Unit Specification UCT5M – Provide aromatherapy for complementary therapies Unit reference number: F/507/5560 Level: 3 Guided Learning (GL) hours: 80 Overview This unit will enable learners to provide aromatherapy treatments for clients, treating the head, face and body. Learners will develop the knowledge and skills to prepare for and provide a professional aromatherapy treatment. Learners will also develop their understanding of specific essential and carrier oils, possible contra-indications, along with the indications for, benefits and effects of professional aromatherapy treatments. Learning outcomes On completion of this unit, learners will: LO1 Know the clinic requirements for aromatherapy LO2 Understand the history, indications and effects of aromatherapy LO3 Understand the origin, effects and benefits of the different essential and carrier oils used LO4 Be able to prepare the client, self and work area for aromatherapy LO5 Be able to provide aromatherapy Version 9 UCT5M – Unit Specification_v9 Page 1 of 23 Unit content LO1 Know the clinic requirements for aromatherapy Learners must know how to set up the work area: Taught content • Prepare the work area to allow for - Ease of access and free movement around the couch - Effective lighting - Hygienic set up of couch and trolley - Selection of products and equipment to meet the needs of the client • Ensure a safe working environment - Clean and hygienic work area - The use of a suitable steriliser and sanitisation for equipment - Sterilised tools are kept in an UV cabinet or covered with tissue until required for use - Ventilation - Effective positioning of couch and stool to allow ergonomic and safe practice Learners must know how professional therapists present themselves: Taught content • Clean professional uniforms create a positive impression of the therapist and the salon. Uniforms should be made from a comfortable fabric to facilitate the stretching involved in the treatment • Therapists should wear closed-in footwear, no jewellery, no piercings, hair neatly tied back, and any fringe secured, short, varnish free nails • Personal hygiene and cleanliness including showering, covering cuts and abrasions, wearing deodorant or antiperspirant, oral hygiene (clean teeth, fresh breath), are all important elements of professional presentation Learners must know the salon requirements for record keeping: Taught content • Accurate appointment systems, stationery, loyalty, rewards, acknowledgement of occasions • How to establish and record clear information that is accurate and in logical order, how to refer to existing records • Consultation record keeping, contra‑indications, signatures, refer to existing records, information clear, accurate and in logical order (name, address, contact numbers, age range, reason for treatment, occupation, sport/hobbies, medical history, allergies/hypersensitivity, contact lenses, contra‑actions) • Skin sensitivity tests, adaptations and modifications, recommendations • Treatment planning and how to update records at the end of the treatment, update at each visit, maintained electronically, paper records UCT5M – Unit Specification_v9 Page 2 of 23 Learners must know the importance, purpose and methods of patch tests: Taught content • A patch test is designed to alert the therapist to any pre-disposed skin sensitivity on the client’s behalf. Any active, new or known ingredient that can potentially produce a reaction is usually patch tested 24 – 48 hours before treatment. All patch tests provided need to be noted and recorded, listing all products and where patch test took place on the body, if appropriate, and client signature and date • Patch testing for aromatherapy would include all essential oils and any active or new products to be used within the treatment such as cleansers. Client records need to be updated with results • Patch test application techniques - Cleanse area (either crook of elbow or behind ear) - Apply product to the area with a brush - Allow to dry - Leave on for a minimum of 24 hours - Explain positive and negative reactions - Record results on record card, including products used and where placed Learners must know how to interpret results of the patch test: Taught content • Positive – red, itchy, irritated, swelling, sore • Negative – no change to skin Learners must know the contra-indications to aromatherapy treatments: Taught content • Examples of contra-indications that may prevent treatment - Congenital, contagious or infectious skin conditions, viral, fungal, bacterial, infestation, pregnancy, cardio-vascular conditions, high blood pressure, thrombosis, haemophilia, oedema, osteoporosis, arthritis, conditions affecting the nervous system, epilepsy, diabetes, recent operations, asthma, cancer, kidney infections, high temperature or fever, undiagnosed lumps, undiagnosed pain, when undergoing medical/specialist or other therapy treatment, when taking prescribed medication, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, vomiting, under the influence of alcohol, after a heavy meal, sunburn, allergies • Examples of contra-indications that may restrict treatment - Diarrhoea and vomiting, high temperature, localised swelling, localised bruising, varicose veins, localised eczema, dermatitis or psoriasis, sensitive skin, allergies, pregnancy, abrasions or cuts, broken skin, hernia, body piercing, implants, swollen or inflamed joints, bone