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- Needle according to the standard: in Russia, the rules for the training of cosmetologists have been tightened
Needle according to the standard: in Russia, the rules for the training of cosmetologists have been tightened
In Russia, the requirements for the training of cosmetologists have been tightened. On March 1, 2026, the order of the Ministry of Health No. 67n entered into force, which introduces a mandatory standard program of additional professional education with a volume of 576 academic hours. The new rules should replace the practice of short-term courses and establish uniform requirements for specialists performing injection and hardware procedures. Read more about how cosmetology training will change and what it means for the aesthetic medicine market in the Izvestia article.
Why do we need a single training standard?
Prior to the adoption of the order, there were virtually no uniform requirements for the training of cosmetologists. Only the general guidelines of the early 2010s worked, and some specialists took so-called intensive courses lasting only a few days. Now, in order to qualify as a cosmetologist, specialists with higher medical education are required to complete a full-time program of 576 academic hours.
The program consists of four modules: diagnostics and non-invasive procedures, invasive and hardware methods, correction of age-related changes and organization of the cabinet. It includes new competencies, such as botulinum toxin and filler injection techniques, hardware techniques, skin neoplasm diagnostics, skin phototypes, and UV protection.
Practical skills are also specified: specialists must work out not only basic procedures such as facial cleansing or peels, but also mesotherapy, plasma therapy, contouring and even soft tissue implantation.
Tatiana Ballirano, a doctor of the highest category, cosmetologist, dermatologist, chief physician and owner of the Ballirano Cosmetology Center, believes that strengthening training is a logical step, since cosmetology is directly related to medical risks.
— This is a serious medical manipulation associated with a health risk that can even lead to death. For a long time, the specialty was perceived as near-medical. Now it has actually been put on a par with other medical specialties, where full—fledged training, practical training and advanced training are required," she explained.
New requirements for teachers
According to the order, at least 70% of lectures should be conducted by teachers with a PhD or Doctor of Medical Sciences degree. In addition, they must have a valid cosmetology accreditation and at least five years of practical experience.
There are also restrictions on the number of groups: no more than 10 students, and practical classes should be held in groups of up to five people. The remote format for the key stages of training — seminars, internships and final assessment — is prohibited.
According to Ballirano, the increased demands on teachers may lead to higher tuition fees.
— If the teacher has high qualifications and an academic degree, then, of course, the courses may become a little more expensive. But this is directly related to the quality of specialist training. The higher the level of teaching, the higher the level of doctors who then work with patients," the expert noted.
The problem of the "grey" market
One of the reasons for the stricter requirements was the large-scale problem of the "gray" segment of cosmetology. According to analysts at the Right to Health company, as of 2024, about 37 thousand cosmetologists worked in Russia, while more than 1,500 specialists had no medical education.
According to Tatiana Ballirano, this has a serious impact on patient safety.
— The market is oversaturated with specialists, but there are actually not many qualified doctors. As a teacher, I often encounter basic ignorance of anatomy. In addition, people without medical education are still working in the market. Therefore, the introduction of a certain filter for specialists is primarily a matter of patient safety," she stressed.
Alexandra Fileva, an expert at the Hemotest laboratory, a dermatologist and cosmetologist, also notes that the new requirements should increase the safety of cosmetic procedures.
— First of all, the stricter requirements are aimed at reducing the number of complications from procedures performed by unqualified specialists. Invasive procedures are always fraught with risks, such as allergic reactions and complications. The new program enhances training in anatomy and emergency care skills, which is critical to minimize these risks," she explained.
How will the aesthetic medicine market change
According to experts, the new rules may affect not only the training of doctors, but also the structure of the aesthetic medicine market. Alexandra Fileva notes that stricter requirements may displace some unscrupulous industry participants.
— Now many specialists work outside the legal field, using non-certified products or insufficient quality training. Standardization of training can reduce the share of such a segment and increase patient confidence in the industry, the expert believes.
However, she admits that in the short term, the availability of specialists may decrease.
— Due to the increasing complexity and cost of training, the influx of new cosmetologists may slow down, especially in regions where there are limited opportunities for full-time training. But this is a temporary effect, which is offset by an improvement in the quality of medical care," Fileva explained.
Will the reform affect the cost of services
Experts believe that changes in the cosmetology education system will not lead to a sharp increase in prices for procedures. Larisa Bogatyreva, a dermatovenerologist and Candidate of Medical Sciences, notes that the cost of cosmetology services depends on many factors.
— It is wrong to talk about an increase in the price of services only because specialists with a degree will teach. The price depends on the drugs and materials used, the doctor's level of training, the prestige of the clinic, and many other factors," she explained.
Yulia Frangulova, co-founder of the National Association of Aesthetic Medicine Clinics and CEO of the LINLINE clinic network, adds that the new requirements may indirectly affect the market through the cost of training.
— Entering the profession is becoming more difficult and expensive. The number of teachers with academic degrees is limited, and the study groups are now strictly regulated. As a result, waiting lists for training may form and the cost of educational programs may increase. And the cost of training a specialist is always reflected in the market in the long run," she noted.
At the same time, Frangulova emphasizes that it is important to maintain a balance between the quality of training and accessibility of the profession.
— If legal education becomes too expensive and difficult to access, some young professionals may go into the "gray" zone. This contradicts the very purpose of the reform — to improve patient safety," the expert explained.
According to the National Association of Aesthetic Medicine Clinics, about 11 million cosmetic procedures were performed in Russia in 2024. At the same time, the share of the "gray" market of drugs for injectable cosmetology can reach 50%, and the volume of the illegal segment is estimated at about 12 billion rubles.
Experts agree that the introduction of uniform training standards and stricter requirements for specialists should gradually reduce the share of the illegal segment and increase the level of safety of cosmetic procedures.
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