Boots revealed today (May 20) that thousands of its pharmacists will be offered training to deliver “advanced clinical skincare advice in-store for free” and without an appointment.
The multiple told C+D that it is “offering dermatological training to over 4,000 of its pharmacists across the UK”.
However, it remains unclear when the training will be delivered, whether it will be optional and if pharmacists will be paid more for offering dermatological services.
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Boots said that the training has been developed “in conjunction with leading dermatologist Dr Justine Hextall”.
And it added that “over 1,200 Boots beauty and healthcare specialists have received additional skincare training to give them a better understanding of different skin types and conditions”.
New skin services
Meanwhile, the multiple announced that it has also launched a new online skin condition diagnosis service “costing £25 per assessment”.
It said that after patients complete a questionnaire on Boots Online Doctor and upload “three clear photographs of the skin”, a clinician will be in contact with them “within 24 hours with a diagnosis, clinical advice and recommended next steps”.
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“Patients who receive a diagnosis can then access a range of other Boots Online Doctor skin services for further advice and treatment depending on their diagnosed condition or visit their GP,” it added.
Boots also announced the launch of a new skin ageing and hyperpigmentation service “where patients can access advice and prescription treatment for fine lines, texture, hyperpigmentation and acne scarring”, starting at £16.
“Delighted”
Clinical lead for acne and skin at Boots Online Doctor Dr Susie Gawler said that Boots is “delighted to introduce these new skin services”.
She added that the services will make “clinical dermatological advice available quickly and conveniently to everyone”.
“We hope the new services will be convenient for those who face longer waiting times to see their GP or find the cost of a private dermatologist prohibitive,” she said.
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In December, Boots launched a new “beauty concept store” offering specialist dermatology consultations in London’s Battersea Power Station.
At the time, it said that the store’s dermatology-trained pharmacists would eventually be able to offer customers “prescription-only medicines to treat skin conditions”.
And last week (May 17), Boots celebrated its 175th anniversary by giving its staff pin badges and birthday cake, as well as launching an exhibition exploring “175 years of shopping at Boots”.
