6. Is a license required to operate a beauty or cosmetic clinic in South Africa?
There are no registrations or licenses required to operate a Beauty or Cosmetic Clinic in South Africa. But there are regulatory bodies which support this industry and it would be wise to register with them in order to operate a credible business.
SAAHSP
The South African Association of Health and Skincare Professionals (SAAHSP), established in 1972, are well known as an educator in the beauty industry. SAAHSP Education represents training institutions around the country and offers the national SAAHSP examination. SAAHSP is the South African division of CIDESCO, an international non-profit organisation with headquarters in Zurich that is represented in 35 countries worldwide.
SAAHSP offers a number of benefits to members, the most important being credibility and professionalism. Members also receive updated and continual education; regional functions, seminars and workshops; professional support; pricing and costing of treatments; and salary structure advice and more.
BHSEA
The Beauty Health and Skincare Employers Association (BHSEA) it also a most useful organisation to join as they ensure that employers have access to as much business, legal, labour and other advice as will be deemed necessary to run a successful and professional business.
AHBEASA
Afro Hairdressing and Beauty Association of South Africa’s (AHBEASA) is an organisation that develops and raises the standard of the Afro hairdressing beauty salons in Southern Africa into highly respected businesses and it ensures adequate protection of the interest of black owned businesses in the hairdressing and beauty industry.