fractures, sunburn, varicose veins, cuts, bruises and abrasions, scar tissue (two years for major operations, six months for a small scar), hormonal implants, menstruation – first three days, haematoma, hernia, gastric ulcers, after a heavy meal, verrucae, warts or enlarged skin tags, recent sprains or muscle strains - If a client presents with symptoms that are not identifiable the learner must refer the client to a health care practitioner for appropriate care and diagnosis. Therapists can refer the client directly to their general practitioners. They are not qualified to diagnose diseases and disorders UCT5M – Unit Specification_v9 Page 3 of 23 Learners must know the possible contra-actions that may occur during or after an aromatherapy treatment: Taught content • Adverse skin reactions – skin irritation, itching, erythema, oedema, allergic reaction to essential oil/carrier oil used • Healing response – the symptom/symptoms which may occur as the body regulates for example, aching/tenderness, headache, dizziness, nausea, flu like symptoms, changed sleep patterns/fatigue, thirst, increased urination, increased defecation, insomnia, hallucination, hyperactivity, change in appetite, respiratory reactions, feeling tired • Psychological response – heightened emotional state, for example, tearful or euphoric Learners must know how to effectively respond to contra-actions: Taught content • Healing response – take remedial action – give them a glass of water and allow for toxin release, rest, fresh air, deep breathing • Adverse skin reaction – discontinue treatment and remove essential oils with damp towels. Adapt pressure technique. Medical referral if necessary, record reaction, action and/or referral on the record card Learners must know the insurance requirements for the delivery of aromatherapy treatments: Taught content • Requirements for licensing are applied at local council level. Each council will have slightly different requirements but as a general rule both the therapist and the premises will need to be licensed. The most current information on licensing is available on local authority websites and from professional membership association groups • As a minimum a salon should hold, where applicable, employer’s insurance as well as public liability insurance and professional indemnity insurance Learners must know the legal requirements for providing treatments to minors: Taught content • The age at which an individual is classed as a minor and how this differs nationally UCT5M – Unit Specification_v9 Page 4 of 23 LO2 Understand the history, indications and effects of aromatherapy Learners must now the history and philosophy of aromatherapy: Taught content • History – ancient civilisations in China, India, Egypt, Greece, Romans, Arabs used essential oils to maintain health and treat conditions; embalming, in cooking, as perfume, for religious festivals, the influence of allopathic medicine, First World War and Professor Gattefosse, Jean Valnet, Marguerite Maury, the Aromatherapy Council, the definition of aromatherapy, research, clinical care, palliative care, National Occupational Standards, the House of Lords report, education and training, qualifications, the retail of aromatherapy products, aromatherapy around the world, how aromatherapy is used in the complementary health and beauty industry today, home care products and food products • Philosophy – physiological, psychological benefits of essential oils, scientific evidence/research and its relevance to aromatherapy, touch, massage and the use of essential oils, comfort, instinctive, stress management, preventative and corrective, complementary/alternative to orthodox medicine Learners must know the principles and theories of aromatherapy application: Taught content • Principles and theories – how essential oil use has developed from traditional use to present day, individual prescription, synergistic blends, the blend will be greater than the sum of the parts, how and why aromatherapy works, using chemical constituents to determine choice, physical, physiological, psychological effects, emotional and spiritual levels, the olfactory tract, the limbic system, the use of the aroma; use of essential oils in France (medical domain) for treatment of disease, UK, USA, Australia as the promotion of physical and emotional wellbeing; mainly practised by non-medical therapists, complementary to orthodox health care, prevention and alleviation of stress, adverse effects of stress on wellbeing, administered dermally and by inhalation Learners must know how to use different techniques using aromatherapy: Taught content • Compress – identified localised area suitable for treatment, appropriate size of compress, immersion of compress in hot or cold water containing essential oil blend (diluted or undiluted), squeeze out excess and place over treatment area, cover area to prevent evaporation of essential oil, leave for recommended time before removing, contra-indications to the use of compresses • Inhalation – comfortable, safe, stable positioning of the client (spray or vaporisation) spray bottle, bath, bowl, diffuser/vaporiser or tissues depending on agreed method, diluted or undiluted essential oils, correct temperature of water to enhance vaporisation where appropriate, contra-indications to the use of inhalation • Immersion – comfortable, safe, stable positioning of the client, bath or bowl depending on area of the body