What this course is (and who it is for)
The Laser and Light Vascular Therapy CPD Course teaches you to treat thread veins (telangiectasia), broken capillaries, rosacea and facial redness using intense pulsed light (IPL, with the 530 nm vascular filter) and the 980 nm diode laser. Just as importantly, it teaches you to recognise the vascular lesions that must be referred rather than treated, such as port wine stains, infantile haemangiomas, venous lakes, varicose veins and leg veins that may point to underlying venous reflux.
It is written for practitioners who already work with lasers or IPL and want to add vascular treatment safely. It is CPD, not a regulated qualification, and it carries no qualification level. It does not teach sclerotherapy, thermolysis or advanced electrolysis, or vein treatment with any laser other than the 980 nm diode.
What you get for your price
- A printed hardback manual and workbook, posted to you. It is your study text and form pack, and you keep it.
- Online lessons that follow the manual, with narrated lesson videos, diagrams, downloadable slide decks and quizzes, so you can go over anything as many times as you need.
- Client forms for your own clinic: skin typing, medical history, lesion assessment, patch test record, consent, treatment record and tear-out aftercare sheets, plus a downloadable core client forms pack.
- Supervised practical on live models at our Southampton academy, on both the IPL and the 980 nm diode laser.
- Written assessment, marked by your trainer, with feedback.
- An accredited CPD certificate for 8 credits, which records both practical observations.
- Ongoing mentor support: ring or email with a client question after the course.
How the course works, step by step
- Buy the course. It is added to your academy account after purchase, and your workbook is posted to you.
- Study the theory online, at your own pace. This is about 4 hours 30 minutes of guided learning (Sections 1 to 8 and Appendix A), including the written activities in the manual.
- Complete the written assessment at home (Parts A, B and C in your workbook). Bring the workbook with you; your trainer marks it on the day.
- Complete the practical in person at our Southampton academy: about 3 hours 20 minutes of demonstration and supervised practical across the IPL and the 980 nm diode laser, on live models.
- Feedback and sign-off. Your trainer gives feedback on your written work (about 10 minutes) and signs off each practical observation.
- Receive your certificate. It is issued only when both the theory and the practical are complete.
In total that is 8 hours of guided learning (4 hours 30 minutes theory, 3 hours 20 minutes practical, 10 minutes feedback). Breaks are extra, and the written parts you complete at home are not counted in the 8 hours.
What the course covers
| Section | What you learn |
|---|---|
| 1. The blood supply of the skin | The vessels of the skin, the two vascular plexuses and their depths, and why a vessel becomes permanently visible |
| 2. Recognising vascular lesions | Identifying common lesions on sight, which you would treat and with which device, and the lesions and red flags you must refer |
| 3. How light and laser treat a vessel | Absorption, selective photothermolysis and thermal relaxation time, and the limits of IPL |
| 4. Consultation, contraindications and patch testing | Full consultation, medication checks, skin typing, patch testing with the right waiting time, and informed consent with realistic expectations |
| 5. The IPL treatment | Room and client preparation, choosing filter, fluence and pulse structure, technique and treating to the correct endpoint |
| 6. The 980 nm diode laser | Class 4 laser safety, focus rings, power and pulse width, and tracing a vessel one at a time |
| 7. Complications, aftercare and results | Aftercare, telling an expected reaction from a complication, managing or referring, and recording an adverse incident |
| 8. Case study and evidence | A worked client journey and the published evidence behind the treatment |
| Appendix A. Legislation | The UK law and regulation that apply to laser and IPL treatment, and where to check the current position |
Before and on your practical day
- Complete all of the online theory before your practical day.
- Wear your salon clothes or smart casual, because the training is clinical.
- Your practical date is arranged with you after you enrol.
- Lunch is provided on your practical day.
Entry requirements, insurance and scope of practice
To enrol you need all of the following:
- A laser and IPL Core of Knowledge certificate.
- A regulated Level 3 qualification in Anatomy and Physiology, or equivalent.
- A Level 3 beauty therapy qualification, healthcare registration or equivalent experience.
- To be aged 18 or over.
If you are missing the Core of Knowledge or Level 3 Anatomy and Physiology, you can take them with us first. We also consider Recognition of Prior Learning against the entry requirements if you send us your evidence before you buy. It is never used for the practical.
Before you treat clients you also need device-specific training on your own IPL and 980 nm diode, and insurance that names vascular treatment. Most insurers want to see an existing beauty or aesthetics qualification alongside a CPD certificate, so check your policy before you buy. We cannot promise that any insurer will cover you.
The practical element
The practical is in person at Skintastic, 26 The Avenue, Southampton SO17 1XL, on live models under supervision. Your trainer demonstrates a full treatment on a live model first, then you carry out the consultation, patch test and treatment yourself, with one-to-one supervision. The IPL and the 980 nm diode laser are observed and signed off separately, because competence on one does not show competence on the other.
Skintastic provides the models at our Southampton venue. Learners new to IPL are welcome and are given extra supervised time. Message us once you have bought the course and we will arrange your date.
Assessment and your certificate
- Theory: a 27-question multiple choice paper (pass mark 22 out of 27), short written answers and written client scenarios, completed at home, plus the written activities in your manual.
- Practical: two supervised observations on live models, one on the IPL and one on the 980 nm diode laser. Each has eighteen competences, and all eighteen must be achieved.
- Honest claims: your consultation, and your honesty about outcomes, are part of what is assessed. Results vary and are never guaranteed.
If you are referred on any part it is a “not yet”, not a fail. Your trainer writes down what is needed and you are reassessed on that part only. Written work can be reassessed remotely; the practical must be reassessed in person on a live model.
