Preparing for Your Aesthetics Course – What to Study Before You Start

Starting your Level 7 aesthetics course is exciting, but if you want to get the most out of your training, it’s important to prepare in advance.

Many students make the mistake of turning up on day one with zero prior knowledge, expecting to learn everything from scratch. But aesthetics is a medical discipline - to truly excel, you need a strong foundation in anatomy, physiology, and skin science before you even begin practical training.

In this post, I’ll share exactly what to study before you start your course, recommend the best resources, and give you tips on how to feel confident from day one.

Step 1: Understand the Basics of Facial Anatomy & Physiology

Before performing injectables like Botox and fillers, you must understand what’s happening beneath the skin.

Key Anatomy Topics to Study:

    •    Muscles of the face – Where they are and how they affect movement (especially for Botox).

    •    Blood vessels & nerves – To avoid complications like vascular occlusion.

    •    Fat pads & bone structure – Understanding how the face ages and how filler restores lost volume.

    •    Lymphatic system – How it affects swelling and recovery after treatment.

Best Resources:

    •    “Facial Anatomy for Injectors” by Ali Pirayesh – A must-have for aesthetics students.

    •    Anatomy apps like Complete Anatomy or Visible Body – Great for visualizing facial structures in 3D.

    •    YouTube channels like Dr Tim Pearce – Offers free anatomy lessons for injectors.

Why this matters:

Many complications in aesthetics happen because practitioners don’t fully understand facial anatomy. The more you know before your course, the better you’ll be at injecting safely and confidently.

Step 2: Learn the Science Behind Skin & Healing

Aesthetics isn’t just about injectables - you also need a strong understanding of skin health to recommend the right treatments.

Key Skin Science Topics to Study:

    •    Skin layers & functions – Understanding the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue.

    •    Collagen & elastin – How they break down with age and how aesthetics treatments restore them.

    •    Wound healing – How treatments like microneedling and chemical peels affect the skin’s healing process.

    •    Common skin conditions – Rosacea, acne, pigmentation, and how to treat them safely.

Best Resources:

    •    “The Skin Bible” by Dr Anjali Mahto – Easy to understand and covers all skin types.

    •    The British Journal of Dermatology – Great for keeping up with the latest skin research.

    •    Online courses on The Skin Nerd – Short courses on skin science and product formulations.

Why this matters:

Clients will trust you more if you can explain skin health properly and recommend the right treatments.

Step 3: Get Familiar with Botox & Dermal Fillers

Most Level 7 courses assume you already have some knowledge of Botox and fillers before training starts.

Key Topics to Study About Injectables:

    •    How Botox works – What it does to muscles and nerves.

    •    Types of dermal fillers – Hyaluronic acid vs. non-hyaluronic fillers.

    •    Injection techniques – Different approaches for lips, cheeks, and jawline.

    •    Complication management – What to do if something goes wrong.

Best Resources:

    •    Dr Tim Pearce’s complication management videos – Covers real-life injector mistakes.

    •    Allergan or Teoxane training materials – Leading brands for Botox and filler.

    •    Webinars by aesthetic doctors – Follow industry professionals on Instagram for free live training.

Why this matters:

If you turn up to your course with zero knowledge of injectables, you’ll spend most of your time catching up instead of mastering practical skills.

Step 4: Revise Health & Safety in Aesthetics

Aesthetics is a medical industry, so you need to understand infection control, hygiene, and clinical safety.

Key Health & Safety Topics to Study:

    •    Infection prevention – Sterilization, cross-contamination, and hand hygiene.

    •    Needle safety & sharps disposal – Safe handling of needles and clinical waste.

    •    Anaphylaxis & allergic reactions – How to handle medical emergencies.

    •    CPR & first aid – Some aesthetics courses require a basic life support certificate.

Best Resources:

    •    Health & Safety Executive (HSE) Guidelines – Covers UK workplace health & safety laws.

    •    CPR & First Aid courses (available online or through St John Ambulance).

    •    Aesthetics Complications Expert (ACE) Group – Free online safety guides for injectors.

Why this matters:

Practicing aesthetics means handling needles, prescription drugs, and medical complications - being prepared keeps your clients safe and protects your reputation.

Step 5: Develop a Business & Marketing Mindset

Most Level 7 courses focus on practical skills, but if you want to be successful, you also need to think like a business owner.

Key Business & Marketing Topics to Study:

    •    How to attract & retain clients – Understanding client psychology.

    •    Pricing strategies – How to set competitive prices while making a profit.

    •    Social media marketing – How to grow your audience on Instagram & TikTok.

    •    Legal & insurance requirements – What you need to operate legally in the UK.

Best Resources:

    •    “Building a StoryBrand” by Donald Miller – How to market your aesthetics business.

    •    Aesthetics Mastery on Instagram – Free marketing tips for injectors.

    •    Google’s Digital Garage – Free courses on social media & business marketing.

Why this matters:

The best injectors aren’t just skilled at treatments—they know how to attract and keep clients.

Step 6: Find a Community & Start Networking

Aesthetics is a competitive industry, but having a strong network of other practitioners can help you find a prescriber, get referrals, and stay motivated.

How to Network Before Your Course Starts:

    •    Join Facebook groups for aesthetic practitioners – Great for finding mentors.

    •    Follow aesthetic trainers on Instagram & TikTok – Many share free tips and case studies.

    •    Attend aesthetics conferences & webinars – Even if you’re new, you’ll learn from industry experts.

Why this matters:

A strong network can help you grow your business faster and keep you updated on industry trends.

Final Thoughts: Be Prepared & Get the Most from Your Training

The more you prepare before starting your Level 7 course, the easier it will be to master injectables, understand complications, and build your confidence.

Recap – What to Study Before Your Aesthetics Course:

• Facial anatomy & physiology – Know the muscles, nerves, and blood vessels.

• Skin science & wound healing – Learn how treatments affect skin health.

• Botox & fillers basics – Understand how injectables work before practical training.

• Health & safety protocols – Infection control, CPR, and complication management.

• Business & marketing skills – How to attract clients and run a successful practice.

• Networking & industry connections – Start building relationships with other practitioners.

My Advice: Don’t turn up to your aesthetics course unprepared - do your research, study the essentials, and you’ll feel more confident and ready to succeed.

Follow my journey as I train the right way! Let’s build a strong foundation together.