Remove or reduce skin imperfections using advanced electrocautery
Overview
This standard coexists alongside, SKANSC1: Implement and maintain safe, hygienic and effective working practices during elective non-surgical cosmetic procedures and SKANSC2: Consult, assess, plan and prepare for elective non-surgical cosmetic procedures within the working environment. This standard is for aesthetic practitioners carrying out the removal or reduction of a diverse range of blemishes and skin imperfections using advanced electrocautery techniques. You will also be required to do a post procedure evaluation and reflection for continuous improvement. It is best practice for the aesthetic practitioner to have a first aid at work qualification or equivalent and be able to carry out the functions within SFHCHS36: Basic life support and have access to life support equipment as identified in the complication management plan. Users of this standard will need to ensure that their practices reflect up-to-date information, policies, procedures and best practice guidance.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- carry out a concise and comprehensive consultation face to face with the individual and maintain your responsibilities for health and safety pre, during and post the advanced electrocautery procedure
- discuss, refer and request the individual seek and obtain a written medical diagnosis for a suspected contraindication when necessary
- discuss to establish the individual's objectives, concerns, expectations and desired outcomes to inform the advanced electrocautery procedure plan to include:
3.1 alternative treatment options
- reiterate, confirm and agree with the individual, they have understood the proposed advanced electrocautery procedure to include:
4.1 contra-actions
4.2 adverse reactions
- obtain the individual's written informed consent for the advanced electrocautery procedure and pain management, allowing an adequate time scale for the individual to make an informed choice
- illuminate, magnify and prepare the individual's treatment area
- select an effective hygiene preparation product to meet the individual's needs in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions
- prepare the individual's treatment area in accordance with the advanced electrocautery procedure protocol
- select the type and size of needle, load aseptically and use according to the advanced electrocautery procedure protocol and manufacturer's instructions
- select equipment, modality, intensity and duration according to the advanced electrocautery procedure protocol and manufacturer's instructions
- follow the advanced electrocautery procedure protocol to remove or reduce *skin imperfections *using coagulation, cautery or desiccation to include:
11.1 manually supporting the skin
11.2 adapting techniques for the individual's treatment area
- monitor the individual's health, wellbeing and skin reaction throughout the advanced electrocautery procedure
- implement the correct course of action in the event of an adverse reaction
- conclude the procedure in accordance with the advanced electrocautery procedure protocol, legislative requirements and organisational policies and procedures
- take and store consensual visual media of the individual's treatment area in accordance with insurance requirements, organisational policies and procedures
- complete the individual's non-surgical cosmetic procedure records and store in accordance with data legislation
- use reflective practice to evaluate the advanced electrocautery procedure and take appropriate action
- provide and obtain confirmation of receipt of the verbal and written instructions and advice given to the individual pre and post procedure
- record the outcome and evaluation of the advanced electrocautery procedure to agree and inform future procedures
- discuss and agree future procedures with the individual
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- the importance of collaboration with competent professionals to support effective and safe working practices
- your role and responsibilities in performing non-surgical cosmetic procedures and the importance of working within your competence
3. why you must comply with ethical practice and work within the legislative requirements
- the importance to engage in, and document continuous professional development to include, up-to-date information policies, procedures and best practice guidance
5. the anatomy and physiology and pathologies relevant to this standard
- the chronological skin ageing process and the relationship to intrinsic and extrinsic factors
- the legislative and insurance requirements for obtaining medical diagnosis and referral
- the purpose, use and limitations of advanced electrocautery procedures in relation to:
8.1* *past and current medical history
8.2 relevant lifestyle factors
8.3 contraindicated medication and medical conditions
8.4* *the individual's physical and psychological suitability for the non-surgical cosmetic procedure
8.5 individual's expectations
8.6 hyper-immune response management
- the types of pain management and associated risks
- the adverse reactions associated with an advanced electrocautery procedure and how to respond
- the health and safety responsibilities in line with legislation before, during and after the advanced electrocautery procedure
- why it is important to discuss and establish the individual's objectives, concerns, expectations, desired outcomes and agree the non-surgical cosmetic procedure plan
- the importance of using visual aids to inform the individual of the physical effects
- the fee structures and treatment options
- the legislative and indemnity requirements of gaining signed, informed consent for the advanced electrocautery procedure
- the storage, handling, usage and disposal of advanced electrocautery equipment and single use sterile needles following manufacturer's instructions and legislative requirements
- the importance of adhering to the advanced electrocautery procedure protocol
- the importance of magnification, illumination and preparation of the individual's treatment area
- the types of hygiene products for the skin and the importance of following manufacturer's instructions
- the range of techniques used to remove or reduce each skin imperfection
- the types of needles and equipment available
- how to prepare the equipment in line with the advanced electrocautery procedure protocol
- how to select and load the needle aseptically to safely remove or reduce skin imperfections
- the effects of different currents on the skin
- how to manually support the skin to ensure effective procedure results
- the reasons for working systematically with correct spacing across the individual's area to be treated
- the importance of monitoring the health and wellbeing of the individual during and post procedure
- how to remove skin debris from the needle during the procedure, why it is necessary and when to replace
- the legislative, insurance and organisational requirements for taking and storing visual media of the individual's treatment area
- the legislative and regulatory requirements of completing and storing the individual's advanced electrocautery procedure records
- the expected outcomes of the removal or reduction of skin imperfections using advanced electrocautery techniques
- the purpose of reflective practice and evaluation and how it informs future procedures
- how to collate, analyse, summarise and record evaluation feedback in a clear and concise way
- the importance to record the outcome and evaluation of the advanced electrocautery procedure
- the instructions and advice pre and post the advanced electrocautery procedure
Scope/range
Additional information
It is expected that the aesthetic practitioner undertaking this standard already has the skills, knowledge and behaviours identified within the aesthetic practitioner's procedure guidance and non-surgical cosmetic National Occupational Standards.
