TAFE NSW has partnered with Australian Melanoma Research Foundation, Hair and Beauty Australia (HABA), Keune and Airyday to launch the course for apprentices studying Certificate III in Hairdressing and Barbering and Certificate IV in Beauty as well as to upskill hairdressers, barbers and beauticians. Rejuvenate Medispa’s Rhonda said it was already part of a beautician’s training, and if they saw something on a client such as a lesion that didn’t look right or was changing colour, they always urged them to see a GP.
“Sometimes it’s on their back and they don’t know it’s there,” the Bankstown beautician said.
“When you consider the skin is our largest organ it makes sense that things can go wrong but a lot of people don’t notice it until someone points it out.”
AJ from AJ’s Barbershop in Revesby said offering the course was a good move to make the industry more aware.
“Though I can’t say I’ve ever come across it or had cause for concern,” he said.
Hair Appeal and Beauty Connection’s George said that if he saw anything suspicious, he urged his client to get it checked out.
“Ninety nine per cent of the time, it will be nothing but you never know so if your hairdresser points out a concern, make sure you see your doctor,” he said.
HABA President Maureen Harding said after hairdressing for 50 years, she’s had these conversations with clients and some have turned out to be lifesaving.
“This course can be completed in an hour on a mobile device. It offers information about what makes a spot suspicious and ways to start a conversation about it,” she said.
To complete the course, visit tafensw.edu.au.
