Am I too old to study beauty therapy?

[Chellymc]

Hello Everyone

I am interested in Studying a diploma in Beauty therapy but I am worried about my age. I am 37 and concerned that I may be too old to get into the industry
I have been considering the idea for a few years now and I would really love to work my way up and become a Dermal Therapist.

I suffer from chronic migraines, so this idea also appeals to me in the sense that, if I cannot work in the salons, I could offer services from home or become a mobile therapist

Is 37 to old to be taken seriously as a beginner in the beauty industry?
I am worried about being the odd one out as the oldest person there, in the course and in the salon.

Thanks

 

[Princess Kitti]

It really hurts my soul to hear people say they are too old and don't give it a go you are far from old, ok I was your age when I did my diploma in nursing, and in my mid 40s when I did my cert 2 in nail technology and I never considered my age. I wanted to do it and so I did! Don't underestimate life experience and maturity either, it counts. Go for it!

 

[Chellymc]

It really hurts my soul to hear people say they are too old and don't give it a go you are far from old, ok I was your age when I did my diploma in nursing, and in my mid 40s when I did my cert 2 in nail technology and I never considered my age. I wanted to do it and so I did! Don't underestimate life experience and maturity either, it counts. Go for it!

You have a good point! I guess I am worried over nothing. I should just do what makes me happy
Thanks Princess Kitti

 

[New Spa]

I started at 47. It was a little nerve racking assuming I was going to be the odd one out in the classroom. When I actually got there, it really was a mixed bag of age groups studying. Once I finished the first course I enrolled for another and another.

 

[Chellymc]

I started at 47. It was a little nerve racking assuming I was going to be the odd one out in the classroom. When I actually got there, it really was a mixed bag of age groups studying. Once I finished the first course I enrolled for another and another.

That’s fantastic!
I have been worried that I will be the odd one out. I enjoy socialising and it will be tough if I have no one to talk to.
It’s great to hear there are ladies of different ages in the courses. Hopefully I will be lucky with mine and have a variety too.
I am feeling less nervous.
Thank you

 

[yoshilee]

I re-trained at 41 starting with a Level 3 Diploma in Body Massage. I work from home and it was the best decision I ever made. I have a lot of clients similar to my age who say that they aren't comfortable walking into a busy salon or hairdressers where there are lots of young therapists. My location is private and 2 years on I get a lot of referrals and love my work. Don't let age hold you back, if it's something you are passionate about it will show in your work and client care. Go for it!

 

[Chellymc]

I re-trained at 41 starting with a Level 3 Diploma in Body Massage. I work from home and it was the best decision I ever made. I have a lot of clients similar to my age who say that they aren't comfortable walking into a busy salon or hairdressers where there are lots of young therapists. My location is private and 2 years on I get a lot of referrals and love my work. Don't let age hold you back, if it's something you are passionate about it will show in your work and client care. Go for it!

That’s actually quite interesting!
I know the diploma I am keen on completing includes massage, reflexology, hot stone massage, aromatherapy and Indian head massage. I am looking forward to learning more about it but didn’t consider specialising in it.
It’s exciting to hear that there can be different paths in this industry. I think this diploma is going to be a good starting point.

 

[Beauty and the girls]

I have worked as a beauty teacher for over 8 years teaching young and adult learners. You are not too old! You will most likely find yourself in a class with ladies similar age. Good luck with it x

 

[New Spa]

That’s actually quite interesting!
I know the diploma I am keen on completing includes massage, reflexology, hot stone massage, aromatherapy and Indian head massage. I am looking forward to learning more about it but didn’t consider specialising in it.
It’s exciting to hear that there can be different paths in this industry. I think this diploma is going to be a good starting point.

I wanted to do massage only. But as part of the courses I had to learn other treatments that I had no interest in at first. I found I had a keen interest in electrical facials, and a few other treatments. I gives variety to the day and keeps my hourly wage quite high, which is great being self employed working from home.
Going back to college was most definitely the best decision I have made this decade.