The aesthetic practitioner is expected to already be able to demonstrate competency in determining the relative (restrictive) and absolute (preventative) contraindications for the non-surgical cosmetic procedures. In addition, the aesthetic practitioner should be able to identify adverse reactions or incidents and take prompt corrective action as agreed within the complication management plan.
It is expected that this standard is used in conjunction with SKANSC1: Implement and maintain safe, hygienic and effective working practices during elective non-surgical cosmetic procedures and SKANSC2: Consult, assess, plan and prepare for elective non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
Items listed within the scope/range should be evidenced in line with the specific type of non-surgical cosmetic procedure being performed.
Scope Performance
Skin imperfections
- seborrheic keratosis
- plane warts
- verruca vulgaris
- moles
- dermatosis papulosa nigra
- sebaceous hyperplasia
- xanthelasma
- hyperpigmentation
- syringoma
- poikiloderma
Scope Knowledge
Anatomy and physiology
- the structure and functions of the body systems and their interdependence on each other
- the structure and function of the skin
- skin diseases, disorders and conditions
- the pathology of skin imperfections
- basic knowledge of dermoscopy
- the compromised barrier function
- the in-depth structure and function of blood and the circulatory system
- the physiology of blood coagulation, cautery and tissue desiccation
- the ageing process of the skin including the effects of genetics, lifestyle and environment
Visual aids
- Illustrative images
- Illustrative diagrams
Advanced electrocautery procedure protocols
- working environment
- health and safety
- risk management plan
- infection prevention and control
- complication management
- procedure plan
- informed consent
- data management
- audit and accountability
- instructions and advice
- waste management
- evidence based and reflective practice
Instructions
- the individual and aesthetic practitioner's legal rights and responsibilities
- complication management
- post procedure expectations and associated time frames
- pre and post procedure instructions and care
- restrictions and associated risks
- future procedures
- complaints procedure or concerns protocol
Values
Behaviours
Skills
Glossary
Treatment area
The indicative area to be treated, can also be referred to as treatment site or the anatomical name.
Universal precautions and standard precautions
Universal precautions are relevant if the practitioner is exposed to blood and/or some bodily fluid. It is the responsibility of the practitioner to implement infection prevention and control measures to prevent exposure to blood borne pathogens or Other Potentially Infectious Materials (OPIM).
Standard precautions are the basic level of infection control that should be used at all times within the working environment, such as hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, prevention of needlestick and injuries from sharps, risk assessment, respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette, environmental cleaning and waste disposal.
Visual media
Visual media is evidence generated through photography or video.
Working environment
The working environment requirements should comply with Health and Safety legislation and be in accordance within guidelines set out either by your local authority or governing body.
Risk assessments should be undertaken and control methods implemented and documented, updated regularly and/or if changes occur. The working environment should be hygienic and fit for purpose for the non-surgical cosmetic procedures to be conducted safely and effectively using aseptic techniques. Infection prevention and control procedures are required to minimise risk of infection and transmission of microbes. Personal protective equipment must be fit for purpose and available. Equipment and products must be maintained in line with the manufacturer's instructions and legislative requirements.
It is advisable to create a complication management and/or emergency plan for all non-surgical cosmetic procedures in the event of an adverse reaction or incident.
Links To Other NOS
SKANSC1, SKANSC2, SKANSC3, SKANSC4, SKANSC5, SKANSC6, SKANSC8 and SKANSC9