CIDESCO Theory study guide
CIDESCO Theory · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
CIDESCO - the Comité International d'Esthétique et de Cosmétologie - is an international beauty and spa therapy body founded in Brussels in 1946, with its head office in Zurich, Switzerland. It presents itself as the World Standard for Beauty and Spa Therapy, with membership open to leading schools, colleges, salons and spas, and to students who gain a CIDESCO qualification. The CIDESCO Theory study guide has 5 sections and about 1,874 words.
01Anatomy, Physiology & Pathology
Every treatment decision you make is a physiological argument. Learn structure (anatomy), function (physiology) and dysfunction (pathology) as a chain: cell → tissue → organ → system.
336 words, about 2 min02Skin Care & Facial Treatments
A facial is a sequence of decisions, not a ritual. Begin with consultation and skin analysis: observe pore size, oiliness, texture, hydration, sensitivity, vascularity and pigmentation, and record Fitzpatrick phototype (I–VI) to judge UV and treatment risk.
300 words, about 2 min03Body Massage & Body Therapy
Swedish massage is built from five families: effleurage (gliding, linking, warming), petrissage (kneading, picking up, wringing, rolling), tapotement (hacking, cupping, beating, pounding), vibration and shaking , and friction (circular, transverse, connective tissue work). Know the purpose, pace and pressure of each, plus the body areas where each is inappropriate - tapotement over bone, kidneys or the abdomen, for instance.
306 words, about 2 min04Health, Safety, Hygiene & Professional Practice
Cleaning removes soil; disinfection reduces pathogens on surfaces; sterilisation destroys all micro-organisms including spores. You cannot disinfect what you have not cleaned, and you cannot sterilise what you cannot disinfect.
297 words, about 1 min05Salon Management, Client Care & Professional Studies
Start with the plan: concept and positioning, target market, SWOT analysis, legal structure (sole trader, partnership, limited company), start-up and running costs, cash-flow forecast and funding. Location, footfall, layout and licensing matter as much as treatment skill.
635 words, about 3 min