35 comments
My name is Christine Werne, Owner and Director of Education at The Chrysm Institute of Esthetics. I have been providing Esthetics education for more than 20 years in the state of Virginia. It is our hope that the board will find that the current requirements of 600 hours in Esthetics and an additional 600 hours in Master Esthetics remains the requirement in the state of Virginia. I have a genuine concern regarding the possible reduction in the hours required in Esthetics education in the state of Virginia to obtain Esthetics and Master Esthetics licensure as well as the suggestion of combining the Esthetics and Master Esthetics.
Since the original regulations were established, the scope of Esthetics has continued to broaden. With the development of new treatments, techniques, and services, additional subject matter is required and demanded by students and employers for minimal competency so that practitioners can address the needs of the public and employers in a safe manner.
Additionally, after the 600-hour curriculum regulation was established, the board increased educational requirements that schools must provide, without increasing the minimum number of hours required in Virginia for Esthetics licensure, i.e. lash extensions instruction.
As an educator and director of an Esthetics institution, I can confidently share that the minimal requirement of 600 hours allows schools to appropriately train competent and safe practitioners. We have found that our students are graduating and practicing safely, successfully in the field. I believe that a reduction in hours would not permit for minimal competency in the subject matter in the field of Esthetics, adequately prepare licensees, and permit for safe practitioners providing services in the state of Virginia.
Performance of Master treatments necessitates a greater number of hours in education and experience to be able to practice safely. In addition to students learning proper application, they must additionally experience customization of each treatment and technique to many different skin types and conditions which each have different indications, contraindications, and application requirements, i.e. aging skin requires that the skin be pulled taut to avoid chemical peel acid pooling and affecting different areas unevenly; acneic skin requires a specific type of acid, number of layers, how long to allow the acid to remain active prior to neutralization, proper method of removal, however a client with both acne and rosacea may be contraindicated to certain acids or techniques that would normally be utilized. Students need to have experience on a multitude of different skin types and conditions to be able meet DPOR’s mission, to ensure practitioners practice safely and consumers are protected from potential harm.
Lastly, regarding the suggestion that Esthetics and Master Esthetics be combined, this would delay entry into the workforce by requiring completion of hours in education and additional training in subject matter not required for entry level positions. Not all applicants will excel or prefer to learn the far more advanced education provided in Master Esthetics, which may preclude them from completing the program and entering the workforce at all.
Education in advanced treatments such as chemical peel, microderm, etc. does allow those who choose to continue on in their education to achieve employment in medical facilities and more. The additional Master Esthetics licensure equips practitioners with more thorough knowledge and experience to build on the fundamentals taught in the Esthetics program and provides increased career opportunity and availability of highly sought after treatments offered to Virginia consumers.
We are very proud that the state of Virginia leads the way, offering the opportunity to Virginia constituents to obtain a prestigious level of Master licensure that is an official acknowledgment of merit within our exciting, expanding, industry. Virginia has set a standard that other states have adopted and we are hopeful that all other states will follow.
My name is Alessia Spielvogel and I’m the Chief Operating Officer at The Chrysm Institute of Esthetics. I would like to respectfully request that Esthetics remain at 600 hours and Master Esthetics remain separate as its own license requiring an additional 600 hours.
While I can appreciate the Board’s intent to periodically re-evaluate its policies and regulations, I urge the Board to perform its analysis very thoughtfully and understand the gravity of their suggestions and how the day to day operation and overall livelihood of all parties associated with Esthetics in Virginia may be affected.
With regard to the consideration of reducing hours in the Esthetics and Master Esthetics curriculum:
The Esthetics and Master Esthetics curriculum requirements in Virginia were established in 2007. In the 16 years since its inception, there has been and continues to be tremendous innovation in the skincare industry. If the state of Virginia saw fit to enshrine Esthetics licensure into codified law at 600 hours for Esthetics and 600 hours for Master Esthetics in 2007, it is paradoxical to reduce the hour requirement in 2023, a time when there are so many more products, services, and treatments being developed. Furthermore, the ubiquity of misinformation and aggressive marketing spread through social media, content creators, and influencers makes it fundamentally imperative to legally require formal training to ensure that practitioners offering these services are fully knowledgeable, experienced and can better discern the validity, effectiveness, and safety of legitimate clinical skincare. I don’t believe that this can be successfully accomplished by reducing hours in either program and/or combining the two programs.
