Do You Want to Be a Certified Cosmetic Injector? Here’s What to Know

When it comes to choosing a career in medicine, you have a wide variety of options in front of you.

If you wish to pursue Nursing Sciences, one of the most sought-after jobs is that of a cosmetic injector. A cosmetic injector is a nurse who specializes in providing services like Botox injections and dermal fillers.

In Australia, plastic surgery has become a huge market, with more than $3 billion being spent each year. So, if you wish to know how to become a certified cosmetic injector, then keep reading!

1. Job profile

As an aesthetic nurse or a cosmetic injector, your main duties will include performing non-surgical procedures such as injecting neurotoxins, fillers, collagen, and sclerotherapy.

Other than that, you might also be asked to do skin treatments like hydro and photo facials, chemical peeling, microdermabrasion, and skin rejuvenation by light therapy.

Many of these treatments include laser therapy, such as while removing tattoos or birthmarks, and many others require needles.

2. Pursue a bachelor’s in Nursing

The first step to becoming a certified injector is to pursue your Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, also known as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). This 3.5 or 4-year course will help you understand the basics of nursing sciences.

Alternatively, many people also opt for a two-year associate’s degree in nursing (ADN). After completing your bachelor’s, you may even wish to go for a master’s to further solidify your studies and get better exposure.

3. Register yourself

The next step is to register yourself with your country’s National Health Practitioner Agency.

In Australia, for example, the council is known as the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). This agency regulates the workings of Australia’s medical doctors and nurses.

However, you might be required to take a few exams beforehand, such as the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination), to be a licensed nurse who is allowed to practice in one or more states of Australia. 

4. Gain experience

After having your license, you need to steady your hands and get some training under the supervision of experts.

In this field, getting a minimum of 2 years’ worth of experience is mandatory since you’ll deal with microneedles and sensitive skin areas.

You can’t afford to commit mistakes even if they are reversible. Most clients won’t return to a practitioner if they have a poor experience. Moreover, they might even rate your services poorly and wreck your career.  

So, you can either work alongside getting your nursing degree or get it afterward. Working with a board-certified physician, cosmetologist, or plastic surgeon will prepare you for what’s next. 

5. Earn a cosmetic nurse certification

Once you successfully pass the nursing degree and gain a lot of hands-on experience, it’s time to earn a certification in a cosmetic nursing course.

You can consider the Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS) conferred by the Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board.

However, this certification also requires you to pass a test. The duration of this certification course will vary, depending on the institute and what kind of cosmetic options you’re interested in.

6. Training required for a cosmetic injector

Handling something as sensitive as a patient’s face is tricky; cosmetic injection requires thorough practice and expertise.

Basically, a cosmetic injector will have to adhere to the rules and regulations set up by the Medical Board in their country or locality. It should be able to inject Schedule 4 Medications.

You can even start working as an employee or a contractor under a licensed cosmetic injector and learn from them.

7. Crash course in cosmetic injection

Many institutes provide interested students with a 2-day crash course in cosmetic injection. It mostly aims at nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and endorsed enrolled nurses.

These courses cover both theoretical and practical aspects of cosmetic injections and injectables. If you have already gained some training but wish to brush up on your skills, these sessions will be ideal.

You can check some courses online, such as at https://cpdinstitute.com.au/ if you are based in Australia. The hands-on experience will help you become much more skilled quickly.

Over to you…

Pursuing a certified cosmetic injection course is a great career move. So if you want to know more about this course, research online in detail and check out all full-time and part-time training sessions!