Your Certificate of Completion shows 8 CPD credits, 8 hours, the CPD activity reference and that both practical observations were achieved.
CPD accreditation and how to verify it
Skintastic Aesthetic Lasers Ltd is an approved provider with The CPD Group (provider number 777800). This course is accredited as the Laser and Light Vascular Therapy CPD Course, activity number 1021413, for 8 CPD credits. The accreditation runs to 16 September 2029.
Check this course on The CPD Register (activity #1021413)
Price, payment options and enrolling
The price is £399. Pay by card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or PayPal. Klarna and Clearpay may also be offered at checkout, subject to status.
After you buy, the course is added to your account on this academy, your workbook is posted to you, and you can contact us to arrange your practical day.
Cancellations, refunds, access time and rescheduling
This is a summary. The full wording is in our terms and conditions, which apply to your order.
- Price and VAT. Skintastic Aesthetic Lasers Ltd is not VAT registered, so no VAT is added to the course price. Payment is taken in full when you order.
- Online access. Your access to the online lessons lasts 12 months from the date of purchase.
- Cancelling. At checkout you tick a box to start your online access straight away, and by ticking it you give up the 14 day right to cancel the online materials. Refunds, where they apply, go back to the original payment method within 14 days of us receiving your written cancellation (an email is enough).
- Practical day. If you book a practical day you may cancel within 14 days of buying and before the day takes place, and you are refunded in full less a fair amount for any services already provided at your request. You may move your practical day once, free of charge, if you tell us in writing at least 14 days before it. If you tell us later than that, or do not attend, the day is treated as used. A further date may be offered at our discretion for a rebooking fee of 25% of the price you paid for the course.
- After the cancellation period. Once the 14 days have ended, courses are non refundable, including if you change your mind, cannot attend, fail an assessment, or find that your insurer will not accept the course. Your statutory rights are not affected.
- Your certificate. It is issued once you have completed every required part of the course and passed the assessments.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the course cost?
The course costs £399. Pay by card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or PayPal. Klarna and Clearpay may also be offered at checkout, subject to status.
How long does it take?
It is 8 hours of guided learning: about 4 hours 30 minutes of theory, which you do online at your own pace, about 3 hours 20 minutes of supervised practical, and about 10 minutes of feedback. Breaks are extra, and the written assessment you complete at home is not counted.
Can I study at my own pace?
Yes, the online theory is self-paced. The practical is on a fixed date that we arrange with you. Ask us how long you have to complete the course.
What qualifications do I need first?
You need a laser and IPL Core of Knowledge certificate, a regulated Level 3 qualification in Anatomy and Physiology or equivalent, a Level 3 beauty therapy qualification, healthcare registration or equivalent experience, and to be 18 or over. If you are missing the first two, you can take them with us first.
Is the course accredited, and how do I check?
Yes. It is accredited by The CPD Group as activity #1021413 for 8 CPD credits, and anyone can check it on The CPD Register using the link in the accreditation section above. It is CPD, not a regulated qualification, so it carries no qualification level.
Will I get a certificate, and when?
Yes. You receive an accredited CPD certificate for 8 credits once the theory and written assessment are marked and both practical observations (IPL and 980 nm diode) are signed off.
Will my insurer cover me?
We cannot promise that. Most insurers want to see an existing beauty or aesthetics qualification alongside this certificate, and your policy must name vascular treatment. Check with your insurer before you buy, or message us and we will help you check.
Do I need my own machine?
Owning a machine is not an entry requirement, and the practical is taught on devices at the academy. You do need device-specific training on your own IPL and 980 nm diode before you treat clients with them. If you do not yet own a machine, ask us how the machine parameters record is completed.
Can I use any machine?
The course teaches the application of IPL and the 980 nm diode laser, not one brand. It does not replace the training your supplier gives you on your own device, and you must follow your device manual.
Where is the practical?
At Skintastic, 26 The Avenue, Southampton SO17 1XL, on live models under supervision.
How do I book the practical?
Buy the course, then message or email us and we will arrange your date. Skintastic provides the models at our Southampton venue.
What support do I get?
Ongoing mentor support is included: you can ring or email with a client question after the course. If you need adjustments, such as extra time or large print, tell us before you start.
What if I am referred or need more time?
Being referred is a “not yet”. You are reassessed on that part only: written work can be redone remotely, but the practical must be redone in person. Ask us about any fee for reassessment.
Is this a Level 3 or Level 4 qualification?
No. It is accredited CPD worth 8 credits and has no qualification level.
Can I get a refund?
Please see our terms and conditions, or ask us before you buy.
Is VAT added to the price?
No. Skintastic Aesthetic Lasers Ltd is not VAT registered, so no VAT is added to the course price shown.
How long do I have access to the online lessons?
Your access to the online lessons lasts 12 months from the date of purchase.
Can I cancel and get a refund?
You have 14 days to cancel, but the right to cancel the online materials is lost once your access starts and you have ticked the box at checkout to agree to that. Once the 14 days have ended, courses are non refundable. Refunds that apply are paid to the original payment method within 14 days of us receiving your written cancellation. Full details are in our terms and conditions.
What if I need to move my practical day?
You may move your practical day once, free of charge, if you tell us in writing at least 14 days before it. After that, or if you do not attend, the day is treated as used, and a further date may be offered at our discretion for a rebooking fee of 25% of the price you paid.
Contact
Skintastic Aesthetic Lasers Ltd
26 The Avenue, Southampton SO17 1XL
Phone: 02381 946394
Email: info@skintasticaesthetics.com
WhatsApp: message us via skintasticaesthetics.com
