Frequently Asked Questions

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Oncology aesthetics training is an advanced modality where we teach spa professionals about cancer, treatment, and side effects and how requested spa services can safely be modified to benefit the client living with cancer.  The aesthetic or beauty industry had for many years taught student estheticians or beauty therapists not to perform any services on people diagnosed with cancer due to unsupported and outdated myths.  If there are any clients that need safe, modified services it would be the client living with cancer.

Oncology Aesthetics is a modality whereby we teach salon/spa professionals about cancer, treatment, and side effects and how requested salon/spa services can safely be modified to benefit your client living with cancer.  The beauty industry has for many years taught us not to perform any services on people diagnosed with cancer due to unsupported and outdated myths.  If there are any people that need safe, modified services it would be your client living with cancer.

The fundamental distinction between aesthetics and esthetics is that "aesthetic" is used in British English, whereas "esthetics" is used in American English. Aesthetics and esthetics are two terms frequently used to discuss ideas such as beauty and taste. 

As a global training entity, we prefer 'aesthetics' as this relates to appearance and how is impacted by a diagnosis of cancer and often results from cancer treatment.  There are some countries using 'Esthetics' such as most of the states in the USA.  Since the USA is not our only market, we will use this interchangeably. 

Our focus has always been training spa professionals to learn more about the different physical and mental health issues and to be aware that their clients in the spa could be living with these diseases, syndromes, or disabilities.  So, an understanding of health challenges makes the aesthetician or beauty therapist a way more experienced and well-rounded spa professional who can handle services for these clients.  Lyme Disease (seasonal),  Diabetes and Cancer Link, Linfo-Taping™, Scar Treatment, Breast Cancer, and more.  Check out our listings.  

Morag Currin created the curriculum (and 'coined the term') for Oncology Esthetics training in 2007 borrowed from the guidelines put forth by The Society for Oncology Massage.  The curriculum was not specific enough for estheticians or beauty therapists, so more content was added to the curriculum to support aesthetics/beauty therapy services.

Until that point, there was no training in the esthetic or beauty therapy industry for spa professionals besides massage therapists. 

Most people or companies offering Oncology Esthetics training have been taught by Morag or they have taken the content and 're-created it' to make it their own.  Please do your research in finding authentic creators of content when pursuing your dream to offer services to people with health challenges.

The first Oncology Esthetics Foundation Training was facilitated in the USA in 2008.

Our training is attended by spa management, directors, front desk staff, students, and healthcare professionals, including caregivers.  Every professional needs to work within the scope of their license or certification and sometimes content has to be modified so it can be safely applied, e.g. massaging a patient by a caregiver can be done, but they need to know how to work with the patient and the side effects.

Cancer treatment has very specific effects on the body, particularly the skin and hair. As well as the physical impact, there is often a deep emotional and psychological impact on the survivor when their outer appearance is impacted negatively. Understanding the changes, and which treatments work best under these unique circumstances can lead to dramatically improved outcomes, both physical and psychological for these survivors. 

Every aesthetician or beauty therapist should be trained in Oncology Aesthetics Foundation Training.  If this calling to work with cancer survivors is a fit, then the spa professionals can advance to other modalities that fall under appearance recovery, symptom relief or mental wellness.

The understanding of skin care and aesthetic needs of clients with health challenges will help spa professionals set themselves up for the best end results. Working with cancer survivors and people with other health challenges can be more emotionally challenging, but also more rewarding. Many of those who have taken our training appreciate the sense of empowerment it gives them in treating these clients. 

Our Oncology Aesthetics training online is offered via two platforms - Zoom or via our learning management system.  We do, due to demand, in-class training at various locations in different locations.  

Our Oncology Aesthetics Foundation training and Appearance Recovery training can be offered both online and in-class training.  Online can be at specific dates and times during the year while the option via our LMS can be done in your own time.  In-class will have specific dates and times to adhere to.

If you have been issued an old OTI certificate with an expiry date on it, OTI will replace it with a new OTI certificate at no cost and with no future expiry date. Certificates issued are not issued with any expiry dates therefore graduates do not have to pay a renewal fee and are not obliged to attend the class again, however, we do encourage every graduate to get out and start working with clients living with cancer.  This is where true learning begins.

If you have not been using your knowledge within 3 years of getting certified, there is a 50% renewal fee to attend any class again.