 

[TheDuchess]

I trained at 47 and now I have a 47 year old apprentice. I have a real mixed bag of clients of different age and background but I am certainly interested in the older 40+ client. I think that this age group quite likes chatting to a therapist who has more life experience. Youngsters can find it hard to make conversation with someone older than their Mum's friends.

I definitely go for a beauty diploma and then specialise after that if you wish - you can train as you earn once you've covered the basics. I prefer doing the more advanced beauty/holistic treatments but I'm not too good to wax or paint a client's toenails.

Headaches or indeed any physical health issues is always a potential problem when you work face to face with clients. However, having control over your availability and bookings can help hugely - it takes a bit of trial and error. I started in the industry with very poor health, working very part-time hours. I now have much improved quality of life and better health. My career change has really suited me.

I try and be very supportive of therapists working with me with health problems or other issues. As long as they want to work I'm happy to try and accommodate what they need. I have a therapist with fibromyalgia who is doing really well - she never phones in sick and I'm careful not to overload her. I'm usually really nervous of bad back issues, but as I'm now a clinical massage therapist, I just give a free massage and wait for them to book me lots of new clients on the back of a heartfelt recommendation.

 

[Chellymc]

I have worked as a beauty teacher for over 8 years teaching young and adult learners. You are not too old! You will most likely find yourself in a class with ladies similar age. Good luck with it x

Thats a huge relief to hear! Thank you =D

 

[Chellymc]

I trained at 47 and now I have a 47 year old apprentice. I have a real mixed bag of clients of different age and background but I am certainly interested in the older 40+ client. I think that this age group quite likes chatting to a therapist who has more life experience. Youngsters can find it hard to make conversation with someone older than their Mum's friends.

I definitely go for a beauty diploma and then specialise after that if you wish - you can train as you earn once you've covered the basics. I prefer doing the more advanced beauty/holistic treatments but I'm not too good to wax or paint a client's toenails.

Headaches or indeed any physical health issues is always a potential problem when you work face to face with clients. However, having control over your availability and bookings can help hugely - it takes a bit of trial and error. I started in the industry with very poor health, working very part-time hours. I now have much improved quality of life and better health. My career change has really suited me.

I try and be very supportive of therapists working with me with health problems or other issues. As long as they want to work I'm happy to try and accommodate what they need. I have a therapist with fibromyalgia who is doing really well - she never phones in sick and I'm careful not to overload her. I'm usually really nervous of bad back issues, but as I'm now a clinical massage therapist, I just give a free massage and wait for them to book me lots of new clients on the back of a heartfelt recommendation.

I think you are right about the mature clients. I will be in my element if I can chat all day. ha ha!
I am feeling nervous about learning the waxing services though. Especially intimate waxing but I am hoping my confidence will grow with practice. I think it would be rare for a person to love everything involved.

My migraines have been holding me back for many years. I quit my job in advertising in 2012 and have been working as a freelance photographer offering services in boudoir and beauty photography, but the hours are still long and I get stuck behind my computer editing for days. The one thing I love more than anything about the job is showing my clients how beautiful they are. But I always admired the makeup artist and wanted her job instead.

I have been too scared to work for anyone in fear of letting them and my coworkers down. There are so many casual and part time opportunities available in this industry and it is exciting to hear that I may be able to improve the quality of my life and still work.
Hopefully I will find a salon that is as supportive as yours

 

[TheDuchess]

I wouldn't worry about waxing. When I trained I was really bad at waxing - very slow and nervous. I just couldn't seem to co-ordinate my brain and hands. I worked at my waxing and just practised every chance I got. I think I was just a very slow learner at waxing, but now I'm speedy, confident and good at waxing - it's about half my business.

You need to be confidently waxing before progressing to intimate waxing. I wasn't planning to learn - I was a bit baffled by the fashion frankly and really horrified at the thought of having one in training. Then my daughter had a bad wax and sent me some photos of her foof looking like raw steak.

After that it was easy. I figured that I was probably going to be safer and kinder than her last waxer and in my head all my clients became my surrogate daughter. I found I got on really well with intimate waxing because I'm good at setting people at ease. I feel that a good wax is all about people skills. If people feel comfortable with you they'll return.