to be treated, diluted or undiluted, correct temperature of water (hot or cold) to treat effectively, contra-indications to the use of immersion • Products – creams, lotions, bath salts, balms and ointments, safe blending quantities, methods of application and use, contra-indications to the use of products UCT5M – Unit Specification_v9 Page 5 of 23 LO3 Understand the origin, effects and benefits of the different essential and carrier oils used Learners must know the origin, extraction and significant chemical constituents of the essential oils and carrier oils: Taught content • Essential oils – basil, benzoin, bergamot , cedarwood atlas, chamomile German, chamomile Roman, clary sage, cypress, three types of eucalyptus (citriodora, dives, globulus, smithii), frankincense, fennel, geranium, ginger, grapefruit, jasmine, juniper, lavandin , lavender, lavender spike, lemon, lemongrass, mandarin, marjoram, myrrh, neroli, orange bitter, orange sweet, patchouli, black pepper, peppermint, petitgrain, rose cabbage (steam distilled), rose damask, rosemary, sandalwood, tea tree, thyme, vetivert, ylang ylang • Origin – leaves, flowers, stems, twigs, bark, roots, resin, peel, rhizomes, seeds • Expression – rinds are pressed or grated and then oils from the torn cells are collected in a sponge and squeezed out • Steam distillation – use of high temperature steam to extract the essences through evaporation • Solvent extraction – the use of solvents such as petroleum ether, methanol, ethanol, or hexane, to extract the essences from the plant (produces absolutes) • Enfleurage/maceration – involves placing the flower petals on a layer of glass that is first spread with a thin layer of fat • Carbon dioxide extraction – carbon dioxide is injected into the tank where the plant material is contained and acts as a solvent to extract the oil • Hydro-diffusion – a recent method, similar to steam distillation, steam comes in through the top rather than the bottom • Hydrosols – by product of hydro distillation, their uses, effects, benefits and contra-indications • Percolation – similar to normal distillation, used in France on a small scale • Phytonic process – new method, uses fluoro-hydrocarbons which could be potentially harmful, not yet proven • Carrier oils – almond, apricot kernel, avocado, castor, coconut, evening primrose, grapeseed, hazel, jojoba, linseed, macadamia, olive, peach kernel, peanut, sesame, sunflower, soya, walnut, wheatgerm • Extraction – virgin cold pressed – unrefined oils, such as olive oil, that are produced by pressing the parent seed, grain or nut at the minimum possible temperature • Solvent extraction – the use of solvents, such as petroleum ether, methanol, ethanol, or hexane, to extract the essences from the plant (produces absolutes) • Chemical constituents – atom, molecule, organic, inorganic compound, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, isoprene • Hydrocarbons – terpenes – monoterpenes, diterpenes, sesquiterpenes • Oxygenated compounds – alcohols, aldehydes, esters, ketones, oxides, phenols, lactones, furanocoumarins Learners must know the characteristics of essential oils: Taught content • Characteristics – not an oil, aromatic, volatile, powerful, concentrated, oil soluble, alcohol soluble, lipophilic, hydrophilic, liquid, non-greasy, flammable • Learners must have an understanding of essential oils not to be used - Bitter almond, boldo leaf, calamus, camphor (brown), camphor (yellow), cassia, clove bud, clove leaf, clove stem, cinnamon bark, costus, elecampane, bitter fennel, jaborandi leaf, mugwort, mustard, origanum, origanum (Spanish), pennyroyal (European), pennyroyal (North American), pine (dwarf), rue, sassafras, sassafras (Brazilian), savin, savory (summer), savory (winter), southernwood, tansy, thuja (cedarleaf), thuja plicata, wintergreen, wormseed, wormwood UCT5M – Unit Specification_v9 Page 6 of 23 Learners must know the possible therapeutic effects of essential oils: Taught content • Therapeutic effects – analgesic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-allergic, anti- depressant, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, astringent, aphrodisiac, carminative, cytophylactic, cephalic, deodorant, detoxifying, digestive, diuretic, emenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, hypertensive, hypotensive, immune-stimulant, insecticide, insect repellent, neuro-relaxant, neuro-toxic, oestrogen stimulant, vulnerary, rehydrating, relaxant, rubefacient, sedative, stimulant, tonic, uplifting Learners must understand taxonomy and its relevance to aromatherapy: Taught content • Taxonomy – Carl von Linne; the science that finds, identifies, describes, classifies and names plants; grouping plants, natural relationship, size, shape, colour, compounds, meiosis. The hierarchy of biological classifications – life, domain, kingdom, phylum/division, class, order, family, genus, species. Chemotypes, variety, biology, binomial name, Latin, chromatography, structure, root, stem, leaf, flower, fruit, leaf, seeds, rhizome, bark, peel, resin, botanical origin of the plant, part of the plant used, the vegetative state, the processing operations, the method of obtaining the oil • Relevance – quality, environmental factors affecting growth, production, soil, climate, season, quality, aroma, volatility, power, effectiveness of treatment Learners must know storage methods of essential and fixed oils: Taught