With regard to the possible suggestion of combining Esthetics and Master Esthetics into one license: This would do a disservice to the Esthetics industry, its practitioners, and the general public. Speaking from my experience having worked for 12 years at an Esthetics school in the Registration and Financial Aid offices, many students who wish to obtain Master Esthetics licensure want to work in the field to gain experience and greater understanding before entering the Master Esthetics program. Completing a 600 hour Esthetics program permits practitioners to enter the field working in spas, salons, waxing boutiques, lash businesses and more. Some students aren’t interested in Master services and treatments whatsoever. Master Esthetics has a rigorous curriculum, deservedly so, considering a Master Esthetician must be able to modify and adapt the treatments, protocols, products, and techniques used depending on their client’s skin type and concerns. It sets everyone up for the greatest success by allowing those who do make the decision to continue into Master to gain industry experience beforehand and not mandating that all individuals who wish to become Estheticians be taught Master services that they may not have the interest or ability to provide.
In addition to my professional background, I am also a consumer of Esthetics services. As such, I know enough about the industry to determine that I, personally, would not feel safe paying for an advanced treatment in a professional setting, such as chemical peels or microderm, from an individual who does not have a multitude of knowledge and experience. Other consumers may not be familiar with the Esthetics industry and are more susceptible to receiving ineffective or potentially harmful treatments from inexperienced practitioners.
In conclusion, I thank the Board for considering my comment and I respectfully reiterate that it is my assertion that Esthetics remains at 600 hours and Master Esthetics remains at 600 hours.
REGULATORY REIVEW
I have been teaching esthetics for over 11 years at an Accredited school and the school is recognized by the US Department of Education to allow students with financial difficulty to apply for financial aid. I have given back to the industry by serving as a subject matter expert and a contributing author to textbooks used in esthetic schools across America and internationally. I work tirelessly to help my students find hope and a new future a career in esthetics and master esthetics.
During the past 11 years, I have seen the requirements that we have to teach increase due to technological advances, yet we have not been afforded additional time to teach those requirements.
As an accredited school we seek employers’ input and have employers on our advisory board. I have seen that employers have systematically ask for more highly qualified individuals to fill their job requirements over the past 11 years which is directly correlated to the increase in technological advances in our industry and consumer demand, yet we have not been afforded additional time to teach those requirements.
Add more to teach …. and give us less time to do it …. this is not logistically possible.
The landscape of our industry has changed dramatically over the past 11 years.
The change is towards growth & advancement and moving forward for the future …. not regression and retraction of our industry as the board has proposed.
By discussing restrictions on online theory topics, hour reductions and dismissal or merging of the entire level of master esthetics the board is enacting barriers into the profession and obstacles for the school’s ability preparing our graduates for employment and success in the industry – not to mention concern for the health, safety, and welfare and of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia. These steps backwards are setting the schools and the students up for failure. These steps backwards are setting up employers for failure. Where does that leave the industry and it’s consumers?
REMOVING THE CHOICE TO CHOOSE ACADEMIC LEVEL
During the time that I have been teaching there has been a clear and distinct differentiation between individuals who choose to go to master level or individuals who are not academically prepared to go to master level. By removing choices and forcing people who don’t want to or are not capable of embarking upon master level academic topics you are enacting barriers into entry into the profession and putting people at risk.
ONLINE THEORY TOPICS
Many of my students are single mothers who are very restricted financially and having the ability to do work online in the convenience of their own home which helps reduce the burden of childcare.
Many students do not have their own cars or gas money and they are borrowing people’s cars to get to school. Many students who have cars find that their cars are not mechanically sound and reliable which also poses other attendance problems. Allowing online topics allow people to come to school who would not normally be able to do so due to financial burdens.
Why create obstacles that lead to students giving up and failing?
Shouldn’t we be trying to be a champion of the people … to help them succeed and finish and creating a better life for themselves and their family?
