"I keep hearing this 'Paramedical' word, but what does it actually mean?"

Paramedical is a new terminology that has been introduced to the Health & Beauty industry in order to distinguish between different grades of products & services. By definition 'Paramedical' refers to anything that compliments or supplements medical works without the requirement of a doctor's prescription or supervision.
The term 'Paramedical' was officially released at the 2015 Spa & Beauty Expo at the first ever Paramedical Conference presented by Laser Technicians, Skin Specialists, Acclaimed Plastic Surgeons and other Legal & Educational bodies. 'Paramedical' Therapists differ significantly from Beauty Therapists and undergo additional training & exams that must be passed before a therapist can be permitted to practice.
These special training courses are often ongoing and require long term commitment to retain the ability to practice. Most products & devices used by Paramedical Therapists are also FDA/TGA Approved Medical Equipment or Medical grade formulations, as is the case with LPG Endermologie Devices & DMK Paramedical Skin Care.

Talking about Skin Care

Let's take skin care for an example here, there are 3 levels:
First, there's Cosmetics. These can be found on any supermarket or chemist shelf and often in online stores as well. Cosmetics are cheap and readily available to just about anyone - because of this, they have to be made safe for everyone and therefore, have a low concentration (usually below 20%) of 'active ingredients'. The 'active ingredients' are the things that actually instigate changes in the skin and include things like Vitamins (A, C, E etc) and botanical extracts (Jojoba oil, Aloe Vera Leaf, Geranium oil etc). Active ingredients are also unstable and can be destroyed by exposure to light, heat or air, therefore they need to be 'stabalised' by more advanced ingredients. These products do not penetrate the skin and simply act on it's surface.

Next we have Cosmeceuticals. These have a higher concentration of active ingredients (usually about 40%, some higher end cosmeceuticals go up to 60%) and tend to be backed up by scientific research and evidence. They are a little harder to get a hold of and are usually stocked by clinics and salons but are still able to be found online. These products may penetrate a few layers of skin.

Finally, we have Paramedical skin care. These products have very high quality ingredients, are usually 80-90% active ingredients and have biologically friendly 'fillers' (A filler is something used to fill the rest of the bottle after the active ingredients go in, in high end skin care this will be things like fractionated coconut oil and in cheaper skin cares, petroleum jelly is a popular 'filler'). Paramedical Skin Care is often referred to as 'Transdermal' because it penetrates the skin and works at the basal / reproductive layer of the skin where dysfunctions can be corrected. For this reason it is only sold by licensed clinics and prescribed by qualified therapist with a treatment plan to manage skin and varying conditions.

Talking about Professionals

Like with skin care, there are different levels of therapists

For example, a 'beautician' does nails, make-up and waxing - usually at a Cert II or III level qualification
Whereas, a 'beauty therapist' does those as well as massage, skin care (up to cosmeceuticals only), basic aromatic blending and spa therapies - usually at a Cert IV or Diploma level qualification

A 'paramedical therapist' has obtained further education that builds off their Cert IV or Diploma qualification much like post graduate study that encompasses more specialised skill sets. For example, treatments that are considered to be under the 'paramedical' umbrella and require further education and testing to become a practitioner include: Skin Needling, Cosmetic Tattooing, Transdermal Skin Applications, Laser (Hair Removal & Photo Rejuvenation), Endermologie, Radio Frequency and many more.

What does 'Paramedical' mean?

Sharni Taylor

Endermologie Training Special for Gold Coast & Brisbane

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