ITEC Beauty Therapy study materials
ITEC Beauty Therapy study resources

ITEC Beauty Therapy (ITEC) study plan

ITEC Beauty Therapy · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 7 hours per week

Week 1

Anatomy and physiology relevant to beauty therapy & Skin analysis and facial treatments

  • Label the layers of the epidermis and dermis and state one beauty-relevant function of each

  • Describe the structure and function of sebaceous glands, sweat glands and hair follicles and link each to a skin type

  • Explain the skin barrier and acid mantle and predict what happens to skin when the barrier is compromised

  • Identify the main facial muscles and the direction of their pull, then justify massage and product-application directions from that anatomy

  • Classify the four Fitzpatrick-relevant skin types and one treatment adjustment for each

Your checkpoint

A hand-drawn, fully labelled skin cross-section diagram plus a one-page table matching five skin conditions to the underlying anatomy

Week 2

Skin analysis and facial treatments & Product knowledge and cosmetic science

  • Perform a structured skin analysis sequence (cleanse, observe, palpate, question) and record findings in a standard format

  • Differentiate oily, dry, combination, sensitive and dehydrated skin from observable signs rather than client self-report

  • Explain the function of five cosmetic ingredient families: humectants, emollients, occlusives, surfactants and exfoliating acids

  • Justify a cleanser, exfoliant and moisturiser choice for three contrasting client profiles

  • Interpret a cosmetic ingredient list well enough to spot potential sensitisers and flag them for patch testing

Your checkpoint

Three written treatment plans, each with a skin analysis record, product rationale and expected outcome

Week 3

Professional standards, ethics and legislation & Health, safety, hygiene and infection control

  • Summarise the legal duties owed to clients around consent, confidentiality and record keeping in your jurisdiction

  • Distinguish professional codes of conduct from legal obligations and give an example where the two overlap

  • Apply a recognised infection-control hierarchy to five salon scenarios and rank the controls

  • Describe correct hand-washing, glove use and waste segregation for a treatment room

  • Draft a client confidentiality and data-handling statement in plain language

Your checkpoint

A two-page salon standard operating procedure covering consent, record retention and infection control, written as if for a new colleague

Week 4

Client consultation, contraindications and treatment planning & Anatomy and physiology relevant to beauty therapy

  • Build a consultation script that captures medical history, medication, allergies and lifestyle in under ten minutes

  • Map ten contraindications to the treatments they block and state whether each is absolute or relative

  • Explain how endocrine, circulatory and lymphatic function influence treatment choice and healing

  • Identify when to refer a client to a medical professional and script the referral conversation

  • Adapt a treatment plan for a client who is pregnant, taking photosensitising medication, or has recently had surgery

Your checkpoint

A contraindication reference sheet of at least 15 entries with absolute/relative classification and referral wording, self-tested to 90% recall

Week 5

Body treatments, massage and body analysis & Anatomy and physiology relevant to beauty therapy

  • Sequence a full-body massage using the correct direction relative to venous and lymphatic flow

  • Name the main muscle groups of the back, shoulder and leg and the strokes that suit each

  • Contrast five massage mediums by glide, absorption and suitability for different skin and hair types

  • Conduct a body analysis covering posture, skin condition and areas of tension, and record it objectively

  • State the contraindications specific to heat treatments, body wraps and lymphatic work

Your checkpoint

A timed 45-minute massage routine card with stroke order, medium choice and contraindication checklist

Week 6

Depilation and hair removal techniques & Manicure, pedicure and nail services

  • Compare waxing, sugaring, threading and epilation on suitability, discomfort, regrowth and risk

  • Describe hair growth cycles and explain why timing between waxing appointments matters

  • List the hygiene and patch-test requirements for each depilation method you offer

  • Perform a manicure and pedicure sequence including nail shaping, cuticle care and massage, and justify each step

  • Recognise five nail and skin conditions of the hands and feet that require referral rather than treatment

Your checkpoint

A practical checklist for one depilation method and one pedicure, each with at least 12 steps and an embedded hygiene control at every step

Week 7

Make-up application and eyelash/eyebrow services & Product knowledge and cosmetic science

  • Match foundation shade and undertone to three different skin tones under correct lighting

  • Correct and conceal using colour theory, explaining the choice for each correction

  • Describe eyelash and eyebrow services including tinting, perming and extension aftercare, with their contraindications

  • Explain the patch-test requirements and allergic risk for tinting products

  • Justify a make-up product selection by formula, finish and skin type

Your checkpoint

A photographic or written portfolio of three complete make-up looks with a short rationale for every product and colour choice

Week 8

Professional standards, ethics and legislation & Client consultation, contraindications and treatment planning & Health, safety, hygiene and infection control & Skin analysis and facial treatments & Body treatments, massage and body analysis & Depilation and hair removal techniques & Manicure, pedicure and nail services & Make-up application and eyelash/eyebrow services & Product knowledge and cosmetic science

  • Answer 60 mixed-domain practice questions and log every error by domain

  • Re-teach your three weakest domains from your own notes without referring to source material

  • Rehearse consultation, contraindication and infection-control scenarios aloud under time pressure

  • Verify that your treatment plans, SOP and reference sheets are internally consistent and legally current

  • Build a one-page pre-exam summary of numbers, definitions and referral triggers

Your checkpoint

A scored mock exam with a written error log and a remediation note for each missed question

Milestones

Week 2: Can complete a full skin analysis and product rationale for an unseen client profile in 15 minutes without notes

Week 4: Scores at least 90% on the self-made contraindication sheet and correctly classifies 10 unseen scenarios as treat, adapt or refer

Week 6: Walks through a depilation and a pedicure sequence from memory with a hygiene control named at every step

Week 8: Scores at least 75% on the 60-question mixed mock, with no single domain below 60%