content • Storage – dark amber glass bottles, away from direct sunlight, correct temperature, tight lids, dropper intact, professional/recommended sources, manufacturers, suppliers of an oil, aromatic, volatile, powerful, concentrated, oil soluble, alcohol soluble, lipophilic, hydrophilic, liquid, non-greasy, flammable • Degradation and spoilage – dilution, substitution, UV/oxygen exposure, extended storage, synthetic oils, hydrolysis, shelf life • The correct way to dispose of essential oils to prevent/minimise risk of contamination and toxicity to people, animals and the environment • Learners must understand percentage dilutions and blending techniques - Dilution ratios/percentages, maximum number of essential oils to be blended - Face blend - Body blend - Safe dosage use for babies, elderly, facial blends - Synergistic blends - Current legislation UCT5M – Unit Specification_v9 Page 7 of 23 LO4 Be able to prepare the client, self and work area for aromatherapy Prepare and check the client, work area, equipment and products prior to the aromatherapy treatment: Taught content • Prepare treatment area according to salon requirements - Ensure the couch is at the correct working height, sturdy and with an adjustable back- rest. The couch needs to be wide enough for client comfort and should be covered with a couch cover, towels and disposable couch roll for hygiene - Set up the treatment trolley with the necessary products, tools and equipment - Organise access to a selection of essential oils and carrier oils - Ensure all equipment and products are to hand and are working efficiently - Provide clear recommendations to the client, based on the outcome of the consultation - Select products and equipment to suit client treatment needs - Avoid repetitive strain injury by using correct working posture and application of techniques, correct height of couch • Preparation of self - Physically and mentally - Clearing and re-energising own energy fielding and grounding • Preparation of client - Check the client by completing a consultation and to identify factors that may influence treatment objectives such as client diverse needs, preferences and expectations - Provide a modesty gown for the client - Position the client correctly and comfortably on the couch in preparation of chosen treatment, provide additional support if needed, use correct supports/bolsters - Ensure that the client is easily accessible Agree the treatment objectives and check for contra-indications or restrictions to treatment: Taught content • Verbal communication – speaking manner and tone, sensitive to client, open questioning related to treatment • Non-verbal communication – eye contact, body language, listening • Ensure visual and manual checks are carried out to identify any contra-indications. Tactfully ask relevant questions, document and record the client feedback • Record keeping – contra indication check, signatures, name, address, contact numbers, age range, reason for treatment, occupation, sport/hobbies, medical history, allergies/ hypersensitivity, contact lenses, contra- actions, skin sensitivity test recorded • Outline benefits of treatment and client expectations • Establish skin type and condition of the client’s body and face - Skin types – balanced, oily, dry, combination - Skin conditions – sensitive, dehydrated, mature UCT5M – Unit Specification_v9 Page 8 of 23 • Allergy to specific oils, for example, nut allergy • Dislike for particular aromas • General health • Medication • Client expectations and other influencing factors - Skin type/condition - Most suitable treatment to improve the client’s skin - Medication - Client’s time and financial commitment - Preference for aroma Explain the treatment procedure to the client: Taught content • Explain how the client should position themselves for treatment, how long the treatment will take and the sensation the client should expect to feel. Discuss the client’s expectations for the treatment Instruct the client on clothing removal and positioning for aromatherapy treatment: Taught content • Removal of clothing as appropriate, positioning throughout the treatment UCT5M – Unit Specification_v9 Page 9 of 23 LO5 Be able to provide aromatherapy Prepare the client and client’s facial skin for treatment: Taught content • Remove or protect clothing as appropriate to ensure comfort and wellbeing • Position the client with good support for the client’s lower back • Cleanse and tone the face • Explain the sequence of aromatherapy massage • Cleanse feet with suitable product Select the products to achieve the desired results: Taught content • Selection of essential and carrier oils to suit client’s skin type and treatment objectives • Prepare an appropriate strength – facial blend • Prepare an appropriate strength – body blend Perform and adapt aromatherapy treatment to meet the needs of the client: Taught content • Blend essential oils and carrier oils synergistically • Treated all areas - Back - Legs and feet - Arms and hands - Neck and shoulders - Face and scalp • Application of movements – use even pressure adapted to suit area, contact maintained throughout treatment, flowing and fluid movements to promote relaxation • Complete treatment to the satisfaction of the client in a commercially acceptable time • Reassure the client and communicate your positioning instructions clearly during the service UCT5M – Unit Specification_v9 Page 10 of 23