Dr Davin Lim and Kendyl Gooding's advice for those interested in Beauty & Aesthetics

Dr Davin on Beauty and Aesthetics industry

Launch your career in the dynamic and exciting Beauty industry with our Beauty and Aesthetics courses.

Dr Davin Lim, one of Australia’s most well-regarded dermatologists, and Kendyl Gooding, Learning Facilitator for Beauty and Aesthetics on Torrens University’s Brisbane campus , talk here about how dermatologists and dermal therapists work together to make their clients look and feel their best.

Introducing Dr Davin Lim – Dermatologist

Dr Davin Lim runs the highly respected Curtis Dermatology Clinics in Brisbane and is in demand internationally as a speaker and writer.

‘I studied for my medical degree in Queensland and I was fortunate to train in Sydney, Ireland and the UK as well. Then I studied for my subspecialty, which is aesthetics and procedural dermatology, in the US and Asia. It took me about 10 years to complete – six years for the basic medical degree and four years for the procedural dermatology training. ‘Procedural dermatology is a subspecialty of dermatology, where we diagnose clinical cases and apply different modalities or procedures to treat those conditions. It encompasses such things as basic cutaneous surgery, skin surgery, the use of lasers and energy devices, the use of peels, and much more.’

Introducing Kendyl Gooding – Learning Facilitator for Beauty and Aesthetics

Kendyl Gooding is a Torrens University graduate and now, as a Learning Facilitator, she is teaching our Beauty and Aesthetics students.

‘I studied a Diploma of Beauty Therapy in 2006 and I spent many years working as a qualified beauty therapist. Eventually, I made my way into education in the dermal industry and from there I completed my Bachelor of Health Science in Aesthetics at Torrens University. Now I am teaching across our Diploma of Beauty and Spa Practice and the Bachelor of Health Science in Aesthetics.’

What does a dermal therapist do?

‘Essentially, we provide transformative skin-health experiences within the dermal industry,’ says Kendyl. ‘These range from age-management treatments to skin-rejuvenation practices and hair-reduction procedures, and we manage pigmentation as well. ‘We also work alongside a variety of registered healthcare professionals in pre- and post-operative care. Dermal clinicians, or dermal therapists, are healthcare professionals, although unlike medical doctors and registered nurses, we are not registered.’

Can a dermal therapist do injectables?

‘No, doing injectables is out of our scope of practice,’ Kendyl explains. ‘However, if students have a keen interest in cosmetic nursing, they can complete their Bachelor of Health Science in Aesthetics and go on to undertake a Bachelor of Nursing course. Then, as registered nurses, they will be qualified to do injectables.’

How do you become a dermal therapist?

‘A few of our students have a beauty therapy qualification already, which they are building on with our Bachelor of Health Science (Aesthetics),’ Kendyl explains. ‘Others start with the Diploma of Beauty and Spa Practice.’

These courses are offered on the Gotha Street campus in Brisbane and online. This campus is a practical learning hub for our Health courses, where our students treat actual clients at The Practice Wellbeing Centre in Brisbane.

Practical advice for our Beauty and Aesthetics students

Kendyl says, ‘I always encourage students to use the academic supports that we offer at Torrens, whether it be working with your academic “cheerleader” – our success coaches – or with our academic skills team, who will support you with your assessment tasks.

‘As well as immersing yourself in university life, you can connect and network within the industry too. I recommend joining the Australian Society of Dermal Clinicians and the Aesthetic Beauty Industry Council (ABIC).’

Dr Lim offers sound advice for Beauty and Aesthetics graduates

‘When you are working in the industry, keep in mind that it's not just about seeing as many patients as you can. It's also about thinking whether there are ways to do your job better. For example, ask yourself, “Can we implement a safer way to do this procedure?” Keep questioning and learning. Each morning you’ll wake up and think, What am I going to learn today? How can I make a difference? It is a very fulfilling career.

What makes a career in the Beauty and Aesthetics industry so dynamic?

‘In this industry, we are forever developing our practical skills, our knowledge about state-of-the machinery and devices, technological advancements, and ways to enrich the treatments we offer clients,’ says Kendyl. ‘Consumers today want to have the most advanced treatments. So constantly staying abreast of the changes is key to helping our clients.

‘Always being connected to the industry is also essential. That’s why at Torrens University we seek ongoing industry feedback and counsel. We promote strong networking relationships with industry bodies and arrange clinical placements for the students.

‘There's a place for every practitioner's expertise in the field of Aesthetics – whether you are a registered health professional, such as a dermatologist, or non-registered, like a dermal therapist.’

Dr Lim looks at the future of the dermal-therapy industry

‘It's an evolutionary field. We have new lasers, new wavelengths, new energy devices. Technology, especially in the last 10 years, has been booming exponentially.

‘I love this field because the learning is never ending. That applies to everyone who works in dermal therapy – dermatologists, cosmetic physicians, nurses and dermal therapists. Every year we we're getting more and more treatments and better technology.’

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