Swipe Left on Online Aesthetic Courses: Why Hands-On Training at ILM Was the Right Match for Me
Hi, I’m Cristi, a registered nurse fueled by cozy cappuccinos, and your go-to girl for honest takes on career moves. Let me take you on my journey from bedside nursing to aesthetics, and why hands-on training at the Institute for Laser Medicine (ILM) was the only option for me. Spoiler alert: You really do get what you pay for.
When Bargains Aren’t So Beautiful
Like a lot of nurses, I was feeling the burnout from endless shifts and dreaming of a career that felt more fulfilling. Aesthetics caught my eye. Helping people look and feel their best? Yes, please!
But when I started looking at training options, I stumbled upon online aesthetic courses that promised to teach me everything for a fraction of the price of in-person training. I’m talking “as cheap as your favorite fast fashion haul” cheap. At first, it was tempting. Who doesn’t love a good bargain? But then I asked myself: Would I trust someone to inject my face if their only training came from YouTube videos and PowerPoint slides? Yikes. Hard pass.
Hands-On or Hands-Off?
Let’s break it down. Imagine signing up for an online aesthetic course. You’re sitting at your dining room table, in your pajamas, sipping your third coffee. You’re watching a video on Botox injection techniques, but there’s no one to guide your hand, answer your questions, or critique your technique. You’re learning in theory, sure, but where’s the practice?
Fast forward to when you’re face-to-face with your first real client. That confidence you thought you had? Poof. Gone. You’re sweating bullets, second-guessing every move, and praying Google can answer your last-minute questions. (Spoiler: Google is not your mentor.) You saved money upfront, but now you’re spending extra time and effort trying to make up for what you didn’t learn in real life.
My ILM Experience: From Hesitant to Confident
When I walked into the Institute for Laser Medicine for my first day of training, I felt a little nervous. But the vibe was next-level. The boutique-style classes meant personalized attention. I wasn’t just another face in the crowd. And the live model training? Game changer. Actually doing treatments under expert supervision helped me see, touch, and feel what I was learning. By the time I finished, I didn’t just know what to do, I knew I could do it.
Confidence is priceless in aesthetics. Your clients are trusting you with their appearance, and there’s no room for guesswork. ILM didn’t just teach me how to perform treatments; it taught me how to own them.
Why You Pay for What You Get
Sure, online courses look great on your bank statement, but they don’t prepare you for real-life situations. Aesthetics isn’t about memorizing theory, it’s about mastering technique. When you skip hands-on training, you’re not just saving money; you’re also shortchanging your future clients and your own career growth. That “cheaper” course? It comes at a steep price when you consider the time and energy you’ll need to build your skills later.
Invest in Yourself (and Your Clients)
If you’re serious about aesthetics, don’t cut corners. Your clients deserve the best, and so do you. At ILM, I got more than training; I got a solid foundation, confidence, and the skills to launch my dream career. Plus, I walked away knowing I was 100% ready to deliver amazing results.
So, here’s my advice from one coffee-loving nurse to another: Invest in hands-on training. It’s the difference between just “knowing” and truly owning your craft. And trust me, your future self (and your future clients) will thank you.
