International Aestheticiennes is perhaps one of the best-known associations within the world's beauty profession, and with good reason. It has grown from humble beginnings in the late 1970s, to become an international network, spanning the globe to bring together over 7,000 committed professionals, working for the good of the industry.

As I.A.'s founder and chairman, Mrs Lillian Maund explains, "It was founded initially as a response to the need that existed for a modern examination system, with an emphasis on practical, rather than theoretical beauty therapy. We all enjoy actually doing our job, and the 'hands on' part of training is always the most enjoyable, but few people like ploughing through boring textbooks". Her common sense approach to examinations was enthusiastically received, and today, I.A. members in 50 countries are either working members of I.A., or use I.A's syllabuses and examinations to train the future members of our profession.

The secret of International Aestheticienne's success is easily identified - it is based on the principle of being a successful member of the profession. The membership system operates on many levels, involving everyone, from teachers and administrators, to salon or home based therapists, and those involved in the retail and service side of the industry.

Members enjoy;

• Competititive Insurance Scheme click for details
  
• Impressive diplomas for qualified members
• Newsletters, with beauty news and professional development articles
• Special Offers - reduced prices for equipment
• Latest Technical Information
• Jobs Available - Internationally
  

Mrs Maund takes great care to stress how everyone in the business needs to keep moving forward in order that they can remain competitive. "Even well trained and qualified professionals need to constantly upgrade their skills to maximise their earning potential. We planned I.A. exams in a modular format, which involves breaking down skills and ideas into digestible chunks, which make learning easier. The way we did this was years ahead of the European N.V.Q. requirements, and have been adopted by Open Learning Materials, such as the best materials which cover I.A.s syllabuses. because of this modular structure, skill development becomes more accessible, and easier to teach."

The backbone of International Aestheticiennes is still the examination system and it is this which is doing so much to raise the world's beauty training standards. Mrs Maund and her team, based in Greater Manchester, undertake an arduous schedule of international visits. They cover hundreds of thousands of miles each year, examining, teaching, inspecting and spreading the word of I.A. helping therapists, teachers and students become part of the International Aestheticiennes success story.

Training establishments will find that unless they offer state of the art examinations, with open learning and flexible studies, their students or trainees will be disadvantaged. Because I.A.'s examinations are recognised world-wide, a student trained in Singapore can compete on equal terms with one trained in London, Athens or wherever. The standard of I.A. examinations is the same around the world.

The value of an International Aestheticiennes diploma on a salon wall is reflected in increased earnings as well as prestige. After all, nothing succeeds like success, and if clients believe their therapist has up-to-date qualifications, that increases their confidence, and their willingness to spend money on treatments.

Beauty therapists at work also benefit from their I.A. membership in other ways, the most crucial being the Professional Indemnity Insurance with £1.000,000 cover, which the association can provide to members. The dangers of working whilst uninsured are obvious. I.A. membership offers day-to-day professional protection to qualified therapists in certain countries.

Our newsletter, 'World Aesthetician' keeps our members in touch and up-to-date. I.A. is about far more than examinations, we want to make everyone in the industry feel that they belong, not just to their salon or school, but to their profession."

An example of this commitment to high standards is not hard to find, as every day visitors from all over the globe make their way through the elegant Georgian doorway of Westgate House, which I.A. shares with one of the Lillian Maund International Beauty Training Centres. It is to Bolton, in Greater Manchester that educators and students alike have trekked, to observe and learn as guests of I.A, in order that they can take the secrets of successful teaching and techniques back to their own countries.

"This is done as a service to our members", she explains, well aware of the benefits to the profession of such an interchange of ideas. "We can only progress by learning, and we can only learn by being prepared to look, listen and assimilate the best ideas from those at the top of the profession".

Membership of International Aestheticiennes is available to everybody in the beauty profession, at all levels from student to experienced therapist.