Spa therapist jobs
Type of Job
Working as a spa therapist is an interesting and varied job, working with the public to deliver a range of facial and body treatments designed to enhance clients' appearance and feelings of well-being.
What is the job about?
Spa therapists provide a wide variety of treatments, including:
- Facials - cleansing, massaging and toning the skin
- Advising and applying cosmetic make-up
- Eyebrow shaping and eyelash colouring
- Manicures, pedicures and nail treatments (e.g. extensions and nail art)
- Depilation (removal of unwanted facial and body hair by waxing, sugaring, threading) or epilation (removal of hair by electrolysis)
- Electro-therapy treatments to improve body tone and shape
- Non-surgical skin rejuvenation therapies
- UV (ultraviolet) and spray tanning.
Depending on your skills and qualifications, you might also provide more specialist treatments, such as massage, aromatherapy, hydrotherapy and reflexology.
In most salons, you will probably also perform day-to-day tasks around the salon such as reception work, booking client appointments, checking and ordering supplies, and record keeping on clients.
Key Skills & Knowledge needed
This is a very person-centred job, so your key skills will include:
- Good people skills (friendly and welcoming)
- Good communication skills
- Commercial awareness - selling products to clients improves the salon's performance and earns you commission
- High standards of personal hygiene and grooming
- Stamina - you will probably be on your feet all day
- A basic knowledge of chemistry, anatomy and human biology
- Artistic flair, needed for applying nail art and make-up
Qualifications and experience needed
To work as a spa therapist, you will need at least a level 3 qualification. Choices include:
- NVQ Certificate/Diploma in Beauty Therapy at Level 3
- City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy Techniques
- ITEC Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Beauty Therapy
- VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy Treatments.
If you want an internationally-recognised qualification, you can study for CIBTAC and CIDESCO qualifications.
Training is offered through local colleges or private beauty schools. Private course are usually shorter, more intensive, and more expensive, so be sure that you receive a recognised qualifications.
An alternative route is to start as an assistant or junior therapist by completing qualifications such as NVQ Certificate/Diploma in Beauty Therapy at levels 1 and 2 before progressing to a higher level.
Finally, you may be able to get into this job through an Apprenticeship scheme. The range of Apprenticeships available in any given area varies according to the local jobs market and the types of skills employers are looking for.
What other training and development could I do?
Progression in this field is either as a more highly qualified therapist, or via management.
Completing courses in specialist areas such as epilation, ear piercing, waxing techniques and UV tanning will increase your employability and earnings. These courses are available through awarding bodies such as ITEC, VTCT, City & Guilds and Edexcel and can be taken at either colleges or private beauty schools.
If you want to progress to salon management, then courses such as BTEC HNDs and foundation degrees in subjects such as Beauty Therapy Management, Salon and Spa Management and Spa and Therapy Management will give you the skills you need to manage a salon.
Salary and benefit expectations
Therapists can expect to earn between ?12,000 and ?17,000 a year, depending on skills and experience, while management jobs typically offer over ?20,000 a year.
You can also increase your earnings through tips, and commission on products you sell in the salon.
Where else can I go for more information?
For more information, contact the following:
International Therapy Examination Council (ITEC)
4 Heathfield Terrace
Chiswick
London
W4 4JE
Tel: 020 8994 4141
Web : www.itecworld.co.uk
Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT)
3rd Floor, Eastleigh House
Upper Market Street
Eastleigh
Hampshire
SO50 9FD
Tel : 023 8068 4500
Web : www.vtct.org.uk
Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Authority (HABIA)
www.habia.org
City & Guilds
Tel : 0844 543 0033
Web : www.cityandguilds.com
Edexcel
Web : www.edexcel.com
