Hey CIDESCO diplmats! Questions :)
I have been licensed for just under 11 years and have a private practice. I've been considering the idea of CIDESCO certification. The information out there is kind of limited, and I really want to get an honest opinion, so I thought I'd ask here...
I know CIDESCO certification will give you the edge in the job market, and if you are looking to work overseas it is almost a must-have, but...for someone who is self employed, is it worth it?
I guess my main concern is that the $$$ is really just for a title. I know the full CIDESCO schooling systems for starting out are of very high caliber, but for those of us who have been licensed for years, we just take a week long class and the exam, right? Is what you learn in the week long class really that exceptional? Also, am I correct in thinking that they included massage/nails training even though by state board regulations Estheticians are not able to perform these services?
I'm not looking for a title to throw around, but I am an information and education junkie and want to have the most tools possible to succeed in my business and provide exceptional service to my clients.
I'd love to hear some thoughts/experiences on this! Thanks!
Tags: CIDESCO
Views: 5718
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sara Lynn Turner on
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I am currently attending Esthetics school which is CIDESCO Certified. In my state, yes we do massage, the only massage an esthetician is allowed to do is Swedish, no deep tissue, nothing with joints (all massage as in with facial is to tighten, tone, and bring blood flow to the skin in order to promote health to the skin) Anything else would be running into a massage therapist territory.Yes we are doing nails...and in my state we also have to get a manicurist license to be able to do so.
The test, from what I hear, is rigourous...and experience and knowledge of why you are performing such and such...is a must.
It all depends on your intent on if this is right for you or not. Do you feel you are educating yourself more by getting CIDESCO? Will it help you in the long run? In my opinion, it might give you more confidence in providing services to your clients.
Do you have the NCEA? I am also thinking of getting this alongside CIDESCO...however I'm nowhere near a test site...
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Permalink Reply by Andrea Sowter on
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Hi Sara,
Thanks for the response. I think you hit the nail on the head with that question :)
"Do you feel you are educating yourself more by getting CIDESCO?"
That is exactly what I am wondering. In what way will I be educating myself more? Will taking the week long CIDESCO course provide me with that much more knoweldge than what I have attained in my 11 years working as an Esthetician and all of the advanced training I have done? What do they teach that is worth so much $$$$, or is it all just for a title?
I am very confidant in providing service to my clients, and quite comfortable with my knowledge base and skill set- HOWEVER- I am always looking to do more and do better (I am not interested in offering boody massage or nail services). I love to learn new things and fine tune my skills for my clientele. Just not sure if CIDESCO is the way to do that....I've also thought about NCEA. Again, same question. If I'm not interested in the title, is the educatioon side of it worth it?
How wonderful for you to have a CIDESCO school to be a part of from the beginning! I'm sure you are recieving a fantastic education that will give you the edge over other recent graduates. What do you plan on doing when you get done with school?
I'd love to hear if anyone knows any Esty's who have gone for CIDESCO after being licensed for years and if they thought it was worth it.
Thanks again for the response, and good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Claire Barnes on
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Well I am what you would class in the states at CIDESCO as i had to do 2,000 hours before I became certified etc. I am from England and that is the requirement for any Esthetician. If they are only requiring a week from you, then i would say forget it! Seriously, save your money and pop over to Europe for a while and get some education...there are tons and tons of advanced education classes out there (even though the hours for school are lengthy also). It is great that you want to get lots of knowledge and education and it certainly helps, believe me. But ONE week???? I feel that with your 11 years of experience you might just be hearing bits of what you already know. :(
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That's kind of what I was worried about, that it would be more for the title- and that I would be better off just focusing my continuing ed on subjects that interest me.
I envy the education that you guys get over there. I hope one day here it will come up to par.
Thanks for the reply!
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I got a ways yet til CIDESCO. I believe my class will be able to test out March 2014. I'll be able to get my state July 2013. I honestly want to open my own place with my best friend who is a cosmetologist. However, I want to work at an already established business, get the hang of the business, and then move on. I have the inkling that I'll be moving for sure...I myself would love to go to Europe for Aesthetics It is considered prestigious. A good facial isnt limited on time constraints but what the client needs...a good facial routine can be just as a good as a face lift...
I do believe that in my area, the CIDESCO will give me an edge in my resume. From what I remember I do believe there are only 9 CIDESCO schools in North America
But that requires $$$.
I agree with Claire-if you alread have years of experience and your going to a prep course...for a week-it might just be money wasted. Europe, from what I understand, has higher standards for Estheticians than the states...considering it is s growing field here...and heard to find seperate from cosmetologist.
PS. One week doesnt even cover the whole entirity of Cidesco...and what about the final presentation? do they prep you for that and the requirements?
