Qualifi Level 5 Unit CO501 Consultation and Advanced Skin Analysis using Technologies (K/651/6012) Assessment Example 2026

Qualifi Level 5 Unit CO501 Assessment Example 2026

Unit Aim

(NOS: SKCANSC14 Carry out a thorough skin analysis using technologies)

• This unit is for aesthetic practitioners to recognise skin types, skin conditions and skin lesions using technologies. The rationale is to conduct a detailed and accurate assessment for aesthetic procedures for effective outcomes and client satisfaction.
• This unit is based on the NOS standard, part of the non-surgical cosmetic national occupational standards suite, which includes standards related to non-surgical cosmetic procedures to rejuvenate skin.
• Aesthetic practitioners will need to follow the non-surgical cosmetic procedure protocol, legislative, regulatory and organisational requirements to identify, assess and implement safe, hygienic and effective working practices.
• Aesthetic practitioners must have a valid First Aid at Work or Basic Life Support and Management of Anaphylaxis qualification to be able to: carry out basic life support and have access to life support equipment as identified in the complication management and/or emergency plan.

This unit coexists alongside Qualifi units:

CO401: Health, safety and hygiene for aesthetic procedures
CO402: Client consultation for aesthetic procedure.

NOS Performance Criteria (PC)

• follow legal requirements and other relevant standards, insurance guidelines and, organisational protocols when carrying out a skin analysis
• maintain your responsibilities for the health, safety, hygiene and welfare of the individual and yourself before, during and after the skin analysis
• carry out a concise and comprehensive skin consultation to inform the skin analysis.
• discuss and provide the rationale for the proposed skin analysis and the protocols for undertaking them.
• ensure the individual’s understanding and obtain informed consent for the proposed investigative procedure
• identify and select the technology equipment to be used to carry out the skin analysis to determine, review and monitor the presenting skin condition, following organisational protocols
• record and securely store visual media for future reference and monitoring purposes in accordance with legislative, regulatory and indemnity requirements
• evaluate the presenting skin type and skin condition against known skin classifications
• collate, analyse and evaluate the information gathered from the skin consultation, the skin analysis and available evidence base relating to the presenting skin condition to inform the treatment plan
• discuss, formulate and agree with the individual the outcome based on the conclusion of the skin analysis to include:
  10.1 the best interests of the individual
  10.2 ethical responsibilities working within your scope of practice
  10.3 adapting communication styles to meet the individuals needs
  10.4 contraindications and potential comorbidities
• refer to other professionals where indicated by the outcome of the skin analysis
• record the information gathered and the outcomes of the skin analysis to meet legal requirements and organisational protocols
• review and reflect on your performance to inform continuous professional development

NOS Knowledge and Understanding (KU)

1. the legal requirements and other relevant standards, insurance guidelines and, organisational protocols when carrying out a skin analysis
2. how to maintain your role and responsibilities for the health, safety and welfare of the individual and yourself before, during and after the skin analysis
3. the importance of working within the scope of your practice
4. the rationale for the proposed skin analysis, expected findings in different skin types and the role of evidence-based practice
5. the protocols for the correct and safe use of skin analysis technologies
6. how to interpret outcomes from the skin analysis procedure
7. how to review and monitor the presenting skin condition, following organisational protocols
8. the importance and requirements of gaining informed consent
9. the reasons for taking consensual visual media of the individual’s treatment area and storing in accordance with the service, legislative, insurance and organisational requirements
10. how to evaluate the features and severity of presenting skin conditions in relation to known skin classifications
11. how the skin consultation, initial assessment, available evidence and the skin analysis outcomes collectively inform a bespoke treatment plan
12. how to critically evaluate the evidence base
13. the anatomy and physiology relevant to this standard
14. the normal and adverse signs and patterns of skin conditions across all skin types
15. the importance of recognising suspicious skin irregularities and lesions, and referring to a relevant healthcare professional
16. the biological variables, associated symptoms, physiological indicators and comorbidities that can contribute to the pathophysiology of the observed skin changes
17. the biochemical markers that can result in skin changes
18. how to develop an agreed treatment plan with the individual based on the conclusion of the skin analysis, to include:
    18.1 the impact on the prognosis
    18.2 the variety of options available for management
19. how to complete accurate, secure and contemporaneous records of the information gathered and the outcomes of the skin analysis to meet legal requirements and organisational protocols, considering:
    19.1 the rights of the individual
    19.2 audit and accountability
20. the importance of collaboration with competent professionals to support effective and safe working practices
21. the importance to engage in and document continuous professional development, up-to-date information policies, procedures and best practice guidance.