When I spoke to my class about the board considering to reduce the number of theory topics or the theory hours online the first question that was posed to me is why are we being discriminated against? They asked me why every college across America whether it’s a community college or university allow their students to do all theory online yet we may be restricted.
My question to the board is: Are you interested in helping people get started in their career or are you interested in posing over burdensome regulations that enact barriers to entry into the profession and create financial burden for those who need financial assistance?
The US Department of Education that is has one of the highest standards allows for online theory and so does the national accrediting agencies. Additionally, and most importantly, the entity that regulates post-secondary schools in the state of Virginia called SCHEV whose primary task is protecting student interests allows all theory to be taught online.
Why would a board that has been tasked with “a primary goal of protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia when receiving treatments” attempt to limit theory in a school? It helps everyone and harms no one…. this is not a consumer safety issue.
If students can pass their licensing exam, why does it matter?
HOUR REDUCTION: SAFETY, EMPLOYABILITY AND CAREER SUCCESS ISSUES
When discussing hour reductions / education reductions with employers for our graduate job placement assistance program and the impact it would have on our employers they expressed grave concern.
They said that they are not interested in nor do they have the manpower or financial ability to develop in-depth new employee training programs. Every time someone starts at a new spa, they already have to give them product training as each spa may use a different product line but they also have to do new hire training and onboarding. That is all they are willing to take on.
Consumer demand will not decrease, employer demand will not decrease, there will just be a wide gap between a prepared graduate and the job that they must stretch to reach that they are not prepared to be successful in.
Why would the board want to set graduates up for failure and shorten the lifespan of someone’s career?
Why would the board want to put an unfair burden on employers and bring safety risk to clients because employers are not set up to be educators?
Since the implementation of the curriculum the industry has grown, technology has advanced and so has the number of topics that schools have been responsible for adding. Hours should stay the same or be increased not decreased.
DISOLUTION OR MERGING OF MASTER PROGRAM
In the last boarding meeting, some very concerning statements were made publicly by a board member:
“Master esthetics should be dissolved because people can’t afford to go to the next level.”
“Most people can’t afford to do both.”
“No employment opportunities for basic estheticians”
With all due respect, I don’t feel these statements are factually correct and are not representative of our industry.
It is concerning to me that these factually incorrect statements were made.
It is even more concerning to me that the board members acted upon this factually incorrect information and initiated action to be taken by the board and for the board to vote to have these topics referred to a committee which would negatively impact the esthetician community and industry. It would impact clients, employers, students, and graduates.
Why should everyone in the industry and everyone who potentially wants to become part of the industry be impacted because one person believes that because someone cannot afford a higher level of educational attainment that it should no longer exist?
Are we going to eliminate the medical doctor degree because people can only afford to become a surgical tech?
Why are we taking away choices?
I have first-hand experience with helping our students through our job placement assistance program. While we do have companies who only want to hire master esthetician graduates due to the nature of their business, we don’t have a problem with job placement assistance for our basic graduates.
Also, as a lead instructor at the school, I have also encountered students who initially wanted to go to the master level but realized that due to time constraints they’re not able to study to academically achieve the academic demand of the master level topic so forcing them to take that by merging the master into the basic program would set them up for failure.
Basic level affords for people who are wanting to service their clients with a more natural or holistic approach such as a school in Virginia called the Aveda institute. Some grads only want to wax or do lashes. Not everybody wants to learn chemicals and the in depth procedures in the master level. Many of the schools that focus on basic training are accredited and we were able to research their placement rates and they were passing the required rate to maintain their accreditation and financial aid approval.
Board decisions should be made with factual data.
All of my points have factually established that the current 600 esthetician 600 master esthetician, current regulations and curriculum should stand to ensure consumer safety.
While this is not a consumer safety issue, this is an issue that speaks about removal of barriers into entry into the industry. A lot of students need financial support. When you reduce the number of hours you must consider that many students are receiving Pell grants that allow them to essentially go to school for free. That means zero free money grants.
Why is it that the governor has pushed an initiative to reduce the barriers into the careers of career colleges and vocational training …. yet the governor has not reduced the barriers to the amount of training required for useless two-year and four-year degrees that get students nowhere.