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I really encourage getting some spa experience before going out on your own- that's def. the way to do it. You learn SO much once you actually start working on clients. Volume, which is what most established day spa's can offer you, is valuable for experience.
Isn't it sad that in our culture treatments are limited by dollar amount per service and time cnstraints when what we all really want is to do what the client NEEDS? That is one of the main reasons I left the very busy and well established day spa I worked at for so long. It was starting to feel like the fast food version of spa. Not cool.
It's a shame though that is is difficult to succeed when you allow extra time for clients so you have flexibility in the treatment room- many clients do not understand the idea of paying more for more time, and also- many are in a hurry! They don't want a long detailed facial, they want a quick lunch time service with results, and then they are back out rushing around like crazy. I wonder if it's like that in Europe too, or if it's just our insane American work ethic. I schedule and hour and a half for every full facial.
Anyway, I digress....
From my limited understanding (the information online is very vague, and I didn't want to call one of the programs for fear that I would get a biased opinion). You sign up, get a list of textbooks, study materials, etc to start working with, then you take the week ong class. Not sure if the class is a test prep or teaching new material. Essentially you are "challenging the board" because you already have experience. Hence the reason why I was wondering if you actually learn anything new, or if it's just so you can have the title.
Do you mind sharing what state you're in? How many hours is your program?
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My program is 1200 hours...and then some.
We have to have given 105 swedishesh massages
50 full facials
etc. and large volume of everything else trained in
in order to graduate.
I think it is the American Lifestyle of quick quick quick. "minifacials" have become popular...sad thing is half of the treatment is cut so really why bother with one at lunch??? it they want to be relaxed just get a chair massage....
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Permalink Reply by Jo Ann Fenstermacher on
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I am so happy you are going for your CIDESCO! If you have a chance to work at a destination resort,go for it. It is not uncommon to have a client for 2 to 3 hours. I love it. I hate the mini services too.I think that it will change in the future.
Good Luck!
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Hello Andrea!
I would just go for it. I am licensed in Massage/Skin/Nails and I chose to earn my CIDESCO Diploma because I wanted it. It is a lot of work but it is also a journey. You can take some classes and challenge the exam.
It will open some doors for you. People want to talk to you & "pick your brain." You can always hold some education classes on the side too.Let me know what you do!
Best Wishes, Jo Ann
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Hi Jo Ann,
Thanks for your response! Did you get your CIDESCO post grad? If so, did you find that in the week long prep class you expanded your knowledge in a significant way?
I'm not as much interested in the title as I am in being the most educated and knowledgeable esthetician I can be.
I have done a few teaching events in the past- and had considered going back for my instructors license until I did some sub work for a local esthetics program for a few weeks and discovered that all of the beurocrocity was more than I wanted to deal with.
I do think I'll go for my NCEA, but my conflict with CIDESCO is deciding if i would rather spend the$$$$ on taking advanced classes that interest me and expand my knowledge rather than earning a title.
Thanks again!
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Evening Andrea!
NCEA is great. I am NCEA Certified right now. It does not hurt to have both.
I do not know where you live but I would highly recommend IC&E in Houston, TX. Margrit Altenburg would be your instructor. She is fantastic. The class is one week. There, you will learn a lot. You will learn the faradic, G-5, and Silhouet-Tone lymphatic drainage machine. You will spend a lot of time on electricity, too. She also has the Vichy Shower & Hydrotherapy tub. She has Spa Classes. You take the class for one week. I think you have up to a year to take the exam. You will have a lot of studying on your own. I think the whole class is around $1,500.
Here are the dates:
5 DAYS CLASS
Fee: $1,500.00 ($300.00 non-refundable deposit required with your application)
- February 18 - 22, 2013
- June 10 - 14, 2013
- September 16 - 20, 2013
It is not just a title. It is an International Diploma. You will meet some amazing people who love esthetics. And you don't have to teach for a school. You can hold post graduate clinics on your own & avoid the bureaucracy. Also, it will open doors for writing articles.
Weather you take the NCEA Exam or CIDESCO, I wish you luck on anything you do! Every time an esthetician adds on to their credentials, it raises the standards of our wonderful field.
Best Wishes!
Jo Ann
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Oh, I did challenge the exam. My basic education was 11 years ago. I had a very good education. It was 1500 hours (Massage, Skin, & Nails). I also took some additional class to help prepare myself for the exam (Thalassotherapy, Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Dr. Vodder Manual Lymph Drainage, Cupping, Hydrotherapy and additional chemical peel classes).
The Practical exam was brutal. It lasted 9 hours from start to finish.There is a lot of focus on the whole body.
It is a lot of work but I have been able to utilize everything I learned. But, if you are not
going to do body work, then the NCEA might be better for you.
You have some time. Think about it! I still say, go for it!
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