Behaviours

The following behaviours underpin the delivery of services in the aesthetic sector. These behaviours ensure that clients receive a positive impression of both the organisation and the aesthetic practitioner:

• Meeting the organisation’s standards of behaviour
• Greeting the client respectfully and in a friendly manner
• Communicating with the client in a way that makes them feel valued and respected
• Treating the client courteously and helpfully at all times
• Adapting behaviour to respond effectively to different client behaviour
• Checking with the client that you have fully understood their expectations
• Responding promptly and positively to the client’s questions and comments
• Recognising information that the client might find complicated and checking whether they fully understood
• Explaining clearly to the client any reasons why their needs or expectations cannot be met
• Maintaining effective, hygienic and safe working methods
• Adhering to workplace, supplier’s and manufacturers’ instructions for the safe use of equipment, materials and products
• Meeting both organisational and industry standards of appearance.

Learning Outcomes, and Assessment Criteria

Indicative Content

Skin analysis

• visual examination of the skin
• manual examination of the skin
• magnifying light
• Woods lamp
• digital skin scanner
• derma scope
• hydration monitor/scanner

Skin classification

• Fitzpatrick scale
• Glogau scale photo-damage
• Lancer scale
• Phenotype and genotype
• Monk skin tone scale
• Rubins scale

Skin condition

• lax elasticity
• hyper and hypo pigmentation
• congested
• pustular fragile
• vascular
• sensitised
• sensitive
• dehydrated
• photo-sensitive
• photo-aged
• lack-lustre

Skin type

• dry
• oily
• combination
• balanced

Anatomy and Physiology

• anatomy and physiology of the skin
• interdependence of body systems and organs, tissues and cellular organisation and homeostasis,
• the skin barrier function, regulation and impact of wound healing
• relative and absolute contraindications and related pathologies
• intrinsic and extrinsic factors that affect skin condition
• acne grading criteria

Signs and patterns

• the presence, extent and location of erythema
• vascular patterns within the skin
• signs indicative of scarring and fibrosis
• discolouration, hyper or hypopigmentation of the skin
• primary and secondary skin lesions
• benign and suspicious skin lesions
• presence of contact irritant or allergy response
• presence of infection or infestation
• hyper or hypo secretion of sebum and sweat

Glossary

• Derma scope – a handheld device used to magnify the skin, up to 10 times larger than the view from the naked eye, to help identify skin conditions. Used by dermatologists for example to identify skin cancers, skin infestations and hair loss.
• Digital Skin scanner – this tool is a device that can take photographs of the skin and allows it to be viewed at a microscopic level. It can identify many different skin conditions and supports the recommendation of the correct skin care, with a customised treatment and homecare plan.
• Evidence-based practice –evidence-based practice is based on the best available, current, valid and relevant evidence.
• Hydration monitor/scanner – a device that takes precise measurements of the hydration status of the skin.
• Informed consent – permission for the practitioner to provide care, treatment or other services given by the individual, or someone acting on their behalf, after receiving all the information they reasonably need to make that decision.
• Genotype – inherited genes responsible for characteristics and traits from parent to offspring, based on the dominant and recessive genes, traits that are unlikely to change or can predispose to conditions e.g., eye/hair colour and texture/skin type – ethnicity/blood type/diabetes/heart disease/cancer.
• Glogau Scale – a classification system used to measure the severity of photoaging, wrinkles, to help the practitioner to pick the most appropriate procedure for their client.
• Lancer Scale – a type of skin classification used based on an individual’s ancestry and geography, as appearances can be deceiving, helping to reduce the risk of adverse reactions.
• Monk skin tone scale – developed by Dr Ellis Monk in partnership with Google’s AI Team. It is a 10-shade scale used to improve the representation of skin tone in technology and products by examining skin tone, stratification and colourism.
• Phenotype – observable physical characteristics and appearance that can change in response to genotype, evolution, the environment and the aging process – nature (inherited genes) and nurture (lifestyle impact): e.g., weight/height/health/disposition/ skin type – characteristics/hair type.
• Refer – to refer is to ask someone else to provide care, treatment or other services which are beyond the scope of the practitioner’s practice, or where relevant because the individual has requested a second opinion.
• Rubins scale – is used to classify signs of skin aging. It recognises skin changes in texture and pigment and changes in pigment related to ultraviolet damage. E.g. ephelides in young people and lentigines in older individuals.
• Scope of practice – scope of practice is the procedures, actions and processes that a practitioner is allowed to undertake according to their specific education, level of expertise and competency.
• Skin Types and Skin Classification: The Fitzpatrick skin classification was developed to predict a person’s lifetime risk of developing skin cancer. This used a scale (typically I – VI) to judge how skin reacts to light, in particular whether it is likely to burn or tan. Most practitioners use a combination of hair and skin colour, eye colour and burn/tan response to determine the initial test patch and treatment settings.
• Visual media – visual media is used to cover all images recorded including video, photography and digital microscopic images of the hair and/or scalp. This must be carried out with the individual’s consent.
• Woods lamp/light. – a tool used to examine the skin, hair and scalp. The lamp emits an ultraviolet light, or black light. This makes certain types of cells glow or change colour. It is quick and painless and is used to identify skin conditions and bacterial, fungal and parasitic conditions.

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