Our training centers and our programs provide hope for a better life and hope for gainful employment and opportunities to people who have never had opportunities available to them before.
What right do we have to crush their dreams of being independent of welfare and the opportunity for employment and a future for themselves and their family?
Most of these people are single mothers who have children to support that are just trying to make a better life for them and their children.
I respectfully ask that you please consider all of this when making your decisions.
COMMENT FOR REGULATORY REVIEW
Consumer who are seeking esthetic and master esthetic procedures are expecting that because this is a state regulated profession, where individuals must achieve licensure status prior to operating within the industry, that the state has made all good faith efforts to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia, as required by Virginia code.
Through research, we can confirm, there are not any identifiable deficiencies that are leading to threats to the health, welfare, and safety of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The investigations division does not have an onslaught of open cases where estheticians and master estheticians are injuring clients. Employers are hiring graduates who can begin work right away without any employer training programs. Current school programs are providing sufficient education to ensure safety and the ability serve the demands of consumers as a direct result of the required hours and curriculum topics in the regulations.
In short, the regulations and curriculum requirements that lead to the ability to sit for the licensure examination are meeting its intended goal.
Additionally, through our extensive research, we have confirmation from employers that they do not want to incur the additional expense associated with additional training or have the desire or ability to develop and enact new hire training programs to rectify any deficiencies that new hires that would incur as a direct result of curriculum reductions or hour reductions. Employers specifically want to continue to receive the ability to hire candidates at the current level of educational attainment provided by the current regulations. Employers want to be able to continue to provide safe and effective treatments to their patrons.
Since there is factual proof that the regulations are meeting the intended goal, the regulations do not need to be changed.
We ask that the board consider this reliable and valid factual data and research and not make any changes to the regulations.
ESTHETIC PROGRAM DISCUSSIONS IN CONSIDERATION
There has been discussion of restricting online theory topics, reducing the hours in esthetics and master esthetics in the last board meeting and even there has been discussion of merging master esthetics into esthetics in the last board meeting. I will now make comment as to why this could be problematic for the health, welfare, and safety of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia, why this would present obstacles and barriers to entry into to the profession and harm student in or applying to schools.
Additionally, all would require a change to the code of Virginia and the associated regulations.
ONLINE THEORY TOPICS
The Board approved non-traditional or “online” instruction guidance document revision on September 17, 2020, states that it is “allowing schools to teach online instruction for theory topics in a school- approved curriculum”.
This is a concerning statement because there is nothing in Virginia code that prohibits online theory.
HOUR REDUCTION SAFETY ISSUES
COMBINING BASIC AND MASTER PROGRAMS
Our concerns are that we want to ensure any decisions that are made are done so with information that is valid and reliable by individuals who are fully capable of doing so without bias or the perception of bias. Our first-hand observations have been contrary to that effect on many occasions during both board and committee meetings.
For example, at the last meeting “Board Member X” (name redacted) stated to the effect that “master esthetics should be dissolved because people can’t afford to go to the next level”. “Most people can’t afford to do both.”
This is very concerning to the Esthetician Community.
This is akin to stating because not everyone can afford to be an RN, and they can only afford to be a CNA that we should no longer have RNs programs. Are we now reducing RN programs, hours and curriculum requirements due to concerns that people can’t afford an RN education?
In the last meeting, “Board Member X” (name redacted) also made comments that there were “no employment opportunities for basic estheticians”, another reason to dissolve master esthetics programs. This is a concerning statement as well.
There are many job opportunities for graduates of schools who work with basic esthetician employers. Many schools and schools such as the Aveda Institute, focus on basic esthetics and have great job placement assistance success rates. Many are accredited and those rates are published.
Clinical/medical spas employers only choose to hire master level graduates because that fits their business model. Just as they must hire an RN to perform certain procedures, not a CNA.
There has been a surge in basic body/facial care businesses, waxing bars, and lash bars in the recent years, and taking away the ability for individuals to “choose” to not push themselves to the “RN level” (master) would be detrimental to people’s ability to choose what level of education they wish to pursue and what investment they wish to incur.
