Socio-aesthetics: a beautiful profession

When we hear the word aesthetic, we think make-up, appearance, image, surface, comfort. Admittedly, the passage in a beauty institute remains a soothing moment. But it would still be an exaggeration to consider this as a therapeutic treatment. However, there is a profession at the crossroads between aesthetics and medicine: socio-aesthetics.

A healing gesture

As often, the title of this profession does not make it possible to grasp all its richness. Because if it is indeed a specialization of the profession of beautician, it is very far from being sufficient to define the vast field of application of this practice. On paper, here is the definition that we can find: socio-aesthetics provides aesthetic care to people weakened by an illness (cancer, etc.) or in difficulty (prison environment). However, it is not a question of simply “making a beauty” for people, as the expression wants, but more of making them find beauty again. And thereby regain health. “I remember a man of about 70 who had beautiful silver hair, which he was going to lose because he was going into chemotherapy, says Aurélie Delabre, socio-esthetician in Annonay, but his hair was his pride! It was an integral part of his person, of his identity.” And when we know how much psychology can influence the success of a therapy, we understand to what extent the aesthetic gesture in such a situation is far from superfluous. “It’s a gesture that heals, ahead Aurélie, because it affects self-esteem, dignity.”

A vocation

Socio-aesthetics is an authentic vocation. You really have to have the humanist fiber to practice. “I work in oncology, explains Aurélie, on people who undergo chemotherapy causing them to lose hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, nails or encountering major skin problems. Aurélie Delabre has been practicing since 2014. Initially, she wanted to be a nurse, “but I had trouble with the too intrusive medical procedure.” She then went to a college of psychology, but did not find herself there any more. It was after passing through the Youth Information and Documentation Center (CIDJ), that Aurélie found her way. “In the list of professions that could suit me, there was socio-beautician. I had no idea what it was. And after some research, I understood that it was exactly what I was looking for.”

At the age of 21, she therefore passed a CAP as a beautician, the first compulsory step, and worked in an institute for about ten years. “It is essential to be very comfortable with the basic gestures to intervene on a weakened public.” Then, after a care/body professionalization certificate, In 2014, Aurélie joined the Codes training course (COurs D’ESthétique with a humanitarian and social option) at the CHU (University Hospital Center) in Tours, today the only training course allowing her to obtain the title of certified socio-aesthetician. in the National Directory of Professional Certifications (RNCP).

A front door

Socio-aesthetic care is now an integral part of the therapeutic arsenal, for all people weakened by a physical or psychological impact or social isolation. “We intervene in the hospital, of course, but also in prison or other environments… for example, I have worked in child protection.” Aesthetic care intervenes on the body, but it is far from being simply “aesthetic”. It is a real gateway to reach much deeper layers of the individual. And all the more easily, as it is not strictly speaking a medical procedure. “I remember having intervened on a man in palliative care, and having been challenged by the nurse to ask me what I was doing, because she systematically reduced painkillers after my visit.”

Socio-aesthetics should be considered as an authentic tool of mediation, support care, therapy. “It’s about reconciling the person with their own body.” Aurélie’s sentence is undoubtedly the best way to touch the essence of this beautiful profession.