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.