Our school has been in operation for 19 years, we have students who begin wanting to work at the clinical medical level, but change their minds or realize through struggles of barely passing basic esthetician coursework that they are not academically prepared to continue to the master level and are very satisfied with staying at the basic level and happy with their employment options.
What is most concerning about this discussion is removing the ability to have a choice.
The master esthetics textbook and academic content rigorous and is not something to be taken lightly. As a school administrator I can attest to the fact that not everyone would be able to pass the master class topics no matter where they were positioned program wise, and not everybody is interested in those topics. Just as we find with CNA vs RN educational content. Forcing individuals to pursue academic levels that they would not be successful in would result in them failing the entirety of the program.
As the individual who helped initiate laws for esthetician licensure and the regulations, this was a very clear concept that was discussed during the legislative process. At the request of legislators, this led to the development of the basic versus master level licenses. It also was very clearly stated by the legislators that academically these were two separate educational attainments and the risk level of the master level treatments required separate and extensive dedication to those topics to allow for choices for people who did not want to go to the master level.
Removing choices would be akin to forcing everyone to go to Harvard or become an RN.
Removing this choice also reduces the quality of the Harvard education for those who are ready and willing to take on that level academic rigor.
Neither of these scenarios seems to be the best interest of people or their ability of people to make a choice.
CLOSING STATEMENTS
Online schooling affords people benefits and opportunities that would otherwise be unattainable. Additionally commuting every day each time and money that we could work a job or care for family or even perform civic duties. If I were not allowed to be in this school as it currently is set up I would have had to move back in with my parents quit my job and use every government assistance to survive Medicaid, food stamps, etc. In other words I would not have pursued this opportunity or education.
I work full time at night and go to school in the morning having online classes have made it a smooth transition between work life and school.
Online school is the only way I can gain an education and work to support myself financially not everyone has the luxury of being able to afford or have time to attend university without online classes I personally would not be able to get an education between my work and finances
Without online classes I would not be able to afford gas or childcare.
I have a full-time job I don’t have a car luckily my partner is off on my school days. My partner goes to VCU and has online classes why should not be able to because I’m in a different school because I’m a woman it’s 2023 and I think everyone would love it if we can make decisions that are equal to men. Everyone’s is in different paths this school creates opportunity don’t take that away.
Online classes allows me for a more flexible schedule to work a full time job as well as making it possible for single parents to learn everyone has the right to an education and online classes makes that possible from personal experience I finished my last two years of high school online which gave me the opportunity to graduate a year early as well as work a full time job and have more family time and save money up I would not attend any school that didn’t offer online classes
Having online school for the helps me a lot by still being able to work and save money and still be able to focus on my career where I would not be where I’m at today (without the amount of online classwork we are allowed to do).
Online school has benefited me in many ways throughout my time here my personal finances when it comes to communing family time and being able to work the hours I need at my job to take care of my responsibilities. If online classes were not offered attending the school would have made things a lot harder for me
Having online classes are a blessing I have to still maintain working a full time job and do school I would be in a very difficult situation to have to come to school five days a week in class and still have to pay my bills. People have to work people that have kids and who is going to watch their kids? I know you’re not, so please do not enter into something that you do not have knowledge in. I would not be able to attend the school if it wasn’t for the schedule that is in place for us.
In person classes four to five days a week is not attainable by most students. If not for online classes I would not be attending.
I take my time very seriously so when I looked at schools I would have to drive more than I would be learning. Don’t ruin people’s chances for education choices. I would not be in school getting an education if something ruined my chances of being great
I believe we would should be treated the same way universities are. Online school is helpful especially if you have jobs kids etc.
Online option is the only opportunity that I have to get into this field and career that I want to be in if it wasn’t for the online and in person I wouldn’t be here or be able to receive an education which is very important to me.
Online school is very beneficial, it makes it possible for real people to be able to attend and gain their knowledge. It also makes it easier for them to be able to do the work. I wouldn’t be able to go to school without online!
Classes that are online are friendly for everyone in their schedules as an esthetician student. Only estheticians should make decisions on our education. I would not be able to receive an education of our classes were not online.
