As stated in a prior public comment meeting, I do not believe that a 1200 hour program is necessary for a number of reasons.  First, every state surrounding the commonwealth has a 600 hour program, and I believe that is all that is necessary for Virginians.  A total of 600 hours for both levels is sufficient. I personally feel that a break down of 400 hours for Aesthetician and 200 additional hours for Master is sufficient.  However, I do believe that education is important, and would like to propose an elective CIDESCO program for those who would like to further their education with a more prestigious title.  Second, a 1200 hour course would cause undue financial hardship on many.  As an example, I referred seven students to one school when the rate was $3,300 and was told that all but a few had to drop out due to lack of funds to complete their education.    

I would like to see the schools truly give better education and be under close scrutiny to ensure that they are delivering the quality of education that the aestheticians and public deserve.  Continuing education and the grandfathering clause need to be addressed.  There is a great amount of concern from aestheticians currently practicing in advanced modalities whether they will be allowed to continue to do so without going back to school and spending more time and money to achieve what they already have accomplished.

 Section 6 lymphatic drainage is also a concern.  To assume that an aesthetician should be able to do full body lymphatic drainage is a serious mistake.  The regulations should be rewritten to limit the aesthetician to the use of a gentle lymphatic drainage method to the face and neck with proper contraindication training.  We need to clearly spell out the difference between working on someone for wellness (i.e. clarifying the skin) versus working on someone with an illness, post cancer or invasive surgical support (i.e. lymph node removal – part of the lymph system).  We also need to specifically ensure that aestheticians can not provide lymph compression wraps.

The goal of the school should be to give a good quality education.  I see many schools trying to compete with spas by offering services for fees.  I also see some schools competing in the sales arena by capitalizing on selling equipment from their locations....some of which have underhandedly gone around sales reps to achieve their self-serving objectives...unfortunately, a representative from one of these schools is a board panel member.  The control tactics and politics have been unreal.  It is amazing to what lengths some people will go to "win" and achieve their own self-serving interests.  Furthermore, I see A LOT of schools, spas and medical offices that are filthy!  It is appalling.  Sanitation needs to be addressed and enforced.  Excellence must be modeled in the schools.

A more detailed letter has been sent via certified mail.

Thank you,

Cathie Hilton