercare?
- Evidence – Can you provide certified proof of training and insurance, as well as client testimonials?
The launch event at the Houses of Parliament was supported by several influential bodies and key figures across the industry, including the Beauty Backed Trust ambassador and founder Caroline Hirons; Millie Kendall OBE, founder and chief executive of the British Beauty Council; skincare expert and founder of the Black Skin Directory, Dija Ayodele; and Skin Group International founder Candice Glanville.
Blair said, “We’re so pleased to be launching the TIME initiative, with the support of some key leaders in the beauty sector. Lack of regulation in our industry means that consumers are being exposed to potentially unsafe situations all too often, and so we’ve seen a wave of ‘botched’ beauty treatments in recent years as a result.
“This regulatory checklist aims to serve as a simple but effective reminder for consumers to help them choose evidence-based, professional fit for purpose services, whilst minimising any risk.”
What is the issue with consumer awareness?
Currently, the lack of legislation in the UK beauty industry means there is nothing to stop someone with little, or even no training, from establishing themselves as a seemingly professional therapist - and a 2022 survey from Salon Rated found that 59% of Brits don’t know if their beauty therapist is qualified or insured.
Babtac also ran a consumer survey to determine their understanding of the state of regulation and training standards of the beauty industry, for which the results were very concerning with only 38% aware that it isn’t regulated.
Beauty Backed ran a further comparison survey, revealing that 56% still believed the industry was regulated. These results are a stark reminder of how low consumer awareness remains about the lack of regulation and standardisation of qualifications and training.
A similar number of consumers from both surveys believed that their therapists held relevant qualifications (70%), although very tellingly over 90% would not feel comfortable asking to see their therapists’ qualifications, and 71% stated they didn’t know the difference between a regulated qualification and a non-regulated short course.
Most notably, almost all consumers from both surveys believed that the industry should be regulated and that there should be a recognisable certification applied to fit for purpose training.
Kendall commented, “It is worrying that such a high percentage of consumers are completely unaware that the beauty industry remains largely unregulated and also demonstrates the need for a widespread education.
“We’re pleased to be supporting Babtac with the launch of the TIME initiative, which will help inform consumers on what they should be looking for when choosing a treatment, the questions they should be asking their therapist, and the potential implications that can arise when seeking services from unqualified individuals.”
“The TIME initiative is launching at such an important time for the beauty industry,” Hirons added. “After a difficult two years, we’ve seen hundreds of beauty professionals and businesses approach the Beauty Backed Trust for support with accessing training or help getting back on their feet.
“The purpose of Beauty Backed is to support beauty professionals, while protecting the industry we love so much. The TIME initiative will help to elevate this valuable industry, whilst empowering consumers to understand how to safely identify trained professionals when choosing their treatments.”
Ayodele said, “I believe that the beauty industry has a long way to go before it can be deemed fully inclusive. There is a notable lack of clinical trials and evidence for the use of products and treatments on all skin types, and at the moment many training programmes do not account for diversity in clientele, so it’s more important than ever that consumers are being extra cautious when seeking out treatments.
“The TIME initiative gives people the tools to ask their therapist or salon the right questions to make an informed decision before booking in.”
Concluding, Glanville added, “As the founder of a group of companies that provides regulated training of the highest calibre to the industry, I welcome awareness of courses that may not be considered fit for purpose that could be regarded as unsafe.
“TIME brings the topic of training to the forefront for beauty and aesthetic salons and clinics, and by promoting awareness for consumers (and industry professionals) we all hope to raise the bar across our sector to ensure that unregulated training courses become a thing of the past, ultimately ensuring consumer safety.
“I am very passionate in giving my support to Babtac as the official sponsor to launch this important initiative.”
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