I work as a part time stocker and the online school has helped me to be able to afford gas if I was going five days I would not be able to afford gas I live in an hour and a half if this is taken from me I would not be able to have this opportunity
I’m a young mom trying to be great and support my family at the same time & the way online is scheduled helps me balance between work school family. I wouldn’t be in school if I had to be in school every day.
I’m a student who currently participates in three online classes and one double class day that is 2 days and one. we are no different than any college that is doing online. I am a single mom and this school schedule allows me to work on my future to be successful. Still work a full time job. As well as be a part of my child’s life. People who do not understand the work and the amount of time we put into our classes and work need to stay out of this since they don’t understand. If someone has to change how my class schedule would be I would not be able to be in the school trying to better myself today.
Having online classes helps the students because it doesn’t waste time driving back and forth it saves money on gas but also allows you to have an outside life as in work full time be with your children and study properly. I would not be in school if we weren’t allowed to do class online.
By taking away our three online classes and 1 double day in class the opportunity to work and take care of my daughter would be ripped right from my hands. I would have to live a mediocre life instead of thriving. All these other schools are allowed to do online we should not be discriminated against by attending this school. I am able to take care of my daughter work and it helps me financially. I am forever grateful I need this to thrive in my life.
Online classes include more information and learning than any four hour in person class ever will online classes are important to myself and students alike so that people alike have the opportunity to continue their education without online classes I would have more expenses, absences, lost time, less time to work and less time in my day online classes allow me to continue my education while still supporting myself without them I would not be able to be where I’m am now.
I am currently an esthetic student and I believe that online curriculum should be allowed college university students are allowed this benefit and I believe we deserve the same in my personal experience. Online work has allowed me to maintain a job that funds my education not having the option of online would have robbed me from an educational experience and future career.
I believe we should be treated the same way as other students at university I would not be in school today if I didn’t like what is provided to us with the online classes I love the fact that we come to school and we have online.
Online classes should be available to everybody some people especially women aren’t able to make it to class let alone work full time five days a week think about babysitting cost commute times and personal schedules. I wouldn’t be here if the institute of advanced medical esthetics didn’t offer it hybrid classes.
Having school online has allowed me to be able to work save money and keep up with everything I do outside of school while receiving an outstanding education period if my school was set up any other way then it would be impossible for me to pursue this career that I am so passionate about.
Not allowing online classes for esthetician & cosmetology schools shouldn’t even be a discussion we’re no different than other schools and colleges we deserve the same opportunities as someone that completed high school online. I don’t understand why this field would be any different when it comes to allowing online classes if the online portion of my education wasn’t an option I wouldn’t be able to attend school because of childcare money and time.
As a master esthetic student I’ve found extreme value in online classes offered by my school not only do I get to delve deeper into theory I have more control over my life schedule and online classes. Colleges and universities all offer online courses we are just as capable of learning retaining and applying our knowledge as any other college student. As a mother and provider would not be able to pursue my dream career if I had to attend live classes several times a week
I personally think that theory portion of the classes is appropriate to be offered online. I have ADHD so personally I prefer online theory class because it allows me to be free of distractions the schedule also allows me to still have time to work as well as other activities.
Taking school online has been beneficial to me in many ways it helps me become more responsible with my time and independently working. If I wasn’t able to have online classes and the schedule I do. I would not be able to attend since I have to work and provide for myself attending the school gave me the chance to extend my knowledge and grow as a person while still being able to work and provide for myself.
I have a strong opinion on the topic of having online classes for numerous reasons number one my commute to school is 2 ½ hours away each way. So I would not be able to attend school because of the commute I have a school aged children and a partially disabled husband I would not be able to have the opportunity of a career change if it was not offered partially online also I have experience with previously online courses dating back to high school over 14 years ago online courses have been around for quite a while and people have life advancement opportunities because of the online classes.
The level of education and standards should be kept at a level so not only if the graduates move to another state, they have an equal opportunity to find jobs , but also succeed in all aspects of their work including keeping the pubic safe. The master education in Virginia has given our estheticians and industry a high standard and great reputation in comparison to some of the other states in the country.
Any decision or action resulting in lowering the education level or standards will be a dis service to our growing industry.