Beauty and Spa Industry

Hey Shane,
There is always work Everywhere you go....As far as this industry, what I have heard and found the jobs are plentiful and for the most part directed to the tourist season....What do you do?? I am a Licensed Massage Therapist......Plan on hitting the Island in a few days...enough time to get settled before the season begins. Chow' * Jasmine*

Jasmine, thanks for replying. I am an aesthetician and do specialized body work.

I would love to move down and do my work, would not to pick up and move down there with no knowledge of where I will be sleeping at night...til'that's figured out, I'll to wait.

If anyone has a room for rent, and can use my services or start a business with me- let me know! I have references and the best products in the world (from California),-- are top of the line for sun-exposed skin. thanks

shana: While moving in the VI has changed over the years, I'm afraid you will still find a prejudice against off-islanders. That is, there are many people who say they want to live here, but few ever show up. Jasmine was explaining that you probably WOULD need to pick up and move in order to find work. You could stay in a guest house or B & B short term while you find work and a more permanent place to live. Also, you should have enough money to float yourself for a period of 3- 6 months as it can take some time to get established. Aestheticians need a license ( I think massage therapists do also), that may take a while. You can do some of the work from afar, but you will probably have to come for a visit to get anything seriously done. Good luck!

East ender,

I have been trying to find out what the stipulations are on licensing there, No one has been able to help. So I will have to figure it out when I get there. I am a memeber of the NVTMB and am licensed in the state of WA. But I hope that the hours I have in and my references/credentials will apply. Any way of knowing?? I have even contacted the Massage board and no one I have spoken with has communicated in detail......Go figure *hehehe* Just a a wee bump in the road. * Jasmine*

Hello Jasmine,

Have you tried Dept. of Licensing and Consumer Affairs, http://www.dlca.gov.vi/index.htm

--Islander

It would either be through DLCA or the Health Department, I will try to ask.

Well, it seems Islander (as usual) is correct. You have to go through DLCA.

Did anybody get a feel for the availability of jobs in the industry in STT? I am also an aesthetician, licenced in Florida, and planning to move to the island in November. I would ideally like to work in a Medispa environment, but have been unable to find any information on such a thing in STT. Any feedback would be welcome!

What is a Medispa???

A Medispa combines the services of a Spa such as massage, facials, nails etc. with the additional benefit of procedures that can only be performed by a doctor. Typically there is either a Dermatologist or Cosmetic Surgeon on staff. Botox, Collagen, Laser and Chemical peels are all things that would not normally be available in a Spa. There are so many things that can be done nowadays to repair sun-damage and delay the signs of ageing. I would think that there should be a good market for this kind of thing in the islands - it is certainly big business in Florida!

Well, there are no cosmetic surgeons on St Thomas, maybe one dermatologist. The ENT does Botox. For plastic surgery, folks go to the Purple Palace on Tortola. One of the family practice guys does skin exams. One thing you have to remember is there are only about 50,000 people here (St Thomas) and 30% or more live in poverty. I have noticed stuff advertised like hair extensions, tatooed make up (?!) and artificial fingernails!! Massages are popular. There are spas associated with some of the hotels- the Reef, Sugar Bay and the Ritz notably. Also some solo practioners around.

I saw a shingle outside a plastic surgeons office this week. Can't remember where for sure, thought it was on the East end!

RL

Thanks EastEnder, your comments were very useful! At least I know now which direction to move in. I don't have a problem with working in a resort Spa, and I now know it is not necessary to do any further training in advanced skin care.

OK Ronnie, I get your point! It is just that St Thomas seemed very developed to me, but maybe that was all relative to the islands where I had lived.

Hmm, that would be interesting, Ronnie. Will have to keep a look out.

Sue: St Thomas IS developed compared to other Caribbean islands, but still not compared to most stateside places.

Also beauty pageants are a way of life- from Miss Preschool to Ms VI Senior. I swear there was a "Junior Miss Big and Beautiful" advertised recently right after a story on the obesity epidemic!