The Academy · Step 1 · Foundation
Foundation skin certificate.
Three days that take you from facials to advanced skin: skin analysis, HydraFacial, superficial peels and Dermalux LED, taught on real clients in a working clinic. Six students, one trainer, and a certificate on the final day.
Fig. 1 — Day two of the Foundation certificate: every student on a real client.
Dates
12–14 Oct 2026
Class size
Six students
Fee
£1,400
Deposit
£350
No. 01 · Is It for You
Is this course right for you?
Who it’s for
Beauty therapists who want to move into advanced skin treatments.
Facialists ready to treat acne and pigmentation with confidence.
Anyone who wants a proper grounding before the Level 4 chemical peels masterclass.
Entry requirements
Level 2 in beauty therapy, or equivalent experience.
Current first aid certificate (we can point you to a one-day course).
Aged 18 or over, with your own professional insurance by the time you treat clients.
Accreditation
CPD-accredited: 18 CPD hours, recorded on your certificate.
Certificate accepted by leading UK beauty insurers.
Protocols reviewed every year against current guidance.
No. 02 · The Syllabus
What you’ll learn, day by day.
Day one
9:30–17:00
Skin structure, skin types and the Fitzpatrick scale.
Acne, pigmentation and sensitivity: what you are looking at.
Consultation, contraindications and patch testing.
Photographing skin for honest before and afters.
Day two
9:30–17:00
Superficial peels: mandelic, lactic and BioRePeel, strengths and layering.
Dermalux Tri-Wave MD LED: wavelengths, protocols and pairing with peels.
Supervised treatments on two real models.
Day three
9:30–17:00
Building a treatment plan and pricing it.
Aftercare, reactions and what to do when things go wrong.
Supervised treatments, practical assessment and certification.
No. 03 · Practicalities
Everything, in writing.
Included
Three days of teaching, capped at six students.
Two real models each, booked and consented by us.
Your course manual, protocols and consultation forms.
Starter kit of the peels and products you train with.
Lunch and refreshments each day.
Not included
Travel and accommodation.
Your professional insurance.
Equipment for your own treatment room.
The details
Class size
Six students, one trainer.
Models
Two per student, booked and consented by the academy.
Support after
Twelve months of message support, protocol updates and the alumni group.
Payment
£350 deposit, then pay in full or in three monthly instalments before the course starts.
No. 04 · In Their Words
In their own words.
“It was the first course where I treated real clients on day two. I left knowing what to do when things go wrong, and that is what my clients pay for.”
Laura M. · Foundation certificate, 2025
“Nadia watched every peel I did and corrected me there and then. Four months later I opened my own treatment room.”
Amira K. · Foundation certificate, 2025
No. 05 · The Small Print
The small print, plainly.
Your deposit is refundable up to 28 days before the start date.
After that, you can move to a later date once, free of charge.
Your certificate is issued once you complete all three days and the practical assessment.
Your balance is due 14 days before the course starts.
Do I need to bring anything?
Just yourself, a notebook and comfortable clothes. Your kit, manual and uniform apron are waiting for you on day one.
What if I have never done a peel?
That is exactly who this course is for. Day one is all skin science and consultation before anyone picks up an acid.
Can I start treating straight away?
Yes, once your insurer has added the treatments to your policy. Most do so within a few days of seeing your certificate.
Where is the course held?
At LUMEN, 14 Tariff Street, Manchester M1 2FF. The nearest station is Piccadilly, a five-minute walk.
Ready to start? Reserve your place.
Next dates: 12–14 October 2026 and 18–20 January 2027. A £350 deposit holds your place and comes off the fee.